Early 2024 mock draft has Bengals landing a replacement for key veteran in first round
The 2024 NFL Draft is 10 months away, but early mock drafts are already popping up. Pro Football Network, in fact, published a new 2024 mock draft this past weekend. The mock draft from PFN has the Cincinnati Bengals replacing a key veteran with their first-round selection. Pro Football Network is predicting that Cincinnati will […]
The 2024 NFL Draft is 10 months away, but early mock drafts are already popping up.
Pro Football Network, in fact, published a new 2024 mock draft this past weekend.
The mock draft from PFN has the Cincinnati Bengals replacing a key veteran with their first-round selection.
Pro Football Network is predicting that Cincinnati will draft Clemson Tigers running back Will Shipley with the No. 29 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Shipley would presumably be a replacement for veteran running back Joe Mixon, who is unlikely to be on the roster after the 2023 season.
From PFN: Year in and year out, the Bengals’ offense is one of the most electric units in the NFL. The addition of Will Shipley to potentially replace Joe Mixon would only carry on that cycle. At 5’11”, 205 pounds, Shipley doesn’t have Mixon’s mass, but he’s a serpent inside the tackles with his outrageous hip flexibility, burst, vision, and instincts in close quarters.
Shipley proved to be a dangerous weapon for Clemson this past season. The Charlotte, NC area native rushed for 1,182 yards and 15 touchdowns while catching 38 passes for 242 yards.
The Clemson standout showed off his athleticism in the Tigers' loss to Tennessee in the Orange Bowl by hurdling a defender (which resulted in a first down).
Shipley also hurdled a Louisville defender last season.
There's no doubt that Shipley has elite athleticism. And he could certainly be a dangerous weapon for the Bengals. But it's hard to see Cincinnati taking a running back in the first round. The Bengals could pounce on Shipley in the second round, but it seems unlikely that they'd target him in the first round.
Featured image via Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
