The Cincinnati Bengals have several positions they could address, but only a few are urgent. Some of these critical positions might be resolved through free agency. The next few months will be pivotal for Cincinnati, especially since they have significant cap space, which could allow them to significantly improve their team.
With Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd possibly becoming free agents, unless Higgins is retained through a franchise tag, the Bengals might face losing some of their top offensive weapons. However, they have the opportunity to replenish their roster through the upcoming NFL Draft.
While retaining Higgins and finding replacements for departing players like Boyd from last year’s draft picks would be preferable, adding more weapons for quarterback Joe Burrow would undoubtedly benefit the team.
Considering the upcoming developments, ESPN’s Matt Miller released his latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft, where he projected the Bengals to select Brian Thomas Jr. from LSU Tigers at No. 18 and Ja’Tavion Sanders from Texas Longhorns at No. 49.
Miller suggested Thomas as a potential replacement for Higgins if he becomes too expensive for Cincinnati. Thomas showcased his skills with 17 touchdowns in 2023, leading the nation in that category, although he still needs refinement in route running. Pairing him with former LSU star Ja’Marr Chase could aid his transition to the professional level.
Regarding Sanders, Miller highlighted his potential fit with the Bengals as a flex tight end option, given his proficiency in catching passes and his size. Adding an elite tight end like Sanders could bring a new dimension to the Bengals’ offense.
While it’s uncertain if Higgins will leave, addressing the void in the first round and acquiring a talented tight end could significantly enhance Cincinnati’s offense for the long term, despite the optimism surrounding Higgins’ potential retention.
