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The 2023 NFL season is officially over. It is draft season! The Cincinnati Bengals job is about to get harder. They have been riding the wave of young, cheap talent, but now the bill is coming due. Tee Higgins is due for a contract. Joe Burrow already signed a huge extension with Ja’Marr Chase next in line. They now need to find their next crop of cheap talent. Here is the Cincinnati Bengals 2024 NFL Draft guide.
Cincinnati Bengals 2024 NFL Draft Picks
The Cincinnati Bengals have nine picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
- Round 1: No. 18 overall
- Round 2: No. 49 overall
- Round 3: No. 80 overall
- Round 4: No. 116 overall
- Round 5: No. 148 overall
- Round 5: No. 175 overall
- Round 6: No. 196 overall
- Round 7: No. 235 overall
- Round 7: No. 292 overall
The Cincinnati Bengals own all of their own picks and have a couple of compensatory selections in 2024. This team simply needs cheaper talent. Overall, the roster is full of solid players, but some of their stars are becoming more expensive. The draft likely isn’t the biggest worry for the team. The front office has proven they can find good value throughout the draft.
Cincinnati Bengals NFL Draft Needs
The Cincinnati Bengals need the following positions: OT, WR, TE, DL, CB
It is the number one priority of this franchise to protect Joe Burrow. He has now had two seasons with a season-ending injury. If this franchise is going to be successful, Burrow has to be healthy. From there, they need more weapons. While reports indicate Higgins will be tagged, there is no guarantee he will be on the team in 2024. If he leaves, the offense needs another weapon.
On defense, the line could use some depth. They could also use a high-level corner who could take out the WR1 of the opposing team. Outside of offensive tackle, there aren’t any glaring needs. It would be nice to have a more dynamic tight end, but it isn’t the end of the world if they draft and develop or take on a cheap veteran in free agency.
Mock Draft
Mock drafts are done on NFL Mock Draft Database. No trades were executed. Obviously, teams tend to wheel and deal, but this is meant to give a look at what the team can do with the draft capital they currently have.
Cincinnati Bengals Mock Draft
- Round 1: No. 18 overall Nate Wiggins CB Clemson
- Round 2: No. 49 overall Kris Jenkins DL Michigan
- Round 3: No. 80 overall Malachi Corley WR Western Kentucky
- Round 4: No. 116 overall Blake Fisher OT Notre Dame
- Round 5: No. 148 overall Will Shipley RB Clemson
- Round 5: No. 175 overall Jared Wiley TE TCU
- Round 6: No. 196 overall Gabe Hall DL Baylor
- Round 7: No. 235 overall Andru Phillips CB Kentucky
- Round 7: No. 292 overall Marcus Harris DL Auburn
Mock Draft Analysis
I’ve seen some mock drafts that have the Cincinnati Bengals nabbing Brock Bowers out of Georgia. If he falls to 18, they should take him there. However, in this mock draft, Wiggins was the best player available, and the defensive side of the ball was the focus for the first two rounds. Adding Jenkins, Hall, and Harris on the defensive line will help with depth.
Malachi Corley is a player, not many people know about, but he is fun to watch. Especially if Higgins leaves, Corley could come in and be a contributor right away. Shipley is another player I like for this team. Reports indicate Joe Mixon will be released, and the franchise will be looking for a cheap option at running back. He had a down year at Clemson, but the program overall didn’t perform well, and I don’t think that was on Shipley.
The Cincinnati Bengals have been the only team that has been able to get through the Kansas City Chiefs in the past few years. Can they topple the champions and represent the AFC in the Super Bowl again?
