The Cincinnati Bengals were expected to be part of an elite group of AFC teams in 2023 to challenge the Kansas City Chiefs for supremacy. Instead, Joe Burrow missed nearly half the season, and the Bengals didn’t make the playoffs at all. 

Burrow is back, most of the core group is back, and Cincy is eager to get back into the conversation. Cincy has the sixth-lowest Super Bowl futures odds, so expectations are high. 

Bookies.com veteran oddsmaker Adam Thompson has used his resources of NFL contacts developed over 20 years covering the league and the NFL Draft to create his hypothetical NFL Futures Odds on who gets selected 18th by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Cincinnati Bengals NFL Draft Odds (No. 18)

This market is for entertainment purposes only and has been created by the Bookies.com team. It is not currently available on betting apps. Percentages will not add up to 100% most time because these are designed to simulate odds a sportsbook would set.

The Bengals added Zack Moss to take the place of Joe Mixon, who was traded to the Texans. Pickup Mike Gesicki will take control of the tight end spot, and Geno Stone offers a big upgrade at safety. That shored up a few off-season concerns. 

What they didn’t do was improve on the offensive and defensive lines. First and foremost, the Bengals must protect Burrow, who has played over 10 games just twice in four seasons. In those two years, the team went a combined 22-10. 

Alabama’s J.C. Latham is the consensus No. 1 tackle on the board. Premier tackles are usually gone way before No. 18, and it’s possible Latham isn’t there when Cincy is up. If he is there, he’s coming off the board. 

Joe Alt of Notre Dame is a solid No. 2 option at tackle, as are Taliese Fuaga of Oregon State and Troy Fautanu of Washington, who also project as tackles. Interior lineman Jackson Powers of Oregon would also offer an upgrade. 

Related: 2024 NFL Indianapolis Colts Draft Odds

Defensively, the Bengals were a middle-of-the-pack team at rushing the QB but ranked 30th in rush yards allowed per game. Someone to stop the run is required, especially in the colder months. 

While other positions are stronger this draft, by the time the Bengals are picking at No. 18, the premier defensive tackles should be around. Byron Murphy and T’Vondre Sweat, both of Texas, along with Jer’Zhan Newton of Illinois, are likely the first to go off the board. The Bengals’ desperate desire to stop the run could push them toward Sweat, who at 6-4, 366 pounds, is over 60 pounds heavier than the other two and would be a force in the trenches.

Cincinnati Bengals NFL Draft Picks 2024

• Round 1 (Pick 18)
• Round 2 (Pick 49)
• Round 3 (Pick 80)
• Round 3 (Pick 97)
• Round 4 (Pick 115)
• Round 5 (Pick 149)
• Round 6 (Pick 194)
• Round 6 (Pick 214)
• Round 7 (Pick 224 from ARZ thru HOU)
• Round 7 (Pick 237)