2019 NFL Draft: 5 players Bengals could take in Round 1

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 30: A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates the game winning touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

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SAN ANTONIO, TX – DECEMBER 28: Washington State Cougars offensive lineman Andre Dillard (60) looks to make a block during the Alamo Bowl between the Washington State Cougars and Iowa State Cyclones on December 28, 2018 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Andre Dillard

The Bengals re-signed Bobby Hart to play right tackle, but there’s no question they could use an upgrade at the position. Dillard is widely regarded as the top pass blocking tackle in this class, so the idea is he could play on the right during his rookie season and then shift to the blind side to replace Cordy Glenn.

Dillard isn’t a mauler on the offensive line. Instead, he’s more accurately described as a technician. He uses his quick feet and long arms to keep defensive lineman from getting into his body. That allows him to steer them away from his quarterback the vast majority of the time.

That skill set seems to be a good fit for the type of offense Taylor says he wants to install. He’s looking to get the ball out of his quarterback’s hands quickly and that means the Bengals will need to shut down pass rushing from the edge. Dillard might need a few weeks to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NFL, but he projects as a really solid player at a position of high value.

Dillard isn’t going to suddenly turn the Bengals into a playoff team, but he’d give the team real value at this point in the draft. Finding a potential quality starter at left tackle all the way down at No. 11 could turn into a stroke of genius down the line.

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