Davis projects the Bengals to select Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane, the first time a mock draft has linked Ioane to the Bengals.
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Here’s what Davis had to say about the redshirt junior from Happy Valley:
“This team could go in many directions. But after revamping the defense in free agency, the best move might simply be to get this year’s best interior blocker in an attempt to better protect QB Joe Burrow, who has only played two full seasons during his six-year career, a good indication that he still needs better protection.”
In 2025, Ioane blocked Ethan Grunkemeyer and Drew Allar, who combined for 2,439 passing yards but were sacked 19 times in 13 games. The Nittany Lions had 2,267 rushing yards last fall.
So far this offseason, the Bengals have agreed to a two-year contract extension with left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and re-signed free agent guard Dalton Risner to a one-year contract.
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Previous mock drafts projected the Bengals to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, OSU linebacker Sonny Styles or Miami (FL) defensive end Reuben Bain, Jr.. Davis projects Downs to go to the New York Giants with the fifth overall pick, Styles to the Washington Commanders with the seventh pick, and Bain, Jr., to the Baltimore Ravens with the 14th pick.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place April 23-25 ​​in Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer: USA Today’s NFL Mock Draft Suggests Bengals Could Draft Penn State Guard