Anonymous NFL executives weigh in on the Bengals’ 2024 NFL Draft class

There’s no debating this was a risky draft class for the Bengals.

The Cincinnati Bengals added 10 new faces in the 2024 NFL Draft, and a few of their first picks were seen as riskier than most. With their first pick in the draft, the 18th overall selection, the Bengals took Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle Amarius Mims.

Mims is massive, and he could be among the best tackles in the NFL eventually. The key word is, eventually, as there are only eight games of starting footage on the tackle, giving a wide range of how he could actually turn out.

Here’s what an anonymous NFL executive told The Athletic’s Mike Sando about the Bengals’ draft class.

“I do think there is a heightened risk aspect to their picks. Jenkins offsets the risk some,” the executive said. “He is going to be really solid. Amarius Mims is talented, and when he plays, he’s good, but eight career starts?”

The Bengals continued their risky ways in the third round with Jermaine Burton from Alabama. While Burton is an ultra-talented player, his character concerns, which have been well documented, are also cause for concern.

“Burton is going to be a sneaky good player,” an exec said. “He’s fast, he’s strong after the catch, he has a little dog to him. They do a good job getting those types of players established.”

In five years, Cincinnati could look back on this draft as a franchise-changing one. There is real potential for the Bengals to reach their second Super Bowl appearance in four seasons, and they certainly could use a few of these high-ceiling players to pan out.

The Bengals, especially with Ja’Marr Chase, who is eligible for his next contract extension along with what’s currently happening with Trey Hendrickson and Tee Higgins, could use some help from their recently drafted additions.

That said, only time will tell, but there’s no doubt the executive was right on the money in saying this class has “heightened risk.”