The Bengals took some risks with their 10 picks
With the first of their 10 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bengals selected Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims with the 18th overall selection. Despite having great size and elite athleticism for his size, many view the pick as a risk, mainly due to his lack of starts (8) at Georgia.
From there, the Bengals would make nine more selections through the weekend, and seemingly, each of them has their own risk factors to go with their big potential upside.
Not all of their picks lined up with Arif Hasan’s big board, so let’s see how the picks compare.
OT Amarius Mims (Georgia)
Pick: 1-18 | Consensus big board: 21 | Difference: +3
The Bengals are expected to start Trent Brown at right tackle this season. Brown will be the third starting offensive tackle in as many years for the Bengals, and Mims was selected to hopefully be the long-term answer. As I said earlier, Mims shows elite athletic traits for his size, but only eight collegiate starts and an ankle injury have some fans and experts less than thrilled with the pick. If Mims pans out, the Bengals hit a home run, getting him past the middle of the first round. If not, they could still be looking for their right tackle of the future for years to come.
DT Kris Jenkins (Michigan)
Pick: 2-49 | Consensus big board: 21 | Difference: 0
Based on the big board, the Bengals got this one exactly right. Jenkins excels at defending the run, and for the Bengals, that is exactly where they needed to get better this offseason. After signing Sheldon Rankins to handle the three-technique and rush the passer, there was a gaping hole at the other defensive spot tackle when D.J. Reader left for Detroit. Jenkins was selected with a premium pick, so he could be in line for a significant role early on.
WR Jermaine Burton (Alabama)
Pick: 3-80 | Consensus big board: 92 | Difference: +12
Based on the board, Burton is a bit of a reach at pick 80. Despite his elite athleticism and strong hands, some of the drawbacks for Burton were character and maturity issues. With Tee Higgins still opposite Ja’Marr Chase this season, Burton may not be asked to play a huge role in 2024. Being selected 12 slots before the board ranks him has him as the third-largest reach in the Bengals’ class, per the big board.
DT McKinnley Jackson (Texas A&M)
Pick: 3-97 | Consensus big board: 136 | Difference: +39
At the end of the third round, there was a run on defensive tackles that may have forced Cincinnati’s hand here. Jackson was essentially the last true nose tackle on the board at pick 97, so the Bengals sent the card in. Jackson did not make the top 100 on the big board, coming in at #136. Jackson being selected 39 picks above his ranking would make Jackson the third-biggest reach of the 2024 class.
TE Erick All (Iowa)
Pick: 4-115 | Consensus big board: 155 | Difference: +40
All had a really good year in 2021 when he played for the University of Michigan. After that, injuries really slowed down All’s collegiate career. A back injury derailed his 2022 season, and then, after transferring to Iowa for 2022, All tore his ACL last October. Progress on that rehab sounds like it is going well, but it does make you wonder about All’s ability to contribute early in camp and make a case for the final 53-man roster. Forty selections above his ranking, Hasan’s board has All being the Bengals’ biggest reach in the 2024 draft class.
CB Josh Newton (TCU)
Pick: 5-149 | Consensus big board: 139 | Difference: -10
The Bengals appear to get some value here, selecting Newton 10 slots below where the board ranks him. In a cornerback room with Cam Taylor-Britt, DJ Turner, Mike Hilton, and now even Dax Hill, Newton will likely battle with the likes of DJ Ivey and Allan George to round out the bottom of the cornerback room. Newton is the Bengals’ second-best value pick, based on the board.
TE Tanner McLachlan (Arizona)
Pick: 6-194 | Consensus big board: 176 | Difference: -18
Some experts have McLachlan as a sleeper pick in the sixth round, and the Bengals were able to select him 18 picks lower than his consensus ranking. McLachlan will compete with his classmate All to land in a tight end room that is suddenly crowded. Mike Gesicki was signed in free agency, Drew Sample signed a three-year contract extension and Tanner Hudson was retained. Look for All and McLachlan to battle for the final tight end spot, should the Bengals carry four tight ends.
DE Cedric Johnson (Mississippi)
Pick: 6-214 | Consensus big board: 148 | Difference: -66
Johnson appears to be the best value pick of the entire draft for the Bengals, checking in at 148 on the big board’s rankings. The Bengals getting him at pick 214 means they got him at a staggering 66 picks later than he was valued at. With Trey Hendrickson requesting a trade and Joseph Ossai not catching on quite yet, Johnson could earn himself a spot in the pass rush rotation early on. Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard will take the bulk of the pass rush reps, but Johnson could compete to be the fourth pass rusher in the rotation behind last year’s first round pick, Myles Murphy.
DB Daijahn Anthony (Mississippi)
Pick: 6-224 | Consensus big board: 262 | Difference: +38
Anthony comes in as the second-biggest reach Cincinnati made in 2024. Anthony sits at 262 on the board but was selected at pick no. 224. The Bengals could have liked Anthony’s versatility enough to pick him higher than his ranking. Anthony played both cornerback and safety in college. Anthony will likely try to earn his roster spot on special teams.
C Matt Lee (Miami)
Pick: 7-237 | Consensus big board: 227 | Difference: -10
Lee was the Bengals’ last selection, and they got value with the pick. Taking Lee at pick 237 was a value of 10 selections, with the board ranking him at 227. Some think Lee could be the eventual replacement for Ted Karras should he leave Cincinnati after this season.
This is all fun to read about, but the reality is none of us know who was a reach and who was a steal as we sit here on May 1st. As the season and these players’ careers play out, time will only tell what value comes with what pick.
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