A Pre-Combine Look at Cincinnati Bengals' Top Options in 2024 NFL Draft

Who will the Bengals target at No. 18?

Author:
Blake Jewell
Publish date:
Feb 18, 2024 10:52 AM EST

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The NFL Combine starts later this month, which means we’ll find out a lot more information about the 2024 NFL Draft class. With the Bengals picking at No. 18, they’ll have some pretty good prospects to choose from.

Here is a pre-combine preview of several players the Bengals could target when they're on the clock:

Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

Jer'zahn Newton, Brock Bowers — USA Today Images

One of the Bengals' top draft needs this offseason is interior pass rush, and Newton could be the best of the bunch in the 2024 draft class.

The Illinois defense tackle is a disrupter, tallying 7.5 sacks last season for the Illini. Newton has the strength and athleticism required of a top-tier 3-tech and has a plethora of pass-rush moves in his skill set. Rushing the passer will be Newton’s primary role, but he also was a pretty solid run defender in his time in college.

The concerns with Newton come with his size. He’s slightly undersized for the position and doesn't have ideal arm length. That being said, his technical abilities and athleticism make him one of the top defensive players in this draft class. He would pair well with DJ Reader, should he return, and bring the Bengals some much-needed interior pass-rushing skills.

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

Similar to Newton, Bowers's draft spot projections are all over the place. His range appears to be from the 5th overall pick all the way to the Bengals at 18.

Bowers had an exceptional college career, finishing with three seasons of 700+ receiving yards and a total of 26 receiving touchdowns. The two-time National Champion is an explosive athlete. He’s dangerous after the catch and has the ability to make contested catches.

The Bengals have a need at tight end and Bowers could not only fill the need but make the position a strength for the Bengals. His dynamic YAC abilities would take pressure off Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals' wide receivers group, which would unlock another level for Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense.

Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

Sep 23, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Terrion Arnold (3) carries the ball after an interception against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half of a football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports — Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

He could be long gone by pick 18, but would likely be the best player available if he makes it to No. 18. The cornerback class is loaded, which could lead to someone like Arnold making it later than he should if the board falls that way.

Arnold checks a lot of boxes as a first-round cornerback option. He had quality production at Alabama, recording five interceptions in 2023 and allowing just a 50.7 passer rating when targeted. At 6-0, 195 lbs, his size will work for an outside cornerback in the NFL. He'll only be 21 years old when he takes his first snap in the pros.

Arnold’s strengths include his ball skills, press coverage, and athleticism. He has all the tools to be a quality corner in the NFL and would step into an already talented and young group in Cincinnati with Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner II.

Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

Fuaga is one of the top offensive linemen in the 2024 draft. He was dominant at Oregon State. He didn't give up a sack in 734 pass-blocking snaps. He allowed two quarterback hits and 10 hurries in his 351 pass-blocking snaps last season. Fuaga was also an exceptional run blocker, which could end up being his strength over pass blocking.

With right tackle being one of the top needs for the Bengals, Fuaga would step in as a well-rounded prospect who is effective in both the run and pass game. Fuaga also could excel at guard should an NFL team decide to move him inside.

JC Latham, RT, Alabama

The Bengals will have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to the right tackle position in the first two rounds of the draft, and Latham is in the mix to be a top target.

He's coming off a prolific college career, where he played over 1,000 pass-blocking snaps and only allowed two sacks and a handful of quarterback hits. At 6-6, 360 pounds, Latham has almost ideal size you want out of a right tackle. He plays with great power and explosiveness and would be a good option for the Bengals pick at 18.

Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

The Bengals took an edge rusher with their first-round pick last season, but if a player of Latu's caliber is on the board at 18, it could be very enticing for them.

Latu had elite production in college, tallying 15 sacks in 2023 and 12 sacks in 2022. His concerns lie with his age, as well as an injury history, but Latu is an NFL-ready talent with a technically sound pass-rushing game and is at the very least an interesting prospect that the Bengals could consider

Amarius Mims, RT, Georgia

Although he lacks experience, Mims has elite potential. He's 6-7”, 320 pounds, and has the athleticism to be a special player. He’s an explosive athlete and moves very well.

As one of the most physically gifted players in this draft, Mims is a very interesting prospect. Although he doesn’t have the experience most would like to see, the Bengals could use a physical athlete like Mims on their offensive line.

Jackson Powers-Johnson, G/C, Oregon

Powers-Johnson is a player I like for the Bengals. He could be the Bengals starting left guard in 2024 and a potential Ted Karras replacement at center when the time comes.

Powers-Johnson had an outstanding career at Oregon and moved all over their offensive line. He was strictly a center in 2023, but played right guard before that and also has played snaps at left guard and right tackle. If the Bengals don’t love any right tackle or defensive tackle options at 18, they could select Powers-Johnson and get an NFL-ready talent that would also help them prepare for the future.

Brian Thomas, WR, LSU

Oct 21, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (11) celebrates a touchdown against Army Black Knights defensive back Cameron Jones (10) during the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports — Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

Depending on what happens in the coming months, wide receiver could end up being a big need for the Bengals. Thomas looks to be a solid first-round prospect that the Bengals could target, should the need arise.

Thomas has good size at receiver and could be an effective vertical target for Burrow. He was a great playmaker for the Tigers and would be another quality weapon for this Bengals offense.

Tyler Guyton, RT, Oklahoma

Guyton is another interesting prospect for the Bengals at 18. He has the size and athleticism to be a good right tackle in the NFL.

Overall, Guyton didn’t have the elite play in college that we saw from other prospects like Fuaga and Latham, but his build and athletic abilities are near the top.

T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

The Bengals could use an interior pass rusher as well as additional interior support in the run game, and Sweat could provide both. Sweat is 6-4, 362 pounds. He uses his size and strength to bullrush offensive linemen and collapse the pocket in the passing game and he takes on double teams and clogs up the line of scrimmage in the run game.

Sweat could immediately help this Bengals defense and would be a good pick in the first round.

Byron Murphy, DT, Texas

Like his former teammate at Texas, Murphy is good at both rushing the passer and stopping the run. Murphy is a little undersized for his position at 6-1, but his explosiveness and disruptive abilities from the interior are certainly enough to get excited about.

Murphy would be a solid pick in the first round and would help improve the Bengals pass rush.

Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

Franklin is a 6-3 receiver with elite speed. At 187 pounds, he doesn’t have the body mass or strength to be a contested catch option, but his route running and speed create plenty of separation and he has the ability to be a dangerous weapon.

There is a lot of uncertainty about what the Bengals will do at the receiver position with both Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd scheduled to become free agents, but if receiver ends up being a need, Franklin could give the Bengals a boost with his playmaking ability and speed.

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