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The Ideal Bengals 7 Round Mock

The Enquirer

By Alex Schubert on April 25, 2024

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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