All 32 NFL team Wire sites linked up for a first-round mock draft and we, naturally, repped the Cincinnati Bengalsin that exercise.
As it turns out, picking at 31 for the Bengals isn’t an easy task, especially with the way this particular mock played out. Before the Bengals finally got to the podium near the end of the round, offensive linemen like Kenyon Green, Zion Johnson and Tyler Linderbaum were off the board, as were notable corners and pass-rushers.
So that took us in an interesting direction — Michigan pass-rusher David Ojabo.
Our writeup on the pick:
“After upgrading three offensive line spots in free agency and seeing how the board falls here, the Bengals are in a position of luxury. They go all-in on that idea, scooping up Ojabo despite his Achilles injury this spring. He’s got rare physical traits and huge upside. Cincinnati can afford to wait on his recovery and development while leaning on the likes of Joseph Ossai and Cam Sample to plug that rotational rusher and 3-tech need. – Chris Roling, Bengals Wire”
Yes, Ojabo just had an injury working out before the draft and will likely redshirt his entire rookie year. But as mentioned with the likes of Ossai, Sample, Sam Hubbard and other additions, be it free agency or the draft, the defense could get by just fine without a first-year contribution from Ojabo.
The upshot? Ojabo was clearly a top player in this class who wouldn’t normally make it to 31. He’d be a bonus player a year from now, adding to an already-strong defense.
An idea of the value the Bengals would get at 31:
The top 2022 edge rushers in pass rush snaps leading to a "win" per @PFF_College:
Kayvon Thibodeaux: 37.1%
Aidan Hutchinson: 37.0%
Arnold Ebiketie: 34.7%
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George Karlaftis: 28.3%
David Ojabo: 28.0%
Boye Mafe: 24.7%
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Jermaine Johnson: 19.8%
Travon Walker: 13.8%— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) April 5, 2022
Yes, the Bengals would probably like Day 1 contributions from a first-rounder this year. But they made the Super Bowl and got most everyone back. Ojabo would interestingly bridge the gap between short and long-term, possibly extending the championship window.
The other scenario is trading back, of course. But Ojabo boasts massive upside that is tough to ignore, provided the team is confident he’ll be all the way back from his injury.
