It's no secret the Cincinnati Bengals need help at the guard position. That help could very well come early in the NFL draft in a few weeks. If it's like the latest mock draft from USA Today's Nate Davis, that help will come really early from one of the top guard prospects in this class.
Davis' latest projections send Grey Zabel from North Dakota State to the Bengals at No. 17 overall.
Davis wrote: "It would certainly make sense for them to invest in the defense given it ranked 25th overall in 2024, consistently undermined the offense and may not have DE Trey Hendrickson back. But doesn’t it make more sense to better safeguard QB Joe Burrow, who’s suffered nearly three sacks per game over the course of his NFL career? Zabel’s strong Senior Bowl showing should be further proof he’ll have little trouble becoming the latest member of the Bison to jump to the NFL. Better, he can play any position on the line and plug wherever it’s leakiest."
Zabel brings a lot of power and size (6-6, 312 pounds) to the table. He can be a mauler in the run game. While it's true he didn't exactly face the cream of the crop during his time at North Dakota State, he had a tremendous week at the Senior Bowl and proved he can hang with the big boys. Some will argue he was the best offensive lineman throughout the week.
Most mocks have pegged the Bengals to take defense in the first round. But it's clear the Bengals will continue to invest in the offense, especially given all the money they are now paying to quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. A first-round offensive lineman may not be the worst idea in the world.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals gamble on new name in NFL mock draft
