NFL Mock Draft: Who will the Bengals select in first round?

The Cincinnati Bengals are set to pick 11th in the first round of the NFL Draft that begins Thursday and runs through Saturday in Nashville, Tenn.

Here’s a look at who we think the Bengals will pick as well as the rest of the first round:

1. Arizona Cardinals | Kyler Murray – QB, Oklahoma

Murray is a multi-talented athlete who fits well into new head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s air raid offensive philosophy. Cardinal fans need something to cheer about and Murray will bring excitement to the playing field if nothing else.

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2. San Francisco 49ers | Nick Bosa – DE, Ohio State

Bosa’s relentless pass rush and non-stop motor could help bolster the Niners’ 13th-ranked defense and give them another playmaker on the defensive line alongside DeForest Buckner.

3. New York Jets | Quinnen Williams – DT, Alabama

Opponents average nearly 5 yards a pop rushing against the Jets defense. Williams is a disruptive force in the middle and would help free up some opportunities for DE Leonard Williams to pressure the quarterback.

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4. Oakland Raiders | Josh Allen – DE, Kentucky

The Raiders scraped the bottom of the barrel, finishing the season with 13 sacks. Allen could provide some mojo to Oakland’s pass-rush, replacing Khalil Mack, who was traded to Chicago at the start of last season.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Devin White – LB, LSU

White is considered the top linebacker in the draft and could contribute right away. He’s a hard hitter with great sideline-to-sideline speed and plays well in coverage.

6. New York Giants | Montez Sweat – DE, Miss. State

Sweat, who racked up 12.0 sacks and 14.5 tackles for a loss in 2018, shows outstanding speed and quickness off the edge in pursuit of the quarterback. He’s stock has been on the rise since the Senior Bowl.

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7. Jacksonville Jaguars | Jawaan Taylor – OT, Florida

The Jaguars signed their franchise quarterback in Nick Foles and now must protect the team’s investment. Jags quarterbacks were sacked 53 times last season.

8. Detroit Lions | Rashan Gary – DE, Michigan

Gary is a versatile player who can rush the passer and slide inside to defend the run and put heat on the quarterback.

9. Buffalo Bills | Ed Oliver – DT, Houston

The Bills addressed their O-line during free agency and will look to replace DT Kyle Williams, who retired after the season.

10. Denver Broncos | T.J. Hockenson – TE, Iowa

The Broncos offense produced 16 passing touchdowns last season with TE Jeff Heuerman grabbing two. Hockenson snagged six in his final season with the Hawkeyes.

11. Cincinnati Bengals | Devin Bush – LB, Michigan

The Bengals most glaring need is a playmaker at the linebacker position since saying goodbye to Vontaze Burfict. Bush’s sideline-to-sideline speed and playmaking ability would fill the void at middle linebacker.

However, there are some rumbles in the jungle that the team could throw a curve ball and go in a different direction with this pick. Most notably, the quarterback position.

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There is speculation that Cincinnati may have specific interest in Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins to groom behind veteran Andy Dalton.

At 6-foot-4, 230-pound Haskins is a pocket passer with good size, arm strength, a quick release and the ability to find open targets downfield. The quarterback may be slightly underrated due to his limited playing experience at the college level. He would well fit well in the Bengals offense. Don’t rule out the team trading back a few spots.

12. Green Bay Packers | D.K. Metcalf – WR, Ole Miss

Christmas comes early for Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers. Metcalf is a physical specimen with the pedigree and elite speed to take the lid off defenses.

13. Miami Dolphins | Dwayne Haskins – QB, Ohio State

The Dolphins traded starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill and signed veteran gunslinger Ryan Fitzpatrick during free agency. Haskins could be Miami’s quarterback of the future.

14. Atlanta Falcons | Christian Wilkins – DT, Clemson

The Falcons ranked 25th against the run last season and Wilkins would fit well alongside run-stuffer Grady Jarrett.

15. Washington Redskins | Marquise Brown – WR, Oklahoma

The Redskins are in desperate need a playmaking receiver and ‘Hollywood’ Brown could be that explosive, deep threat receiver they covet.

16. Carolina Panthers | Andre Dillard – OT, Wash. State

The Panthers need added protection for franchise quarterback Cam Newton, who is coming off shoulder surgery.

17. New York Giants | Drew Lock – QB, Missouri

The Giants move away from the statue quarterback (Eli Manning) and go with a more mobile, strong arm and gifted passer in Lock.

18. Minnesota Vikings | Jonah Williams – OT/G, Alabama

Williams is a versatile player who excels at both pass protection and run blocking. He could be a Day 1 starter for the Vikings.

19. Tennessee Titans | Dexter Lawrence – DT, Clemson

Lawrence is a powerful run stuffer who clogs the middle of the interior line. He would be a welcome addition to the Titans 18th-ranked run defense.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers | Brian Burns – OLB, Florida State

The Steelers will waste no time selecting Burns if he’s available with this pick. Burns is a talented edge rusher with good speed to make plays in pursuit. He covers the field much like LB Ryan Shazier.

Credit: Jamie Sabau

Credit: Jamie Sabau

21. Seattle Seahawks | Parris Campbell – WR, Ohio State

Injuries have plagued Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin for the last two seasons and it may be time to look for his replacement. Campbell would be a viable option with his athleticism and deep-threat ability.

22. Baltimore Ravens | Clelin Ferrell – DE, Clemson

Linebackers Terrell Suggs and C.J. Mosley are gone and the Ravens defense needs someone to get after the quarterback. Ferrell is a highly productive and explosive pass rusher with the ability to put constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

23. Houston Texans | Cody Ford – OT/G, Oklahoma

The Texans O-line surrendered 62 sacks last season. Enough said.

24. Oakland Raiders | Josh Jacobs – RB, Alabama

Jacobs could be Beast Mode 2.0 in the Raiders offense. He’s a versatile, downhill runner with the ability to create in the open field and is an effective pass catcher as well.

25. Philadelphia Eagles | Johnathan Abram – S, Miss. State

Philly could address the offensive tackle position with this pick, but Malcolm Jenkins is getting long in the tooth. Abram is too intriguing to pass up. He’s ranked as the top safety in the draft.

26. Indianapolis Colts | A.J. Brown – WR, Ole Miss

Brown is a big-play receiver and would pair nicely with receivers T.Y. Hilton and Devin Funchess, who signed to a one-year deal.

27. Oakland Raiders | Noah Fant – TE, Iowa

The Raiders failed to re-sign tight end Jared Cook during free agency and must find a replacement. Fant is a pass-catching tight end with speed to get vertical in the Raiders offense.

28. Los Angeles Chargers | Byron Murphy – CB, Washington

Murphy is a ball-hawking cover corner with the knack for making big plays.

29. Kansas City Chiefs | Deandre Baker – CB, Georgia

Baker is a scrappy man-to-man corner that won’t back from competition. He shows great ball skills and is not afraid to deliver a blow despite his slender frame. The Chiefs need toughness in the secondary.

30. Green Bay Packers | Chris Lindstrom – G, Boston College

The Packers could use some pass protection for Rogers and a mauler in the trenches. Lindstrom will give them that. He’s extremely athletic, nasty in the trenches, quick off the snap and can play any position along the O-line.

31. Los Angeles Rams | Greedy Williams – CB, LSU

Williams is a flashy cover guy with good instincts, ball skills, quickness and speed. The Rams could use another playmaker in their secondary.

32. New England Patriots | Irv Smith Jr. – TE, Alabama

Gronk is headed for retirement so this pick makes sense. Smith has tremendous upside and will pose a matchup problem for linebackers in coverage due to his ability to stretch field.

NOTE: The Cleveland Browns traded their first-round pick to the Giants as part of the Odell Beckham deal.

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