The Cincinnati Bengals keep getting linked to new names in mock drafts now that the calendar has turned to April.
Case in point, the Bengals are actually going after a guard in Round 1 of an expert’s mock.
The mock comes from ESPN’s Field Yates, who has the Bengals taking North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel:
“While it is no mystery that the Bengals must attack defense in this draft, there's one notable offensive position that is still a big problem: guard. Consider that 64 guards qualified in pass block win rate last season, and Cordell Volson and Alex Cappa -- the Bengals' two starters -- were 61st and 64th, respectively. (Cappa was released.)”
Historically, the Bengals greatly dislike drafting guards early, with Kevin Zeitler the one big exception during a year the team had two first-round picks.
Zabel, though, checks a lot of boxes in the versatility department because he can play all three spots. It’s worth wondering whether the Bengals change their approach too based on the lack of outside free agent spending while getting Joe Burrow’s weapons big contracts.
In the second round of the mock, the Bengals take Florida State cornerback Azareye'h Thomas. Corner is a big possibility for the team early because they have Dax Hill and DJ Turner coming back from injuries, plus Cam Taylor-Britt remaining an unknown there.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals get uncomfortable in new 2-round NFL mock draft
