Who are the Bengals targeting with their first-round pick?
The Cincinnati Bengals were expected to be one of the best teams in the NFL, yet they ended up losing numerous one-score games, enough to put them on the bubble and ultimately finish their season prior to the NFL playoff commencing.
Despite a career-best season from Joe Burrow, the Bengals weren’t able to make it among the seven AFC teams in the postseason. That said, the eyes of the front office should be locked in on the upcoming NFL Draft and free agency period.
With a 9-8 record to close out the 2024 season, the Bengals are going to have the 17th pick in the draft. Let’s dive into who many national media outlets have them selecting.
CBS Sports — Princly Umanmielen – EDGE, Ole Miss
Princely Umanmielen is twitched-up, flashing abrupt/quick in movements and a spin move that puts offensive tackles in a blender. He’s stronger than he looks, and his good hand usage and leg drive allow him to win early in the rep.
The 33rd Team — Nic Scourton – DL, Texas A&M
Cincinnati’s defense flipped the switch down the stretch, forcing 13 turnovers across the final five games as the Bengals ran the table for a fourth consecutive winning season. However, as a whole, this group was not good enough in 2024, particularly when you factor in how well Joe Burrow played this season. There are several needs to consider, but you’d be hard-pressed to go wrong boosting the pass rush in the AFC. Scourton has the kind of build on the edge that the Bengals have gravitated towards as a dense pass rusher who can win with power and he boasts a nice variety of rush counters at his disposal — making him a potential dangerous running mate for Trey Hendrickson.
The Fantasy Life — Shavon Revel Jr. – CB, East Carolina
Revel tore his ACL in practice in September. His draft evaluation will obviously hinge on his medicals. If he’s cleared, he has a shot at the top 20. The former track star is a 6-foot-3, long-levered boundary corner with speed to burn.
Fox Sports — Kenneth Grant – DT, Michigan
Even after drafting Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson a year ago, the Bengals might want to reinvest at the position should the ultra-talented Grant still be on the board. Cincinnati is tight against the cap and hoping to re-sign star wideout Tee Higgins. Starters B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins are each pending free agents.
Pro Football Focus — Luther Burden III – WR, Missouri
Burden was not as productive in 2024 as in 2023, but that is more an indictment of the offense as a whole than Burden. He is an elite after-the-catch receiver who can win as a flanker and in the slot. The Jermaine Burton experiment is not going well in Cincinnati, and pending free agent Tee Higginscould be elsewhere next season. The Bengals need plenty of help on the defensive line but could use another playmaker next to Ja’Marr Chase to remain a potent offense.
Bleacher Report — Walter Nolen – DT, Ole Miss
The Cincinnati Bengals desperately need help…any help…on the defensive side of the ball.
Offensively, Joe Burrow and Co. played like contenders. The quarterback may have even been a strong MVP candidate had the other side of the ball not let him down throughout the season.
All three levels need upgrades. The Bengals start along the defensive interior, where more push could certainly be helpful.
Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen displays significant upside as a potential three-down interior defender.
“The Bengals lost D.J. Reader last year in free agency and B.J. Hill is about to hit the open market at 30 years old,” Holder said. “So, the selection of a defensive tackle early makes sense for Cincinnati, and Nolen can be a disruptive player in both phases of the game to complement Trey Hendrickson.”
Nolen emerged as a consensus All-American during his first season with the Rebels. His 13 tackles for loss or no gain led all Big Four defensive tackles during the regular season, per Pro Football Focus. At only 21 years old, a continued upward trajectory should be expected.
Sporting News — Luther Burden III – WR, Missouri
The Bengals may want to try to keep Tee Higgins along with extending Ja’Marr Chase with a lucrative contract, but Higgins might end up being too expensive. Burden can be a strong cheap contingency to play well off Chase as an immediate impact No. 2.
USA Today — Shavon Revel Jr. – CB, East Carolina Pirates
Outside of NFL sack king Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals don’t have many building blocks on a defense that came undone this past season. So long as he’s on track with his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in September, Revel should catch the eye of the Bengals as a smothering coverage presence built for AFC North tussles.
SB Nation — Mykel Williams – EDGE, Georgia Bulldogs
