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Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Draft countdown: Focus on Bengals' first-round pick at No. 18

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 4/7/24

The 2024 NFL Draft is just 18 days away. Detroit took LB Jack Campbell 18th overall last year. This year, Cincinnati holds the 18th pick.

Here’s who experts think they'll take.

ESPN (Field Yates ): Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

With wide receiver Tee Higgins unsure to return on his franchise tag and the $21M price tag for Ja’Marr Chase in 2025, Yates has Cincinnati hedging its bets with Thomas in the first round.

“Franchise-tagged receiver Tee Higgins still desires to be traded, and though a deal is not a certainty, it’s a reminder that the Bengals have to examine the receiver spot in the draft. Thomas has the best second gear of any wideout in the class, as his effortless ability to separate down the field helped him lead the FBS with 17 receiving touchdowns in 2023.”

JAYDEN DANIELS TO BRIAN THOMAS TD TO BEGIN THE HALF! pic.twitter.com/APhjMJ71sd
— Boot Krewe Media (@BootKreweMedia) September 24, 2023

Thomas had a career-best 1,177 yards in 2023 and led FBS receivers with 17 scores. The Bengals may have bigger needs, but the combination of Thomas and Chase could spell trouble for the AFC North.

CBS Sports (Pete Prisco): JC Latham, OT, Alabama

Latham came to Alabama as a five-star recruit and saw action in 14 games as a freshman. He started every game at right tackle for the next two years, earning first-team All-SEC honors in 2023. According to Prisco:

"They need to get a long-term answer at right tackle and JC Latham is a perfect fit. He is a big, power-player who will give them a nice right tackle even after they signed Trent Brown to a one-year deal."

Of course, Latham doesn’t have to play right tackle right away. At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot-6, 330-pound tackle looked forward to working on the left side.

"I'm waiting to see if I'm asked to do anything out of a left tackle stance,'' he said. "I would do that so I can show my versatility.''

After missing seven games with a wrist injury last season, starting quarterback Joe Burrow will gladly take Latham at either position.

USA Today (Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz): Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

Burrow wouldn’t mind seeing Fuaga on the line, either. The 6-foot-6, 324-pound offensive tackle played in 39 games for Oregon State, the last 25 at right tackle.

In 2023, he allowed just 12 quarterback hurries, two quarterback hits, and zero sacks in 700 snaps.

Like many scouts, Middlehurst-Schwartz likes the fit with Cincinnati but has concerns about him starting his career at tackle.

“The 6-6, 324-pound bulldozer boasts a build and playing style suited perfectly for Cincinnati, as he could be a fixture at right tackle or kick inside to alleviate any concerns about his ability to handle the speediest pro edge rushers.”

Pro Football Focus calls Fuaga “the kind of a—kicker every NFL team wants in the trenches” and ranks him as the second-best tackle in this year’s draft. Once again, Burrow will take it.

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