Bengals Board Mock Draft Challenge: April

[Essex Johnson]

(04-04-2024, 05:08 PM)OSUfan Wrote: This simulation is from Mock Draft Database:




1 - 18: Brock Bowers - TE - Georgia - 6'3" 243
Bower was the BPA when the Bengals selected as well as being touted as a generational talent at the TE position. Bowers has elite hands and ability to create after the catch. Winner of the Mackey Award in back to back seasons and his abilities have drawn comparison to George Kittle. As a receiver Bowers possesses outstanding ability to accelerate off of the snap and to carry his speed and acceleration thru the route creating separation from defenders. Elite body control and extremely high football IQ. Bowers will go a long way in elevating the TE position for the Bengals as well as filling the void left in losing Tyler Boyd in free agency.


2 - 49: Braden Fiske - DT - Fla. State - 6'4" 292
Fiske may not have average mass for a DT but he has outstanding quickness off of the snap and plays with 100% motor and effort from whistle to whistle. Outstanding pursuit speed. Fiske is extremely disruptive to the offensive backfield due to his outstanding movement skills and awareness. While having a slight wingspan he has apparently learned to play with this slight deficiency. Fiske has a build that should naturally add more mass. Fiske should be a very disruptive 3 tech that has the ability to slide over to the NT position in passing situations.


3 - 80: Devontez Walker - WR - N. Carolina - 6'1.5" 193
Walker will need to continue to work on his route running ability and improving upon his route tree but what he brings immediately to the field is elite speed that threatens the deep half of the defense. Outstanding body control and has shown improvement in his physicality on contested catches. There is much room for him to improve but he has the elite speed that you just cannot teach. 


3 - 97: Blake Fisher - OT - Notre Dame - 6'6" 310
With the signing of Trent Brown the Bengals do not have to go OT early and getting Fisher at the end of the 3rd is a steal. I believe that Fisher is a RT prospect that would be capable of being a very solid day 1 starter. An AFC personnel exec stated that Fisher is a naturally more talented OT than Alt but that Alt is just more technically sound. Fisher gives the Bengals an extremely solid first tackle off of the bench for '24 and a quality starting caliber RT for '25 and beyond.


4 - 115: Elijah Jones - CB - Boston College - 6'1.5" 185
Jones is a long and fast corner that has been steadily rising up draft boards. The ball skills of Jones blossomed in '23 as he showcased his ability to be a ballhawk for a defense. Has the speed and abilities to play man on the outside and excels in zone coverage where is speed and reaction allow him to create turnovers and defense passes. Should be an outstanding addition to this secondary room with the loss of Awuzie and the uncertainty of Ivey after his late season injury.


5 - 149: Khristian Boyd - DT - N. Iowa - 6'2" 329
Boyd is an FCS prospect that showed up at the Shrine Bowl and dominated the Power Five players that he faced. Extremely strong putting up 38 reps at his pro day. Boyd has played the true NT position in the 3 man front for N. Iowa and consistently has faced and defeated double teams to disrupt the offense and make tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Boyd has continued to rise up boards since his dominating performance at the Shrine Bowl and according to those that know him he is an outstanding leader and locker room presence.


6 - 194: Hunter Nourzad - C - Penn State - 6'3" 317
This is a selection that should help the Bengals prepare for Karras becoming a FA after the '24 season. Hunter played at an extremely high level in a very physical conference. He has the ability to play both center and guard and would add very solid depth at either as well as a starter in '25 and beyond in the middle of this line.


6 - 214: Jase McClellan - RB - Bama - 5'10" 221
I believe this is a great value selection for the Bengals late in the draft and I think McClellan is one of the most underrated RB prospects in the draft. While he may not be elite in any one area he is absolutely solid in virtually every area. He accelerates well thru the hole and while he does not have elite track speed in the open field he has more than enough speed to create big chunk yard plays. He is a good receiver with really natural hands and as well is a pretty decent pass protector. 


7 - 224: Kamal Hadden - CB - Tennessee - 6'1" 196
Having Hadden still sitting here at this point in the draft is a steal for the Bengals. He is a tall, long, and physical corner that has played a lot of big time football against some of the best talent in the nation on a regular basis and has done it at a pretty high level. The CB room needs some quality depth and Hadden adds that a long with starter quality traits and abilities.


7 - 237: Brennan Jackson - DE - Washington St. - 6'4" 264
Jackson is a relentless high motor edge prospect that refuses to be outworked. Jackson plays with very good football strength and generates outstanding power and leverage off of the snap. He needs to continue to develop his pass rush toolbox and learn to play fast but within control but overall right now he is a guy that will make plays with his relentless motor and effort.

you do a nice analysis of your picks.. thanks for the extra effort