Alabama Football: 2021 NFL mock draft after the Super Bowl

5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

The board falls perfectly for the Cincinnati Bengals. They certainly don’t need a quarterback, and I don’t see them drafting a receiver unless they decide to trade back. Instead, they can take one of the best players in this class at a top position of need.

The Bengals need to put Joe Burrow in a situation to succeed, and that starts with bolstering the offensive line. Despite Sewell sitting out the 2020 season, he is considered the best offensive tackle in this NFL draft class. Burrow struggled with protection all season, and this was exacerbated by a knee injury. It will be crucial to protect Burrow next year, and this is Cincy’s best chance of doing so.

Now, this might be bad news for a former Alabama football player. Jonah Williams is currently starting at left tackle, and he struggled some in his first healthy season in the NFL. While drafting Sewell would certainly force Williams out of the left tackle slot, he is good enough to play right tackle or guard as well. He will find his footing somewhere on the offensive line.

Drafting a franchise left tackle after drafting a franchise quarterback makes sense. If Burrow can play his entire rookie contract without the constant concern of a blind-side sack, Sewell will be worth the money.