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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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 29: Oklahoma offensive lineman Ben Powers (72) during the second half of the CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl between Alabama Crimson Tide and the Oklahoma Sooners on December 29, 2018, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Round 3 – Pick 72

Ben Powers, G, Oklahoma

The Bengals offensive line is a bit of a mystery. There are highly touted draft picks at a bunch of positions. Last year they spent a first round pick on center Billy Price. He struggled in his first season, but has talent to play much better. One issue is who was besides him. Price had Clint Boling and Alex Redmond lining up next to him.

Boling was a top-100 draft pick in 2011 but has been a steady, albeit average, force on the line since his second season. Redmond is a former undrafted free agent who bounced on and off the practice squad before starting 15 games last year. Both players could be upgraded.

That is where Oklahoma guard Ben Powers comes in. Powers is a perfect player to line up next to Price in Taylor’s new offense. Coming from an offensive line where all five players will play in the NFL, he’s a good but not great prospect.

After transferring to the Sooners from community college, Powers showed excellent work ethic to lock down a starting spot and turning himself into an All-American in the process. Not the best athlete, Powers would be best to avoid offenses where he will be playing in too much space. He’s a people mover who is solid enough in pass protection to get by. With the NFL going to a more quick-base passing attack, Powers skill set should shine.

There are other options for the team here as well. Grabbing another pass catcher, whether at tight end or receiver could be an option. Both positions are deep in this draft and Cincinnati has a secondary need at both. Finding a tackle would be a wise investment as well. They must believe in Bobby Hart and Cedric Ogbuehi because they are paying them and slotting one of them into starting spots as of now.

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