03-29-2024, 09:37 PM
RD. 1 - 18:
Brock Bowers - TE - Georgia - 6'3" 243
Bowers is obviously the best player available on the boards and the best TE in the draft. He is being touted as a generational prospect at the TE position and compares very favorably to George Kittle in size and abilities. Bowers gives them a player that could immediately fill the void that the team will have with the loss of Tyler Boyd in the slot and as their to chain mover. What is not in question with Bowers is his ability as a receiver. He has outstanding acceleration and gets up to speed very quickly on the snap. He demonstrates outstanding footwork in and out of his breaks which allows him to gain separation from most defenders. Excellent hands and a producer of yards after the ball is in his hands. With the accuracy of Burrow and the hope that a consistent interior offensive line and upper echelon bookends at OT Bowers could prove to be a game changing weapon for this offense.
RD. 2 - 49:
T;Vondre Sweat - DT - Texas - 6'4.5" 366
Arguably the biggest hole that the Bengals need to fill is at the NT position with the loss of DJ Reader to the Lions. To fill the large hole the Bengals select a very large man. Again, Sweat is in the debate for BPA when the Bengals are selecting and like Bowers he fits in ideally with what this franchise needs at this point. Sweat was the '23 Outland Trophy winner and has drawn comparisons to Sam Adams and Vita Vea which is pretty damn good company to be in at the NT position. His specialty is stopping the run but as a pass defender he absolutely has the ability to disrupt the pocket and make QBs uncomfortable. Sweat consistently has drawn double teams and has shown the ability to take on and defeat these double teams. The attention that Sweat will draw from blockers should free up other defenders to make plays.
RD.3 - 80:
Kiran Amegadjie - OT - Yale - 6'5" 323
The signing of Trent Brown allows the Bengals to forego a 1st round selection at OT but in the 3rd they select one of the highest upside and most athletically gifted OTs in the draft. The smarts are obviously there being a Yale student but he also brings elite length and outstanding size and athleticism to the position. You expect to see a next level worthy prospect to dominate at the FCS level and that is exactly what Kiran did at times making his performance look virtually effortless. The signing of Brown allows them to bring Kiran in and give him a season to adjust to the jump in competition level and to acclimate himself to the speed and physicality of the pro game. Kiran already excels as a drive blocker in the running game and his length and athleticism should really help him in handling NFL edge rushers.
RD. 3 - 97:
Javon Baker - WR - UCF - 6'1" 202
Baker is just a very well rounded WR that brings NFL size, athleticism, and physicality to the position. While he may not have elite speed he does not lose speed when the pads go on and his play speed is consistently good. Baker is not an elite route runner but he is very good and has steadily improved in this aspect of his game and there is no indication that he should not continue to improve in this area as he grows into an NFL receiver. While he can have the occasional focus drop overall he has outstanding hands and is physical at the point of attack and in going after 50/50 balls. The game of Javon Baker translates to the NFL game and he is a guy that should immediately improve a WR room.
RD. 4 - 115:
Zak Zinter - OL - Michigan - 6'6" 309
Again, the Bengals capitalize on BPA with the selection of Zinter. Zinter played OG for Michigan but took extensive practice snaps at center in his tenure with the Wolverines and many believe he could be a very good NFL center. With Karras being a free agent in '25 this could be very important for the Bengals. What immediately jumps out when you watch tape on Zinter is that he is a technician that really just does not get beat. He brings outstanding technique and toughness to the interior of a line. The important thing for Zinter will be how his medicals check out in his recovery from a broken tibia and fibia that he suffered in November of '23. Zak should be an outstanding depth piece for the interior of this line with the possibility of future starter at C or guard.
RD. 5 - 149:
Elijah Jones - CB - Boston College - 6'1.5" 185
The Bengals will be looking to add depth to the CB room with the loss of Awuzie in free agency and the uncertain availability of Ivey after his devastating injury. Again, the needs of the Bengals benefit from the BPA available argument. Jones is a long athletic corner that brings excellent speed and ball skills to the field. He has displayed the abilities and traits to win in man coverage but he truly excels in off coverage where he can use his speed, reaction, and excellent ball skills to break on throws. I really like this addition to the Bengals secondary and believe Jones will be a great fit with the piece already in place.
RD. 6 - 194:
Isaac Guerendo - RB - Louisville - 6'0" 221
The Bengals added Chase Brown with a great value selection in the '23 draft and added Moss in FA but at this point Guerendo who is the BPA adds a bit more of a physical back than they have right now and as well brings really good ability in protection and squaring up and effectively taking on blitzers or free runners. Isaac put his outstanding speed on display at the combine by posting a 4.33 as a very strong 40 time. Isaac also displayed natural hands as a receiver and the ability to adjust to off target throws. In Guerendo I see a guy that is an NFL feature back with a bit more seasoning.
RD. 6 - 214:
Kristian Boyd - DT - N. Iowa - 6'2" 329
Boyd is a FCS prospect that showed up at the Shrine Bowl and dominated against FBS competition. Boyd gets off the ball very well and generates impressive power and anchor. He is a player that has the potential to play NT at the NFL level especially early on passing downs as he generates outstanding pressure from the power he generates. On early downs he could find time as a big 3 technique. Boyd will have to prove that he can make the jump in competition to the pro game but if his performance at the Shrine Bowl is any indication then it is a jump that he should be able to make and do more than just survive on and NFL roster.
RD. 7 - 224:
Kamal Hadden - CB - Tenn. - 6'1" 196
The Bengals add more depth to their CB room by adding Hadden who is a big physical corner that has played in some big time match ups with some of the best athletes in college football on a regular basis and has shown himself well on this stage. Hadden has displayed good ball skills and man coverage skills but will have some technique issues to clean up but overall brings good talent and ability. Should be a good depth piece for the Bengals early on and a guy that should excel on special teams.
RD. 7 - 237:
Tyrice Knight - LB - UTEP - 6'0" 233
Knight is a tackling machine. He was a bit of a freelancer at the collegiate level which helped him to rack up big tackle numbers but will need to learn to play within the scheme at the NFL level. He brings good speed and physicality to the position and has shown good ability in coverage as well. Knight brings a skillset that could allow him to become a NFL special teams standout while bringing the athletic ability and overall skill to see some defensive downs. If he can learn to discipline his game he could end up being a good depth piece in the LB room.
Brock Bowers - TE - Georgia - 6'3" 243
Bowers is obviously the best player available on the boards and the best TE in the draft. He is being touted as a generational prospect at the TE position and compares very favorably to George Kittle in size and abilities. Bowers gives them a player that could immediately fill the void that the team will have with the loss of Tyler Boyd in the slot and as their to chain mover. What is not in question with Bowers is his ability as a receiver. He has outstanding acceleration and gets up to speed very quickly on the snap. He demonstrates outstanding footwork in and out of his breaks which allows him to gain separation from most defenders. Excellent hands and a producer of yards after the ball is in his hands. With the accuracy of Burrow and the hope that a consistent interior offensive line and upper echelon bookends at OT Bowers could prove to be a game changing weapon for this offense.
RD. 2 - 49:
T;Vondre Sweat - DT - Texas - 6'4.5" 366
Arguably the biggest hole that the Bengals need to fill is at the NT position with the loss of DJ Reader to the Lions. To fill the large hole the Bengals select a very large man. Again, Sweat is in the debate for BPA when the Bengals are selecting and like Bowers he fits in ideally with what this franchise needs at this point. Sweat was the '23 Outland Trophy winner and has drawn comparisons to Sam Adams and Vita Vea which is pretty damn good company to be in at the NT position. His specialty is stopping the run but as a pass defender he absolutely has the ability to disrupt the pocket and make QBs uncomfortable. Sweat consistently has drawn double teams and has shown the ability to take on and defeat these double teams. The attention that Sweat will draw from blockers should free up other defenders to make plays.
RD.3 - 80:
Kiran Amegadjie - OT - Yale - 6'5" 323
The signing of Trent Brown allows the Bengals to forego a 1st round selection at OT but in the 3rd they select one of the highest upside and most athletically gifted OTs in the draft. The smarts are obviously there being a Yale student but he also brings elite length and outstanding size and athleticism to the position. You expect to see a next level worthy prospect to dominate at the FCS level and that is exactly what Kiran did at times making his performance look virtually effortless. The signing of Brown allows them to bring Kiran in and give him a season to adjust to the jump in competition level and to acclimate himself to the speed and physicality of the pro game. Kiran already excels as a drive blocker in the running game and his length and athleticism should really help him in handling NFL edge rushers.
RD. 3 - 97:
Javon Baker - WR - UCF - 6'1" 202
Baker is just a very well rounded WR that brings NFL size, athleticism, and physicality to the position. While he may not have elite speed he does not lose speed when the pads go on and his play speed is consistently good. Baker is not an elite route runner but he is very good and has steadily improved in this aspect of his game and there is no indication that he should not continue to improve in this area as he grows into an NFL receiver. While he can have the occasional focus drop overall he has outstanding hands and is physical at the point of attack and in going after 50/50 balls. The game of Javon Baker translates to the NFL game and he is a guy that should immediately improve a WR room.
RD. 4 - 115:
Zak Zinter - OL - Michigan - 6'6" 309
Again, the Bengals capitalize on BPA with the selection of Zinter. Zinter played OG for Michigan but took extensive practice snaps at center in his tenure with the Wolverines and many believe he could be a very good NFL center. With Karras being a free agent in '25 this could be very important for the Bengals. What immediately jumps out when you watch tape on Zinter is that he is a technician that really just does not get beat. He brings outstanding technique and toughness to the interior of a line. The important thing for Zinter will be how his medicals check out in his recovery from a broken tibia and fibia that he suffered in November of '23. Zak should be an outstanding depth piece for the interior of this line with the possibility of future starter at C or guard.
RD. 5 - 149:
Elijah Jones - CB - Boston College - 6'1.5" 185
The Bengals will be looking to add depth to the CB room with the loss of Awuzie in free agency and the uncertain availability of Ivey after his devastating injury. Again, the needs of the Bengals benefit from the BPA available argument. Jones is a long athletic corner that brings excellent speed and ball skills to the field. He has displayed the abilities and traits to win in man coverage but he truly excels in off coverage where he can use his speed, reaction, and excellent ball skills to break on throws. I really like this addition to the Bengals secondary and believe Jones will be a great fit with the piece already in place.
RD. 6 - 194:
Isaac Guerendo - RB - Louisville - 6'0" 221
The Bengals added Chase Brown with a great value selection in the '23 draft and added Moss in FA but at this point Guerendo who is the BPA adds a bit more of a physical back than they have right now and as well brings really good ability in protection and squaring up and effectively taking on blitzers or free runners. Isaac put his outstanding speed on display at the combine by posting a 4.33 as a very strong 40 time. Isaac also displayed natural hands as a receiver and the ability to adjust to off target throws. In Guerendo I see a guy that is an NFL feature back with a bit more seasoning.
RD. 6 - 214:
Kristian Boyd - DT - N. Iowa - 6'2" 329
Boyd is a FCS prospect that showed up at the Shrine Bowl and dominated against FBS competition. Boyd gets off the ball very well and generates impressive power and anchor. He is a player that has the potential to play NT at the NFL level especially early on passing downs as he generates outstanding pressure from the power he generates. On early downs he could find time as a big 3 technique. Boyd will have to prove that he can make the jump in competition to the pro game but if his performance at the Shrine Bowl is any indication then it is a jump that he should be able to make and do more than just survive on and NFL roster.
RD. 7 - 224:
Kamal Hadden - CB - Tenn. - 6'1" 196
The Bengals add more depth to their CB room by adding Hadden who is a big physical corner that has played in some big time match ups with some of the best athletes in college football on a regular basis and has shown himself well on this stage. Hadden has displayed good ball skills and man coverage skills but will have some technique issues to clean up but overall brings good talent and ability. Should be a good depth piece for the Bengals early on and a guy that should excel on special teams.
RD. 7 - 237:
Tyrice Knight - LB - UTEP - 6'0" 233
Knight is a tackling machine. He was a bit of a freelancer at the collegiate level which helped him to rack up big tackle numbers but will need to learn to play within the scheme at the NFL level. He brings good speed and physicality to the position and has shown good ability in coverage as well. Knight brings a skillset that could allow him to become a NFL special teams standout while bringing the athletic ability and overall skill to see some defensive downs. If he can learn to discipline his game he could end up being a good depth piece in the LB room.
