3 overreactions to the Cincinnati Bengals' 2024 NFL Draft class

The Cincinnati Bengals used all 10 of their picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. That's 10 opportunities to find high-end players, quality starters, and potential reserves to round out this year's roster.

How these players impact the 2024 team is only a fraction of how they should be judged overall. Many of the draftees are expected to take on larger roles next year and beyond. Fortunately, with the help of James Cobern's analytical data, projecting how likely they are to reach their respective ceilings has become more easier than ever. 

So, without further ado, let's overreact a little bit to the class of 2024.

Amarius Mims will be the Bengals' best offensive tackle since Andrew Whitworth

There's a ceiling above Mims, and it's unbelievably high. Like higher than Orlando Brown Jr. high. All-Pro high. Whitworth had to wait 10 years before the AP recognized him as such, but the massive left tackle was always at or near that level during his time in Cincinnati. 

Mims has the athleticism and natural talent to reach that status in time. Relative to his size, Mims' speed is in the 95th percentile, and his explosion is in the 75th percentile. Tackles who are as big as him, move as quick as him, and have played as good as him typically end up being elite (or close to it) in the NFL.

The most important thing for Mims is that his injury luck improves. He needs reps, and he needs them immediately. Overhauling his technique is not the plan, but exposing him to the in-game action he missed his final year in college as soon as possible is imperative. 

If Mims makes it to 2025 fully healthy with some experience under his belt, he'll be on track to become the best Bengals offensive lineman in a really long time. 

Erick All or Tanner McLachlan will eventually become a quality starter

The Bengals showcased an understanding of how to address the tight end position: Invest in productive, fast athletes on Day 3. All and McLachlan's downsides may differ, but their upside is pretty similar.  

All possesses a combination of receiving and blocking ability that was rare in this draft class. His usefulness in both the pass and run game makes him arguably the most complete tight end on the roster without even playing a snap. His touchdown production and total offensive production relative to his team and competition are along the lines of the average NFL starter. He's got to get healthy first, but the skillset and production is there.

McLachlan is one of the fastest tight ends entering the league and is already a weapon over the middle. His speed score is in the 81st percentile, which is right around the Pro Bowl and All-Pro threshold. His production levels also match that of an average starter.

One of these two should pan out and outperform their draft status. That doesn't necessarily mean Pro Bowls and All-Pro honors, but being the No. 1 at the position? That's entirely reasonable in time.

Josh Newton will end up being the least valuable pick in the class

While he was productive at forcing incompletions in college, Newton's production profile as a whole and overall athleticism make him extremely unlikely to become anything more than a reserve. He wasn't a good tackler, and his interception production was a bit below the average starter level as well. 

For a player picked in the first five rounds, having a minuscule chance of becoming a starter is a bit underwhelming. 

There seems to be a plan for five players drafted ahead of Newton to see the field eventually in time, but if Newton is ever the best option to start at cornerback, something went severely wrong.

Newton may end up as a solid reserve who plays the life of his contract. But if all five picks ahead of him become starters, he'll stand out as a limited player more than the four drafted behind him in this class.