2022 NFL Mock Draft: Malik Willis in the top 5, Cowboys get elite EDGE
By Randy Gurzi
Scouting Report. 56. Pick Analysis. CB. LSU. Derek Stingley. 5. player
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
Yes, we all know the Cincinnati Bengals need to draft an offensive lineman to help keep Joe Burrow protected — and they’re going to continue to take grief for passing on Penei Sewell until they do. However, they did add some players in free agency and the draft this season who could pan out.
If they do, the Bengals could be set. If not, they will likely go with the same approach they did this year — add some talent in free agency to allow them to draft the best player available. With that being said, the prediction here is they take the top guy regardless of position, which happens to be Derek Stingley from LSU. It would also be the third time in a row they take a player from the Tigers roster with their first pick, and if you’re going to continue to add from one program, there would be a lot of teams worse than LSU to continue to choose from.
Ever since arriving at LSU, Stingley has been completely dominant. He has the perfect mix of size, speed, and athleticism while also boasting more than enough confidence to go up against the best receivers in the NFL. Again, this pick might raise some eyebrows, much in the way their selection of Ja’Marr Chase did the previous year. However, like Chase, it’s a solid selection that offers great value for a team needing to add players at multiple positions.