Cincinnati Bengals set Joe Burrow up for success in final 7-round mock draft

The Cincinnati Bengals need to put Joe Burrow in the best position possible moving forward and the 2021 NFL Draft offers chances to make that happen.

While the 2020 season didn’t go in their favor, it’s fair to say that the Cincinnati Bengals have a bright future. Quarterback Joe Burrow was fantastic in the first half of the season before being lost for the year due to a torn ACL and the safety duo of Jessie Bates and Von Bell was among the best secondary duos in the league.

That said, the Bengals do have glaring needs, specifically on the offensive line and at wide receiver.  There are also margins of the roster that must be filled out. At the end of the day, though, putting Burrow in the best spot for the future is the key concern in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Let’s see how they address these needs in the Cincinnati Bengals final 7-round mock draft.

Cincinnati Bengals 2021 mock draft: Final Edition

Round 1, Pick 5: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

A week ago, I wouldn’t have had Ja’Marr Chase in this spot. But, as the week has gone on, the belief has grown that the Bengals will reunite Chase with Joe Burrow. Yes, the Bengals need help up front; the injury and constant battery of Burrow was evidence of that.

That said, this is a very deep and talented offensive tackle class. The Bengals can get Chase, who Burrow already has chemistry with, and grab a tackle with their second-round pick.

Round 2, Pick 38: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

Speaking of a tackle, enter Teven Jenkins, who played all over the Oklahoma State offensive line throughout his time with the Cowboys. That versatility gives the Bengals options in terms of where to put him but the likely landing spot would be left tackle while moving Jonah WIlliams to right tackle.

Being that Oklahoma State runs an air-raid offense and Cincinnati likes to throw the ball a lot as well, the transition should be seamless.

Round 3, Pick 69: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia

The Bengals lost cornerback William Jackson III to Washington. While they signed Mike Hilton from Pittsburgh, he will be the slot/nickel corner; they need help outside.

Tyson Campbell is very good in man-to-man situations and adds a lot of athleticism and playmaking ability to the position. The Bengals would get great value from taking Campbell early in the third round.

Round 4, Pick 111: Deonte Brown, OG, Alabama

More offensive line help for the Bengals is likely later in the draft. While protecting Burrow is an obvious need, getting a solid run game going is also an issue the Bengals need to focus on. Brown is a very good run blocker and could help open up holes for Joe Mixon between the tackles.

Round 5, Pick 149: Quintin Morris, TE, Bowling Green

Quinton Morris had fantastic 2018 and 2019 seasons, combining for 97 catches and 11 touchdowns in his sophomore and junior years. 2020 wasn’t his best but only playing in five games didn’t help his case. C.J. Uzomah and Drew Sample aren’t terrible by any means, but the Bengals need a tight end they can look at as a true receiving threat; Morris could give them that.

Round 6, Pick 190: Ta’Quan Graham, DT, Texas

Ta’Quan Graham is a guy who can give the Bengals good depth on the interior of their 4-3. He’s more of a power rusher from the interior rather than a finesse guy.

At the very least, he can be a guy that the Bengals develop on their practice squad for a good amount of the year before giving him the call-up and some situational snaps to develop him into a rotational piece.

Round 6, Pick 202: Joshuah Bledsoe, S, Missouri

As mentioned earlier, the safety duo of Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell is good. That said, they don’t have too much depth behind them. Bledsoe is a guy who can play deep but also be lined up in the slot. He is very good against the run as well. His versatility would serve the Bengals well.

Round 7, Pick 235: K.J. Britt, LB, Auburn

Britt is someone who can give the Bengals help on special teams right away. This would serve him well because it would give him playing time but he can be thrown into the linebacker rotation if needed.