Cincinnati Bengals Make Trade in Mock Draft 1.0, Boost Trenches and Talent Around Joe Burrow

Cincinnati has 10 total picks, including the 18th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Troy Franklin, Amarius Mims / USA Today Images

CINCINNATI — It's officially NFL Draft month and the Bengals have 10 total picks this year.

It's time for our first mock draft of the season. The Bengals trade up in the fifth round to snag an extra weapon for Joe Burrow, packaging both of their sixth round picks to Philadelphia. They also address the trenches with multiple picks and pass on a tight end in the draft for a fifth consecutive year.

Check out mock draft 1.0 below:

First Round, Pick No. 18: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia

At 6-7, 340 pounds, Mims has the size and the potential to become one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL. He could end up being the best offensive lineman in this year's draft class. He doesn't have the most experience in the world, but he did start in both of Georgia's College Football Playoff games in 2022 when they won the National Championship. His size, frame and potential is too much to pass on with the No. 18 pick.

Second Round, Pick No 49: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

Franklin would be a home run pick at this stage of the draft. There's a chance he falls this far due to his weight (176 pounds). Franklin is 6-1, ran a 4.41 40-yard dash and would be an ideal deep threat to replace Tee Higgins. In the meantime, he'd be able to compliment Ja'Marr Chase and Higgins and allow the Bengals to move Chase into the slot more than they have in the past.

Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin had 81 catches for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Ducks in 2023. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA

Third Round, Pick No. 80: Michael Hall, DT, Ohio State

There's been plenty of talk about the Bengals taking a defensive tackle in round one, but the day two depth should make them feel better about waiting on a defensive lineman. Hall should give their pass rush some extra juice. This would be one of the easier decisions of the draft if Hall falls to the Bengals in round three.

Third Round, Pick No. 97: DeWayne Carter, DT, Duke

The Bengals go with back-to-back defensive linemen. There's no reason why the Carter-Hall combo can't bring some stability to a room that is going to look a lot different next season. BJ Hill and Cam Sample are both in the final year of their contracts. Sheldon Rankins signed a two-year deal and DJ Reader is in Detroit. Adding young, talented defensive line help is a top priority and the Bengals do it with both of their third round picks.

Sep 3, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte 49ers quarterback Chris Reynolds (3) throws / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Fourth Round, Pick No. 115: Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame

The Bengals could use another running back and Estime would give them a big, bruiser to go with Zack Moss and Chase Brown. Estime ran a 4.58-second 40-yard dash at 5-11, 221 pounds at Notre Dame's Pro Day. The Bengals were one of the teams paying close attention to his workout. This fit makes a ton of sense at this point of the draft.

Fifth Round, Pick No. 149: Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame

The Bengals take back-to-back Notre Dame players. This time they land a big, physical cornerback in Hart. At 6-3, 202 pounds, he has rare size and adequate speed (4.5-second 40-yard dash). He played well against Marvin Harrison Jr. and has plenty of potential. Cornerback is in play earlier in the draft, but they won't force it. They feel good about landing a defensive back with Hart's traits and talent on day three.

Fifth Round Trade: Bengals Send Picks No. 194 and No. 214 (compensatory) to Eagles for Pick No. 161.

Fifth Round, Pick No. 161: Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice

The Bengals have 10 picks, which means they're going to make a trade at some point, right? The double dip at wide receiver may surprise some people, but it's a great class, Higgins is on the franchise tag and Trenton Irwin is on a one-year deal. Adding Franklin and Rice would give the Bengals a future receiver core of Chase, Franklin, Rice, Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones.

McCaffrey would give them another option in the slot. He has good size, speed and quickness. There's no reason why he can't become a quality player in the NFL. Don't be surprised if the Bengals take two receivers in this year's draft.

Luke McCaffrey would give the Bengals another option in the slot with Tyler Boyd no longer on the roster. / Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Seventh Round, Pick No. 224: Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas

The Bengals could use another linebacker that could help Darrin Simmons on special teams. With Markus Bailey and Joe Bachie no longer on the roster, using a day three round pick on Ford would make sense. He played on special teams and could contribute there right away. He also has the physical tools that Lou Anarumo is looking for in the linebacker room.

Seventh Round, Pick No. 237: Evan Anderson, DT, Florida Atlantic

There aren't many true nose tackles in this year's draft, which gives Anderson a real chance to get drafted. He racked up 58 tackles (5.5 for loss) and 3.5 sacks last season. He'd have a real shot at making the team too, assuming they don't add a nose tackle between now and the draft. He's listed at 6-3, 356 pounds.

Anderson would give Cincinnati a true nose tackle on defense. / JEFF ROMANCE/THE PALM BEACH POST / USA

Make sure you bookmark this site for the latest Bengals news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

You May Also Like:

Cincinnati Bengals' Rival Still Hoping to Sign Tyler Boyd

Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson Wants Cincinnati Bengals to Sign Odell Beckham Jr.

Report: Bengals 'Willing to Listen' to Trade Offers for Tee Higgins

Report: Kristian Fulton Turned Down Bengals’ Offer in Free Agency

Former Bengals Safety Nick Scott Agrees to Deal With Panthers

Bengals Free Agency: Three Thoughts on Trent Brown, Joe Burrow and Their Plans in the 2024 NFL Draft

Sports Illustrated Names Stephon Gilmore as One Free Agent Bengals Should Sign

Look: Joe Burrow, Sam Hubbard Attend UFC 299

Chiefs Signing Star Defensive Tackle Chris Jones to Mega-Extension

Look: Top NFL Free Agents, Including Potential Bengals Targets Ranked in One Place

Bengals Running Back Watch: What Prospects Make Sense in 2024 NFL Draft?

Best Mock Drafter Over Past Five Years Sticks Cincinnati With Popular Name in First Round

A Tee Higgins Trade That the Bengals Would Realistically Consider

-----

Be sure to keep it locked on All Bengals, all the time!

Join the 43,000+ Bengals fans that subscribe to us on YouTube.

Subscribe to the All Bengals YouTube channel

Follow AllBengals on Twitter: @AllBengals

Like Our Facebook Page

Subscribe and follow the ONLY Daily Bengals Podcast

Follow on TikTok