CINCINNATI – NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah held his annual pre-draft media conference call on Wednesday, and it wasn’t until the final question of the nearly two-hour session that someone specifically asked about the Cincinnati Bengals.
“In terms of the Cincinnati Bengals and everything going perfect for them, where they’re picking at 18, obviously the ‘throw a parade’ scenario is if somehow Brock Bowers got down there,” Jeremiah said. “I don’t think it’ll happen, but, hey, every now and then you get one thing like this that happens, and the guy slides down.
“That would be the home run of all home runs,” he added.
Daniel Jeremiah Offers Bengals Thoughts on Media Call
Pro Football Network’s Adam Caplan has sent Bowers to the Bengals in each of his last three mock drafts.
It’s hard to tell which is least likely — Bowers falling to 18, or Cincinnati ending his slide. Everything the Bengals have done and said over the last decade indicates the organization does not view tight end as a premium position and worthy of such a high draft pick.
The most likely scenario for Cincinnati is to take an offensive lineman at No. 18. The free-agent deal Trent Brown signed is only for one year, so the Bengals are in need of a right tackle of the future who also could fight for a starting guard spot in 2024 and be the first player off the bench at either spot in the event of an injury.
Jeremiah said the idea fit if Bowers doesn’t fall would be Washington’s Troy Fautanu.
We empty the mailbag to answer all of your questions – and I make a mistake that would be ridiculous even for a rookie podcaster – on the latest PFN #Bengals Podcast.https://t.co/8OPJD4gvK0
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) April 17, 2024
“Fautanu, to me, is someone who can play anywhere,” Jeremiah said. “That would be a fun one as well if we’re looking for the home-run scenario.”
If Cincinnati goes in a different direction at No. 18 — defensive tackle, wide receiver, or cornerback are the most likely — the team will be gambling on getting a tackle that fits the criteria above.
There is a steep talent cliff from the top five or six guys to the next group.
jeremiah offered his two favorites from Day 2 tackle possibilities.
“I like Blake Fisher a lot from Notre Dame. I’m probably gonna be a little bit higher on him than a lot of folks, but I think he’s got a chance to be a starting right tackle. He could kick inside if he had to, but I think he’s a tackle. I like Christian Jones from Texas as well. Those would be the two names that I would have there that would be excellent, excellent Day 2 guys that are ready to play and really intriguing.”
KEEP READING: NFL Insider Adam Caplan Has the Bengals Stepping Out of Comfort Zone in Latest Mock Draft
Listen to the PFN Bengals Podcast
Listen to the PFN Bengals Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Bengals Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Bengals Podcast on our NFL YouTube channel.