The month of April has arrived, indicating a shift in the NFL offseason from free agency to the NFL Draft.

Six new veterans have joined the Cincinnati Bengals, and they all play positions of need. Safety, running back, tight end, defensive tackle, and offensive tackle have all been addressed in some capacity, though long-term needs are still prevalent at a few important positions.

Cincinnati currently has two picks to play with in the third round—picks #80 and #97—and two positions that need attention also stand out from a historical perspective.  

The Bengals always find themselves going back to the Day 2 wide receiver strategy, and a defensive tackle before the day ends is always a good bet.

With Tyler Boyd still out there and Tee Higgins not expected to participate in offseason work, the Bengals need another receiver for the future and for right now. Let's begin with the receiver that makes the most sense with the 80th overall pick.

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UCF WR Javon Baker checks all the Bengals' boxes as a third round pick 

For the Bengals to have had so much success drafting receivers early, clear guidelines in the evaluation process must exist. The Bengals, whether they know it or not, have their thresholds that have worked for the likes of Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and other selections made prior to the fourth round and beyond.

Baker fits nearly all of them. 

A transfer from Alabama to Central Florida, Baker's production accounting for age and competition falls right in line with the Bengals' standards. He broke out at just the right age, and was a big enough factor in UCF's offense to be considered an early round target in their eyes. Add in quality athleticism, and he's a clear match.

Baker proved to be an explosive weapon in 2023, averaging 21.9 yards per reception on 17.1 air yards per target, and 3.21 yards per route run, per Pro Football Focus. He'll provide immediate depth behind Higgins and become a long-term replacement in 2025 and beyond.

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On the other side of the ball, defensive tackle will be a need whether or not the team drafts a nose tackle like T'Vondre Sweat in the second round. Finding another penetrating 3-technique to develop alongside Sheldon Rankins and B.J. Hill is in the Bengals' best interest.

The third round is where they like to make a swing on these players. 

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Duke DT DeWayne Carter can be the final piece for Cincinnati's pass rush

The more you can do as a defensive lineman, the more value you have, plain and simple. Carter is one of the more versatile pass rushers in this entire draft class, and he's not so shabby against the run, either.

With nearly 2,200 snaps to his name, Carter has played everywhere on the Blue Devils' defensive front. He's got the strength and explosion to give guards fits, while also possessing the baseline length to cause damage against tackles. He'll make most of plays closer to the center of the formation, as he's done for years at Duke.

DeWayne Carter bull rushing the life out of ND's center pic.twitter.com/IL0Q47fcAl

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) March 30, 2024

Had Carter declared last year at the age of 22 coming off his best season, he could've been drafted a bit higher. He decided to return to school to continue developing his craft and put together another solid year. His pass-rush grade against true pass sets ranks in the 92nd percentile in this year's class, per PFF. 

Carter entering the NFL another year older may drop him below where he should be drafted, but not many other defensive tackles will enter the league this year with as much production, athleticism, and football IQ as him. If he's still available at the 97th pick, he'd be an ideal addition to the Bengals' defensive line that needs more help at every spot between the edges.

Picking the best second round NFL Draft target for the Cincinnati Bengals after free agency

Cincinnati still needs help along the defensive line, and a clear option stands out among the rest.