While the Cincinnati Bengals wouldn't seem to have a dire need at either of their two starting safety spots, the latest report indicates the Bengals brass is particularly high on the top back-end prospect in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Peter King of Sports Illustrated released his first - and potentially only - mock draft on Wednesday and in it has Alabama's Landon Collins, widely viewed as the top strong safety prospect in the draft, slotted to the Bengals at 21st in the first-round.
"Have thought all along Cincinnati would take the best offensive lineman here, and it's certainly possible. But at the combine, Bengals folk were very high on Collins," writes King.
It's somewhat interesting that King believes the Bengals would target offensive line as Marvin Lewis' group once again graded out as one of the best in the NFL last year.
Per Pro Football Focus they finished ranked third-overall in pass-blocking efficiency, giving up just 104 total quarterback pressures, good enough for the best mark in the NFL.
It does make sense in the fact that starting right tackle Andrew Whitworth is 33 and entering his 11th NFL season and is inching ever-closer to the end of his professional football career. Adding a player that could potentially take over his spot in the near future would be a wise move by Lewis.
As for the safety spot, George Iloka and Reggie Nelson are both slated to become unrestricted free agents after the 2015 season. Iloka, who finished last season with 74 tackles, three interceptions and 10 passes defensed seems firmly entrenched as the Bengals starter at free safety.
Nelson, on the other hand, will turn 32 in September and is unlikely to perform at a high level for much longer.
Collins finished last season for Alabama with 103 tackles, three interceptions and 10 passes defensed. He played both safety spots for the Crimson Tide and would most likely find a way to immediately contribute, potentially in a dime role for the Bengals, next season.
