2024 NFL Draft: Intriguing Day 2 Offensive Tackle options for Bengals

The front-runner position being drafted by the Bengals in the first round of the 2024 draft is offensive tackle. What are some other solid options in rounds 2-3 if they opt for a different route on Day 1?

As we approach the NFL Draft in a few weeks, mock drafts, positional conjectures, and other estimations about the Cincinnati Bengals’ plans are flying around fast and furiously.

The consensus is that Cincinnati will dip into the uber-talented offensive tackle draft pool in the first round for a developmental player for 2025 and beyond.

We have talked about Georgia’s Amarius Mims as an intriguing option, as well as Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga at No. 18. But what if the Bengals opt for a different position group in the first round?

Defensive tackle remains a need, and we know the Bengals have long-valued position groups like cornerback and wide receiver in the first round. While offensive tackle remains the biggest “need” (we use parentheses because the team rarely enters the draft with absolutely glaring needs with their approach to free agency), the Bengals could pounce on a different position—particularly if some players unexpectedly fall.

There’s a double-edged sword here: the depth of the class could push talented players into rounds in which they would normally not be available. Or, with the deficiency of capable offensive line play in the league, teams at the back end of the first round could pounce on intriguing prospects.

As you go further down the line of tackle prospects in the draft, there are warts to overcome, but it’s a pick-and-choose proposition at that point. Age, starting experience, positional fits, and other situations are to be considered.

So, who are some of the players the Bengals could look at on Night 2 as solid alternatives to the usual suspects in Round 1? We checked out some on a recent episode of The Orange and Black Insider and wanted to provide a further breakdown here.

Patrick Paul, Houston

Height: 6’7”

Weight: 333 pounds

Age: 23 years old (24 in November)

Year: Redshirt Junior

RAS:

Overview:

There is a strong chance Paul won’t make it out of the first round later this month. His testing and measurables (36 1/4” arms, in particular) will have scouts frothing at the mouth. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s the younger brother of another NFL guard, Chris Paul, who points to that innate athleticism. Still, remember another Houston tackle a few years back in Josh Jones, who fell all the way to the third round after being tabbed a surefire late first round pick?

But, the age will concern some teams, as will the “college scheme” he’ll need to potentially grow out of as a pro. Still, he’s adept at zone blocking, which would appeal to the Bengals’ staff and could bring a much-needed brand of athleticism to Cincinnati’s offensive line group.

Javon Foster, Missouri

Height: 6’6”

Weight: 309

Year: Redshirt senior

RAS:

Overview:

Foster isn’t the athlete of many of his contemporaries in this year’s class, but he has solid film and glowing accolades entering the draft. His RAS scores point to “meh” athleticism, and he doesn’t come close to the size of JC Latham, Mims, and others.

Still, he was a first-team All-SEC selection at tackle this past year, has good length, and has experience at both tackle positions. Foster was also a team captain last year, which, along with the positional versatility, has been a trait Zac Taylor and Co. have coveted.

Foster is a “high-floor/low ceiling” guy but should be a safe pick on Night 2, with the ability to be a long-time, effective starter in the NFL for quite some time.

He’s also someone the Bengals have met with.

Jordan Morgan, Arizona

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 310 pounds

Age: 22 years old (23 in August)

Year: Redshirt Senior

RAS:

Overview:

Personally speaking, Morgan is one of the most intriguing tackle prospects in this year’s talented class. He is overshadowed by his PAC-12 contemporaries in Fuaga and Troy Fautanu, but he possesses a lot of coveted traits.

He has solid film against UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu and tested surprisingly well, as evidenced above. He also earned First-Team All-PAC-12 honors last year and has a solid track record as a longtime left tackle starter for the Wildcats.

The issue? Short arms—32 7/8”, to be exact. This could make him a guard at the next level, but he has a sound build, good athletic testing numbers, and is known as a solid technician on the offensive line.

Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

Height: 6’7”

Weight: 328 pounds

Age: 22 years old (23 in June)

Year: Redshirt Junior

RAS:

Overview:

Guyton is one of the most polarizing prospects in this year’s class. His athletic profile and size have him in Top-15 conversations, while others think he’s a fringe first-rounder or lower.

There is a lot to like about Guyton and his potential. He possesses some elite traits for an NFL offensive tackle, but concerns about his inexperience and body frame are giving some teams pause.

Patience is the name of the game for whichever team drafts Guyton, as he’ll need to develop as a player (just 15 career collegiate tackle starts) and potentially even physically.

Kingsley Suamataia, BYU

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 326

Age: 21 years old

Year: Redshirt Sophomore

RAS:

Overview:

The good news for those clamoring for the Bengals to invest in an athletic tackle is that there are some good options that should be available on the second night of the draft. Suamataia is another talented tackle who tested well in a number of facets.

He’s big, strong (31 bench press reps), and comes from great tackle lineage, being the cousin of Penei Sewell. There’s a lot to like about this kid, including the fact that he has bigger hands (10 5/8”) and arm length (34 1/4”) than, say, Taliese Fuaga.

However, hands seem to be one of the major issues with Suamataia, with inconsistent placement, the speed at which they contact a defender, and more. Some believe that another year in college to refine things and enter a less tackle-heavy class would have made him a surefire first-rounder next year, but there is still a lot to work with in Suamataia.