Cincinnati Bengals Add Weapons After Addressing Trenches in Mock Draft 3.0

Cincinnati has 10 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Author:
James Rapien
Apr 15, 2024

In this story:

Mock Draft

Cincinnati Bengals

Byron Murphy

Patrick Paul

Brenden Rice

Bucky Irving

Tahj Washington

CINCINNATI — The NFL Draft is less than two weeks away! The Bengals have 10 total picks this year.

It's time for our third mock draft of the season. In mock draft 1.0 and mock draft 2.0, the Bengals added offensive line help in round one with Georgia tackle Amarius Mims. Will that trend continue?

Check out mock draft 3.0 below:

First Round, Pick No. 18: Byron Murphy, DT, Texas

After taking an offensive tackle in each of our first two mocks, the Bengals land the top defensive tackle in the draft (at least on their board). Murphy should be an instant contributor in a rotation alongside Sheldon Rankins and B.J. Hill. The Bengals haven't taken a defensive tackle in the first round since 1994. They're certainly willing to break that streak if the top offensive tackles are off the board and Murphy is sitting there at No. 18.

Second Round, Pick No 49: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston

The Bengals land an offensive tackle in round two. Paul is 6-7, 331 pounds with 36-inch arms and an 86-inch wingspan.

He tested like a great athlete for his size and should be able to learn both left and right tackle this season behind Orlando Brown Jr. and Trent Brown. Expect Paul to serve as the swing tackle in 2024, with the potential to start at right tackle next season.

Third Round, Pick No. 80: Brenden Rice, WR, USC

Rice had 111 catches for 1,821 yards and 21 touchdowns in 43 college games. He spent the past two seasons at USC, where he had the majority of his production. Rice was a touchdown machine, hauling in a score once every 5.2 catches in college. He's a solid athlete with good size (6-2, 208). If the Bengals don't land a weapon with one of their first two picks, they could certainly take Rice in round three.

undefined — Sep 23, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Brenden Rice (2) catches a touchdown

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Third Round, Pick No. 97: Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin

Bortolini is an intriguing prospect with experience at both guard and center. He should be able to serve as the Bengals' backup at both guard spots and at center as a rookie. He's still just 21-years-old, tested like an elite athlete during the pre-draft process and doesn't have to play right away.

Fourth Round, Pick No. 115: Bucky Irving, RB, Oregon

Irving is projected to go a bit higher, but his lack of size (5-9, 195) could scare off teams, especially since he ran a 4.55 40-yard dash. Even though he isn't a great athlete, he would give the Bengals a third back that could instantly contribute in the passing game. He's capable of running in-between the tackles and could also help return kicks.

Fifth Round, Pick No. 149: Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame

At 6-3, 202 pounds, Hart has ideal size, length and athleticism. He has adequate speed (4.5 40-yard dash) for his size and had one of his best performances agaist Marvin Harrison Jr. There's no reason why he can't be an instant special teams contributor and give the Bengals another athletic cornerback that defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and secondary coach Charles Burks can develop.

Sixth Round, Pick No. 194: Tahj Washington, WR, USC

Why take one USC wide receiver when you can have two? Washington gives the Bengals much needed insurance at slot wide receiver with Tyler Boyd no longer on the roster. A young quartet of Rice, Washington, Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones give Cincinnati plenty to work with at receiver, despite Tee Higgins playing on the franchise tag and Boyd expected to sign elsewhere. Another late day three option to keep an eye on is UTSA receiver Josh Cephus.

Sixth Round, Pick No. 214: Jordan Magee, LB, Temple

Magee is a high-end athlete that lacks ideal size, but should contribute on special teams as a rookie. He could help make up for the potential loss of Markus Bailey, who is still a free agent.

Seventh Round, Pick No. 224: Jowon Briggs, DT, Cincinnati

Is this the year the Bengals draft a Bearcats player? Briggs will be at Paycor Stadium this week for Cincinnati's local Pro Day. He would be an ideal fit. Expect the Bengals to take multiple defensive tackles in this year's draft.

Seventh Round, Pick No. 237: Trey Taylor, S, Air Force

Taylor could be the best player on the Bengals' board at this stage of the draft. While I don't expect them to target a safety, they'll stick to their board. Taylor excelled in agility drills, has good size (6-foot, 213 pounds) and would be a nice addition to Darrin Simmons' special teams unit.

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