2022 NFL mock draft: Mel Kiper gives Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle help

Surely, with the Cincinnati Bengals still rolling in the NFL playoffs, it's too early to look ahead to the 2022 NFL draft in April.

But exceptions can be made from time to time. Especially for Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN. On Thursday, Kiper released his first 2022 NFL mock draft leading up to the big day in April.

In his mock draft, the well-coiffed Kiper gives the Bengals an under-the-radar player in Northern Iowa offensive tackle Trevor Penning.

"The 6-foot-7 Penning towered over defenders at the FCS level, and he was rarely challenged," Kiper wrote. "He makes things look easy. Yes, it's a big leap to the NFL, but I think he has the traits to be an early starter. If Cincinnati wants to keep 2019 first-rounder Jonah Williams on the left side, Penning could easily slot in at right tackle, where free-agent-to-be Riley Reiff played for most of 2021."

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A year ago, plenty of Bengals fans were clamoring for Cincinnati to take Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell with the fifth overall pick in the draft. Instead, the Bengals took wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and Sewell was picked two spots later by the Detroit Lions.

Of course, as they make their way through the AFC playoffs, things have turned out just fine for the Bengals.

Mostly.

Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow was sacked 55 times this season, the third-worst total in the NFL. Adding Penning would ideally help lower that number.

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If you're curious, Kiper has the Bengals losing to the Tennessee Titans on Saturday. He has the Titans eventually in the Super Bowl.

In his latest mock draft, Dane Brugler of The Athletic has the Bengals taking cornerback Trent McDuffie with the 25th pick. He follows that up in the second round with offensive tackle Rasheed Walker of Penn State.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: In latest 2022 NFL mock draft, Mel Kiper gives Joe Burrow protection