02-20-2024, 10:13 PM
RD.1 - 18th Selection:
Joe Alt - OT - Notre Dame - 6'8" 315
Well the issues at RT are not fixed. Alt would step in on day 1 as RT and your heir apparent at LT once your contract is up with Orlando Brown Jr. That is unless of course you can get Brown to agree to move to RT before his contract is up. Either way you have one hellacious pair of bookend tackles to protect the franchise. I believe Fashanu and Alt are the two best tackles in this class and which goes first could be up in the air. In this simulation both Latham and Fuaga went before Alt which is why he is there for the Bengals. I doubt that happens but I have seen stranger things in a draft as well.
The Bengals land a steal in round 1 and solidify the edges of the O line for several years.
Round 2 - 49th Selection:
T'Vondre Sweat - DT - Texas - 6'4" 340
Unbelievably the Bengals end up with back to back steals while adding massive upgrades to both lines. The Bengals unfortunately found out how hard it was to stop the run without Reader. If Reader comes back then you have someone to rotate with him without a drop off in run stopping ability. If Reader does not return then you have a day 1 starter to fill that void at a very high level. Sweat is exactly the ticket for the Bengals on the D line and will command double teams which he has shown the ability to defeat on a pretty regular basis.
Another high value get for the Bengals in back to back rounds that fall right into their needs as well.
RD. 3 - 80th Selection:
Christian Haynes - OL - UConn - 6'2.5" 318
Next to RT some may consider LG to be the next biggest upgrade needed. There are many that feel that Haynes is one of the most NFL ready interior linemen in the draft and that he is ready to make a day 1 impact for an offensive line. He is an elite football IQ player that is extremely sound in virtually all areas of the game. He has shown natural power and athleticism and is a true drive blocker in the run game. Is he a perfect prospect? No he is not. Will he be making a step up in competition level? Yes he absolutely will but he showed at the Senior Bowl that he is up to the task.
The Bengals get very lucky when what appears to be a massive upgrade at guard falls right in their laps. Another high value selection that falls in line with needs.
RD. 4 - 116th Selection:
Brenden Rice - WR - USC - 6'2" 212
Are you kidding me right now? The son of the one and only Jerry Rice is sitting here for the Bengals who more than likely lose Tyler Boyd to free agency and possibly Tee Higgin as well if he does not play a season under the franchise tag. Rice sports elite level hands, awareness, and ball skills which is not shocking considering who his father is. I have no illusion that Brenden will be as good as his father but he has he appearance of an NFL ready receiver that should contribute early. What an outstanding addition to the WR room for the Bengals and as they like Rice is versatile and is comfortable being on the boundary or in the slot.
Huge value in the 4th!
RD. 5 - 148th Selection:
Will Shipley - RB - Clemson - 5'11" 210
Some may argue that there is not a more complete back in this draft than Shipley. He is a back that has produced in every facet of the game. Shipley brings high end explosion and acceleration to go with elite vision. He is a natural receiver out of the backfield and just like he is as a runner is very productive after the catch. While he is not a devastating blocker in pass protection he does understand blocking and is willing. He has struggled with some injuries but his production when healthy is outstanding. The pairing of Chase Brown and Will Shipley could absolutely end the Mixon era in Cincinnati and give them a very exciting young tandem to elevate their running game to the next level.
I really like this addition for the Bengals offense.
RD. 5 - 175th Selection:
Ben Sinnott - TE - Kansas State - 6'4" 254
As a blocker Sinnott is technically sound playing from the H-Back position or as an inline blocker. As he gets stronger within an NFL strength and conditioning program his blocking should improve even more. As a receiving threat he has been very productive over the past two seasons where he went 80 receptions for 10 TDs and over 1,000 yards. Has good speed and for a TE he runs a rather broad route tree. Sinnott should be a nice addition to the room with Tanner Hudson. Again, this is a high value selection as he is near the top of the board and falls right into need for the Bengals.
RD. 6 - 196th Selection:
Luke McCaffrey - WR - Rice - 6'1.5" 202
Get out this can't be for real! The Bengals add not one but two NFL legacy receivers to a room that is in danger of losing two of it's main weapons between this season and next. McCaffrey is an elite football IQ player just like his brother and father. He is extremely sound in all the technical aspects of the game and while he does not have elite speed he does have enough speed to threaten the backend of a defense. Luke has shown no fear of operating in the middle of the field and in traffic and is productive bringing in contested catches. Just another excellent acquisition for the Bengals late in the '24 draft and another player that strengthens the offensive arsenal for this team.
RD. 7 - 235th Selection:
Kamal Hadden - CB - Tennessee - 6'1" 197
Hadden is a long and physical corner who has shown very good ball skills. Will need to continue to develop his man cover skills and has been a bit more productive in zone schemes but overall brings a solid foundation to the position. Hadden has the long speed for the position but will have to refine some technique issues and learn to trust his abilities at the NFL level.
RD. 7 - 252nd Selection:
Eric Watts - DE - UConn - 6'5" 277
Watts is a young developing DE prospect that brings the natural strength, athleticism, and physicality to become a productive NFL rusher. To be in a room with Hendrickson and Hubbard as young and developing rusher is a major windfall for Watts. Not only are these both productive NFL rushers that can teach him how to do it on the field but they are both outstanding locker room character players that can teach him how to do it off the field as well. Should be a great situation for a kid with the physical gifts that Watts has.
Joe Alt - OT - Notre Dame - 6'8" 315
Well the issues at RT are not fixed. Alt would step in on day 1 as RT and your heir apparent at LT once your contract is up with Orlando Brown Jr. That is unless of course you can get Brown to agree to move to RT before his contract is up. Either way you have one hellacious pair of bookend tackles to protect the franchise. I believe Fashanu and Alt are the two best tackles in this class and which goes first could be up in the air. In this simulation both Latham and Fuaga went before Alt which is why he is there for the Bengals. I doubt that happens but I have seen stranger things in a draft as well.
The Bengals land a steal in round 1 and solidify the edges of the O line for several years.
Round 2 - 49th Selection:
T'Vondre Sweat - DT - Texas - 6'4" 340
Unbelievably the Bengals end up with back to back steals while adding massive upgrades to both lines. The Bengals unfortunately found out how hard it was to stop the run without Reader. If Reader comes back then you have someone to rotate with him without a drop off in run stopping ability. If Reader does not return then you have a day 1 starter to fill that void at a very high level. Sweat is exactly the ticket for the Bengals on the D line and will command double teams which he has shown the ability to defeat on a pretty regular basis.
Another high value get for the Bengals in back to back rounds that fall right into their needs as well.
RD. 3 - 80th Selection:
Christian Haynes - OL - UConn - 6'2.5" 318
Next to RT some may consider LG to be the next biggest upgrade needed. There are many that feel that Haynes is one of the most NFL ready interior linemen in the draft and that he is ready to make a day 1 impact for an offensive line. He is an elite football IQ player that is extremely sound in virtually all areas of the game. He has shown natural power and athleticism and is a true drive blocker in the run game. Is he a perfect prospect? No he is not. Will he be making a step up in competition level? Yes he absolutely will but he showed at the Senior Bowl that he is up to the task.
The Bengals get very lucky when what appears to be a massive upgrade at guard falls right in their laps. Another high value selection that falls in line with needs.
RD. 4 - 116th Selection:
Brenden Rice - WR - USC - 6'2" 212
Are you kidding me right now? The son of the one and only Jerry Rice is sitting here for the Bengals who more than likely lose Tyler Boyd to free agency and possibly Tee Higgin as well if he does not play a season under the franchise tag. Rice sports elite level hands, awareness, and ball skills which is not shocking considering who his father is. I have no illusion that Brenden will be as good as his father but he has he appearance of an NFL ready receiver that should contribute early. What an outstanding addition to the WR room for the Bengals and as they like Rice is versatile and is comfortable being on the boundary or in the slot.
Huge value in the 4th!
RD. 5 - 148th Selection:
Will Shipley - RB - Clemson - 5'11" 210
Some may argue that there is not a more complete back in this draft than Shipley. He is a back that has produced in every facet of the game. Shipley brings high end explosion and acceleration to go with elite vision. He is a natural receiver out of the backfield and just like he is as a runner is very productive after the catch. While he is not a devastating blocker in pass protection he does understand blocking and is willing. He has struggled with some injuries but his production when healthy is outstanding. The pairing of Chase Brown and Will Shipley could absolutely end the Mixon era in Cincinnati and give them a very exciting young tandem to elevate their running game to the next level.
I really like this addition for the Bengals offense.
RD. 5 - 175th Selection:
Ben Sinnott - TE - Kansas State - 6'4" 254
As a blocker Sinnott is technically sound playing from the H-Back position or as an inline blocker. As he gets stronger within an NFL strength and conditioning program his blocking should improve even more. As a receiving threat he has been very productive over the past two seasons where he went 80 receptions for 10 TDs and over 1,000 yards. Has good speed and for a TE he runs a rather broad route tree. Sinnott should be a nice addition to the room with Tanner Hudson. Again, this is a high value selection as he is near the top of the board and falls right into need for the Bengals.
RD. 6 - 196th Selection:
Luke McCaffrey - WR - Rice - 6'1.5" 202
Get out this can't be for real! The Bengals add not one but two NFL legacy receivers to a room that is in danger of losing two of it's main weapons between this season and next. McCaffrey is an elite football IQ player just like his brother and father. He is extremely sound in all the technical aspects of the game and while he does not have elite speed he does have enough speed to threaten the backend of a defense. Luke has shown no fear of operating in the middle of the field and in traffic and is productive bringing in contested catches. Just another excellent acquisition for the Bengals late in the '24 draft and another player that strengthens the offensive arsenal for this team.
RD. 7 - 235th Selection:
Kamal Hadden - CB - Tennessee - 6'1" 197
Hadden is a long and physical corner who has shown very good ball skills. Will need to continue to develop his man cover skills and has been a bit more productive in zone schemes but overall brings a solid foundation to the position. Hadden has the long speed for the position but will have to refine some technique issues and learn to trust his abilities at the NFL level.
RD. 7 - 252nd Selection:
Eric Watts - DE - UConn - 6'5" 277
Watts is a young developing DE prospect that brings the natural strength, athleticism, and physicality to become a productive NFL rusher. To be in a room with Hendrickson and Hubbard as young and developing rusher is a major windfall for Watts. Not only are these both productive NFL rushers that can teach him how to do it on the field but they are both outstanding locker room character players that can teach him how to do it off the field as well. Should be a great situation for a kid with the physical gifts that Watts has.
