Breaking down Cincinnati Bengals Mock Drafts

Using On the Clock Data, we will take a look at how the Cincinnati Bengals mock drafts are shaping up. The data collected is from user mock drafts from the beginning of February, through March 25th. We will take a look at what positions are being targeted, particular players Bengals fans are taking and what rounds certain positions are being selected.

Most Drafted Positions:

Linebacker- 18.53%

Top players targeted: Malik Harrison, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Troy Dye, Jordan Brooks, Logan Wilson

Pick percentage by round: 1st: 2% | 2nd: 10% | 3rd: 25% | 4th: 26%  | 5th: 20% | 6th: 10% | 7th: 8%

Notes:

A couple interesting notes here with the Bengals. Clearly with this being the position that is being drafted the most, there are a large percentage of drafts with the Bengals selecting multiple linebackers. This is a big need area for Cincinnati and they can take advantage of a deep class of linebackers. 3rd-5th round is the sweet spot as 71% of linebackers were taken in that range.

Quarterback- 13.202%

Top players targeted: Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Jordan Love, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts

Pick percentage by round: 1st: 94% | 2nd: 3% | 3rd: 1% | 4th: 0%  | 5th: 0% | 6th: 0% | 7th: 1%

Notes:

No real surprise here the Bengals need a Franchise QB. Even in mock drafts where users trade back, they still are trying to select a QB early. Of over 6,000 Bengals’ mock drafts in this time frame, Burrow was a selection on 92% of them.

Wide Receiver- 11.71%

Top players targeted: Denzel Mims, Chase Claypool, Van Jefferson, Jalen Reagor, Brandon Aiyuk, Michael Pittman Jr., Donovan Peoples-Jones

Pick percentage by round: 1st: 1% | 2nd: 14% | 3rd: 21% | 4th: 22%  | 5th: 25% | 6th: 9%  | 7th: 7%

Notes:

Bengals users are intent to add at least one receiver in most mocks to develop alongside Joe Burrow. Interestingly it doesn’t appear to be the top priority for the 2nd or even the 3rd round. A lot of that is likely due to having A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd already locked into the roster. If Cincy does spend their 3rd or 4th round pick on a receiver, they should have a very impressive group to help out Burrow.

Offensive Tackle- 9.97%

Top players targeted: Isaiah Wilson, Lucas Niang, Trey Adams, Saahdiq Charles, Alex Taylor, Ben Bartch, Charlie Heck

Pick percentage by round: 1st: 3% | 2nd: 13% | 3rd: 16% | 4th: 11%  | 5th: 17% | 6th: 22%  | 7th: 17%

Notes:

I’m a bit surprised offensive tackle didn’t rank as a higher need. I understand that Jonah Williams should be back and is penciled in for Left Tackle, but right tackle is a huge mess. Also, with Williams there was even talk that long term he might be best at RT or G, so if a top LT prospect slips to the 2nd round it might not be a terrible idea to grab one.

Safety- 8.99%

Top players targeted: Xavier McKinney, Jeremy Chinn, Antoine Winfield, Kyle Dugger, J.R. Reed.

Pick percentage by round: 1st: 0% | 2nd: 34% | 3rd: 13% | 4th: 12%  | 5th: 9% | 6th: 14%  | 7th: 18%

Notes:

It will be interesting to see if the recent signing of Vonn Bell changes users outlook on this position. I’m guessing that we won’t see so many safeties in 2nd and 3rd round selections going forward. Safety at the moment looks fairly solid for the Bengals, with maybe just a depth guy taken on Day 3.

Cornerback- 8.48%

Top players targeted: Jeff Gladney, Troy Pride Jr., Amik Robertson, A.J. Green, A.J. Terrell, Lavert Hill, Bryce Hall

Pick percentage by round: 1st: 1% | 2nd: 21% | 3rd: 16% | 4th: 10% | 5th: 12% | 6th: 18% | 7th: 22%

Notes:

This is likely another position that sees both it’s overall percentage and premium picks drop in the next month. The Bengals signed a pair of corners in free agency to go along with Kirkpatrick, and William Jackson. They may still add a corner late, but it’s no where near the priority it was before free agency.

Edge- 7.56%

Top players targeted: Zack Baun, Chase Young, Marlon Davidson, Terrell Lewis, Josh Uche, Curtis Weaver, Kenny Willekes, Alex Highsmith

Pick percentage by round: 1st: 9% | 2nd: 33% | 3rd: 12% | 4th: 11%  | 5th: 11% | 6th: 10% | 7th: 15%

Notes:

This is a position that I think could see a major boost based on what Cincinnati has done in free agency. It was the 2nd most popular choice (behind) safety for 2nd round picks, and is an area the Bengals could use another guy capable of Edge pressure.

Guard- 7.16%

Top players targeted: Damien Lewis, Netane Muti, Jonah Jackson, Solomon Kindley, Shane Lemieux, Logan Stenberg

Pick percentage by round: 1st: 0% | 2nd: 4% | 3rd: 15% | 4th: 31%  | 5th: 17% | 6th: 20%  | 7th: 13%

Notes:

This is still very much a need area for Cincinnati so I do expect them to address it sometime in the draft. The 4th round is where most users are targeting, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they try to address it a round earlier come draft day.

Defensive line- 6.01%

Top players targeted: Davon Hamilton, Raekwon Davis, Jordan Elliott, McTelvin Agim, Neville Gallimore

Pick percentage by round: 1st: 0% | 2nd: 14% | 3rd: 24% | 4th: 10%  | 5th: 13% | 6th: 16%  | 7th: 22%

Notes:

I was a little surprised with how often a DL was taken in rounds 2 and 3, but I think generally those are value picks. When a guy slides out of the first or 2nd, perhaps there is a player too good to pass up. Now with D.J. Reader signed, I’m guessing this is a Day 3 need and might not even see a selection in the draft.

Tight end- 4.20%

Top players targeted: Thaddeus Moss, Josiah Deguara, Adam Trautman, Stephen Sullivan, Cole Kmet, Colby Parkinson

Pick percentage by round: 1st: 0% | 2nd: 3% | 3rd: 12% | 4th: 24% | 5th: 17% | 6th: 33%  | 7th: 11%

Notes:

I was a bit surprised with how few Tight Ends were selected by Bengals users. Tyler Eifert is gone and while they have C.J. Uzomah and Drew Sample, they only combined for 270 yards backing up Eifert. Only 2% of 2nd and 3rd round selections by Bengals fans took a TE. Some of that could be how down this class is, but that seem soft considering how thin on paper this depth chart is.

Center- 2.18%

Top players targeted: Cesar Ruiz, Tyler Biadasz, Lloyd Chusenberry, Matt Hennessy, Nick Harris

Pick percentage by round: 1st: 0% | 2nd: 24% | 3rd: 37% | 4th: 20%  | 5th: 10% | 6th: 5%  | 7th: 4%

Notes:

Though not an drafted by users a lot, center is clearly a priority for fans in the 2nd-4th rounds. Overall numbers are low, but when fans are taking one, they believe they will be a starter or push for the starting job. Depth doesn’t seem like a priority here.

Running backs- 1.74%

Top players targeted: AJ Dillon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Antonio Gibson, Zack Moss, Joshua Kelley

Pick percentage by round: 1st: 0% | 2nd: 11% | 3rd: 11% | 4th: 12%  | 5th: 17% | 6th: 25% | 7th: 24%

Notes:

This is a position that was rarely targeted by fans, and when they do they address it late. It’s the only position that never saw even 4% of the number of picks in a single round. Fans are happy with the Mixon/Bernard combo, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cincinnati address this position. Mixon will be a free agent after the season, and the team might not be willing to spend the money to extend him.