Cincinnati Bengals Draft Options: Who Could Be Some Early-Round DT Targets?

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals ended a 22-year drought in 2023 when they selected a defensive tackle in the first round, Myles Murphy, for the first time since taking Justin Smith in 2001.

Both of those players were defensive ends. The last time the Bengals took a defensive tackle in the first round was 30 years ago when they made Dan “Big Daddy” Wilkinson the No. 1 overall pick.

Early-Round DT Targets for the Bengals

But if ever there was a year to target the position in the first round, this is it after DJ Reader left in free agency to sign with the Detroit Lions.

The Bengals signed Sheldon Rankins to add some pass-rushing juice next to B.J. Hill on the interior of the defensive line, but the team follows the “never enough” policy when it comes to adding talent in the trenches.

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But the theme this offseason has been “never addressed” when it comes to a true nose tackle capable of being a force against the rushing attacks Cincinnati faces in the AFC North Division.

Complicating the succession plan following Reader’s departure is the fact that there aren’t a lot of great options in this year’s draft class when it comes to the heftier run pluggers.

But with Hill set to be a free agent after this season and Rankins in 2026, the Bengals could seek more pass-rushing help on the interior early and wait to find a nose tackle in the middle rounds.

Below is a list of defensive tackles that could be in play for whichever direction the Bengals want to go in the first three rounds.

Johnny Newton, Illinois

There is plenty of debate about which defensive tackle is the best in this year’s class, but Cummings has Johnny Newton slotted just ahead of Texas’ Byron Murphy.

The 6’2″, 304-pounder was a first-team All-American in 2023 for the second year in a row, and he had a school-record four blocked kicks to go along with his 7.5 sacks.

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Here’s what PFN NFL Draft Analyst Ian Cummings had to say about Newton in his scouting report: “If there’s one thing Newton knows how to do, it’s produce. But production is just one piece of the puzzle for 2024 NFL Draft prospects. Is the film in lockstep with the numbers with Newton?

“Newton grades out as a top-15 prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. On my board, he’s the top DT prospect in the class, ranked over Texas’ Byron Murphy II by a slim margin. Particularly for odd and hybrid-front teams, Newton presents exciting appeal and can be an impact starter fairly early in his career.”

Byron Murphy II, Texas

The 2023 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Murphy set career highs in sacks (five) and tackles for loss (8.5).

The 6’1″, 308-pounder is a pass-rushing 3-tech, but Cummings likes his chances of developing into a quality run-stopper as well.

Cummings: “In run defense, Murphy repeatedly prevents displacement against solo blocks and pullers with his sturdy base, leverage, and anchor. He also has the strength to absorb double-teams and combo blocks, and he can pry through extensions to make tackles in pursuit.

“Murphy’s floor as a run defender with his strength, mass, leverage, angle awareness, and movement freedom is already incredibly high, and he has the ceiling to be a devastating pass-rushing threat if he can channel his energy and power capacity more efficiently.”

Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson

Could the Bengals use another premium pick on a defensive lineman from Clemson after grabbing Myles Murphy in the first round last year?

Ruke Orhorhoro (6’4″, 294) has the length to be a disruptor in the passing lanes as well as being able to push the pocket and get to the quarterback.

Cummings: “He’s one of the most explosive athletes on this list, and he channels that burst with superb proportional length, culminating in elite raw power capacity.

“Orhorhoro came to America from Nigeria (as did Cincinnati edge rusher Joseph Ossai) and didn’t start playing until his junior year of high school. But already he’s extremely versatile and can play all across the front.”

Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State

Michael Hall Jr.‘s production dipped from 4.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss in 2022 to just 1.5 sacks and two TFLs this past season. But Hall showed up over and over again, even if it wasn’t in the boxscore.

Hall stood out at the Senior Bowl, and at Ohio State’s Pro Day, he ran a 4.78 40-yard dash while registering a 33″ vertical jump and 9’3″ broad jump.

Cummings: “He has blistering initial explosiveness and lateral burst, which he uses to expedite wins. Hall grades out as a fringe top-64 prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft, who should command capital in the early-to-mid Day 2 range. There’s a chance Hall ends up as a surprise Round 1 pick in light of his testing, but he still has room to refine his game.”

Braden Fiske, Florida State

Braden Fiske (6’3″, 297) transferred from Western Michigan after the 2022 season and got even better playing against Power Five competition, including a three-sack, 4.5-tackle for loss destruction in the ACC Championship Game to cap the Seminoles’ undefeated regular season.

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Among the top 3-techs available, Fiske offers perhaps the most upside as a run defender.

Cummings: “At around 6’3″, 297 pounds, with visibly below-average arm length, poor overall flexibility, and advanced age as a 24-year-old rookie, Fiske has a few cosmetic factors working against him. But one trait of his will win over evaluators across the board: His motor.”

Leonard Taylor III, Miami

Leonard Taylor’s injury-marred 2023 season resulted in a dip in production after he recorded five sacks and 19 tackles for loss in his first two seasons with his hometown Hurricanes.

Taylor (6’3 1/2″ and 305 pounds) sat out the practices at the East-West Shrine Game, and he put up average numbers at the Combine. He lined up as a nose tackle quite a bit at Miami but projects as a 3-tech.

Cummings: “Taylor grades out as a top-100 prospect and an early-round talent at the DT position. Judging purely off talent, Taylor is one of the five most alluring physical specimens in the class. But where he goes in the 2024 NFL Draft ultimately depends on how teams view his work ethic and football character.”

T’Vondre Sweat, Texas

The best pure run stopper available in the draft, T’Vondre Sweat was the 2023 Outland Trophy winner and a unanimous first-team All-American.

DJ Reader’s departure for Detroit has left a huge hole on the defensive line, and Sweat has the size and potential to help fill it. The question is whether he still will be available for the Bengals at pick No. 49.

Cummings: “Sweat is a force of absolute absorption in the run game, with the size and strength to swallow up double-teams and combo blocks. But for his size, he has impressive juice as a pass rusher, and his unyielding playmaking motor stands out.”

Kris Jenkins, Michigan

Kris Jenkins (6’3″, 300 pounds) was one of Pro Football Focus’ top run defenders among defensive tackles in the 2024 draft class.

And success runs in the family as Jenkins’ father, Kris Sr., was a two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection during a 10-season career with the Panthers and Jets.

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Cummings: “Jenkins needs to expand his pass-rushing footprint, but he’s already a high-level run defender with the tools to grow into an every-down force. At 6-3 and 305 pounds, Jenkins is tailor-made for the 3-tech disruptor role. He has a potentially overwhelming blend of short-area twitch, leverage, flexibility, power capacity, and ruthless prying strength.”

All the 2024 NFL Draft resources you need — the draft order, the top QBs, the Top 100 prospects, and the full 2024 Big Board — right at your fingertips at Pro Football Network!