2021 NFL Mock Draft: Bears trade into top 10, Washington Football Team goes offense

The Cincinnati Bengals are going to continue to build up their offense with this selection. It’s just a matter of whether they go with a tackle or a pass-catching weapon here.

Joe Burrow has a history with LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase, so that has been a logical selection at this juncture in many mocks. Additionally, Kyle Pitts could land here given the black hole the Bengals have had at tight end since Tyler Eifert’s injury-prone streak began ahead of his departure.

But if the Bengals are serious about making sure Burrow has the best career that he can, they’ll select the best offensive tackle in the draft with this selection. That would be Sewell.

Sewell is a well-size 6-foot-6, 331-pound tackle who was the best offensive lineman in college football the last time he was on the field. He won the Outland Trophy in 2019 and looked like the next great left tackle for the Ducks.

However, Sewell opted out of Oregon’s 2020 season due to the pandemic. It was a sensible move, as it helped him avoid injury while ensuring that he would still be a top-10 pick, in all likelihood.

Sewell has the athletic ability, strength, and blocking skills needed to be an elite blocker from Day 1, and he would be a huge upgrade over Jonah Williams at left tackle or Riley Reiff at right tackle. One of those starters could kick inside to guard and give Cincinnati two upgrades for the price of one.

No matter how Sewell fits in with Cincinnati, he would be an upgrade in front of Burrow. That will be important for the second-year quarterback, as he was on pace to be sacked 51 times as a rookie before he suffered a season-ending ACL tear.

The Bengals need to be smart. They have to protect their investment, Burrow, here. While the depth in this tackle class is strong, they have a chance to land the best. They can wait on another pass-catching weapon until Round 2. Sewell should be too good to pass on.