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RD. 1 - 18th Selection:
J.C. Latham - OT - Bama - 6'6" 335
Some may not agree but I believe this is the absolute best case scenario for the Bengals with the 18th overall selection and that is even if Alt or Fashanu were to slide. When I watch tape on Latham he is the most pro ready OT in this draft and is tailor made to man the right side of an offensive line for the next 10 years. When I see his film I really do immediately think of Willie Anderson.
When Latham sets and anchors he is virtually immovable. When he gets out to run block he is an absolute bulldozer. His technique is pro level in both facets of the game. Sure there are things he can hone and improve and that is a good thing. That simply means he has room to become even better than he is at this time. When he gets an initial punch on a defender it will noticeably jolt them backward and when he latches onto a defender in the running game he does not just block them but literally displaces them.
Latham is as good a day 1 prospect as you are going to find on the offensive line.
RD.2 - 49th Selection:
To be honest I was not thrilled with the value of what was on the board at 49 in relation to the most pressing needs of the Bengals. However, the way the draft was falling at that time I felt rather confident that the Bengals could trade back with the offer Houston presented and still get who I thought was the best value/need proposition for them. I was targeting the interior defensive line and with Sweat, Murphy, and Newton off the boards I felt this trade was the best method to get real value to need and add even more value later.
Houston used the selection to select T.J. Tampa.
RD. 2 - 59th Selection:
Ruke Orhorhoro - DT - Clemson - 6'4" 294
Orhorhoro was one of those players that the combine testing helped to assure what is seen on tape. His performance in the different drills concreted the fact that he is an athletic freak with natural, raw strength and true explosion and quickness off of the snap. When gauging Ruke you must consider that he did not even start playing football until his junior year in high school. He is a stopper in the run game and this should only improve the stronger he gets. He has a frame that should be able to carry more mass without sacrificing quickness and burst.
He has elite length and proportional strength. He has flashed as a pass rusher and should continue to grow in this area the more he learns from a technique perspective. He already is extremely disruptive to an NFL backfield and can push the pocket making a QB very uncomfortable.
RD. 3 - 80th Selection:
Brenden Rice - WR - USC - 6'2" 212
Let's get the obvious out of the way and the is his lineage of being the son of the greatest WR to play the game. He brings the football IQ that comes with those genes to go along with being a big, physical WR that will present a challenge to physical corners. Rice brings good long speed and can test the backend of a defense. Pure, natural hands when the ball is thrown to him and always a threat to score and over his career in college he scored every 5.2 catches.
What Brenden needs to work on is his quickness in and out of breaks and using this to create and maintain separation.
RD. 4 - 116th Selection:
Zak Zinter - OL - Michigan - 6'6" 322
To be honest I had not paid too much attention to him until this previous week and when I turned on tape of him I came away rather impressed. The Bengals need to be planning for the future of the interior offensive line as Cappa and Volson both expire in '26 and Karras in '25. Volson has struggled over his first two seasons and Cappa while playing solid has not been outstanding. The story line on Zinter from Josh Gattis is versatility and he has seen extensive time snapping the ball for the Wolverines in practice even though he has spent most of his time at RG.
Zinter is just solid as an interior line player. He uses good technique in both the run and the pass game as well as a very nasty demeanor when run blocking (something the Bengals are lacking). When watching film what I noticed the most is that you do not notice him which is great for an O lineman. He plays very much in control and is assignment solid and always has his head on a swivel when not engaged. With Zinter I see the future of the Bengals at either C or RG.
RD. 4 - 124th Selection:
Will Shipley - RB - Clemson - 5'11" 206
There seems to be a few that do not care for Shipley but when I watch this kid I see plain and simply a football player. This kid has elite vision and football IQ to go with extremely good acceleration and explosion and very good long speed when he gets in the open field. Shipley while not a devastating pass protector he is absolutely willing and that most of the times is the biggest battle as protection is a mindset. He gives max effort in protection and as well as a lead blocker on draws or in a two back set. This kid is just a football player.
The duo of Chase Brown and Will Shipley could bring the explosion and dynamic athleticism that the Bengals running game has been missing for sometime.
RD. 4 - 128th Selection:
Ben Sinnott - TE - Kansas St. - 6'4" 250
Sinnott will bring a measure of ability in the receiving game that the Bengals have been seeking at the position. Good speed, quickness, and agility as a receiver and has run a pretty diverse route tree for K State. Is willing and relatively effective blocker but will need to continue to develop his ability as an inline blocker. He played from the fullback and H-back position prior to moving to full time TE. Effective in gaining yards after he has the ball and usually is not brought down on first contact. Should be a really nice compliment to Tanner Hudson and could give them the best duo they have seen in awhile.
RD. 5 - 148th Selection:
Jaylin Simpson - DB - Auburn - 5'11" 178
A ballhawk in the defensive backfield with the versatility to play both corner and safety. I see him as a corner for the Bengals due to his cover ability, speed, and ball skills. While Simpson is not really tall for the position he is long with a good wingspan. Should fit well in a Bengals secondary that plays a good bit of zone as his reaction skills and closing speed are both very good. Bengals need to add depth to the DB room and the abilities and versatility of Simpson should be a welcome addition.
RD. 5 - 175th Selection:
Isaiah Adams - OL - Illinois - 6'4" 316
Adams played both guard and tackle for the Illini but seems to be more suited to play OG at the NFL level but the versatility makes him even more valuable. Adams plays with a high motor and power. While he may not be able to mirror athleticism on the edge at the NFL level he has more than enough athleticism to play on the inside and react to stunts and blitzes. In the run game Adams is a finisher and has the movement ability to effectively get to and block at the second level. I could see Adams developing into a quality starter at either guard position and at the worst being an extremely valuable first off the bench.
RD. 6 - 196th Selection:
Ainiais Smith - WR - Texas A&M - 5'9" 191
Smith is an explosive and versatile weapon that can work from the slot, backfield, and as a returner. Smith is extremely dynamic when the ball is in his hands and while he may not have elite speed he has very good speed and the ability to make defenders miss. Elite ability to set up downfield blocks and use them to gain even more yards. Smith brings some similar things to an offense that Samuels brings for the 49ers (I am not saying he is Deebo). He has outstanding hands and is an excellent route runner who can gain significant separation with his breaks and cuts. A weapon that can line up anywhere as a receiver and can create defensive mismatches.
RD. 7 - 235th Selection:
Jaden Crumedy - DT - Mississippi St. - 6'4" 309
Jaden could be the run stopping specialist that the Bengals D line has been missing behind Reader and even more importantly if Reader does not return. He does not have elite mass but he creates excellent power with the mass that he does have. Plays with excellent pad level, blend, and anchor to go along with the ability to shed blockers to make the play in the running game. A very solid defender that plays with very sound technique and ability. Should be a nice addition to the interior D line group.
RD. 7 - 252nd Selection:
Dwight McGlothern - CB - Arkansas - 6'1" 185
Dwight brings the height and length that the Bengals need to add to the depth in their DB room and with it he brings excellent ball skills. With the zone heavy D of the Bengals secondary he should be a great fit as he played his best football as a zone corner at the college level. Has excellent speed and reaction which has allowed him to record 6 INTs over the past two seasons. He will need to continue to develop his physicality in run support.
