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2017 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals 7-round mock

By John Buhler

Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen goes through workout drills during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen goes through workout drills during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles tackle Roderick Johnson (77) blocks against North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive end Bradley Chubb (9) during the second half at Carter Finley Stadium. Florida State won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles tackle Roderick Johnson (77) blocks against North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive end Bradley Chubb (9) during the second half at Carter Finley Stadium. Florida State won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Third Round

73

Roderick Johnson

Offensive Tackle, Florida State Seminoles

Cincinnati is in a very strange predicament when it comes to their offensive line. The Bengals didn’t have a great offensive line last year to begin with, but lost its two best player up front in free agency.

Left tackle Andrew Whitworth left the Bengals for the Los Angeles Rams. Whitworth is a great player, but expensive and old. Even more painfully, guard Kevin Zeitler left the Bengals while still in his prime to play for Hue Jackson’s Cleveland Browns. Cincinnati has to hate that move so much.

So improving the offensive line is paramount for the Bengals in the NFL Draft. The problem is that this is the weakest offensive line class in years. Rather than overdraft a player in the first two roads, the Bengals should take a proven tackle out of Florid State in Roderick Johnson at No. 73 in the third round.

Playing for a blue-blood in the improved ACC should have Johnson ready to play at the NFL level. Florida State’s offense is more pro-style than most. That should in Johnson’s development early on in his NFL career. Finding offensive line talent in the middle to late rounds of the draft will be crucial for the Bengals this spring.

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