Nightmare players that the Bengals should really hope their AFC North rivals don't draft
Barring a trade, the Cincinnati Bengals are slated to be the first AFC North team to make a selection in this month's NFL Draft. Following the Bengals' pick at 18th overall, the Pittsburgh Steelers own the 20th pick, the Baltimore Ravens hold the 30th pick, and the Cleveland Browns aren't on the clock until the […]
Barring a trade, the Cincinnati Bengals are slated to be the first AFC North team to make a selection in this month's NFL Draft.
Following the Bengals' pick at 18th overall, the Pittsburgh Steelers own the 20th pick, the Baltimore Ravens hold the 30th pick, and the Cleveland Browns aren't on the clock until the 54th pick.
Cincinnati can set the tone in the division by going first, but there are plenty of quality players who may end up facing them twice a year. Here are the top prospects the Bengals shouldn't want to face in the AFC North.
Steelers: Amarius Mims, RT, Georgia
With Mims, everything is a projection. His landing spot will have a greater impact on his range of potential outcomes than most other top prospects.
Pittsburgh is one of the prime destinations for Mims to flourish. He'd be reunited with former Bulldogs Broderick Jones and Darnell Washington in a scheme that will be should be favorable to integrate him early as a starter. Those two can also help keep Mims on the right track of development.
If Mims hits his potential, he's a right tackle that can shut down any edge rusher going up against him. That's not an ideal matchup for a Cincinnati defense with or without Trey Hendrickson.
Ravens: Chop Robinson, ED, Penn State
Baltimore has work to do in replenishing their pass rush on the edge following the departure of Jadeveon Clowney. Robinson would present tremendous value at the tail end of the first round.
What Robinson lacks in overall size, he more than makes up with explosion off the ball. He has perhaps the best get-off out of anyone in this class, and is a future menace against tackles who struggle against speed and bend. Orlando Brown Jr. and Trent Brown both have these weaknesses.
Anyone who can make Joe Burrow's life harder as the quarterback for the Bengals is a problem for Cincinnati. Robinson, a Maryland native who grew up about 50 miles west of Baltimore, would be a classic Ravens selection at edge defender.
Browns: Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State
A Northwest Ohio kid ending up in Cleveland should concern the Bengals. Hall is one of the few legitimate top-50 talents at defensive tackle entering the NFL this year. Only future first round pick Byron Murphy II had a higher pass rush win rate for interior defensive lineman in 2023.
Cleveland has been in need of interior pass rushing help for a few years, but it's rarely been a problem against the Bengals' offensive line. Myles Garrett usually does enough damage on his own. Another pass rushing weapon to complement him would only make Cincinnati's protection more stressed.
Luckily, the Bengals pick twice before the Browns in the draft. They can prevent Hall from going north on I-71 if they so desire.
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Less than three weeks remain until the Bengals add several new names to the roster.
