The Cincinnati Bengals remain one of the most interesting teams in the NFL when it comes to mock drafts.
Despite the big extensions for Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the team still has the Trey Hendrickson drama hanging over its proceedings. There's also the big need at guard in front of Joe Burrow to consider.
ESPN's Mike Tannenbuam, a former NFL general manager, elects to have the Bengals focus on the Hendrickson problem in his latest mock draft with Tennessee star James Pearce Jr.:
"Credit to Cincinnati for re-signing Tee Higgins and Mike Gesicki and extending Ja'Marr Chase to keep the offensive core intact. However, the Bengals also gave Trey Hendrickson permission to seek a trade despite his 35 sacks over the past two seasons, and Sam Hubbard retired. There's a potentially big hole there. While Pearce was more productive in 2023 than 2024 (10 sacks vs. 7.5 last season), he has elite pass-rushing traits. He plays with leverage and explosion, though he has to improve against the run."
Pearce, a 6'5" force off the edge who recorded 19 sacks over three seasons with the Volunteers, would fit nicely in a rotation along with the likes of former first-rounder Myles Murphy.
In this scenario, though, the Bengals would hope they're adding Pearce to a rotation that also includes Hendrickson, not to outright replace him. That will likely require getting the NFL sack leader a new contract, especially now that his trade market seems to have evaporated.
This scenario would also kick the can down the road when it comes to the guard position in front of Burrow, but perhaps a second-round rookie and free-agent addition Lucas Patrick would be the move.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals land 19-sack star in new mock draft from former NFL GM
