NFL Draft: 2018 Round 1 mock after flurry of NFL trade deadline deals

2018 NFL Draft: Round 1 mock after flurry of NFL trade deadline deals

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell annonces DeForest Buckner of Oregon as the #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 09: Linebacker Kendall Joseph #34 of the Clemson Tigers attempts to tackle running back Damien Harris #34 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the fourth quarter of the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

. Inside Linebacker. Clemson. Kendall Joseph. 11. player. 56

The Cincinnati Bengals have a solid crop of young talent on both sides of the ball, so it’s going to be interesting to see where they go with a pick just outside the top 10.

Interior offensive line help is needed, although taking one of the guards behind Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson is too much of a reach. Help at the back end of the secondary would be nice, although I suspect Cincinnati to address some needs within the front seven.

WILL linebacker Vincent Ray is aging and probably doesn’t fit into the team’s long-term plans. A clear upgrade would be Clemson’s Kendall Joseph, who is easily to top-ranked interior linebacker in this year’s NFL Draft.

Joseph is rangy, has great coverage skills and always is seen around the ball. That’s the type of impact player the Bengals need right here.