Bengals get a familiar face to replace Trae Waynes in new mock draft

The Cincinnati Bengals look like a team that needs to prioritize cornerback next offseason.

While Eli Apple has stepped up in place of the injured Trae Waynes, it’s looking more and more like the position is a top target for the team in the 2022 NFL draft.

And some early 2022 mocks would agree.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, for example, sees the Bengals going after Cincinnati Bearcats star Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner:

“If the Bengals look to bolster their cornerback depth chart in the draft, they will have a few options in their own back yard. Gardner is a tall, long athlete who can flip his hips and stay on top of routes. Shifty route-runners will give him trouble at times, but he has been a lockdown player in college with zero touchdowns allowed on his watch.”

It’s hard to imagine local Cincinnati fans will complain too much about that idea given what they’ve seen from Sauce over the years.

While the Bengals have sound things going with Mike Hilton and Chidobe Awuzie, Waynes missed the team’s Week 12 game and didn’t sound close to returning despite being eligible to do so in Week 9. He’s only played in two games for the team since signing that three-year deal worth $42 million in free agency last offseason.

Given the premium nature of the position, rolling the dice on a potential No. 1 corner in the opening round makes all kinds of sense, especially if the right side of the offensive line keeps improving as this season continues.