It isn’t often a mock draft goes away from offensive line or tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals these days.
But this is one of those days.
ESPN’s Mike Tannenbaum has the Bengals using the 28th pick on Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes:
The Bengals had a solid pass defense last season — they were second in opponent QBR at 46.8 — but safety Jessie Bates III signed in Atlanta and cornerback Eli Apple is a free agent. Depth at corner could help keep the Cincinnati pass defense a strength, and Forbes is a great value pick. He is slender at 6-1 and 166 pounds, but check out his on-the-ball production. Forbes had 14 career interceptions, including six that were returned for a touchdown. He can be a Day 1 starter for the Bengals.
While it doesn’t mesh with popular theories all that well, it’s an outstanding pick for the Bengals. Forbes is a prototypical, high-upside boundary corner whose only knock on his draft stock is he’s a bit light.
But corner is a very real concern for the Bengals over the immediate and long-term even after signing Sidney Jones. The team hasn’t given an update on Chidobe Awuzie’s return timetable, meaning a void remains at the boundary opposite Cam Taylor-Britt.
With Irv Smith Jr. at tight end and Cody Ford backing up either La’el Collins or even Jonah Williams at right tackle, the Bengals are free to attack almost anything in the opening round — with Forbes being one of the best possible options.
