NFL Mock Draft 5.0: Could Saquon Barkley fall to the Redskins at No. 13?

The loss of Andrew Whitworth hurt the Cincinnati Bengals. He may have been an aging veteran, but he remains one of the top five blindside blockers in the league, and without him, the Bengals’ offense struggled.

In 2018, one of the primary goals of this team should be to find the long-term replacement for Whitworth at the position. At No. 12 in the NFL Draft, with all of the other standout players at various positions, it’s likely that the Bengals will be able to have first choice when it comes to which offensive tackle will join them in the impending season. For their purposes, there are few options better than Connor Williams.

Williams’ 2017 season was a down year for the big-bodied blocker, but even so, he displayed some of the traits that have had scouts drooling for years. Williams, 6-foot-6, 320, has very good size for the position, and although his range isn’t as large as other tackles, he has solid technique, and he’s very athletic for his size.

The Bengals don’t just need help at tackle, and so if they think that Williams’ measurements make him better suited to play guard, then this selection will give them the flexibility to make that choice. Either way, Williams is a very precise, nuanced blocker with exciting upside at the professional level.