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The top of the Cincinnati Bengals draft board isn’t too hard to figure out ahead of the 2021 NFL draft.
Thursday’s opening round should see the Bengals take one of three players. But for the sake of tradition — and the fact the team could trade down from five or maybe back into the first round — let’s outline a top 30.
Keep in mind teams typically dish first-round grades to 20ish prospects total. For the exercise here, we’ll omit quarterbacks and lean heavier into team need once outside of the top 10.
1. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is interviewed by the NFL Network during an NFL Pro Day at LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Wednesday, March 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Chase would be the top wideout prospect in many, many draft classes. There are Julio Jones comparisons out there. Even without the Joe Burrow production/connection and the LSU concepts in the Bengals playbook already, he’s No. 1.
2. Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Oregon’s Penei Sewell poses with Outland Trophy for being the nation’s best interior lineman Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Sewell is a very, very good prospect and ranks as highly as he does because of his upside. It’s not “settling” by any means if the team takes him at No. 5 — but he doesn’t totally fix the offensive line, either.
3. Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts (84) during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
There are experts out there with Pitts as the top non-Trevor Lawrence prospect on big boards for a reason. Pitts is an extremely rare tight end prospect who blocks well and can line up all over the place. He’s a no-brainer of a pick at No. 5 if the Bengals think they can use him well.
4. Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Sep 30, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Rashawn Slater (70) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Slater outranks Sewell in the minds of some and it’s not hard to see why. He’s a physical anomaly with a proven track record inside and outside. He’d be an instant starter and massive upgrade, plus grant some big flexibility.
5. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Size concerns are silly — put Smith in space and let him go to work. Smith bullied press coverage throughout his career and it sure is easy to forget he won the Heisman, isn’t it?
6. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Waddle might be the most athletically gifted prospect in the entire draft. If a team drafts him to be a No. 1 on his lonesome, there could be some problems. But let him go to work against second and third corners in this Cincinnati offense and he could have OROY upside.
7. Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Sep 7, 2019; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Keshawn King 935) celebrates his first touch down with Christian Darrisaw (77) in the first period against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lee Luther Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Darrisaw allowed just six pressures last year while posting the highest-ever PFF grade for an offensive tackle in a single season. He’s…good, is one way to put it.
8. Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Nov 16, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive back Caleb Farley (3) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
We’re dipping into non-priority needs a bit. But Farley has all the makings of a No. 1 corner for the next eight to 10 years. The Bengals don’t have many guarantees at corner with Trae Waynes coming back and their entire starting three next year being brand new to the team.
9. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Similar story for Surtain, who was a coverage monster in the SEC, handling the toughest assignments largely with ease. He’s got the potential to be truly special at a premium position for a long time.
10. Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan
Nov 2, 2019; College Park, MD, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kwity Paye (19) and linebacker Jordan Glasgow (29) prior to the snap during the 2g against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Physically, Paye is one of the rarest prospects to enter the draft in years given his blend of size, speed and strength. Think, Carl Lawson, but maybe moreso. Adding to the pass-rush on a trade down or trade up sure isn’t a bad idea.
11. Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Nov 9, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Micah Parsons (11) celebrates after sacking the Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan (not pictured) in the second half at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
We have to mention Parsons at some point. He’s a borderline guarantee to be productive as a rookie and for a long, long time thanks to his instincts and physicality that make him a superb run defender, tackle and blitzer. He even has experience in coverage.
12. Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama
Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Mac Jones (left) celebrates with defensive lineman Christian Barmore after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Barmore is a boom-or-bust inside lineman whose highs were downright incredible. Throw him on a line with D.J. Reader and we’re potentially talking about something special.
13. Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Oct 24, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Rashod Bateman (0) catches a pass in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Bateman seems like he’s flying a bit under the radar in a deep class, but he’s got all the trappings of a strong, if not elite No. 1 wideout on the outside. That just so happens to be just what the Bengals need.
14. Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Nov 10, 2018; Gainesville, FL, USA;South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Jaycee Horn (7) talks with defensive back Jaylan Foster (47) prior to a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Horn stunned the world with some pre-draft workouts but those who have been paying attention know he’s a rare athlete. More interesting is his superb skill in man coverage, provided the Bengals want to use it after so-so usage of William Jackson.
15. Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker (75) during the Pac-12 Championship against the Oregon Ducks at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Oregon defeated USC 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
A proven elite pass-blocker at guard or tackle? It’s almost like Vera-Tucker was built to help the Bengals. He’d be an elite addition regardless of whether the team added Sewell earlier.
16-22
Oct 17, 2020; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Ole Miss Rebels wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) runs after a catch against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansa won 33-21. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
16. Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss 17. Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU 18. Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU 19. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Edge, Notre Dame 20. Landon Dickerson, IOL, Alabama 21. Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame 22. Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
23-30
Jan 28, 2021; American wide receiver Kadarius Toney of Florida (1) grabs a pass during American practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, USA; Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
23. Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida 24. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama 25. Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia 26. Carlos Basham, Edge, Wake Forest 27. Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern 28. Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State 29. Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue 30. Walker Little, OL, Stanford
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