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2015 NFL Draft: Too-Early Cincinnati Bengals 7-Round Mock

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By @Spencer_NFL

2015 NFL Draft: Too-Early Cincinnati Bengals 7-Round Mock

Andy Dalton Bengals
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After another early exit from the playoffs, the Cincinnati Bengals will have the 21st pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. The team needs to improve quickly or significant changes will be made. Head coach Marvin Lewis and QB Andy Dalton receive the majority of the criticism, but the rest of the team needs to step up as well. Here's how the Bengals should upgrade the roster through the draft.

Round 1: Ereck Flowers (OT-Miami)

Ereck Flowers Miami
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Round 1: Ereck Flowers (OT-Miami)

Ereck Flowers Miami
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M OT Cedric Ogbuehi will receive consideration with this pick, but Flowers' versatility gives him the edge. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth didn't allow a sack in the regular season and has become one of the best linemen in the NFL. With A.J. Green and Whitworth both becoming free agents after next season, it's unlikely that the team will be able to retain Whitworth. This will allow Flowers to play RT as a rookie before moving to LT in 2016.

Round 2: Eli Harold (DE-Virginia)

Eli Harold Virginia
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Round 2: Eli Harold (DE-Virginia)

Eli Harold Virginia
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

No team had fewer sacks this season than the Bengals. After sacking the QB 43 times in 2013, Cincinnati only managed 20 sacks in 2014. The biggest drop in production came from DE Wallace Gilberry. After compiling 7.5 sacks as a reserve last season, he finished with just 1.5 as a 16-game starter this year. Eli Harold can get the pass rush back on track. The junior has 15.5 sacks and 29.5 tackles for a loss over the past two seasons.

Round 3: Ramik Wilson (ILB-Georgia)

Ramik Wilson Georgia
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Round 3: Ramik Wilson (ILB-Georgia)

Ramik Wilson Georgia
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

If Rey Maualuga doesn't return, the Bengals will have a major hole to fill at middle linebacker. Ramik Wilson has become a leader on the Georgia defense and has great awareness both before and after the snap. He needs to become stronger in order to remain at MLB, but his potential is worth a third-round pick. The Bengals would be smart to sign a veteran at the position to start until Wilson is ready to take over.

Round 4: Cody Riggs (CB-Notre Dame)

Cody Riggs Notre Dame
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Round 4: Cody Riggs (CB-Notre Dame)

Cody Riggs Notre Dame
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Cornerback is a position the Bengals have focused on in the draft, and the results are beginning to show. Dre Kirkpatrick played his best over the final month of the season, and Darqueze Dennard had the best game of his rookie season against the Colts in the playoffs. As those two move up the depth chart, the Bengals will need to add depth. Riggs can provide that depth as he played both safety and CB during his time at Florida and Notre Dame.

Round 5: E.J. Bibbs (TE-Iowa State)

E.J. Bibbs Iowa State
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Round 5: E.J. Bibbs (TE-Iowa State)

E.J. Bibbs Iowa State
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Tight end may be the weakest position in this draft, but JUCO transfer E.J. Bibbs will find a home in the NFL. In his two seasons with the Cyclones, Bibbs caught 84 passes for 844 yards and 10 touchdowns. His eight scores this season were more than double the total of any other Iowa State receiver. Due to the injury history of Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert, Bibbs provides much-needed insurance at the position.

Round 6: Levi Norwood (WR-Baylor)

Levi Norwood Baylor
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Round 6: Levi Norwood (WR-Baylor)

Levi Norwood Baylor
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals were so shallow at WR in the playoffs that RB Rex Burkhead was playing in the slot. Levi Norwood would a huge upgrade and could use his speed to stretch the defense. Like most receivers who come out of Baylor, Norwood isn't a great route runner, but he knows how to find gaps in the defense. He could start in the slot as a rookie and would take some of the pressure off A.J. Green.

Round 7: Bo Wallace (QB-Ole Miss)

Bo Wallace Ole Miss
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Round 7: Bo Wallace (QB-Ole Miss)

Bo Wallace Ole Miss
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Although some fans will want to see a QB drafted much higher, the team has too much invested in Andy Dalton for that to happen. The most likely scenario is the team drafting a developmental QB late in the draft such as Bo Wallace, who is as streaky as any QB in college or the pros. While we saw "Good Bo" early in the season when Ole Miss was ranked as high as No. 3, we also saw plenty of "Bad Bo" in the Rebels' four losses late in the year.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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