NFL Draft 2019: Cincinnati Bengals full NFL mock draft

By Joe Romano | Mar 25, 2019

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 16: Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) reacts with teammate Cody Core (16) after scoring a touchdown during the game against the Oakland Raiders and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 16th 2018, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 19: Damarius Travis #7, Blake Cashman #36 and Antoine Winfield Jr. #11 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrate a sack of Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats during the fourth quarter of the game on November 19, 2016 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Gophers defeated the Wildcats 29-12. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Round 2 – Pick 42

Blake Cashman, LB, Minnesota

Prospects that rise throughout the post-season draft process usually do so because of two factors. The first being excellent athletic testing that make evaluators go back and re-watch the tape. Another factor is when a position group is weak overall so players get pushed up the board to fill in the gaps left in talent disparity. In Minnesota linebacker Blake Cashman’s case, he hit both of those criteria.

Cashman tested like an elite athlete. If it were not for Devin White and Devin Bush, the draft’s top two linebackers, destroying the combine, Cashman would be the talk of Indianapolis. Instead he’s being heralded for having a great day but not to the level of the two Devins. Going back on tape and it was easy to see his exceptional athleticism being put to use. In a class where there is a massive gap between the top two prospects and the third, Cashman had the type of showing after the season to see his stock sky rocket.

Cincinnati is in desperate need of linebacker help. Losing Vontaze Burfict only highlighted that issue further. It is a reason why one of the two Devins is constantly mocked to them in the first round. Cashman would give them a sideline to sideline athlete at the position. That type of speed and ability to read and react would immensely help this defense. In a draft with very little help after the first two, grabbing Cashman, even if it feels like a bit of a reach, makes total sense.

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