2022 NFL mock draft has Bengals going big in front of Joe Burrow
The Cincinnati Bengals have eyes on the regular season after finalizing a 53-man roster.
Well, most of the eyes. Rest assured the Bengals scouting department also has eyes on the college football season and the top names there as the long-term plan for the 2022 NFL draft starts to develop.
And during this lull in NFL action, mock drafts have crept into the conversation too. A new one from Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling has the Bengals picking fourth overall and selecting Alabama’s Evan Neal:
“Next year, they can’t afford to pass up on the top tackle prospect in the class. That’s Neal, and he’d immediately be the best blocker on a team that needs more than one upgrade in front of their former No. 1 pick.”
It’s not a terrible idea to go ahead and keep upgrading the line in front of Joe Burrow. And Neal is one heck of a way to do it — so far, he’s the consensus top tackle in the draft and checks in at 6’7″ and 350 pounds.
The Bengals will probably need some edge-rushing and secondary help too with premium picks. But with rookies D’Ante Smith and Jackson Carman playing guard spots, reinforcing right tackle once Riley Reiff leaves with a prospect like Neal is a smooth idea.
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