2018 NFL Redraft: Lamar Jackson saves the Cleveland Browns
By Samuel Teets
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike McGlinchey, OT (Billy Price, C)
Offensive linemen aren’t sexy first-round selections, but there was nothing sexy about Cincinnati in 2018 anyway. The Bengals went 6-10 and fired long-time head coach Marvin Lewis after the season. The team went 2-14 last year, winning the Joe Burrow sweepstakes and continuing Cincinnati’s rebuilding process.
In 2018, nobody even thought Burrow would go in the first round, so it’s not like Cincinnati knew they’d eventually land the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck. However, the team should’ve seen the cliff coming. After years of failing to succeed in the playoffs, Cincinnati’s team began aging and falling apart.
Bobby Hart started all 16 games at right tackle for Cincinnati in 2018. Hart signed a three-year, $16.15 million contract extension with the team last May and started all 16 games this past season. However, he’s a few steps down from McGlinchey. The Notre Dame product missed four games for the San Francisco 49ers last season, but he’s still one of the brightest young right tackles in the NFL.
Cincinnati did try to address its offensive line in 2018, taking center Billy Price with the 21st overall pick. However, Price is a flawed player who might not be a starter this coming season. On the other hand, McGlinchey could make a Pro Bowl appearance in the near future.