Way-too-early Cincinnati Bengals 2024 NFL Draft preview

The 2024 NFL Draft is April 25-27 in Detroit. Here is the first-round order, per Tankathon.

The Cincinnati Bengals 2023 season was likely not what they imagined after watching QB Joe Burrow suffer a season-ending wrist injury in Week 11. However, Burrow is expected to be healthy by the start of next season and the Bengals should return to contending for a Super Bowl with a strong rookie class from the 2024 NFL Draft.

2023 record: 9-8 | First-round pick: No. 18 | Team needs: OL, TE, DT

Potential first-round picks: JC Latham, OL, Alabama; Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia; Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois

Cincinnati is going to have a few holes to fill in its roster this offseason, but none may be more important than securing up its offensive line. Offensive tackle Jonah Williams is likely headed elsewhere in free agency after the team signed left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. last offseason, pushing Williams to the right side.

With a likely vacancy at right tackle, Latham could prove worthy of the Bengals' first-round pick. The massive 6-foot-6, 335-pound offensive tackle, whose nickname is "Trench King," allowed just two sacks in 2023 and could help protect Burrow for years to come.

If Cincinnati addresses its offensive line in free agency, however, it could have the luxury of taking the best player available. Some "experts" believe that could be Bowers, who's one of the best tight end prospects in recent memory after posting 175 catches for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns in three seasons at Georgia.

The Bengals tight ends combined for just 686 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2023. Bowers would bring immediate production at the position and make the case for Cincinnati having the league's best receiving corps.

Those who say Bowers could drop simply believe the tight end position should be valued less than others. If the Bengals agree, they may opt to strengthen their defensive line instead.

DT D.J. Reader is set to hit the open market next week and if Cincinnati is unable to retain him, drafting a player like Newton could be the answer. The 6-foot-2, 295-pound defensive lineman could be long gone as he ranks as Pro Football Focus' No. 11 overall prospect after combining for 114 tackles, 13 sacks and one forced fumble the past two seasons. If he's still available, however, it could be a no-brainer.