2014 NFL mock draft: Bengals select Weston Richburg

With the 55th pick in Pride Of Detroit's 2014 NFL mock draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select Colorado State center Weston Richburg. Juhsayngul is serving as the Bengals' general manager, and his reasoning for the pick is below.

This offseason, the Bengals surprised fans by releasing starting center Kyle Cook. Some fans speculate that surprise interior lineman star Mike Pollak will move into the middle as a natural center, but he has played guard his entire NFL career. With him and recent first-round selection Kevin Zeitler capable as starting guards, the opportunity now presents itself to choose the most valuable interior lineman on the board to give Cincinnati strong command over all three of those positions.

Weston Richburg is touted as the most pro-ready center in this draft, and he'll have to be, since he will step in on day one as the Bengals' starting center. Athletically sound with strong leadership skills, Richburg will benefit from bulking up early on in his career as a Bengal.

Cincinnati also urgently needs to build depth at the tackle positions with Anthony Collins skipping town for Tampa. They're better positioned at this time to pick up who most consider to be at least the second best center in this draft, and then select a tackle later in the draft who they can develop under veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth as he approaches retirement.

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Check out the 2014 POD Community Mock Draft tracker for a look at all of the picks.