03-05-2024, 11:35 PM
RD.1 - 18th Selection:
Brock Bowers - TE - Georgia - 6'3" 243
If he is the generational talent that most are saying he is then he could well be that player to propel this offense to the next level. This selection should more than make up for losing one of the best slot receivers in the league in Tyler Boyd and should create some serious mismatch issues for opposing defenses. His abilities after the catch are next level talents and he, like Ja'Marr, is a weapon that defenses will have to specifically game plan for. He has an uncanny ability to separate from defenders and much of it has to do with his precise route running and the pace and crispness with which he gets in and out of his breaks.
With a healthy Joe Burrow this could be a match up that can really stress the secondary of a defense.
RD. 2 - 49th Selection:
T'Vondre Sweat - DT - Texas - 6'4.5" 366
Stopping the run in the AFC North is not a luxury but a must. When DJ Reader is not on the field for the Bengals it is very apparent that they struggle in this capacity. If Reader does return then Sweat gives the Bengals that second DT that can demand double teams and eat up blockers. Sweat has shown a consistent ability to defeat double teams and make plays in the running game and even though rushing the passer is not his strength, he can absolutely break down a pocket and make a QB uncomfortable. If Reader does not return then this selection is huge and not just talking about his size. Sweat is nearly immovable when he sits down and anchors and the traits he has shown at the college level translate to the NFL.
Is drawing comparisons to Sam Adams and Vita Vea and that is pretty good company to be in.
RD. 3 - 80th Selection:
Kiran Amegadjie - OT - Yale - 6'5" 323
I was almost ready to panic about RT and then the draft gods smiled upon the Bengals. I was ecstatic to see Kiran still sitting here with the 80th selection. I honestly believe that this kid has the abilities and the smarts, no dummy or sure going to Yale, to make a serious bid to be the day 1 starter at RT. He is extremely athletic and brings outstanding size and elite length (36 1/8" arms) to the position. He is an extremely physical run blocker and has more than enough athleticism to mirror speed on the edge. Obviously, the best scenario is to find at least a serviceable RT in free agency to compete with Kiran for the job in '24 but even at that I would not count Kiran out.
RD. 4 - 116th Selection:
Zak Zinter - OL - Michigan - 6'6' 309
Zinter was hands down the best player on the Michigan offensive line in '23. I honestly had not paid much attention until a few weeks ago when I was watching film on their line and it became apparent really quickly that this kid is just one hell of a lineman. Zinter broke his fibula and tibia against Ohio State but recent news says he should be football ready before camp and will do movement drills and so forth at the Michigan Pro Day. Zinter is extremely position versatile and many believe he may end up being a high end center in the NFL. Given that Karras is a free agent after '24 this is where I would see him working for the Bengals as the heir apparent to the job in '25. However, his ability to play guard makes him a great depth piece for the '24 season.
RD.5 - 148th Selection:
Luke McCaffrey - WR - Rice - 6'2" 198
Luke is a converted QB and he applies that knowledge of an offense to the WR position. Drops are not in the in the vocabulary for McCaffrey. For only being his second season playing WR he has pretty strong technique which is a testament to his lineage. He is willing to do the small things that are often overlooked and he shows no panic at all operating over the middle or in traffic. While he is not a burner he is a strider that has enough speed to keep the backend of a defense honest. I could see Luke making a living in the slot at the NFL level much like Tyler Boyd and could help to ease his loss.
Luke needs to continue to hone is overall game and to continue to learn the nuances of playing WR but overall he is a very solid prospect that, like his dad and brother, will not be out worked.
RD. 5 - 175th Selection:
Nehemiah Pritchett - CB - Auburn - 6'0" 190
The Bengals have added some key pieces to the CB room over the last two drafts in Taylor-Britt and Turner but with expected loss of Awuzie and the uncertainty of the availability of Ivey, due to his injury, the Bengals still need to add some depth to the room. Pritchett is a long and fast corner that has displayed really good ball skills at in his time at Auburn. Pritchett has seen some of the best receivers in college football on a regular basis which makes you feel good about bringing him into the DB room. Pritchett should be a good addition as experienced depth.
RD. 6 - 196th Selection:
Ainias Smith - WR - Texas A&M - 5'9" 190
Playmaker. Smith is absolutely electric when the ball is in his hands. I do not see him having as many touches as a Deebo Samuel but he could be used in many of the same ways that Samuel is used. Smith could be a consistent stick mover that can make defenders look silly in the open field. While his frame may not take 15- 20 touches a game, giving him 5 - 8 touches a game gives a defense just one more thing that they have to prepare to defend. As a punt returner he he has some Adam Jones type ability so could be real weapon on special teams as well.
RD. 7 - 235th Selection:
Marcus Harris - DT - Auburn - 6'2" 286
Harris does not bring real bulk to the DT position but his quickness off of the snap and the instincts he has displayed seem to make up for the size deficiency. Harris could prove to be a really crafty and disruptive 3 tech at the NFL level. While he may need a couple season to compete for starting spot, he should make an immediate impact as a rotational piece on the interior of the line. This draft is heavy in 3 tech interior players which I believe plays a big part in pushing Harris this far down the draft boards.
RD. 7 - 252nd Selection:
Kimani Vidal - RB - Troy - 5'8" 213
Vidal is a solidly built runner that has good long speed. Vidal has been a productive back of the last two season for Troy and much of that productivity was him as they really struggled along the offensive line. As the all time leading rusher for the Trojans, Vidal has displayed pretty good vision and seems to play with really high football IQ. He is a good receiver out of the backfield and when the ball is in his hands he is a tough tackle. Could be an ideal back to share carries with Chase Brown should the Bengals look to move on from Mixon to change direction in the backfield and to free up some cap space. Good hard runner that has a knack for getting tough yards when needed.
Brock Bowers - TE - Georgia - 6'3" 243
If he is the generational talent that most are saying he is then he could well be that player to propel this offense to the next level. This selection should more than make up for losing one of the best slot receivers in the league in Tyler Boyd and should create some serious mismatch issues for opposing defenses. His abilities after the catch are next level talents and he, like Ja'Marr, is a weapon that defenses will have to specifically game plan for. He has an uncanny ability to separate from defenders and much of it has to do with his precise route running and the pace and crispness with which he gets in and out of his breaks.
With a healthy Joe Burrow this could be a match up that can really stress the secondary of a defense.
RD. 2 - 49th Selection:
T'Vondre Sweat - DT - Texas - 6'4.5" 366
Stopping the run in the AFC North is not a luxury but a must. When DJ Reader is not on the field for the Bengals it is very apparent that they struggle in this capacity. If Reader does return then Sweat gives the Bengals that second DT that can demand double teams and eat up blockers. Sweat has shown a consistent ability to defeat double teams and make plays in the running game and even though rushing the passer is not his strength, he can absolutely break down a pocket and make a QB uncomfortable. If Reader does not return then this selection is huge and not just talking about his size. Sweat is nearly immovable when he sits down and anchors and the traits he has shown at the college level translate to the NFL.
Is drawing comparisons to Sam Adams and Vita Vea and that is pretty good company to be in.
RD. 3 - 80th Selection:
Kiran Amegadjie - OT - Yale - 6'5" 323
I was almost ready to panic about RT and then the draft gods smiled upon the Bengals. I was ecstatic to see Kiran still sitting here with the 80th selection. I honestly believe that this kid has the abilities and the smarts, no dummy or sure going to Yale, to make a serious bid to be the day 1 starter at RT. He is extremely athletic and brings outstanding size and elite length (36 1/8" arms) to the position. He is an extremely physical run blocker and has more than enough athleticism to mirror speed on the edge. Obviously, the best scenario is to find at least a serviceable RT in free agency to compete with Kiran for the job in '24 but even at that I would not count Kiran out.
RD. 4 - 116th Selection:
Zak Zinter - OL - Michigan - 6'6' 309
Zinter was hands down the best player on the Michigan offensive line in '23. I honestly had not paid much attention until a few weeks ago when I was watching film on their line and it became apparent really quickly that this kid is just one hell of a lineman. Zinter broke his fibula and tibia against Ohio State but recent news says he should be football ready before camp and will do movement drills and so forth at the Michigan Pro Day. Zinter is extremely position versatile and many believe he may end up being a high end center in the NFL. Given that Karras is a free agent after '24 this is where I would see him working for the Bengals as the heir apparent to the job in '25. However, his ability to play guard makes him a great depth piece for the '24 season.
RD.5 - 148th Selection:
Luke McCaffrey - WR - Rice - 6'2" 198
Luke is a converted QB and he applies that knowledge of an offense to the WR position. Drops are not in the in the vocabulary for McCaffrey. For only being his second season playing WR he has pretty strong technique which is a testament to his lineage. He is willing to do the small things that are often overlooked and he shows no panic at all operating over the middle or in traffic. While he is not a burner he is a strider that has enough speed to keep the backend of a defense honest. I could see Luke making a living in the slot at the NFL level much like Tyler Boyd and could help to ease his loss.
Luke needs to continue to hone is overall game and to continue to learn the nuances of playing WR but overall he is a very solid prospect that, like his dad and brother, will not be out worked.
RD. 5 - 175th Selection:
Nehemiah Pritchett - CB - Auburn - 6'0" 190
The Bengals have added some key pieces to the CB room over the last two drafts in Taylor-Britt and Turner but with expected loss of Awuzie and the uncertainty of the availability of Ivey, due to his injury, the Bengals still need to add some depth to the room. Pritchett is a long and fast corner that has displayed really good ball skills at in his time at Auburn. Pritchett has seen some of the best receivers in college football on a regular basis which makes you feel good about bringing him into the DB room. Pritchett should be a good addition as experienced depth.
RD. 6 - 196th Selection:
Ainias Smith - WR - Texas A&M - 5'9" 190
Playmaker. Smith is absolutely electric when the ball is in his hands. I do not see him having as many touches as a Deebo Samuel but he could be used in many of the same ways that Samuel is used. Smith could be a consistent stick mover that can make defenders look silly in the open field. While his frame may not take 15- 20 touches a game, giving him 5 - 8 touches a game gives a defense just one more thing that they have to prepare to defend. As a punt returner he he has some Adam Jones type ability so could be real weapon on special teams as well.
RD. 7 - 235th Selection:
Marcus Harris - DT - Auburn - 6'2" 286
Harris does not bring real bulk to the DT position but his quickness off of the snap and the instincts he has displayed seem to make up for the size deficiency. Harris could prove to be a really crafty and disruptive 3 tech at the NFL level. While he may need a couple season to compete for starting spot, he should make an immediate impact as a rotational piece on the interior of the line. This draft is heavy in 3 tech interior players which I believe plays a big part in pushing Harris this far down the draft boards.
RD. 7 - 252nd Selection:
Kimani Vidal - RB - Troy - 5'8" 213
Vidal is a solidly built runner that has good long speed. Vidal has been a productive back of the last two season for Troy and much of that productivity was him as they really struggled along the offensive line. As the all time leading rusher for the Trojans, Vidal has displayed pretty good vision and seems to play with really high football IQ. He is a good receiver out of the backfield and when the ball is in his hands he is a tough tackle. Could be an ideal back to share carries with Chase Brown should the Bengals look to move on from Mixon to change direction in the backfield and to free up some cap space. Good hard runner that has a knack for getting tough yards when needed.
