Bengals break a tremendous norm with their first round pick in expert's latest NFL mock draft
The Cincinnati Bengals have spent the better part of the last four years breaking down self-made barriers of organizational philosophy. Free agency spending, making exceptions to guarantee money in contracts, and an indoor practice facility!? What's the next hurdle to be eclipsed?Trading up in the first round of the NFL Draft would be as wild […]
The Cincinnati Bengals have spent the better part of the last four years breaking down self-made barriers of organizational philosophy.
Free agency spending, making exceptions to guarantee money in contracts, and an indoor practice facility!? What's the next hurdle to be eclipsed?
Trading up in the first round of the NFL Draft would be as wild as anything we've seen the Bengals do in recent years. You have to go all the way back to 1995 for the most recent example.
And yet, there's pretty convincing scenario for them to do it this year.
A to Z Sports' Destin Adams released his pre-scouting combine 2024 NFL mock draft, which features the Bengals moving up five picks to select none other than Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. It's an extremely bold move, but let's break down the logistics.
Making sense of the Bengals trading up for Georgia tight end Brock Bowers
For starters, Bowers would be a dream fit in the Bengals' offense for both the short and long term. Bowers may be listed as a tight end, but he's a supersized wideout with incredible yards-after-catch ability that can also block. There may not be a more ideal skillset for what the Bengals need offensively.
Bowers can immediately come in and replace Tyler Boyd's involvement in the slot, while also fulfilling the role meant for Irv Smith last season. What he ends up being beyond 2024 is wide open.
"The Bengals tagged Tee Higgins and most likely will keep the WR this year, but it could mean the end of the Tyler Boyd era in Cincinnati. If he's gone, it is a priority to find a quick route winner and safety blanket for Joe Burrow to convert first downs and open up the field for their star WR duo." – A to Z Sports' Destin Adams
It's a great fit—perhaps the best out of any potential landing spots for him. But is it worth trading up several spots to make it happen?
Last year provides us a good example. The Pittsburgh Steelers traded up from pick No. 17 to No. 14 in order to draft Bowers' former teammate, left tackle Broderick Jones. It cost the Steelers their fourth-round pick to pull off the trade with the New England Patriots.
Trading up one more spot from one spot behind would likely be the difference in that fourth having to be a third, or a fifth would have to be added with the fourth.
Cincinnati is projected to land two compensatory picks, with one of them slated to be a fifth-round pick. Trading their original fourth and compensatory fifth for the 13th overall pick would leave the Bengals with seven total picks assuming they land the two aforementioned comp picks to begin with.
Seven picks is the standard for every team, so it's not as if the Bengals would be shorthanded for the rest of the way. Plus, if Bowers is as special in the league as he was at Georgia, his value will exceed that of what you'd expect a fourth and fifth-round pick to be combined.
It's a bold move, but Bowers may end up being worth the risk.
Picking the best first round NFL Draft target for the Cincinnati Bengals after free agency
The Bengals should have a clear top prospect among their realistic options.
