The calendar has turned to March and while NFL free agency begins in less than three weeks, the 2021 NFL Draft isn't far behind.
The Bengals currently hold the No. 5 pick in the draft and they have plenty of intriguing options. Take a look at who the analysts and draft gurus are pairing the Bengals with the No. 5 overall pick.
![Oregon offensive lineman Penei Sewell (58) looks on as Oregon plays Auburn in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. Auburn won 27-21. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_editorial_landscape_mobile/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/pnmgplxoptz6zhmy52bf.jpg)
Penei Sewell - OT Oregon
Charley Casserly - NFL.com
Analysis: "Getting the best offensive tackle in this draft class should help."
Daniel Jeremiah - NFL.com
Analysis: Kyle Pitts is an attractive option, but the Bengals need to make protecting Joe Burrow the priority.
Mel Kiper Jr. - ESPN
Analysis: "The 2019 Outland Trophy winner has everything teams want in a franchise left tackle. Even though he didn't play last season, his tape from the previous two years is enough to make him the top tackle in this class."
Todd McShay - ESPN.com
Analysis: Sewell -- who opted out of the 2020 season -- is a game-changing tackle.
Pete Prisco - CBS Sports
Analysis: Sewell didn't play last year, but he is outstanding and that could mean Jonah Williams moves to the right side.
Ryan Wilson - CBS Sports
Analysis: The Bengals would love for Sewell to fall to them here and there's a decent chance it happens as teams jockey for QBs at the top of the board.
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
Austin Gayle - Pro Football Focus
Analysis: The former Oregon Duck is a generational offensive tackle prospect who earned PFF grades in 2019 that we've never seen from an underclassman in the PFF College era (2014-20).
Check out a gallery looking back at some of the notable players the Bengals have taken in the first-round of the NFL Draft through the years.
![Anthony Munoz, OT
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1980 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/umymhqi6w78nj7aq3l6z.jpg)
Anthony Munoz, OT
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1980 NFL Draft
![A.J. Green, WR
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2011 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/t4q2k5dib8ghumtkgeyx.jpg)
A.J. Green, WR
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2011 NFL Draft
![William Jackson, CB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2016 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/ej0utipztxjw6a3t8tjn.jpg)
William Jackson, CB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2016 NFL Draft
![Joe Burrow, QB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2020 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/luhrmvc0ymqib8wdanrf.jpg)
Joe Burrow, QB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2020 NFL Draft
![Bob Johnson, C
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1968 NFL/AFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/a6br5rjxqcea7nbjhvjq.jpg)
Bob Johnson, C
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1968 NFL/AFL Draft
![Leon Hall, CB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2007 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/jrjazjnngkdjcyaovgsy.jpg)
Leon Hall, CB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2007 NFL Draft
![Eddie Edwards, DE
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1977 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/dyui1uste0tzfxpwdaui.jpg)
Eddie Edwards, DE
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1977 NFL Draft
![Charles Alexander, RB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1979 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/zaytsawegbgbk1sxxod8.jpg)
Charles Alexander, RB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1979 NFL Draft
![Darryl Williams , DB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1992 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/pazoabbckhsahp6rgttz.jpg)
Darryl Williams , DB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1992 NFL Draft
![Dan Wilkinson, DT
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1994 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/hfj5mkw4syypyanl1k9x.jpg)
Dan Wilkinson, DT
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1994 NFL Draft
![Ki-Jana Carter, RB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1995 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/ttfk6de4k2llpehuyldh.jpg)
Ki-Jana Carter, RB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1995 NFL Draft
![Dave Rimington, C
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1983 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/bb3actroouubkz7ylxon.jpg)
Dave Rimington, C
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1983 NFL Draft
![Billy Price, C
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2018 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/r0z3lva9odfcc6lasevr.jpg)
Billy Price, C
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2018 NFL Draft
![James Francis, LB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1990 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/syhxr55qb66mchlwmnn3.jpg)
James Francis, LB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1990 NFL Draft
![Eddie Brown, WR
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1985 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/wpiqhkpney7wnyw4gx2k.jpg)
Eddie Brown, WR
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1985 NFL Draft
![Tyler Eifert, TE
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2013 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/tgl8cjtkjhfyv0stacmg.jpg)
Tyler Eifert, TE
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2013 NFL Draft
![Alfred Williams, DE
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1991 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/vxr8qdowevondrd3udno.jpg)
Alfred Williams, DE
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1991 NFL Draft
![Archie Griffin, RB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1976 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/xzzrnkwd4n7j9kw3qfdj.jpg)
Archie Griffin, RB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1976 NFL Draft
![Blair Bush, C
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1978 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/vemkqld0ry3fjhsantkv.jpg)
Blair Bush, C
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1978 NFL Draft
![Dre Kirkpatrick, CB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2012 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/mt7xn6ls139piciyd0q0.jpg)
Dre Kirkpatrick, CB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2012 NFL Draft
![Andre Smith, OT
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2009 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/nxzibut5obxaj3gx5l0p.jpg)
Andre Smith, OT
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2009 NFL Draft
![Peter Warrick, WR
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2000 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/oo3mk2vzf7wgnu6l6qr4.jpg)
Peter Warrick, WR
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2000 NFL Draft
![Darqueze Dennard, CB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2014 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/nikcfkzer2w80fa7xvqq.jpg)
Darqueze Dennard, CB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2014 NFL Draft
![Jermaine Gresham
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2010 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/ssr6497idwwcdl6vhbhe.jpg)
Jermaine Gresham
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2010 NFL Draft
![Chris Perry, RB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2004 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/uvhdvcysh6kpklg5dvqz.jpg)
Chris Perry, RB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2004 NFL Draft
![Takeo Spikes, LB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1998 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/ixq3dkjbxxrupxwzb3fw.jpg)
Takeo Spikes, LB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1998 NFL Draft
![Carson Palmer, QB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2003 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/cjvhwaykgzgftwm5gdj6.jpg)
Carson Palmer, QB
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2003 NFL Draft
![Levi Jones, OT
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2002 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/dlwlgsptxmqohmqtmr7n.jpg)
Levi Jones, OT
Bengals 1st Round Pick
2002 NFL Draft
![Akili Smith
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1999 NFL Draft](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/p0cu9tb8gj0gqbsnl0um.jpg)
Akili Smith
Bengals 1st Round Pick
1999 NFL Draft
Eric Eager and George Chahrouri - Pro Football Focus
Analysis: While we still think the Bengals need a receiver (everyone does), a prospect of Sewell's quality at this price is superior.
Drae Harris - The Draft Network
Analysis: Cincinnati protects their franchise quarterback and gets him the best offensive lineman in the draft.
Luke Easterling - Draft Wire
![LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) plays against Vanderbilt in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_editorial_landscape_mobile/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/ht9axauzekriiptobq21.jpg)
Ja'Marr Chase - WR, LSU
Chris Trapasso - CBS Sports
Analysis: The Burrow and Chase connection reunites in Cincinnati.
The Athletic
Analysis: "Drafting Chase not only addresses the only real hole we saw in Joe Burrow's game as a rookie — the deep ball — it also reunites the Bengals quarterback with his favorite target from 2019 when he turned in the greatest single-season performance in college football history."
Anthony Treash - Pro Football Focus
Analysis: Chase's physicality and release package are NFL-ready, and those two strengths equated to massive success against press coverage.
Doug Farrar - USA Today
Analysis: Chase is as clean a player as you'll find in this draft class. He doesn't have any discernible flaws, and the things that stand out — ridiculous strength and determination from the line of scrimmage to the catch point to after the catch, outstanding route awareness, and sudden acceleration at the second level — really stand out.
![Florida tight end Kyle Pitts (84) tires to get past Georgia defensive back Lewis Cine (16) after a reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_editorial_landscape_mobile/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/uqjhfxlgdv3te6mc76tv.jpg)
Kyle Pitts - TE, Florida
Chad Reuter - NFL.com
Analysis: If the Bengals go with the Florida product, it would be the third time in the past 12 drafts that they selected a tight end in the first round (Jermaine Gresham in 2010, Tyler Eifert in '13).
Lance Zierlein - NFL.com
Analysis: Pitts has a chance to be a generational talent and a relentless nightmare for opposing defenses.
Dane Brugler - The Athletic
Analysis: Pitts would give Joe Burrow and Cincinnati a unique mismatch weapon.
![Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (11) in action against Purdue during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_editorial_landscape_mobile/t_lazy/f_auto/bengals/fpebroxqhpt2cghh99sx.jpg)
Micah Parsons - LB, Penn State
Nate Davis - USA Today
Analysis: "A versatile defender like Parsons – he's a very capable run defender in a division where the Browns and Ravens like to keep the ball on the ground – would help remedy the defense."