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NFL Draft: 5 players Bengals must target in the first round

By Rucker Haringey

CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals on the sidelines in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals on the sidelines in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Cincinnati Bengals mock draft, Charles Cross
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 04: Charles Cross #OL06 of Mississippi State runs a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 04, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

4. Charles Cross

Cross was in the mix to be the first tackle drafted during much of the season but his stock has started to drop compared to several of his peers. It’s now possible, but not likely, that Cross could fall all the way to the bottom of Round 1.

If Cross is on the board when Cincinnati goes on the clock at No. 31 they should spring to the podium to end his slide. He is an elite pass-blocker who handled all manner of SEC edge rushers to perfect at Mississippi State last season.

Critics of Cross correctly point out that he’s more of a technician than a power guy out on the perimeter. The Bengals can afford to deploy a left tackle who is only an adequate run blocker if it means getting better protection for their franchise quarterback.

Drafting Cross would allow the Bengals to move Jonah Williams to the right side and let Riley Reiff walk in free agency. He can’t solve all of Cincinnati’s offensive line struggles in one swoop but acquiring Cross would be a big step in the right direction for Joe Burrow’s health.

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