The 2024 NFL Draft is in full swing, with the Cincinnati Bengals actively making their selections. As they dedicate themselves to crafting a championship-caliber team in this draft, media outlets nationwide are offering their expert evaluations and ratings of the Bengals' picks. Let's explore how the analysts are assessing the Bengals.
Overall Grades
"The Bengals once again knew what they were doing. Mims was the ideal fit to upgrade Joe Burrow's pass protection, while Burton gives him an exciting new big-play slot. All and McLachlan bring good blocking and short-to-intermediate area receiving to their scheme, too. Jenkins and Jackson provides a good 1-2 pass-rushing and run-stuffing punch. Newton was right for their corner depth, too."
"Cincinnati beefs up its pass protection in front of Joe Burrow by adding the massive Mims. He's a fantastic athlete for his size but struggled with injuries at Georgia. Regardless, he allowed just six quarterback pressures across 402 career pass-blocking snaps and should start very soon, as Trent Brown is only a short-term solution at right tackle."
"Felt like your typically solid Cincy draft – first-round OT Amarius Mims (Georgia), second-round DT Kris Jenkins (Michigan) and third-round WR Jermaine Burton (Alabama) all virtually certain to be starters … no later than 2025."
"The Bengals hit needs with all four of their top picks. Amarius Mims (18) might have been a top-five pick if he had a little more experience; he made just eight career starts at Georgia. He has outstanding physical abilities and some of the longest arms I've ever seen. He'll likely slot in as a rookie starter at right tackle."
"LOVE this pick for Cincinnati. If Mims is healthy, he's got the athletic profile and tools to be one of the best right tackles in the entire league ... Incredibly shrewd move by the Bengals, taking a high upside tackle who can be dominant when healthy."
"The Bengals continue to fortify the unit in front of quarterback Joe Burrow by selecting the imposing offensive tackle prospect Amarius Mims out of Georgia. Mims' size (6'7'' 340 lbs) and length both fall in elite territory, which gives him an immensely high ceiling entering the NFL."
"Love this pick...He has the size at 6-foot-8 and 340 pounds with the technique of the purest pass protectors in the NFL. If he can stay healthy, he'll have no problem assimilating to the NFL."
"Case for the best run defender in the class at DT... strong, block-shedding ability... exactly what Cincinnati needs on the defense."
"Stout and forceful, the 6-3, 300-pound Jenkins can help the Bengals better control the line of scrimmage."
"This is a good value pick for the Bengals, going for athletic upside and NFL size on the interior. Jenkins is smart on the inside and knows how to deconstruct blocks. He's a powerful player and will win on the interior for the Bengals."
"Burton sizes up as a starting-caliber threat who wows with his speed, craftiness and body control. If he can keep his fiery demeanor under control, he could be a serious steal."
"One of the best vertical threats in the class. Tracks it like an outfielder and can really separate on intricate routes deep."
"Deep threat, snaps off routes, glue-like hands, consistently works to get open"
"Was big recruit who gets up the field and disrupts like a smaller DT but has awesome size and length to play even at nose tackle. Hands are great and very slippery upfield or across the line."
"Jackson is quick and has a low center of gravity...the Bengals using the late third-round pick on a talented player who needs time to develop was a solid move."
"We love our high school football in Cincinnati and bringing a local product home who checks all the boxes for character and leadership while also having a high ceiling keep this pick in the B range."
"Experienced three-down TE with receiving confidence and production. Has the athleticism to get open on occasion in the NFL and has a flair for the spectacular grab in traffic. Route-running intricacies are a part of what he brings to the field and is a solid albeit unspectacular blocker."
"Cincinnati continues its recent history of defensive back investment with Newton. A five-year starter for the Horned Frogs, Newton projects well in zone schemes that will cover up for his lack of long speed. His instincts and competitiveness will help a Bengals defense looking for a turnaround in 2024."
"...he's not afraid to pop the pads in run support and shows a far better feel in zone coverage when he can react to the action in front of him. Newton could factor into the DB rotation with Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner down the road."
"The Bengals get value in a tight end that was projected as a fourth or fifth round pick later in Day 3 of the draft. As noted by NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein, "He plays with the spirit of an in-line tight end and flashes what it takes to execute blocks..."
"Johnson possesses some exceptional physical tools — 4.63-second 40-yard dash time at 6'3'', 260 pounds with a 38'' vertical — which give him the type of ceiling to develop into a future starter along the defensive line if he can expand his pass-rushing arsenal and improve his hand usage while developing over the next few seasons."
"Anthony has nice size at 6'0'', 195 pounds, and ideal arm length at 32 1/2"...He flashes some nice reps in press coverage..."
"Tall, mobile center with loads of experience in the ACC. Suddenness is good as is his awareness. Makes effort to get low Quicker than fast but accurate at second-level. Decent anchor for a mobile center just has to add sand in his pants."
