The Cincinnati Bengals will strive to supplement their roster in the 2024 NFL Draft with players who can help them win games in the rugged AFC North. The team has several positions that need to be bolstered if they want to make another run at a divisional title. Protecting Joe Burrow should still be priority number one. Following getting assistance on the offensive line is upgrading the trenches on the defensive side of the ball. Fortifying both lines is never a bad idea, especially in today’s NFL. Finally, they desperately need a dynamic pass-catching tight end to take the Joe Burrow offense to the next level. Let’s take a look at the Bengals Mock Draft 1.0.
Cincinnati Bengals Mock Draft 1.0
Round One (Pick 18) – OT | Taliese Fuaga / Oregon State
Fuaga would be a dream scenario at 18 for the Bengals with the potential departure of Jonah Williams. The former Oregon State product could be a day-one starter at right tackle who possesses fantastic size, strength, and explosiveness at the position. Fuaga also excels at getting to the second level to effectively displace those in his path. Lastly, he plays with excellent pad level for a man his size. This is critical to stymie some of the best EDGE rushers in all of football that reside in the AFC North.
Round Two (Pick 49) – DT | T’Vondre Sweat / Texas
Sweat is a true nose tackle that would fit in well in Lou Anarumo’s base 4-3 defense. The Redshirt Senior played over 60 games for the Longhorns and against very good competition. Sweat saved his best year for last in amassing 42 tackles, eight TFLs, four pass breakups, and two sacks that often came against double teams in 2023. Sweat would be an excellent replacement for DJ Reader if he leaves via free agency.
Round Three (Pick 80) – TE | Cade Stover / Ohio State
Although the Bengals throw to tight ends at some of the lowest percentages in the NFL, they can’t pass on Stover if he’s there at 80. Much like Fuaga, Stover would be an immediate impact player for the orange and black from the jump. The multi-faceted Stover is a pure football guy as he played running back in high school and was used as a linebacker in 2022 when the Buckeyes were thin at the 2022 Rose Bowl. Stover has a strong frame at 6’4″, 251 pounds with excellent hands to boot. He also has underrated speed and agility that will be put to the test early at the next level.
Round Four (Pick 111) – RB | Audric Estimé / Notre Dame
The Bengals love taking running backs in the second round but there was too much talent on the board in the first, three rounds. Estimé hits the sweet spot from a positional value proposition at pick 111. He’s a very powerful runner with impressive strength and often fends off initial contact with his plus balance. Estimé is built like an AFC North running back, and his age profile of 20 years old on draft day is another feather in his cap and one the Bengals will love.
Round Five (Pick 142) – WR | Malik Washington / Virginia
Don’t let the diminutive size of Washington fool you. He’s a very tough player who excels in creating separation in tight spaces while possessing solid ball skills. Washington is a pure slot receiver who would likely need a developmental year to adjust to the speed of the NFL.
Round Six (Pick 178) – LB | Trevin Wallace / Kentucky
Wallace enters the 2024 NFL draft following a standout season in Lexington, where he made 11 starts and compiled 69 tackles, eight TFLs, four and a half sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble. Wallace has pretty good size at 6’2″ and 241 pounds and isn’t afraid to hit. He might start his career on special teams and in a backup linebacker role.
Round Seven (Pick 209) – CB | Nehemiah Pritchett / Auburn
The final player to round out the first edition of the Bengals mock draft is Nehemiah Pritchett from Auburn. A former high school wide receiver who has great length and athleticism that is crucial for playing cornerback in the NFL. He also has good instincts and an exceptional understanding of route concepts from his upbringing as a receiver. These skills and his long arms might make Pritchett an attractive prospect for many teams in late April.
*Stats and research provided courtesy of the Pro Football Network (PFN) and The Draft Network (TDN)
Main Photo: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
