Summary:
• The Cincinnati Bengals addressed offensive line needs with top pick Amarius Mims and defensive needs with Kris Jenkins in the 2024 NFL draft.
• Bengal coach Zac Taylor is optimistic about their immediate contributions.
• Rounds 3 and 4 focused on offensive positions, with potential tight end Eric All and wide receiver Jermaine Burton.
• The success of these picks will be determined by their performance in the upcoming season.
The much-ballyhooed NFL draft has come and gone. All 32 NFL teams selected amateurs they hope will help their teams and become the next stars of the NFL. The Cincinnati Bengals were one of those teams. It’s hopeless to give the Bengal draft an A+ or an F. Only time will tell if the needs filled by the players selected will pan out.
The offensive line has been a big topic for the Bengals over the past three seasons. This team managed to get to the Super Bowl in 2021 “in spite of” its offensive line. That Bengal offensive line may have been the worst line ever to start a Super Bowl. Not one of those players will be starters for the 2024 Bengals.
Cincinnati zeroed in on Amarius Mims of Georgia as its top pick. Mims size fits right in the NFL. At 6-7 340 pounds, he will be able to hold his own with any defensive lineman. Experience is a different story. Much has been made of Mims only starting eight games at Georgia. The former Georgia tackle also has an injury history that might be concerning to the men in stripes. Nevertheless, Bengal coach Zac Taylor had only great things to say about his top pick. “We’re happy with our selection and feel he can contribute right away,” said Taylor.
While the offense got a much-needed lift on the line, the defense did. Last season, stopping the run was not one of the Bengals strong suits. Enter Kris Jenkins. Jenkins was a starting defensive tackle for the National Champion Michigan Wolverines. Jenkins was a constant disruption for the Wolverine defensive line. Jenkins also proved he could pressure the quarterback in his college days. His sack total last season may have only been 2 ½, but Jenkins constant pressure forced many interceptions of opponents.
Rounds 3 and 4 for Cincy focused on offensive. Tyler Boyd likely has caught his last pass for the Bengals. A possible replacement for Boyd could be the speedy Jermaine Burton out of Alabama. Burton constantly gave defensive backfields fits at Bama with his blazing speed and ability to get behind defenders.
While Burton could be an asset at wide receiver, Eric All could be the long-term solution at tight end that the Bengals have been searching for. All is a local product out of Fairfield. The 6-4, 252 pound All went to Michigan before making the transfer to Iowa. All suffered a knee injury ending his season. “We feel good about where he is in his recovery,” said Bengal coach Zac Taylor.
Rounds 5 through 7 saw the Bengals pick a cornerback, tight end, safety, and center. You never know what player will shine when he’s given the chance. A top pick is not a guarantee of success, nor is a bottom pick assured failure. Brock Purdy was the last man taken in the 2022 draft. He ultimately became the starting quarterback for San Francisco.
Time will tell the busts from the folk heroes.