Five Senior Bowl Standouts That Cincinnati Bengals Could Target in 2024 NFL Draft

Here are five risers the Bengals should be looking at in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Author:
Parker Blake
Publish date:
Feb 4, 2024 12:00 PM EST

In this story:

My first year at the Senior Bowl was a blast and I can confidently say that it will not be my last. Being able to evaluate these players live and (for some) against much better talent than they faced in college, was eye opening. Finding the risers and fallers this week may not be definitive for their overall draft stock, but is fun nonetheless.

Here are five players that impressed me this week that the Bengals could target in the 2024 NFL Draft:

Christian Haynes, IOL, Connecticut

Feb 1, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; American offensive lineman Christian Haynes of UConn (63) battles with American defensive lineman Braden Fiske of Florida State (55) and American linebacker James Williams of Miami (20) during practice for the American team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports — Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Haynes has been high on my board for most of the process. He's undersized at 6-2, 318 pounds, but he's a physical player that I came into the week hoping to see showcase his anchor and ability to be a people mover in the run game. He did both of those things and more at the Senior Bowl.

He was voted the best offensive lineman on his team by his peers. That should tell you all you need to know about how he looked this week. Even though he was high on my board already, I would still consider him to be a "riser" after what he was able to showcase in what could be the most important event of his offseason.

Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State

Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Braden Fiske (55) gestures to his ring finger after sacking Louisville Cardinals quarterback Jack Plummer (not pictured) in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports — Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into the Senior Bowl, I wasn't too high on Fiske, but he was a force to be reckoned with this week. Even with shorter arms (31-inches), he was able to dominate in 1-on-1s consistently. I knew he had good explosion out of his stance and he flashed as a speed rusher on tape. However, this week Fiske showcased his ability to convert speed to power as a rusher, a high level ability to be productive against the run and pro level leverage manipulation. With the way the defensive line market in the NFL is going, Fiske is going to make someone extremely happy.

Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU

Suamataia's top end athleticism showed up on film, but outside of that I worried about his fundamental development and discipline. After the last few days, he has impressed me with how far he has developed. He was playing much more under control and seemed to be more balanced as a run blocker. Outside of my questions, he showed a great ability to mirror in protection and his anchor has always flashed on film. I would say he was my biggest riser of the week.

Brevyn Spann-Ford, TE, Minnesota

Jan 31, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; National tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford of Minnesota (88) fights off National defensive back Kitan Oladapo of Oregon State (28) for a pass during practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports — Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Spann-Ford is a guy I had been mocking to the Bengals for a long time prior to this week. He has a big frame at 6-6, 267 pounds and impressive ability in the run game.

I wanted to see adequate receiving ability this week and he delivered. Not only was he called out in a post-practice competition period, but he was the opening touchdown scorer for the National Team in Saturday's game. Brevyn is going to be a late round player that could be an ideal target for the Bengals in April.

Chau Smith-Wade, CB, Washington State

Of all the skill players this week, Smith-Wade stood out the most His ball tracking and overall play making ability separated him from the rest of the pack. Both of those traits were emphasized on Saturday when he had two interceptions. He had an electric return down to the one-yard line and in his second interception closed out the game.

Chau is definitely a player to keep your eyes on throughout the process. I am most intrigued to see what kind of numbers he is able to put out at the combine.

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