I understand the Bengals need offensive line help, but they also have the 38th overall pick and loads of cap space to address that area. Pitts has a chance to be a generational talent and a relentless nightmare for opposing defenses.
The Bengals' 2021 offseason is all about protecting and supporting Joe Burrow. Sewell is a dominant edge blocker with the ability to snuff out pass rushers in protection.
If Sewell gets picked before the Bengals are up to draft, there's nothing wrong with settling on Slater. Although he's relatively undersized for the position at a listed 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, Slater started four seasons at Northwestern, playing both bookend spots. Slater is an excellent run blocker, but more importantly for the Bengals, he can keep Joe Burrow upright, and hopefully uninjured.
The Bengals badly need to fix their offensive line, and Sewell could go a long way toward doing just that. The Oregon Ducks star could slide in at left tackle as the bookend opposite 2019 first-rounder Jonah Williams. Coming off an ACL and MCL tear, quarterback Joe Burrow could thrive playing behind a pair of top-tier tackles.
Another team that could go in a number of directions, but the priority should be putting more talent around Burrow -- and that could mean O-line help ... or it could mean adding a playmaker like Pitts. The 6-6, 239-pounder caught 43 balls in 2020, averaging 17.9 yards per reception and finding the end zone 12 times. And given how the Chiefs' Travis Kelce continues to illustrate what a dominant tight end can do for an offense, why shouldn't the Bengals take a chance on a guy who could do a lot of damage between WRs Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins?
This is all about protecting quarterback Joe Burrow, who will spend the offseason recovering from the torn left ACL and MCL he suffered in November. Burrow started 10 games, but it was clear that he wasn't comfortable behind a mediocre offensive line. The Bengals can take a step toward improvement by picking Sewell, an opt-out who was the 2019 Outland Trophy winner. He's the clear top offensive tackle in this class. Sewell could stay at left tackle while 2019 first-rounder Jonah Williams moves to the right side or to guard. I have compared Sewell to Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz, and Cincinnati should be thrilled to get another foundational player.
Florida TE Kyle Pitts would be tempting right here, but the Bengals must address the offensive line. Slater has five-position flexibility and his tape is outstanding.
The Bengals offensive line ranked as one of the league's worst this season, and former No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow felt the pain by taking 32 sacks in 10 games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Sewell is only 20 years old and can be a fixture at left tackle for years to come.
