2024 NFL Draft Grades: Cincinnati Bengals

Day 1 grade: C
Day 2 grade: B+
Day 3 grade: B

Analysis: Mims is a boom-or-bust pick at tackle. He certainly has the size to win at the next level, but his limited experience (eight starts at Georgia) is a concern. The team doubled up on defensive tackles on Day 2 as it looks to replace D.J. Reader. Burton presented excellent value. He could become a key contributor on offense, especially if the Bengals and Tee Higgins don't work out a long-term agreement.

Cincinnati was part of the tight end run in the fourth round, picking All despite injury concerns. Newton had a tough go at times during his senior year, but he could prove to be a nice find in the fifth round. Same goes for sixth-rounders McLachlan and Johnson. The Bengals picked Anthony with the seventh-round pick acquired from Houston for running back Joe Mixon.

Top needs entering the draft: Wide receiver, defensive tackle, offensive tackle

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.

Defensive tackles Kris Jenkins (49) and McKinnley Jackson (97) are better run-defenders than interior pass-rushers, but they'll immediately help a defense that ranked 32nd in yards per play allowed (6.0) a year ago. I graded Jackson as more of a fifth-rounder, though. Cincinnati reached for wideout Jermaine Burton (80) over guys I had graded higher including Jalen McMillan, Roman Wilson and Troy Franklin, and Burton also has some off-field concerns. He's a talented player and deep threat for Joe Burrow, but he's no guarantee to be a future Tee Higgins replacement.

Cornerback Josh Newton (149) is undersized and ran an underwhelming 40-yard dash at the combine, but he was super productive in the Big 12. Tanner McLachlan (194) finished at No. 100 on my Big Board, and the Bengals got him nearly 100 picks later. I had him rated higher than the other TE they took --Erick All (115) -- because of his upside as a receiver.

With 10 selections here, the Bengals were able to target their roster holes, but they overdrafted a couple of guys, which limits the ceiling on this grade.

THE BENGALS LOOKED TO THE TRENCHES WITH THEIR TWO EARLY PICKS IN THIS DRAFT. They grabbed a super high-upside tackle in Amarius Mims in the first round, before adding a high-energy, tone-setting defensive tackle in Kris Jenkins in the second. I liked the Mims pick in particular; he's a boom-or-bust prospect because of his extreme lack of experience (just eight college starts), but he brings truly elite potential thanks to his immense size and rare movement skills. The Jermaine Burton pick in the third round could also look like a massive steal in a few years: Burton fell in part because of some character concerns (he struck a female fan in the head following a loss to Tennessee), but he's a three-level pass-catcher with stick'em hands and very good speed and profiles as a long-term replacement for Tee Higgins if the team can't come to a contract extension with their star receiver. I also loved the fourth-round selection of tight end Erick All, who brings intriguing athleticism and tackle-breaking ability but fell in the draft because of multiple injuries sustained in college. All has starter-upside as a pass-catcher in the Bengals offense if he can stay healthy.

Felt like your typically solid, if often unspectacular, 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. No panic here at all despite those trade demands by DE Trey Hendrickson and WR Tee Higgins.

I love the way Cincinnati drafted ahead of time here. They signed Trent Brown for the short term at tackle, but Amarius Mims will hopefully anchor that line for years to come. They brought in Sheldon Rankins in free agency, but they'll be hoping Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson are the future of the defensive front. They still have Tee Higgins on the roster, but Jermaine Burton is an immediate option and could be a long-term replacement. This is how good teams stay on top: planning for the future. —Helman

Best Pick: Third-round defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson has run-stuff skills that can help on the inside of their defense. He has the size at 6-2, 325 to be a power player inside, but he has to be more consistent.

Worst Pick: Third-round receiver Jermaine Burton from Alabama has the tools to be a big-time player. But there were reportedly some character questions about him. If he's focused, he will be a good receiver.

The Skinny: Duke Tobin has done a nice job drafting for the Bengals and this is a nice group -- and could be a great one. The risk is first-round offensive tackle Amarius Mims, who has just eight starts in his career. He is a boom-or-bust player in my book. Taking Kris Jenkins and Jackson will help offset the loss of D.J. Reader in free agency.

Analysis: 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.

Analysis: The Bengals had a clear mission to beef up along the lines. Cincinnati spent three of its four picks in the trenches, including the ultimate boom-or-bust choice with Mims, who started only eight games in college. The Bengals also took a wild card in Burton, whose tape is great but has legitimate off-field concerns.

The 2024 Cincinnati Bengals have made it abundantly clear — they want to get in the mud and cut off your oxygen if you're playing them. This is a physically powerful group. Amarius Mims is one of the most freakazoid offensive line prospects in the history of pro football, but between inexperience and his injury history, it may be a year or so before he's ready to acquit himself. Last season, Cincinnati's offensive tackles combined to allow 15 sacks and 100 total pressures, and though there were changes in free agency, perhaps Cincy would have been better off with a more immediate successor.

Kris Jenkins was a gap-plugging tackle in college who has more disruptive potential than he was allowed to show at Michigan. Jermaine Burton is a ready-made downfield target who could replace Tee Higgins if that contractual situation continues to be a problem.

The third-day guy I really like here is Josh Newton, who was a real problem for receivers in his two seasons with TCU after transferring from Louisiana-Monroe. And Cedric Johnson, who had four sacks and 32 total pressures for Ole Miss last season, might get early action in the NFL with the Trey Hendrickson contract situation. The downgrade here is based on taking a guy in Mims up top when he's nothing but upside at this point.