Eight Bearcats Selected in Latest ESPN Seven-Round Mock Draft

The Bearcats are poised to shatter plenty of NFL Draft records on Thursday.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Apr 26, 2022 8:52 AM EDT

CINCINNATI — ESPN's Matt Miller unveiled his final seven-round NFL mock draft on Tuesday, and eight Bearcats went off the board, matching their consensus projection. That would smash through the record of Bearcats in one draft set in 2009.

Ahmad Gardner was selected first by the New York Jets at No. 6 by way of a trade with Carolina.

"The Jets could take a cornerback tailor-made for Robert Saleh's defense and one of the cleanest all-around prospects in the draft," Miller wrote. "Gardner's height, length, speed and agility make him a dangerous cover man. For the Jets, Gardner fills what I believe is the team's biggest overall need. And in a year in which the asking prices are lower than normal drafts, the Jets could keep both picks in the second round to address wide receiver and pass-rusher needs."

Gardner is the consensus sixth-best player in the draft and the top-ranked cornerback. His most common mock draft home is with the Jets (24% of mocks in past week).

Ridder waited longer than normal to hear his name called at No. 43 by the Atlanta Falcons.

"The Falcons bypassed the top quarterbacks in 2021 to draft tight end Kyle Pitts and have since shipped Matt Ryan to Indianapolis," Miller said. "Here, they could grab a potential starter who fits what coach Arthur Smith had at the position in Tennessee and has added in Marcus Mariota with the Falcons. Ridder has starter upside but has to clean up accuracy issues."

Ridder is the consensus 35th-ranked player and the fourth-ranked quarterback. His most common mock spot is to the Pittsburgh Steelers (30% of mock drafts in past week).

Alec Pierce got things rolling in the third round, being selected with the 65th pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"The Jaguars have improved the wide receiver corps, but Trevor Lawrence still needs more weapons. Pierce is a big slot receiver with vertical-stretch speed and reliable hands," Miller said.

Pierce is the consensus 79th-ranked player in the 2022 NFL Draft and the 14th-ranked wide receiver. His most common draft home is with Atlanta at No. 58 (14% of mocks in past week).

Bryan Cook was picked immediately after Pierce by the Detroit Lions at No. 66.

"Cook is a smart and instinctive free safety prospect who is exactly what the Lions are missing. He has the leadership skills of a future team captain," Miller said.

Cook is the consensus 97th-ranked player and the seventh-best safty.

Next up is Coby Bryant getting picked by the Seahawks at No. 72.

"The run on Cincinnati players continues," Miller said. "Bryant popped on tape throughout the 2021 season with 4.47-second speed and 6-foot-1 length. The Seahawks are desperate for competent starters; Bryant could be their best corner in 2022."

Bryant is the consensus 89th-ranked player and the 10th-best cornerback.

Myjai Sanders rounds out the third-round Bearcats by going to the New England Patriots at No. 85.

"Sanders is an undersized, lean pass-rushing prospect with big-time upside," Miller said. "A two-time first-team All-AAC player and team captain in 2021, he has quickness and explosiveness off the edge when he's rushing in space."

Sanders is the consensus 82nd-ranked player and the 14th-ranked edge rusher.

Jerome Ford (No. 145, Denver Droncos) and Darrian Beavers (No. 187, San Francisco 49ers) were the final two Bearcats selected.

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