Before the 2021 season, the Jaguars and Bengals had similar longshot odds to win Super Bowl LVI. Unlike the Jaguars, the Bengals vastly exceeded all expectations. Counting the playoffs, Joe Burrow was sacked a combined 70 times in 20 games. Yes, Chase was the right decision in the Chase vs. Penei Sewell debate, but improving Burrow's protection has to be the team's top priority this offseason. Penning would immediately become an upgrade over right tackle Isaiah Prince, who graded out as PFF's 82nd of 83 qualified offensive tackles in '21. I'd expect the Bengals to devote multiple draft picks to address their offensive line woes.
Even if the Bengals add OL help in free agency, drafting a potential starter at guard or center wouldn't be a bad idea at all. Johnson quietly had a terrific Senior Bowl and looked natural snapping for the first time in a live, competitive setting. He could replace Trey Hopkins or slide right in at guard in 2022.
The Bengals made it all the way to the Super Bowl despite having a weak offensive line, and it remains their top priority heading into this offseason. This scenario gives them the perfect opportunity to address their need at right guard with a polished, physical blocker in Johnson, who would be an immediate upgrade.
Do we even need to explain this one? Cincinnati allowed 55 sacks in 2021 (third most), and then it took 19 more across four playoff games. Its 48.8% pass block win rate was 30th in the NFL. The season ultimately ended on a pressure, as Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald got to quarterback Joe Burrow on the Bengals' final offensive play of the Super Bowl. Burrow is one of the best young passers in the game, and Cincinnati must, must, must clean up the offensive line to keep him healthy and let him operate the offense with more ease. Raimann has a powerful upper body and shuts down pass-rushers when he gets his hands inside.
One of the few blights in an otherwise brilliant season was the play up front in Cincinnati, where Joe Burrow continued to get pummeled.
Cross has the light feet, active hands and length that scouts prioritize at left tackle but isn't as forceful in the running game. He could slip further down draft boards than his media hype suggests, as the track record of blockers out of Mike Leach's offense is discouraging.
When you might have the league's next great quarterback (Joe Burrow) on your roster, but he's sacked a league-high 51 times in the regular season -- and a record-tying nine more in one playoff game ... and a record-tying seven more in the Super Bowl defeat to the Rams -- it's obvious what needs to be done. Green played every O-line position but center for the Aggies in 2021 but took most of his college snaps at left guard. Even if Cincinnati adds blockers in free agency, a near overhaul might be required.
If the Bengals have one priority this offseason, it's to get better protection for Joe Burrow. Penning brings length, athleticism, and a nasty demeanor to the Cincinnati line. Drop him in at right tackle and let Burrow go to work.
You watched the Los Angeles Rams sack Joe Burrow seven times to win the Super Bowl; and the Bengals watched it too. Expect early resources to be spent upgrading the offensive line. With the return of 2021 second-rounder Jackson Carman and adding Zion Johnson, the interior in Cincinnati could be a stretch in no time.
Larry Ogunjobi and B.J. Hill are both scheduled to hit free agency. I couldn't help but notice Wyatt's power and explosiveness from the three-technique spot during Senior Bowl week, as well as his major contributions for Georgia's prospect-laden defense.
The dream scenario. The Bengals badly need offensive line help that can step in right away. The good news is that Green has shown he can start anywhere, as he logged reps at every position except center this season.
Karlaftis often faced double or even triple teams at Purdue, but he wins with power, heavy hands, a quick first step and a relentless motor. At 275 pounds, the true junior has inside-outside versatility. Justin Houston will be a free agent next month.
With Johnson off the board, Penning absolutely could be in play here -- even with Charles Cross still on the board. Penning's nasty demeanor could make him a perfect Ravens tackle, and he should put on a show at the combine for his size.
If this offense is going to operate at full speed, the offensive line needs to be reloaded. Offensive tackle may be the bigger need, but the better value in this scenario is along the interior, where Linderbaum is the rare center prospect worthy of top-15 consideration.
The Ravens went 8-9, but they were ravaged by injuries and are set up for a bounce-back year. A key to getting back on track will be protecting Lamar Jackson -- who missed five games in 2021 -- and opening lanes for J.K. Dobbins, who will return from a torn ACL. Tackle is the big question mark on the offensive line, with Ronnie Stanley missing 26 regular-season games over the past two years and Alejandro Villanueva turning 34 in September. Maybe Northern Iowa's Trevor Penning is the pick?
I instead opted for Linderbaum, who is one of the best 15 players in the class. Current Ravens center Bradley Bozeman is a free agent, and Linderbaum anchors well and is effective as a combo blocker at the second level. He'd help a Baltimore front that allowed 57 sacks last season (second most).
The Ravens are always one of the more fascinating clubs on draft day, sprinkling in surprises while filling key areas of concern. On paper, the Ravens appear well stocked along the offensive line, with multiple early draft picks and key free agents invested there, including with left tackle Ronnie Stanley and right tackle Alejandro Villanueva.
Stanley's struggles with injuries, however, could open the door for a surprise early selection of a tackle, and there is no denying that Penning plays with the kind of ferocity that GM Eric DeCosta and John Harbaugh love up front. Penning distanced himself from the other senior tackles in this class with a commanding performance at the Senior Bowl, likely cementing a top-15 pick.
A scheme-diverse 6-5, 275-pounder, Walker can do it all from applying pressure to dropping into coverage if needed. He only had 9½ sacks in three seasons with the Dawgs, but the ability is there -- and so is the need for a 25th-ranked defense about to lose veterans such as Calais Campbell and Justin Houston from its front.
With both Justin Houston and Calais Campbell headed for free agency, the Ravens need to bolster their edge rusher group. Walker can slide in and contribute right away, and along with Odafe Oweh, Tyus Bowser, and Justin Madubuike, would add to the team's new young nucleus up front.
Ronnie Stanley is great when active, but he's missed the most of the last two seasons and is a health risk currently. Even if he's back, the Ravens' offensive line needs upgrades. Penning has the size and athleticism to play either left or right tackle from Day 1.
The Ravens could play Penning at either tackle spot, and the FCS All-American will have fun coming off the ball with bad intentions in the team's running game.
Penning was built to run-block. The Ravens are built to run the ball. It's a match made in heaven. While Baltimore has already re-signed both tackles long-term, Patrick Mekari could easily kick inside.
Addressing one of Miami's biggest needs heading into the offseason would help to support Tua Tagovailoa's development. Olave is a polished route-runner with the ability to be a weapon in the vertical passing game. The former Buckeye holds the school record with 35 receiving touchdowns and has averaged 15.4 yards per catch over his career.
The Dolphins have spent plenty of resources on the line the past few years, but the results have not been good enough. We know Mike McDaniel wants to run the ball, and Miami's biggest OL problem has been figuring out who lines up best where. Green can solve both: He's an aggressive mauler in the run game and has played four of the five OL spots. We think he's best at guard.
The Dolphins are hoping new head coach Mike McDaniel can get the most out of Tua Tagovailoa, and while it might be tempting to take a receiver here, this offense isn't going anywhere until the offensive line is fixed. Green is an athletic, physical blocker who could play guard or tackle at the next level.
The Dolphins' offensive line is a mess, but it's not for a lack of trying. They've used four picks on Day 1 or Day 2 of the draft on the position group over the past three years. Not much has panned out, though, as Miami's 46.6% pass block win rate was last in the NFL in 2021. And only the Texans average fewer yards per carry on the ground than the Dolphins' 3.6. Penning is a mauler with a lot of upside. He pushes defenders off the ball and moves pretty well for a 6-foot-7, 321-pounder.
With tight end Mike Gesicki off to free agency, this is another team that could use Colorado State's Trey McBride. But I just can't imagine Miami focusing anywhere but offensive line. Things could change once free agency sorts itself out, but GM Chris Grier has to find a way to keep oft-injured quarterback Tua Tagovailoa upright.
When healthy, former third-round pick Michael Deiter has solidified the middle of Miami's offensive line. However, Deiter played in just five games last season and might be viewed as more of a stopgap solution or guard-center combo than as a potential future Pro Bowler like Linderbaum, who is easily the top center in this class.
The head coach, Mike McDaniel, might be new, but the necessity to safeguard – and better evaluate – QB Tua Tagovailoa does not change. One seemingly obvious way to do that is by upgrading one of the league's worst offensive lines with an athletic tackle.
The Dolphins got quarterback Tua Tagovailoa a big-play receiver in Jaylen Waddle in last year's draft. With this pick, they get him some help on the ground. Hall is an all-around playmaker who could help revitalize Miami's basically nonexistent run game, which would take a whole lot of pressure off of Tagovailoa in 2022.
No matter who is coaching or quarterbacking, the offensive line needs addressed in Miami. Bernhard Raimann didn't have quite the Senior Bowl bump I expected, but he still showed himself to be a viable Round 1 option at either tackle spot.
Wilson is the kind of yards after the catch threat Mike McDaniel will assuredly covet in his offense. The Ohio State pass-catcher broke 19 tackles on 70 receptions this past season.
Injuries decimated the Baltimore roster in 2021, but center Bradley Bozeman had a solid season. The problem? He's now a free agent and could get more money on the open market. The Ravens could turn to the draft for his replacement, and if Linderbaum is on the board at No. 14, they would upgrade. Linderbaum is pro-ready right now -- he already has great technique and is already a great run and pass-blocker. This one makes a ton of sense.
Barring significant injuries again, Baltimore is well-positioned for another playoff run in 2022. It needs to keep Lamar Jackson clean in the pocket, and Linderbaum will certainly help there.
Good players just seem to fall to the Ravens in the draft, right? That is the case here because it wouldn't surprise me if Walker ends up being one of the best defensive players from this draft class. With players like Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams set to hit free agency, the Ravens' defensive line could look very different in 2022.
What McDuffie lacks in size -- 5-foot-11, 195 pounds -- he makes up for in short-area quicks and polish. On 296 coverage snaps in 2021, he allowed just 16 catches from 36 targets for 111 yards and zero touchdowns, earning an impressive 88.7 PFF coverage grade in the process.
With aging veterans Justin Houston and Pernell McPhee hitting free agency and Tyus Bowser expected to miss significant time with an Achilles injury, the Ravens need a pass rusher. Like rookie Odafe Oweh, his former teammate at New Jersey's Blair Academy, the 6-5, 250-pound Ojabo is a raw prospect with outstanding athleticism and speed. He racked up 11 sacks and a program-record five forced fumbles this season.
Keeping Lamar Jackson upright remains a priority and the way the Ravens' offensive line got hit with injuries this season makes bringing in somebody like Green with five-tool versatility a priority.
You might want to constantly replenish the talent on your offensive line if running the football is your team's identity. Cross is a powerful blocker who can do damage at the second level in the run game with premium athleticism and his target-lock awareness. He developed into a dominant pass protector this season and could end up cracking the top-10 in April.
A singularly calamitous spate of injuries this past season makes the Ravens particularly difficult to read. But even after Lamar Jackson missed five games, it's readily evident that the team's protection is in disarray after the line allowed 57 sacks, the second-highest total in the NFL. Though true centers seldom earn this consideration -- the last to be taken in the top 15 picks was Steve Everitt to the Browns in 1993 -- Linderbaum is a uniquely talented blocker who can unlock even more possibilities in the Ravens' diverse run game.
The Ravens could a number of directions with this pick, but nothing can be more meaningful than adding to the offensive line with the return of a healthy Lamar Jackson and J.K. Dobbins in 2022. They need an answer at right tackle and Trevor Penning is a perfect fit.
A massive, road-grading blocker, Penning is the type of offensive lineman we've seen Baltimore gravitate toward in the past. He could help stabilize the tackle spot, especially if Ronnie Stanley returns to form after his latest injury.
I really liked Caleb Farley in the 2021 class, but a torn ACL ended his season after just two games, and that was after a back injury dropped him to the Titans in Round 1. That injury history is a little scary, which is why the Titans could go with back-to-back first-round corners.
Like his college teammate Trent McDuffie, Gordon has some scheme versatility and the ability to play in the slot as well as outside. He improved a lot in 2021, picking off two passes and breaking up seven throws. He can also tackle, and I think he'll test well at the combine.
With his twitchy athleticism and route-running skills, Dotson consistently puts cornerbacks in conflict. Although he is undersized and won't break many tackles, he has the dynamic speed and ball skills that will give the Titans another dimension on offense.
One of my favorite late first-round picks in 2022, Cincinnati edge defender Myjai Sanders will draw scouts in with his performance at the combine at 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds. He recorded 40-plus pressures in back-to-back seasons (2020 and 2021) to close out his Bearcats career.
With Harold Landry hitting free agency and big-ticket signing Bud Dupree putting together a disappointing first season, the Titans could use some fresh blood at edge rusher. The 6-5, 262-pound Johnson racked up 14 sacks for the Seminoles after transferring from Georgia and proved to be a strong run defender.
The Titans have built their identity around running the ball and that just so happens to be what Penning can do better than just about anybody in this draft class with his bulk and movement skills.
The Titans will likely address wide receiver and the tight end position this offseason, but their leaky secondary has to be a priority as well. McDuffie plays bigger than his 5-11 frame. He's one of the surest tacklers at the position in this draft class and his instincts are elite.
Never a bad idea to equip Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill with more support, especially following a season in which Tennessee's offensive line depth was put to the test by injuries and COVID-19. Raimann, a fast riser and converted tight end from Austria, could provide some much-needed flexibility for a front that needs closer evaluation after allowing 47 sacks.
The Steelers get an interior upgrade for an offensive line that sorely needs it. Najee Harris and the Steelers' next quarterback would benefit from this.
The lack of depth when it came to offensive weapons hurt the Titans in 2021 given the injuries to Julio Jones and A.J. Brown. The Titans would be wise to change that going into next season to improve the depth and add to the mix of options for Ryan Tannehill.
Drake London is coming off an injury, which makes him the perfect target for Tennessee in the first round given their recent gambles. But the skill set London offers is perfect for this Tennessee offense where his size, ball skills, and route-running prowess can elevate the unit.
There's no way the Bengals would take back their choice of wideout Ja'Marr Chase over offensive tackle Penei Sewell in last year's draft, but you saw this season why so many of us thought they would take Sewell. Joe Burrow was sacked 55 times -- third most in the league -- and the offense averaged 4.0 yards per rush, which ranked 26th. It ranked 30th in ESPN's pass block win rate metric. This is a below-average offensive line. Luckily for the Bengals, this is a deep tackle class at the top.
The 6-foot-7 Penning towered over defenders at the FCS level, and he was rarely challenged. He makes things look easy. Yes, it's a big leap to the NFL, but I think he has the traits to be an early starter. If Cincinnati wants to keep 2019 first-rounder Jonah Williams on the left side, Penning could easily slot in at right tackle, where free-agent-to-be Riley Reiff played for most of 2021.
Maybe this is an overreaction to watching Vernon Hargreaves trying to cover the Raiders, but with Eli Apple a pending free agent, cornerback could be in the mix here. McDuffie doesn't have great ball production, but there weren't many opportunities because he prevents throws by blanketing his side of the field.
One of the biggest risers following the 2021 college football season, the 6-foot-7, 305-pound Raimann earned a 94.6 overall grade, 88.7 pass-blocking grade and 94.6 run-blocking grade with Central Michigan this year. He didn't earn a PFF grade above 75.1 in any season prior. Expect his 2021 campaign and a strong Senior Bowl to vault him into the first round.
The Bengals surrounded quarterback Joe Burrow with plenty of weapons. Now it's time to protect him. With Riley Reiff hitting free agency and the right side of the line playing poorly, Cincinnati needs an upgrade at right tackle. The 6-7, 321-pound Penning allowed just one sack in 436 pass-blocking snaps this season, according to PFF.
The Bengals haven't been afraid of taking players who others might knock for being a tad short so McDuffie becomes a seamless fit with that Bengals defense that continues to make quality moves to plug holes on the depth chart.
The Bengals' offensive line has improved with a healthy Jonah Williams at left tackle, but the interior still needs to be addressed. Drafting the Rimington Trophy winner and unanimous All-American is a steal here and would help Joe Burrow (and Who-Dey Nation) rest easier at night. Linderbaum was a multisport athlete in high school who earned multiple letters in wrestling, track, baseball and football.
The Ja'Marr Chase-Penei Sewell debate was at least temporarily settled by the Bengals wide receiver when he embarked on his record-setting rookie year. Still, Cincinnati must have been on edge when Joe Burrow was dinged up after taking four sacks and 10 hits in the penultimate game of the regular season. No one will confuse Kinnard's pass protection skills with those of Sewell, but the Southeastern Conference standout is a stable option at either right tackle or guard.
The Bengals get a nice value here with Devin Lloyd falling into their laps. Lloyd would add a huge boost of speed and playmaking to a defense that has to play against Nick Chubb and Lamar Jackson four times a year.
Joe Burrow has emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL and is still facing his share of pressure. While the weapons around Burrow are deep, the offensive line still needs help and Charles Cross is a steal at this point in the draft.
Cross is an athletic tackle that should be an exceptional pass blocker in the NFL and has grown as a pass blocker. He could pair with Jonah Williams to solidify the offensive tackle pairing and protect Burrow from the elite pass rushers in the AFC North.
Petit-Frere has all of the physical attributes to be successful but there is a lot to clean up in his game. Baltimore has done a good job with its offensive line over the years.
The Ravens are aging along their defensive line and need an infusion of young talent. Enagbare showcases a knack for penetrating beyond the line of scrimmage and disrupting offensive players' ability to execute plays. Moving with good balance, Enagbare is adept at attacking blockers with active hands and uncommon flexibility, which has led to 15 career sacks and 24 tackles for loss.
A three-year starter in one of the best offenses in college football says something about this promising tackle. He says even more with his play. There are very few at the college level who can move as well as he does at 6-5 and 320 pounds.
The Ravens don't mind investing first-round picks into the linebacker corps because they understand how important the position is to their defensive scheme. Brandon Smith is the most athletically gifted linebacker in this draft class and will make a great tandem with linebacker Patrick Queen.
Hill may be the only player who can challenge Stingley's status as the top athlete in this class. At The Opening event in high school, Hill posted a 4.3-second 40-yard dash, 4.13-second pro agility and 43.6-inch vertical. Hill has put those traits into action while primarily covering the slot in his 2021 true junior campaign, earning a 78.5 coverage grade overall this season. Specifically in the slot, Hill has seven forced incompletions and nine passing stops, ranking second and seventh in the FBS. He is versatile and a high-ceiling player in the 2022 class.
Following the offseason trade of Orlando Brown Jr. and the season-ending ankle injury to Ronnie Stanley, the Ravens have attempted to patch work their offensive tackle spots. They need depth along their offensive line. The 6-foot-7 Penning, a smashmouth blocker who plays through the whistle, fits the reputation of what Baltimore wants to do on offense.
On the surface, the Buccaneers are stacked on both sides of the ball and even have solid depth at key positions. However, Tampa is an aging team built to win today, so drafting for the future starts immediately. Of the 25 unrestricted free agents on the roster, five of them are defensive lineman, four of which are 30 years of age or older. Although more of a power edge rusher, Karlaftis is skilled at disrupting pass plays having tallied six passes defended while at Purdue.
Penning is a mountain of a man at 6-7, 340 pounds, and Tampa would do well to grab a guy with Penning combination of strength and athleticism to protect Tom Brady.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense is struggling primarily due to the poor play of their secondary. Kaiir Elam is an experienced CB who has good length and size that will immediately improve the CB play for Tampa Bay.
Booth doesn't quite have the lockdown numbers as some of the other top corner prospects in this class, as he's allowed 321 yards across 288 coverage snaps in 2021. However, he does have the tools worth taking a swing on in the first round. The 2019 five-star recruit has exceptional feet, good length and brings the physicality out on the field.
After being plagued with injuries to multiple starters this season, the Bucs depth in the secondary has been exploited. McCreary, a physical man-coverage corner, has put together a stellar senior campaign. He has a playing style similar to Bears 2020 second-round pick Jaylon Johnson, who likely would've been a Day 1 selection if not for multiple shoulder surgeries. McCreary must improve his tackling in run support, but he has all of the tools to be an early starter on the perimeter.
Atlanta adds a franchise quarterback to eventually replace Matt Ryan. Ryan's presence allows for a natural transition of power when Corral is ready. The Falcons are already equipped with Kyle Pitts and Calvin Ridley.
A massive human (6-6, 340 lbs), Davis is an immovable presence who typically shoves his way past double and triple teamed blockers. He utilizes underrated quickness and herculean strength to wreak havoc along the line of scrimmage dismantling offensive plays before they effectively develop. The Falcons would be ecstatic if Georgia Bulldog, star defensive tackle, Jordan Davis were available when they drafted.
It seems a fait accompli that the Falcons take a QB here, it's really just a question of which type of QB you think best fits them. I feel like Willis' upside, in the right hands, could blossom.
Linderbaum went from a defensive tackle to the best offensive lineman in college football in just two years. He played both sides of the ball in high school and was recruited to play on the interior defensive line, where he logged 18 snaps in his first season. He then flipped to center for the 2019 campaign, where he started and recorded the fifth-best grade in the FBS at the position (81.7). Linderbaum claimed the No. 1 spot in 2020 and is on pace to do the same in 2021, as he owns a 94.9 PFF grade through Week 12. No interior offensive lineman in the class match Linderbaum's movement skills. His athletic profile enabled him to be one of Iowa's top wrestlers as a high schooler.
The Falcons lack foundational pieces on defense, outside of tackle Grady Jarrett and cornerback A.J. Terrell, and they have needs in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Leal is a consistent pressure generator; just check out his tape against Ole Miss on Saturday, when he had seven total tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. That's just a snapshot of his next-level projection. Although he likely won't be a defender who gets double-digit sacks in a season, his versatility, strength and ability to disrupt dropbacks are areas that Atlanta lacks up front.
Pittsburgh invested in the running back position before the offensive line. They have had elite linemen like David DeCastro, Maurkice Pouncey and Alejandro Villaneuva in the past. It would benefit them to get back to that point.
Pickett wins with ball placement and a decent anticipatory feel for when his receivers will get open. He has decent mobility and usually does a credible job running for positive yards when the pocket breaks down. A four year starter in college, Pickett improved and developed into a solid NFL prospect. His 6:1 touchdown to interception ratio ( 36/6) peaked enough interest from scouts for him to be considered a possible franchise quarterback. The Steelers are looking for an "heir apparent" at quarterback, to supplant the aging, future Hall of Famer, Ben Roethlisberger. If Pickett is available he'd make an interesting selection.
The search for Pittsburgh's heir apparent to Big Ben is long overdue. They could trade up to go after one of the big three, but for our purposes they stay put and grab Strong, who is carving up defenses in the Mountain West Conference to the tune of 350 passing yards and three TD per game.
The Ben Roethlisberger era is over, but the Pittsburgh Steelers have offensive pieces in place with good WRs and a dynamic RB. This will make the transition from Roethlisberger to a rookie QB a little bit smoother. With this pick, they select the hometown kid Kenny Pickett. Pickett started the year off as an unknown to the casual college football fan but has put together a great resume this year. He has the best arm of all the quarterbacks in this draft and has made good decisions with the football all season long.
Cross is one of the most improved players in college football. After allowing 44 pressures in the Bulldogs' Air Raid offense in 2020 -- his first year starting at the Power Five level -- he has given up just 14 in 2021. The 2019 five-star recruit has earned a grade above 85.0 as a run- and pass-blocker this year and even kept a perfectly clean slate in pass protection against Alabama.
This Steelers pick will likely be a common landing spot for quarterbacks in other mock drafts, but I believe the team will look to acquire a veteran instead of a rookie. From the exchange of sideline smirks between Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers, reports of not wanting to start over with a rookie and a roster that is built to contend for a playoff spot, Pittsburgh could instead go after Rodgers, Russell Wilson or an alternate option if Ben Roethlisberger retires. And with expected holes along the interior offensive line in 2022, Green could be a strong option. He has been a stalwart for the Aggies this season, playing more than 85 snaps apiece at left tackle, left guard, right guard and right tackle.
