Who will the Bengals take in Round 1? Ranking the top 10 candidates

Ranking their options with the 18th pick in the NFL Draft.

The NFL Draft is almost here. Who could the Cincinnati Bengals be considering at 18?

At least four quarterbacks will go before the Bengals. (Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and J.J. McCarthy) and there is an outside chance it could be up to six (Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix).

The three top wide receivers (Marvin Harrison Jr, Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze) will also be gone.

Joe Alt and Olumuyiwa Fashanu are the top offensive tackles and will both be off the board, just like the consensus top edge rusher Dallas Turner

That is 10 players who are highly unlikely to make it to the Bengals pick at 18. So the Bengals will be able to take one of their top eight players outside of those listed above.

Here is how I think their board will look with those 10 players crossed off.

Amarius Mims – Offensive Tackle – Georgia Bulldogs

When all is said and done, Amarius Mims might be the best player in this draft. At 6-7 340, he is a physical freak who sorts out stunts and works to the second level easier than most of us make our way to the fridge. The only knock on him is that he only started eight games at Georgia. He is a little rough but certainly not raw, which is impressive given his lack of experience. He is just the type of monster that the Bengals have been looking to add to their offensive line. If he had played a full season, he would be the first non-quarterback off the board.

Laiatu Latu – Defensive End – UCLA Bruins

Fans love bendy edge rushers. The Bengals love big, long players who can hold the edge and show discipline as pass rushers. Players who are both are almost mythical, which makes Latu some sort of a centaur. The Bengals are looking pretty good at defensive end, but Latu would give them something special. His medicals may scare off some teams, but he is another example of a player who should be going in the top 10 and could be a game-changer if he falls to 18.

Brock Bowers – Tight End – Georgia Bulldogs

It is unlikely that Brock Bowers slips this far, but hey, let’s have some fun. The Bengals haven’t demonstrated that they value the tight end position over the last few years, but Bowers could be a different story. Could Bowers be the one to get them off the rent-a-tight-end cycle? Could he and Mike Gesicki combine to replace Tyler Boyd’s presence in the middle of the formation? Unlike many teams, will the Bengals actually adjust their offense to involve the tight end at a level worthy or a first round pick? There’s only one way to find out.

JC Latham – Offensive Tackle – Alabama Crimson Tide

I don’t think JC Latham makes it this far. In fact, I wouldn’t be shocked if he were the second tackle off the board. Still, it is a possibility. At 6-6 360, Latham fits the mold of a Bengals tackle. He is a force in the run game who gets some serious movement. The big knock on him is the number of penalties he was called for last year, but I don’t see that problem following him to the NFL. As the season went on, you could see him drop his hands at just the right time to avoid a holding call. He knew he had a problem and he fixed it, That is the mark of a professional.

Byron Murphy II – Defensive Tackle – Texas Longhorns

He may not make it this far either, but if he does, the Bengals will have a hard time passing him up. Murphy is a bit of an enigma, People are high on him because of his pass-rushing ability, but what shows on him is his run-stopping. Despite being only 300 pounds, he can hold his own and collapse double teams with the best in this class. The Bengals will love his ability to stop the run and his versatility in playing nose tackle or three-technique.

Taliese Fuaga – Offensive Tackle – Oregon State Beavers

This is another player who could be long gone depending on who you listen to. To me, it seems that draft Twitter likes Fuaga, while the NFL prefers Latham. At 6-6 and 334 pounds, Taliese Fuaga certainly looks like what the Bengals are looking for, but there are some concerns about his movement and length that could push him down the board or inside to guard. Due to the Trent Brown signing, the Bengals don’t absolutely need an offensive tackle this year, so if he develops into a high-quality starting guard, it is still a win.

Troy Fautanu – Offensive Tackle – Washington Huskies

Although smaller at 6-4 317, Troy Fuatanu fits into a similar projection as Fuaga. Maybe he can play tackle, but if not, he can certainly play on the inside. Fautanu would bring an athletic update to (checks notes) any and all positions on the Bengals’ offensive line. Although the Bengals have not shown a propensity for acquiring this type of player, I’m certain they would not be offended by him.

Johnny Newton – Defensive Tackle – Illinois Fighting Illini

The NFL seems oddly cold on Johnny Newton. Newton could be a game-changer in the NFL. He wrecks blocking schemes with his quick feet and hands and wreaks havoc in the backfield. The Bengals have not had any kind of interior pass rush since Larry Ogunjobi left in free agency. Newton could be a dominant force in the middle of their defense, which could lead to more sacks across the board as the quarterback can no longer step up in the pocket as the edges start to collapse.

What about a cornerback?

Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell has the speed and the local flavor. Alabama’s Terrion Arnold has the pedigree and the polish.

For my money, the Iowa Hawkeyes Cooper Dejean takes the cake. He has Mitchell’s speed, Arnold’s refinement, and ball skills to boot. He has everything they are looking for in the position.

You know who else wouldn’t shock me?

Taking a defensive end this high doesn’t seem like the best move given their roster, but it is a valuable position where players frequently rotate. Florida State’s Jared Verse checks all of their boxes. Size, speed, play style, he’s got it all. He is another player who may very well not make it to 18, and the Bengals could find the value too good to pass up if he slips.