ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper has switched from offense to defense in his latest first-round projections for the Bengals in the 2018 mock draft.
Kiper and fellow draft analyst Todd McShay appeared to be on the same page in their dueling mock drafts on Wednesday, and it was clear the recent suspension of linebacker Vontaze Burfict played a role in their thinking.
Both projected the Bengals to take a linebacker at No. 21 overall in the NFL draft. McShay projected Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans to Cincinnati, while Kiper projected Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch to go to the Bengals.