Cincinnati Bengals full 2018 NFL mock draft
By John Buhler
The Cincinnati Bengals will have 11 picks to get better as a football team in the 2018 NFL Draft. Here is the latest NFL mock draft for the Bengals.
2017 was a strange year for the Cincinnati Bengals. It felt like ages from the promising 2015 NFL season where everything seemed to click. The Bengals fell flat on their face right out of the gate, leading to offensive coordinator Ken Zampese’s canning in September. From there, the Bengals just kind of remained with one foot in the AFC playoff picture, but never really serious about making a postseason appearance.
Just when everybody knew that head coach Marvin Lewis was going to be parting ways with the team, he was brought back on yet another extension. Cincinnati went 7-9 and kept the division rival Baltimore Ravens from making the playoffs thanks to a miracle play by quarterback Andy Dalton to wide receiver Tyler Boyd. The Buffalo Bills thanked Dalton by contributing handsomely to his charity.
Cincinnati would however end up losing defensive coordinator Paul Guenther to the same post with the Oakland Raiders. The Bengals did appropriately replace him by prying Teryl Austin away from the Detroit Lions. That being said, Cincinnati needs to make its mark in a weak AFC North in 2018. Will they be able to address some key needs in the upcoming draft?
The Bengals will have a whopping 11 picks in the 2018 NFL Draft. Primary needs for the Bengals are at guard, safety and out on the edge. Secondary needs include offensive tackle, quarterback and wide receiver. Tertiary needs are at cornerback, linebacker and center. Cincinnati should be in great position to address all nine needs with their 11 picks. Here is the latest mock draft for the Bengals.
First Round
Unless an elite edge player falls to them at No. 12, it will be difficult for the Bengals to address one of their primary needs in the first round should they stay put. While Cincinnati does things differently along the offensive line in terms of development, you’re not going to get a physical specimen with NFL pedigree quite like Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey.
McGlinchey is 6-foot-8, 309 pounds. He has 34-inch arms and 10-inch hands. McGlinchey was a multi-year starter in a pro-style offense at Notre Dame. His older cousin is Atlanta Falcons franchise quarterback Matt Ryan, who went No. 3 overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. It looks like their clan will be having another first-round pick in the family.
Overall, McGlinchey has the reach, frame and experience to be an NFL starter. However, Notre Dame may just be an elite offensive system that produces a ton of viable NFL Draft prospects. Guys like Zack Martin, Ronnie Stanley and teammate Quenton Nelson were also Golden Domers under head coach Brian Kelly.
McGlinchey’s stock had been higher during the season. His slight dip throughout the process could be the Bengals’ gain for a long time. Having a blind side protector for Andy Dalton now and whomever starts under center in the distant future for the Bengals could be key. This isn’t a bad draft class for offensive line talent like last year. Look for the Bengals to take advantage.