Even ESPN admits Bengals’ NFL draft outlook is great

Selecting in the top 10 of an NFL draft is always tricky, but it really feels like the Cincinnati Bengals can’t go wrong at No. 10 next week.

Those Bengals have rather dire needs at every level of the defense and happen to sit at No. 10 in a draft order littered with blue-chip defensive prospects.

That’s why ESPN’s Ben Solak recently wrote that “no team is sitting in a better position” than the Bengals as we get ready to enter the draft.

“Caleb Downs (Ohio State) isn't viewed as a top-five pick given his lack of elite physical traits,” Solak wrote. “Sonny Styles (Ohio State) has the elite physical traits, but off-ball linebackers tend to not go that early. Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) was always in jeopardy of falling because of his arm length, and his off-field concerns might make his draft profile even more uncertain. Cornerback Mansoor Delane (LSU) also figures to come off the board in this range.”

Granted, there are some concerns. The Dallas Cowboys are constantly tagged as a team that could jump the Bengals while moving up to get someone like Caleb Downs.

One NFL general manager has advised that onlookers throw away ideas about positional value during this draft, too.