2021 NFL Mock Draft: Final prediction has Patriots trade for Justin Fields

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to pass during the first quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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Ja’Marr Chase, 2021 NFL mock draft (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Final 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Bengals have options at No. 5

5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

This pick should be Penei Sewell. For as many enjoyable pieces as the Cincinnati Bengals have littered throughout the roster, the full infrastructure needed to succeed is not in place, especially on the offensive line. And after investing the No. 1 pick in Joe Burrow last season, protecting him should be of the utmost importance.

Sewell would be the obvious fix to that. This is a player who already looks like the best offensive tackle in the 2021 NFL Draft class and there is a great chance he’s not even touched anywhere remotely close to his ceiling given how young he is coming into the league.

Unfortunately, it’s not going to be Sewell. Every indication at this point is that the Bengals are going to pair Burrow with the wide receiver he threw 20 touchdowns to in the 2019 college football season at LSU, Ja’Marr Chase. And to be sure, the Bengals are getting an elite pass-catcher with this pick.

A wide receiver corps of Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd is actually quite impressive and Burrow will have no shortage of options. But passing up on Sewell means he still might be running for his life — as he returns from a torn ACL — as he tries to find those options.

Who I Would Pick: Penei Sewell

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