But, they don’t need a _____________!
In this five-part series, I ask “what if?” and explore different draft scenarios. In all, I will do 15 mock drafts and use this as an avenue of discussing 97 different prospects.
“Time. Space. Reality. It’s more than a linear path… I am your guide through these vast new realities.” – The Watcher – What If…?
In this chapter, we look at potential impact players who don’t fit into an obvious need for the Bengals. What if they took one of these players in the first round just because they were the best player available?
Ashton Jeanty
- 17. RB Ashton Jeanty 5’9” 211 lbs Boise State
- 49. OG Tate Ratledge 6’7” 308 lbs Georgia
- 81. DE Ashton Gillotte 6’3” 264 lbs Louisville
- 119. LB Chris Paul Jr. 6’1” 222 lbs Ole Miss
- 153. DT CJ West 6’1” 316 lbs Indiana
- 193. TE Luke Lachey 6’6” 251 lbs Iowa
The Bengals have special players at quarterback and wide receiver, and by adding Ashton Jeanty to their backfield in Round 1, they have created a deadly play-action game. He is a special talent who demands attention from the defense, even if that means drawing a defender’s gaze away from Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins.
In Round 2, the Bengals look to support their first-round gamble. Tate Ratledge is an extraordinary athlete with a tremendous anchor and the attitude to finish blocks. He will plug into the offensive line right next to his Georgia teammate Amarius Mims and open up big holes for Jeanty.
After going offense in the first two rounds, the Bengals finally address the defense with Louisville defensive end Ashton Gillotte, who fits into the Cam Sample mold but is an improvement over the original. In addition to meeting all of their thresholds, he is explosive and twitchy and works his tail off. He can play on the edge and rush the passer from the interior.
On Day 3 of the NFL Draft, the Bengals continue to build the defense, adding athletic Ole Miss linebacker Chris Paul Jr. Al Golden will find a role for Paul on 3rd downs as he develops.
Indiana defensive tackle C.J. West will compete with last year’s Day 2 picks Kris Jenkins and McKinley Jackson for a spot in the rotation. West is an excellent athlete for his size. The Bengals will be a fan of what he did as part of a Big 10 underdog this season.
The Bengals go back to offense for their final pick, selecting tight end Luke Lachey. The injury to Erick All robbed them of their best true Y tight end, so they go back to Iowa to find another.
Colston Loveland
- 17. TE Colston Loveland 6’6” 248 lbs Michigan
- 49. DT T.J. Sanders 6’4” 297 lbs South Carolina
- 81. LB Smael Mondon Jr. 6’2” 224 lbs Georgia
- 119. DE Jordan Burch 6’4” 279 lbs Oregon
- 153. RB Kyle Monangai 5’8” 211 lbs Rutgers
- 193. OG Willie Lampkin 5’11” 290 lbs North Carolina
The Bengals shock the NFL world by selecting Michigan tight end Colston Loveland in Round 1. Loveland is a true in-line tight end who can do it all. Adding him to a tight end room that already has Mike Gesicki, not to mention an offense that already has Chase and Higgins, will strike fear into the hearts of AFC playoff contenders.
In Round 2, the Bengals finally get some interior pass rush with the addition of T.J. Sanders. Sanders has an excellent first step and great get-off moves. Look for him to see early action on third downs while developing into an every-down player.
The Bengals continue to focus on improving their pass defense by adding Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. in Round 3. Although he has been billed as a pass defense specialist, Mondon is an excellent all-around player. Look for him to compete for a starting role immediately.
Sticking with defense, the Bengals add Jordan Burch in Round 4. Burch is a high-motor player who will bring some juice to the edge rush. The Bengals were pleasantly surprised to see such a talent still on the board at this point in the draft and jumped at the chance to add to their defensive front.
Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai is another speedy back who can take some of the load away from Chase Brown. He has the explosive play potential that the Bengals desire offensively.
Like so many men in real life, Willie Lampkin gets overlooked for being sub-six feet tall, but at this point in the draft, having not already addressed the interior offensive line, the Bengals take a chance on Lampkin’s unconventional size. He has gotten it done against some excellent competition in college, so who says he can’t get it done on Sundays too?
Will Johnson
- 17. CB Will Johnson 6’2” 194 lbs Michigan
- 49. DE Jared Ivey 6’6” 274 lbs Ole Miss
- 81. RB Cam Skattebo 5’10” 219 lbs Arizona State
- 119. OG Luke Kandra 6’5” 319 lbs Cincinnati
- 153. DT Tonka Hemingway 6’3” 284 lbs South Carolina
- 193. LB Chandler Martin 5’11” 233 lbs Memphis
While the cornerback position had some question marks going into the draft, the Bengals certainly came into the night with talent at the position and much larger need at others. Still, they could not pass up on a talent like Will Johnson. Johnson is a playmaker who creates turnovers, which is exactly what this defense needs.
The bigger problem with the Cincinnati defense in 2024 was the pass rush. Enter the massive Jared Ivey. He is an absolute force and had seven sacks and swatted down three passes for the Rebels a year ago.
Feeling pretty good about their defense after the first two rounds, the Bengals select an offensive playmaker in Round 3 with Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo. Skattebo’s physical style will be an excellent complement to Chase Brown’s speed and create a lot of frustrating Sunday afternoons for opposing defenders.
On Day 3, the Bengals send an Uber across town for guard Luke Kandra. Kandra is an Elder High School grad and is a strong pass protector. Although he has some misses as a run blocker, he will be a favorite to win a starting role in training camp.
In Round 5, the Bengals get an athletic upgrade to their defensive interior with Tonka Hemingway. He is a truck who will have the opposing quarterback knowing For Whom the Bell Tolls. Seriously though, he’s good. I don’t know why he doesn’t get as much attention as his teammate, T.J. Sanders.
With their final pick, the Bengals select linebacker Chandler Martin, whose only true flaw is being under six feet tall. Although, it actually appears to be a strength for Martin as he throws a move and goes underneath the offensive lineman’s hands to make a tackle. Could be the next Zach Thomas?
Be sure to check back on Cincy Jungle for the next installment on this 5-part series.
Yes, there will be trades, and yes, that trade will be explored.
