The Ideal Bengals 7 Round Mock
Don’t worry folks, mock drafts are officially almost over.
It’s officially draft week, which means athletes who have worked their entire lives to perfect their football craft will have their dreams realized. Draft rumors will officially come to a close and reality will take the place of speculation.
As it currently stands, the Bengals have ten selections in the 2024 NFL Draft. Who would they select in a perfect world?
Round 1, pick 18: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon
Cincinnati is widely expected to address their need in the trenches in the first round, and Fuaga would be a best case scenario. The Oregon State offensive tackle, who was described as an “ass-kicker” by PFF, is projected to be one of the first offensive tackles off the board. He’s a massive and strong tackle who is elite as a run blocker and plays with about as much intensity as any coach could hope for.
While he’s good enough to be an immediate plug and play starter, he (or whoever the Bengals select) is expected to learn behind recent starter Trent Brown. In the event of a Brown injury, they will likely take over the starting role.
Post-combine mock 🚨
Taliese Fuaga didn't allow a single sack in 2022 or 2023 🤯 pic.twitter.com/HcAmQo8wxc
— PFF CIN Bengals (@PFF_Bengals) March 6, 2024
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Washington OL Troy Fautanu, Texas DT Byron Murphy, Alabama OT JC Latham, Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton, Georgia OT Amarius Mims
Round 2, pick 49: Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan
The Bengals have a severe deficiency in the run defense game. It was bad enough before DJ Reader’s season ending injury last season, and now that he’s gone, Lou Anarumo’s D-line needs as much help as it can get. Jenkins, the son of the longtime defensive lineman with the same name, is an elite run defender who can anchor a defensive line thanks to his strength and intensity as a player. While he’s not the most elite pass rusher, the Bengals have plenty of pass rushers to pick up the slack while Jenkins absorbs double teams.
"A one-on-one matchup problem for a lot of people."
—@KevinCarter_93 on Kris Jenkins Jr. pic.twitter.com/gpL3mElX5x
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) April 18, 2024
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Yale OT Kiran Amegadjie, Florida WR Ricky Pearsall, Kansas State OG Cooper Beebe, Michigan WR Roman Wilson, Clemson DT Ruke Orhorhoro
Round 3, pick 80: Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington
With Tyler Boyd likely on his way out, the Bengals need to replace him and his production. McMillan, who was the go-to slot receiver on a potent Washington offense, would step in and be the replacement for the likely-to-depart Tyler Boyd. He’s a reliable and versatile receiver who is also an exceptional route runner. If he winds up being selected, he could be a day one starter in Dan Pitcher’s offense. It is highly unlikely that the Bengals exit day two without selecting a wideout.
It’s wild to me how Jalen McMillan has seemingly exited draft discussion when he’s a day 2 talent.
Here he is moss’ing elite CB Christian Gonzalez 🤯 pic.twitter.com/s8bDd5lgEP
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) April 17, 2024
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Houston OT Patrick Paul, TCU OT Brandon Coleman, UCF WR Javon Baker, Michigan LB Junior Colson, South Dakota State OG Mason McCormick
Round 3, pick 97: Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
The Kansas State product is thought of as one of the biggest sleepers in the entire draft. The Bengals don’t have an immediate need at tight end, but their tight ends (Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, Tanner Hudson) are all on one year deals. Sinnott is an impeccable athlete who is fast with the ball in his hands and decent as a blocker. He can even be used as a fullback.
A smart play-caller will be getting a gem with Ben Sinnott. Versatile, loose athlete, and has an incredible feel pic.twitter.com/d4W4TiGDay
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) April 20, 2024
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Iowa TE Erick All, Michigan RB Blake Corum, Penn State TE Theo Johnson, Clemson EDGE Xavier Thomas, Auburn CB DJ James
Round 4, pick 115: T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
Sweat’s draft position is perhaps as up in the air as any player in this draft. Previously regarded as a second round pick, Sweat got a DUI in the weeks leading up to the draft, which has caused his stock to tank. Having one team bank on his game-changing ability and gambling on him in the third round is just as likely as every team being too wary of his red flags to take him even in the first five rounds. His red flags are with his ability to keep both his head and body committed to football. However, on the field, he’s a massive presence and talent who could be an anchor on the defensive line and a game wrecker.
That is, if he pans out.
My Guy #6: Texas IDL, T’Vondre Sweat!
Sweat is a terrific run defender with surprising pass rush ability which gives him the tools to be an every down D lineman. If Sweat kept his conditioning in check and didn’t have off the field issues, he’d easily be a Day 1 pick. pic.twitter.com/QXtFiKAFGi
— JVertDraft (@jvertDraft) April 18, 2024
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Texas A&M DT McKinnley Jackson, Notre Dame RB Audric Estime, USC WR Brenden Rice, Pittsburgh OT Matt Goncalves, Ohio State LB Tommy Eichenberg
Round 5: No. 149: Zak Zinter, OG, Michigan
Zinter isn’t an overwhelming prospect, but he’s incredibly balanced and doesn’t have too many weaknesses. Even though he comes with a bit of injury baggage, he’s an experienced, tough, and strong prospect who plays with good technique. He may go slightly higher than this, but if he falls in their lap due to his injury history, he could easily come in and compete with Cordell Volson. He also provides depth on an o-line that desperately needs it.
💎NFL Draft Gem💎- #36 Zak Zinter IOL (Michigan) #nfldraft2024 #michigan @zak_zinter
LINK👉🏼 https://t.co/xzZFDc9RFQ
In my opinion, if it wasn’t for a tibia & fibula break, Zak Zinter would be in early Day 2 consideration. Zinter has a great blend of technique, strength, short… pic.twitter.com/d6tBkebbM8
— The Mock Draft Guy ™️ (@MockDraftGuyYT) April 18, 2024
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: LSU DT Maason Smith, Rice WR Luke McCaffrey, Kentucky LB Trevin Wallace, Wisconsin OC Tanor Bortolini, Oregon State WR Anthony Gould
Round 6: No. 194: Dwight McGlothern, CB, Arkansas
The Arkansas product is a big, physical cornerback who plays with a physicality that matches his size. He’s an agile, tall prospect who demonstrates great awareness, disrupts passes, and has a high football IQ. After losing Chidobe Awuzie in free agency and not signing a replacement, the Bengals are widely expected to leave the NFL Draft with at least one cornerback.
Huge Dwight McGlothern guy for a late round sleeper at the CB position in the late 5th/early 6th.
Proficient in Zone and Man Coverage.
Size is there.Favorite late CB in the draft to be honest. pic.twitter.com/zGKHXdSo0u
— Dan Mitchell (@realdanmitchell) April 18, 2024
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Iowa DT Logan Lee, North Carolina DT Myles Murphy, Kansas State OT KT Leveston, Ohio State S Josh Proctor, Miami OG Javion Cohen
Round 6, pick 214: Jalen Green, EDGE, James Madison
Green was a sack machine at JMU. He put up 15.5 sacks in only nine games in 2023, including an astounding five in a single game. He’s a bit undersized, but he’s also an effective run defender. He has suffered some injuries and comes from a smaller school, which explains his late round projection. He could also wind up as a late round steal if he lives up to his full potential.
NFL DRAFT GEM OF THE DAY: James Madison EDGE Jalen Green 👑
• 16 sacks, 56 pressures in 9 games
• 6’1, 245lbs
• effective blitzer/stunter
• hot motor
• fast, violent hand usage
• natural leverage
• alignment versatility
• upside in coverage pic.twitter.com/LdMEGXaAjI— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 28, 2024
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Auburn DT Justin Rogers, Washington S Dominique Hampton, Illinois TE Tip Reiman, LSU DT Jordan Jefferson, James Madison EDGE Jalen Green
Round 7, pick 224: Giovanni Manu, OT, British Columbia
Giovanni Manu, who earned the nickname “Baby Shaq” as a basketball player in high school, has off-the-charts size and athleticism. He’s 6’8”, 352 pounds, ran a 4.96 40 yard dash, and had a 33.5 inch vertical. Manu, who hails from Tonga, has been thought of as one of the most intriguing prospects in the NFL Draft. Even though he didn’t play college football in America, his size and measurables alone make him more than worth a late round draft selection.
There’s no more fascinating prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft than Giovanni Manu, the 6-foot-8, 352-pound OT from British Columbia who runs a 4.96 40-yard dash.
Thanks to @itsyaboigio for speaking with me at @WCGridiron. https://t.co/LskDueRQEu
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 20, 2024
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Northern Iowa DT Khristian Boyd, UTSA WR Joshua Cephus, North Dakota State OT Jalen Sundell, Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman, Texas CB Ryan Watts
Round 7, pick 237: Jowon Briggs, DT, Cincinnati
Everyone loves a hometown prospect, so why not add one here, especially at a position of need? The UC product, who hails from Walnut Hills High School, is a powerful and strong prospect who plays with a high motor. He has a refined technique and is a solid run blocker, which the Bengals badly need in the AFC North.
"I just need a toe in the door."
Jowon Briggs got off a flight after midnight and was at the #Bengals practice facility in a full sweat just hours later.
The #Bearcats defensive lineman hopes to extend UC's streak of 8 straight years with at least one player drafted. pic.twitter.com/2KUP4mmv2y
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) April 16, 2024
OTHER POSSIBILITIES: Louisiana OT Nathan Thomas, BYU P Ryan Rehkow, Southern Miss RB Frank Gore Jr., Ole Miss S Daijahn Anthony, Texas LB Jaylan Ford
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