2019 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals 7-round mock draft
By Joe Romano
Round 2 – Pick 42
Irv Smith, TE, Alabama
Another position that the Bengals are set to lose free agents from and can address in the draft is tight end. Luckily for Cincinnati, unlike linebacker, tight end is a very deep position group where talent can be found throughout the draft. For this instance of the mock draft, the value atop the second round was too good too pass up. Cincinnati grabbed Irv Smith Jr. from Alabama to fill that void.
Smith was an uber-productive player this past season with Alabama finally finding a real passing game. His value as a pass-catcher was shown with seven touchdowns and nearly 20 yards per catch. He’s got excellent hands, a big body and some acceleration/burst that makes him a nightmare for opposing defenders. At 6-foot-3 and almost 250 pounds, he’s the ideal body type for the modern tight end. Smith is a traditional tight end in one phase, blocking. There are few players that can line up and win one-on-one with SEC defensive players. Smith did that all season and then some. There are very few concerns about him, and he is one of the highest floor players in this draft.
With Cincinnati’s entire tight end group up for free agency, Smith would immediately step into a starting role. He would be a fourth option in this passing attack, meaning he would be able to thrive. His place on the offense would help Joe Mixon on the ground but really help A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd by occupying middle of the field help and open up the entire offense. Zac Taylor and Andy Dalton would be smitten to have a player of Smith’s caliber along with the other weapons on the field.