Up until this point, we’ve conducted our mock drafts using strict parameters: from those players from the Senior Bowl only, or post-Combine or post-Free Agency. Now, with less than a week to go until the NFL Draft, the shackles are off. We’re choosing who we like, when we like; including the player we really want the Bengals to have a look at. We call it… The Dream.
Words: Andrew Dockerill
Round 1, Pick 18
Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
The draft simulator hits 18 and there are two names clearly at the top of my draft board: Quinyon Mitchell and Byron Murphy. I do have some questions and concerns about boundary depth at CB but the upgrade and disruption of Murphy wins out. Since converting from a linebacker in High School, Murphy has been a disruptor on the interior, breaking Von Miller’s sack record at DeSoto High School. Murphy only managed eight sacks in his entire collegiate career and not a single forced fumble. That adds some cause for concern but the 19.6% pass rush win rate (led all FBS DTs) and he offered a plus-plus role against both pass and run game – something the Bengals desperately need to add.
Murphy is a freak athlete. He tested 98th percentile at The Opening Camp in HS and has kept that despite adding nearly 30lbs as shown in his 8.96 RAS, a score that due to his 6ft height, underwhelms his 4.87 40 with sub 1.7 10-second split. The Bengals are no stranger to a disruptive undersized defensive tackle (Hello Geno Atkins) and, with the success of him, Donald and now to some extent Kancey/Oliver, the undersized moniker seems to be an issue of the past for the position.
Round 2, Pick 48
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Penei Sewell’s cousin? Sign me up. The number-one prospect out of Utah and a former five-star HS prospect committed to Oregon but struggled with homesickness and entered the transfer portal mid-season before moving to home state school, BYU. Suamataia has the rare movement skills for a 330lb man that you see Penei Sewell show off in the NFL. He’s an effective drive blocker in the run game and, despite some timing and technique concerns, is a pretty smooth and controlled pass protector, where he only gave up two career sacks.
Having played a season at both Left and Right Tackle, Suamataia comes in as an immediate swing tackle option while learning and developing from the two Browns (Orlando and Trent). Not turning 22 until 2025, he’s a young player who needs to mature and develop in the right environment, but don’t be surprised if someone bets on his upside in round one in Detroit.
Round 3, Pick 80
Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
Pearsall at pick 80? It’s a player we’ve mocked before so I was reluctant but I’d be running to the podium here.
Pearsall, with a 4.41 40 and 42” vert, posted a 9.91 RAS and he plays with that athleticism on tape. He’s a really nuanced route runner who can also stretch the field vertically. But Pearsall really stands out in contested catches – for a guy so athletic, he’s also phenomenal at snagging the ball away from his body with strong hands.
Turning 24 at the beginning of this coming September will be a concern, as will his 21.0 breakout age and 44th percentile dominator ranking for those in the ‘stats matter’ hive. Pearsall’s breakout season came in 2021 at Arizona State with support from the arm of Jayden Daniels, before both transferred following the season – Daniels to LSU, Pearsall to Florida- where he went onto lead the Gators in receiving yards both seasons.
Round 3, Pick 97
Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
I don’t know what the Penn State program consists of beyond incredible Strength and Conditioning because year after year they produce freak athletes with questionable game tape. Another prospect we’ve covered before, I highly recommend checking out this article on Theo Johnson, the former number-one Canadian HS prospect’s upbringing here.
There’s inconsistent tape with work to be done in all areas of his game but Johnson developed year on year as a former wide receiver. With Drew Sample and Mike Gesicki in the room, you’ve got two great role models for the blocking and receiving improvements needed.
Round 4, Pick 115
Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin
Not a type of pasta, Bortolini may be my second favourite Center in this draft (if you call Barton an OG/OT). He’s a really intelligent center (recruited by Harvard and Yale) and his football IQ and communication are what Wisconsin coaches really rave about with him. But it’s far from his only feather: he’s an athlete too, recording a Combine record 7.16-second three-cone, and plays with the ‘glass-eater’ aggression you want in your interior lineman, driving to finish blocks. Not turning 22 until after the draft, Bortolini still has a lot of developmental upside. As much as we all love Ted Karras, we need the succession and depth plan. Bortolini is also versatile, having started games at LG, C, RG and RT and even 1 game at TE.
Round 5, Pick 149
Khristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa
At 330lbs, Boyd adds much-needed Nose Tackle depth to the roster. Boyd, one of seven children, loves football and has often mentioned his desire to stay in the game as a coach after playing. The 24-year-old team captain was a surprise snub from the NFL Combine after doubling his pressures number this past collegiate season. For a small school guy, you’d like him to have even more impressive statistics but on tape, Boyd holds one and two-gap assignments well, albeit rarely penetrating into the backfield.
Round 6, Pick 194
Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB, Washington
In reality, I’d like the Bengals to bundle up these late-round picks into a fourth or fifth next year due to the lack of depth in this class caused by NIL. A great locker room addition, Ulofoshio started his career by forcing a fumble on his first snap and later became a team captain and vocal leader in the Huskies team, battling through multiple major injuries. This is a guy who’ll be a special teams ace, playing every snap full speed and full-hearted.
Round 6, Pick 214
Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Auburn
Cornerback is a position I’d love to have addressed earlier but I’m very happy with the value of Pritchett here. Pritchett is a tall, rangy athlete with years of SEC-level experience. He finished his collegiate career with his best football, allowing only 46.2% completions, of which only two were >15 yards. His 4.36 40-yard speed shows on tape as he recovers well and shows his comfort in a man scheme. Only three interceptions in four years starting is a concern in regards to ball skills but Pritchett is a welcome late-round addition who also has some kick return experience, a useful addition for the new kick return rules incoming.
Round 7, Pick 224
Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, Purdue
Converting to RB from WR in his final year, Tracy has a lot of tread left on his tyres, despite turning 25 before the end of this calendar year. After four mediocre years as a rotational WR (and one year as team captain) in Iowa’s abysmal offense, Tracy transferred to the Boilermakers. It was this past year there where he really became an NFL prospect, combining team-leading rush TDs with ranking second in the conference for kick return yards. Tracy is a special teams ace, receiving the ball and in kick coverage and that alone, I expect to get him drafted earlier than here. Add in his versatility running and receiving the ball, you’re talking about a guy who I would sniff in the fourth or fifth rounds, let alone Pick 224.
Round 7, Pick 237
Tory Taylor, P, Iowa
I was tempted to double down on my Bayron Matos take after his recent links to the Bengals but I’ll go for this year’s punt god, the only effective thing on Iowa’s Offense… their Australian punter. In reality, this guy may go in rounds five or six.
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