This is the third of six Cincinnati Bengals mock drafts we'll be doing leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Spring is in the air around the NFL. The vast majority of top veteran free agents have found new homes and signed new contracts, which puts all the focus on the NFL Draft with just 20 days remaining.  

The Cincinnati Bengals may make a couple more free agent additions, but all other attention is on the incoming rookie class.

Pro days have been attended, top 30 visits are rolling in, and we're learning so much more about what the Bengals are planning to do in the NFL Draft. It's time to roll out our third Bengals mock draft of the 2024 cycle with help from the latest Consensus Big Board. 

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First round, 18th overall: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

Consensus Big Board rank: 22

Mims was our first round pick in the first Bengals mock draft we did back in February, and he's got a great chance of being our choice in the final mock draft three weeks from now. 

The Bengals are performing all the due diligence they can on the top tackle prospects. Mims was in town recently for a top 30 visit as the club wanted to learn more about the mountain that he is at 6-8 and 340 pounds. He's one of the best pass protectors in this draft, and has the high-end athleticism and length to carry that skillset into the next level.

If his ankle fully heals properly by the time Cincinnati needs him, Mims has a good chance of being the answer they've needed for a decade at right tackle. 

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Second round, 49th overall: T'Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

Consensus Big Board rank: 51

The range of where Sweat can land is larger than most high-profile names in this class. He's a dominant run-stopper who stands at 6-5, weighs over 360 pounds, and is a better pass rusher than he gets credited for being. But his weight and specific position of nose tackle may place him lower on big boards around the league.

I'm inclined to believe the Bengals would be one of the few teams willing to spend a second round pick on Sweat with a plan to manage his weight. Their clear interest in this year's crop of nose tackles says they're not interested in changing up the defense to go forth without a true replacement plan for DJ Reader.

Sweat's skillset and size makes him one of the best options to eventually pickup where Reader left off. 

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Third round, 80th overall: Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington

Consensus Big Board rank: 84

Cincinnati taking a receiver between the second and third round in a leap year is as much of a tradition as the Summer Olympics and the presidential election. Jerome Simpson in 2008, Mohamed Sanu in 2012, Tyler Boyd in 2016, and Tee Higgins in 2020 all make the very real trend. McMillan fits extremely well as the next wideout to join the group. 

McMillan was the slot option in the Huskies' College Football Playoff National Championship offense with Rome Odunze and Ja'Lynn Polk flanking him on the outside. He broke out at an early age and produced well enough to pass the required thresholds Cincinnati has for spending an early-round pick at his position. His above average all-around athleticism at 6-1, 197 pounds showing up in his sublime route running is just the cherry on top.

While he may not be the long-term Tee Higgins plan, those options could be thin at this juncture. The Bengals will take a Tyler Boyd replacement with added burst if nothing else.

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Third round, 97th overall: Leonard Taylor III, DT, Miami

Consensus Big Board rank: 105

Multiple picks used at defensive tackle is more likely than not, and the third round has always been the sweet spot for Cincinnati to take a swing at the position. Standing at 6-4 and 302 pounds, Taylor is a gap-versatile interior defender with upside in the form of youth and pass-rushing ability.

The former 5-star recruit posted top-10 pass rush win rates for Power 5 defensive tackles the last two seasons, and he did so at ages 20 and 21. He played one season as a 3-technique, and the other as a heads up nose tackle. Showing the ability to get after the quarterback from both spots is a big green flag.

Had Taylor turned those wins into more sacks, he wouldn't be expected to last this long. The Bengals should be attracted to the promise of Taylor to fill out the defensive line room.

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Fourth round, 115th overall: Audric Estimé, RB, Notre Dame 

Consensus Big Board rank: 111

The post-Joe Mixon era in Cincinnati will be more of a backfield committee approach, but an all-around back like Estimé will always be welcomed for the right investment.

Estimé is still just 20 years old and produced at a notable level against Notre Dame's perennially tough schedule. His one flaw is long speed as evidenced by his 4.71 40-yard dash time, but he's got more explosion than you'd think at 5-11 and 221 pounds.  

Running back has been a position targeted exclusively targeted by the Zac Taylor Bengals after the first four rounds, but Estimé is likely to come off the board in the fourth round. He'd be an ideal addition to the backfield along with Zack Moss and Chase Brown.

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Fifth round, 149th overall: Brandon Coleman, G, TCU

Consensus Big Board rank: 171

Taking a tackle and an interior lineman feels right for the Bengals this year, but the latter having tackle experience certainly wouldn't hurt.

Coleman can be considered one of the better inside-outside options among this year's mid-tier offensive linemen prospects. He's got the preferred length to stay at tackle with nearly 35" arms and great explosive and speed scores at 6-5, 313 pounds, but he performed considerably better at left guard this past year before having to move back to left tackle for the remainder of the season. Coleman played left tackle for all of 2022 after a better season at left guard in 2021.

Cincinnati needs stable depth (and competition) behind Cordell Volson at left guard and could use another emergency option at tackle. Coleman would fill both needs, which is ideal for a Day 3 offensive lineman.

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Sixth round, 194th overall: AJ Barner, TE, Michigan

Consensus Big Board rank: 168

For all the criticism Drew Sample receives, the Bengals need more of what he brings to the table in terms of blocking. The 6-6, 251 pound Barner appears to be the 2024 version of Sample with above average testing scores, and ample experience as an inline player with minimal receiving production to boot. 

That's the life of a Michigan player, and he chose it in 2023 after three years at Indiana. His gap blocking grade of 78.6 was the highest among all Power 5 tight ends last year.

A tight end who's never eclipsed 250 yards in a season shouldn't be drafted early, but Barner is a legit force as a run blocker and can still line up off the ball as well. He'd be the fourth tight end to start with room to grow beyond 2024.

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Sixth round, 214th overall: Tyrice Knight, LB, UTEP

Consensus Big Board rank: 227

College linebackers who account for the majority of his team's tackles end up faring well in the NFL. Knight finished the 2023 season with 84 solo tackles for UTEP. The next closest teammate had 29.

Knight owned the market for tackles last year in El Paso, and with plenty of speed at 6-1 and 233 pounds, he's got all the makings of a useful second-level defender with an emphasis on special teams. 

Successful linebacker picks made several drafts ago have put the position on the back burner for Cincinnati in recent years. Now that the position needs a replenishment of depth, a late Day 3 pick like Knight should get the job done. 

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Seventh round, 224th overall: Marcellas Dial, CB, South Carolina 

Consensus Big Board rank: 254

Cornerback feels like a tough position to pinpoint for the Bengals. It's possible they still sign one in free agency, but if they wait until the draft, there's not many that fit their type.

It could this year's tight end situation in which they just leave the draft without one. Dial may prevent that from happening.

Dial happens to check most of their boxes as a late-round option. Standing just under 6-0 at 190 pounds, he has sufficient speed to go with 32" arms. He also hauled in three interceptions two seasons ago when future NFL corners Darius Rush and Cam Smith were members of the same secondary. 

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Seventh round, 237th overall: Austin McNamara, P, Texas Tech

Consensus Big Board rank: 326

The 237th pick in the draft is essentially a priority free agent. The Bengals will likely sign a punter as a priority free agent. Consider this pick to be that. 

Bengals 2024 NFL Draft prospect meeting tracker: Scouting combine, pro days, and top-30 visits

Tracking every player that has met with the Bengals during the pre-draft cycle.