The Cincinnati Bengals will strive to supplement their roster in the 2024 NFL Draft with players who can help them win games in the rugged AFC North. The team has several positions that need to be bolstered if they want to make another run at a divisional title. Protecting Joe Burrow should still be priority number one. Following getting assistance on the offensive line is upgrading the trenches on the defensive side of the ball. Fortifying both lines is never a bad idea, especially in today’s NFL. Finally, they desperately need a dynamic pass-catching tight end to take the Burrow offense to the next level. Let’s take a look at a final three-round Bengals Mock Draft
Cincinnati Bengals Final Three-Round Mock Draft
*Denotes compensatory pick
Round One (Pick 18) – DT | Byron Murphy II / Texas
The Bengals would be over the moon if Murphy is available on Thursday night at 18. His stock is rapidly rising as the draft approaches and the former Longhorn is likely very high on Cincinnati’s board. Murphy is very explosive from the snap and plays with a low pad level to get under defenders and push the interior of the pocket. His unique balance of flexibility and strength would help the Bengals immediately in an area they badly need help in 2024.
Round Two (Pick 49) – OG | Cooper Beebe / Kansas State
Even though the Bengals have two interior offensive linemen penciled in for next season, left guard Cordell Volson and right guard Alex Cappa, you can never have enough quality linemen in the NFL. Beebe would be a welcome addition to an offensive line that lacks quality depth pieces behind the starting five. He’s a great athlete and plays like a madman when the pads are on.
KSU G Cooper Beebe. Very athletic and violent. He’s #50 👇🏻
pic.twitter.com/iYAbuDK6jI https://t.co/5AoZ3h94qt
— Jay (@RedskinsCult) April 22, 2024
His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) is fantastic at 9.28 out of a possible 10.00 and his speed and agility grades are both elite.
Round Three (Pick 80) – WR | Ricky Pearsall / Florida
With Tee Higgins possibly hitting free agency next season and reliable slot Tyler Boyd departing, the Bengals will look to bolster the wide receiver room early on Day 2 at the draft. Enter Ricky Pearsall from Florida who brings even more speed and athleticism to an already stellar group. Pearsall is very dependable, has great hands, and has shown the ability to consistently beat man coverage that he will see often at the next level.
*Round Three (Pick 97) – TE | Ja’Tavion Sanders / Texas
The Bengals double dip from Longhorn U. with the selection of tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders with their first compensatory pick. Sanders is a solid pass-catcher who also had success with the ability to move bodies in the run game.
It’ll be very much of a pick-your-flavor for teams in the tight end market on Day 2 and 3 of the NFL Draft.
For teams looking for a high-end seam threat after Brock Bowers, there’s a good chance #Texas JT Sanders is the best option. Two key stats highlight best what he can do… pic.twitter.com/7uy6Ph4Dxp
— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) April 16, 2024
The route-running of Sanders seems a little underrated as he’s shown to be a very smooth runner with excellent balance when hit on initial contact. The value at 97 will be hard for the Bengals to pass up as they finally get the coveted tight end they’ve wanted to pair with Burrow since he arrived.
*Stats and research provided courtesy of the Pro Football Network (PFN) and NFL.com
Main Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
