The five most likely players the Bengals will draft in the first round according to ESPN Analytics
ESPN analytics recently unveiled their Draft Day Predictor tools ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, and their data suggests the Cincinnati Bengals will have quality options to maximize their 18th overall pick in the first round. Most likely players Bengals will draft with the 18th pick Washington OT Troy Fautanu: ~13%Texas DT Byron Murphy II: […]
ESPN analytics recently unveiled their Draft Day Predictor tools ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, and their data suggests the Cincinnati Bengals will have quality options to maximize their 18th overall pick in the first round.
Most likely players Bengals will draft with the 18th pick
- Washington OT Troy Fautanu: ~13%
- Texas DT Byron Murphy II: ~9.84%
- Alabama OT JC Latham: ~9.72%
- LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr.: ~7.64%
- Alabama CB Terrion Arnold: ~6.72%
Fautanu being the clear leader in the clubhouse tracks based on interest and potential availability. The Bengals recently hosted Fautanu on a top 30 visit and have shown clear interest in the best tackles this draft class has to offer who may be available 18 picks into the first round.
Instead of seeing Murphy in the building this month, the Bengals saw him down at Texas' pro day last month. They also met with him at the NFL Scouting Combine. If the Bengals opt for defense in the first round, Murphy is the logical pick.
There's been no reported contact between Latham and the Bengals since the Combine. A meeting may've happened or is on the docket, or the Bengals may not expect Latham to be available for them to pick. If he is there, it'd be hard to pass him up.
Thomas is viewed as the clear fourth wide receiver in this class behind three potential top-10 picks. There's value in selecting Thomas nearly 10 picks later if the Bengals are serious about getting a future Tee Higgins replacement in the building as soon as possible. The Bengals had their wide receivers coach, Troy Walters, attend Thomas' pro day.
Several NFL mock drafts have the Bengals going back to a successful strategy in the first round
It worked out well before.
Cincinnati used to make a habit out of using first-round picks on cornerbacks, and Arnold would make sense as a former 5-star recruit from a big-time program. The Bengals lost Chidobe Awuzie and have minimal depth behind Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner II. Arnold may even start over Turner if given a fair shot this offseason.
Ultimately, all five players are ranked in the ballpark of where the Bengals pick, and they play positions the Bengals will be interested in throughout the draft. Thomas and Arnold are rightfully dark horse options in comparison to the trench players, and an offensive lineman being the favorite is the correct evaluation.
Right behind the top five are Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga (~5.84%) and Georgia OT Amarius Mims (~5.48%). The Bengals have met with both of them at least twice in the past two months and are clear targets.
If either of them are available, they should be equal favorites with Fautanu to end up in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Bengals NFL mock draft based around A to Z Sports’ latest top 200 big board
Here’s how the Bengals’ first seven picks could go according to Destin Adams’ final 2024 NFL Draft big board.
