The Bengals currently sit with the No. 5 overall pick in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. Here's a look what the national media and draft experts are projecting in their mock drafts, as well as other players the Bengals could select as the draft continues.
Penei Sewell - OT Oregon
Mel Kiper Jr. - ESPN
Analysis - He's the clear top offensive tackle in this class. I have compared Sewell to Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz, and Cincinnati should be thrilled to get another foundational player.
Seth Galina - Pro Football Focus
Analysis - The Oregon tackle is as smooth as they come; he never looks like he's in a hurry and just swallows up anyone who dares come at him. He allowed only seven pressures in all of 2019.
Anthony Treash - Pro Football Focus
Analysis - Sewell recorded a 95.8 PFF grade in 2019, which still stands as the highest-graded season by a Power 5 tackle since 2014. At 6-foot-6, 325-pounds, it's quite amazing watching Sewell move in space — the overall athleticism is off the charts.
Josh Edwards - CBS Sports
Analysis - Cincinnati watches as the action unfolds in front of them before selecting their top target -- Oregon's Penei Sewell.
Chris Trapasso - CBS Sports
Analysis - This is a dark horse landing spot for Ja'Marr Chase, but the Bengals make the prudent pick of Sewell for Joe Burrow's future.
Danny Kelly - The Ringer
Analysis - Big, Physical Trench Dominator; a plug-and-play left tackle who excels both as a pass protector and as a run blocker
Oliver Hodgkinson - Pro Football Network
Analysis - Athletic, strong, and dominant, Penei Sewell has everything that you want in an offensive tackle and then some. Equally as impressive in pass blocking or run blocking, Sewell is not only the best offensive tackle in this 2021 NFL Draft class, but also the best offensive tackle prospect in a number of years.
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Analysis - Sewell isn't the flawless prospect some make him out to be, but he is still an outstanding player with his big-man balance and flexibility — and he doesn't turn 21 until October.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz - USA TODAY
Analysis - If Sewell is still available at this point, the 2019 Outland Trophy winner would be a no-brainer for the Bengals, as he would afford Burrow some much needed peace of mind upon the quarterback's return.
Mark Schofield - Yahoo! Sports
Analysis: with the way the board falls they still see the top tackle in this class drop into their lap.
Brentley Weissman, The Draft Network
Analysis - Sewell has the strength, athleticism, balance, and physical temperament to be a high-level left tackle early on in his career.
WalterFootball.com
Analysis - Penei Sewell was so good as a sophomore, he received a second-place Heisman vote.
Ja'Marr Chase - WR, LSU
Ben Linsey - Pro Football Focus
Analysis: In his 2019 season with LSU, Chase's 24 receptions on passes targeted 20-plus yards downfield were the most in the FBS. No other wide receiver had more than 16.
Michael Renner - Pro Football Focus
Analysis - Chase was putting up over 1,700 yards against the top corners in college football as a 19-year-old. He's every bit the prospect A.J. Green was a decade ago.
Steve Palazzolo, Pro Football Focus
Analysis - He reunites with former LSU teammate Joe Burrow and gives the Bengals a solid route-runner who simply knows how to win at the catch point at each level of the field.
Rashawn Slater - OL, Northwestern
Daniel Jeremiah - NFL.com
Analysis - Florida TE Kyle Pitts would be tempting right here, but the Bengals must address the offensive line. Slater has five-position flexibility and his tape is outstanding.
Todd McShay - ESPN
Analysis - A 2020 opt-out, Slater projects best as an interior lineman -- possibly at center -- but he also has experience at both left and right tackle.
Ryan Wilson - CBS Sports
Analysis - He was solid at tackle in 2019 (he opted out in 2020), and has the versatility to play guard and even center.
Micah Parsons - LB, Penn State
Jason McIntyre - FOX Sports
Analysis - If they don't trade back, the defense needs an infusion of talent, and Parsons is a great start.
Wyatt Davis - OL, Ohio State
Joal Ryan - 247 Sports
Analysis - The Bengals look to bolster Joe Burrow's O-line with the 6-foot-5 grandson of NFL Hall of Famer Willie Davis. Wyatt Davis earned consensus All-American status for his work in the 2020 college season.
