The Cincinnati Bengals don’t typically like going with interior offensive linemen early in the NFL draft.
But attacking the problem area in front of Joe Burrow is something Duke Tobin and Co. could look to do in this year’s draft after the opening round, which makes those sorts of mock drafts worth a closer look.
The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner, for example, has the Bengals taking Marshall defensive end Mike Green in the first round, then landing on Georgia interior lineman Tate Ratledge in Round 2.
For those unfamiliar, Ratledge is a fast-rising prospect who happens to be a favorite of fans online. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote the following:
“A three-year starting right guard with a relatively safe floor, Ratledge plays with a dirt-dog mentality. His pad level is too high, but he mauls his way into early advantages in the run game. He has strong hands and uses them effectively to control and sustain his block. He’s an average athlete with adequate foot quickness and technique to get the job done. Ratledge lacks length and will reach when punching, opening him to quick counters. He sees and handles twists with above-average success and has enough anchor and redirect power to protect his pocket. Ratledge’s mentality and toughness should help him become a solid starter fairly quickly.”
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It’s not hard to see why Bengals fans like him, right?
The Bengals could use that type of safe-floor competition at guard in 2025 and beyond after underwhelming vs. fan expectations at the spot in free agency. There, they brought back Cody Ford and signed Lucas Patrick to compete with the likes of Cordell Volson.
Like Amarius Mims last year, Ratledge would have a good shot at a starting job as a rookie right out of training camp, which would make this a pretty great value for the team to have unfold on draft day.
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