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2018 NFL mock draft: Saquon Barkley heads to Giants

By Brad Weiss

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the football 92 yards to score a touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the first half of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the football 92 yards to score a touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the first half of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 09: Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey (68) leads the offense back onto the field during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs on September 9, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 09: Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey (68) leads the offense back onto the field during the college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs on September 9, 2017, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

56. . Offensive Tackle. Notre Dame. Mike McGlinchey. 12. player

After another dismal season in Cincinnati, the writing looked to be on the wall that it would be the end of the line for head coach Marvin Lewis. After coaching the team for more than a decade, Lewis has yet to bring the city a single playoff win, but he was retained after the season. In fact, Lewis expects to be a part of the rebuilding in Cincinnati, although the fan base is not going to want to wait another 15 years for a playoff win.

Quarterback Andy Dalton is still a very good player, and rookie running back Joe Mixon looked good in spurts in 2017. If this team wants to get back to the top of the AFC North, they have to get better up front on both sides of the ball. Drafting a player like Mike McGlinchey from Notre Dame can help them accomplish that on offense, as he is the best offensive tackle prospect in this draft class.

McGlinchey could have been a first round pick last year, but he decided to return to Notre Dame for his senior season. The big fella teamed with Quenton Nelson to give the Fighting Irish the best offensive line in the country, though it did not equate to a successful season in South Bend. McGlinchey is going to be a stellar player at the next level, and this Bengals roster still has enough talent to win games next season.

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