Arkansas Bengal Posted January 27 Report Share Posted January 27 Chris Roling Sat, Jan 27, 2024, 7:55 AM CST·2 min read The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the more interesting teams to watch in the 2024 NFL draft. Which makes 2024 NFL mock drafts must-see material. The thing about the Bengals — picking 18th this year — is that much of what they do in the first round hinges on how they handle premium positions in free agency. Lose offensive tackle Jonah Williams and the odds the team goes that way in the first round massively jump. Or, lose wideout Tee Higgins, no matter how unlikely that is, and taking a wide receiver is suddenly a likely thing. Here’s a look at what some of the top mock drafts have the Bengals doing near the end of January. ESPN Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Bengals addressing the offensive line with right tackle prospect JC Latham out of Alabama: We could see a run on offensive linemen starting around here — this is a really talented tackle class. I have seven tackles ranked among my top 25 overall prospects. Latham started 27 games at right tackle for the Crimson Tide over the past two seasons. He can maul defenders in the run game, but he’s also light on his feet as a pass protector. With Jonah Williams headed to free agency, Latham could slot in on the right side and be an instant starter. I could also see the Bengals look toward the defensive tackle class, with Jer’Zhan Newton (Illinois) and T’Vondre Sweat (Texas) still available. NFL.com Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah also has the Bengals going with Latham: The Bengals have to address the offensive line. Some evaluators have Latham as a lock to go in the top 10. If he’s still available at No. 18, it’ll be a desirable scenario for Cincinnati. He can slide in at right tackle. NFL.com Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks, though, has the Bengals going back to LSU wide receivers with Brian Thomas Jr.: The potential loss of Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd in free agency could force the Bengals to take an offensive weapon early in the draft. Thomas is an athletic playmaker with the size and ball skills to thrive as a WR2 opposite Ja’Marr Chase. Draft Network Syndication: Tuscaloosa News Draft Network’s Brentley Weissman goes right back to Latham: The Bengals have needed to invest some high capital in the tackle position for quite some time and they finally do so here with the addition of Alabama’s JC Latham. Latham is a powerful tackle who will fit in perfectly on the right side of their offensive line. Pro Football Network Syndication: Online Athens Pro Football Network’s Joe Broback goes to the skill positions with Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, one of the most popular theories for Bengals fans: While Joe Burrow recovers from injury, the Bengals are trying to figure out how to retool the offense for him. If they can’t bring back Tee Higgins, then the draft could be a way to find replacements. Sporting News Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer brings up a good point about the defense, with the Bengals certainly known for early-round defensive backs, having them take Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry: The Bengals know that Chidobe Awuzie is a pending 29-year-old free agent and given his recent injury issues, it would be wise to pass on re-signing. It helps Cincinnati is right in the wheelhouse to land McKinstry, who like Wiggins has some huge playmaking and shutdown upside. CBS Sports Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso also likes the idea of the Bengals going back to LSU talent with Thomas Jr.: If Tee Higgins bolts in free agency, another sizable and athletic wideout would be sensible for the Bengals offense. FOX Sports Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports FOX Sports’ Rob Rang with one more suggestion about an LSU wideout: Given that the Bengals are already going to be replacing offensive coordinator Brian Callahan (who was hired to be the Tennessee Titans’ next head coach), perhaps a club once known for its general disdain for spending big will open up the checkbook for pending free agent wide receivers Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. If not, the 6-foot-4 Thomas offers a similar skill set as Higgins with the production (FBS-leading 17 TDs) and college pedigree at LSU that incumbent stars Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase (also former LSU Tigers) might appreciate. https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-nfl-mock-draft-roundup-135525987.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicoli Posted January 28 Report Share Posted January 28 If they take a corner, give me Terrion Arnold all day long. Love that kids game. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_B Posted January 28 Report Share Posted January 28 Bengals.com has us taking Lathem, Mims, or Thomas Jr. https://www.bengals.com/news/2024-mock-draft-roundup-1-0 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claptonrocks Posted January 28 Report Share Posted January 28 3 hours ago, Jamie_B said: Bengals.com has us taking Lathem, Mims, or Thomas Jr. https://www.bengals.com/news/2024-mock-draft-roundup-1-0 Muaga not listed so presuming he's gone before we draft. Mims or Lathem would do nicely and Thomas is intriguing with Boyd and Tee about to embark to other teams after this year. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_B Posted January 28 Report Share Posted January 28 4 minutes ago, claptonrocks said: Muaga not listed so presuming he's gone before we draft. Mims or Lathem would do nicely and Thomas is intriguing with Boyd and Tee about to embark to other teams after this year. Tee is going to get tagged 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claptonrocks Posted January 28 Report Share Posted January 28 1 minute ago, Jamie_B said: Tee is going to get tagged Ok..good with that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 10 hours ago, Jamie_B said: Tee is going to get tagged Wonder how he feels about that.. I don't think he'll complain too much but I wonder if there's still a chance he stays or if he wants them to work a trade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stan Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 16 hours ago, claptonrocks said: Muaga not listed so presuming he's gone before we draft. Mims or Lathem would do nicely and Thomas is intriguing with Boyd and Tee about to embark to other teams after this year. Who is Muaga? There is no one in the draft with that name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claptonrocks Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 25 minutes ago, stan said: Who is Muaga? There is no one in the draft with that name. Fuaga..my bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|BlackJesus| Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 Brian Thomas Jr. is intriguing as he looks like a faster more fluid Tee Higgins ... you could tag Tee and have BTJ learn under Tee for a season while having a 3-headed WR monster for the New Orleans SB run. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HavePityPlease Posted January 30 Report Share Posted January 30 On 1/29/2024 at 6:29 AM, stan said: Who is Muaga? There is no one in the draft with that name. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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