How would the Bengals have to start the NFL Draft for you to grade it as an A? Would they have to go best player available or strictly attack their biggest needs? Maybe it’s only possible if the two coincided with one another.
The consensus regarding the Bengals’ optimal draft strategy lies in them addressing the linebacker and offensive tackle position very early, and that’s precisely what ESPN’s Todd McShay has them doing in his three-round best-case mock draft.
For reference, here’s how the first 10 picks unfolded before the Bengals:
Cincinnati Bengals
Round 1 (11): Devin Bush, ILB, Michigan
Round 2 (42): Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington
Round 3 (72): Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn
If the Broncos hadn’t just taken Lock, I might have taken him here.