What are the biggest Day 2 needs for the Bengals?

Cincinnati attacked the offensive tackle need in round one

The Cincinnati Bengals attacked one of the biggest holes in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft selecting Amarius Mims.

It is officially time for the Bengals to begin working on Day 2 selections of the draft.

The Bengals currently hold three picks in Rounds 2-3:

• Round 2 – pick 49
• Round 3 – pick 80
• Round 3 – pick 97

Could the Bengals use pick number 97 to trade up in the second round and grab another massive piece? Or will Cincinnati stick with the picks they currently have and snag the BPA?

Either way, here are some of the biggest needs the Bengals still need to address on Day 2 of the draft:

Defensive Tackle

It is no secret this is the biggest hole on the roster going into Day 2.

The Bengals lost DJ Reader in free agency but brought in Sheldon Rankins as well.

Cincinnati has struggled to stop the run and produce pressure on the quarterback from the interior defensive line for the past few seasons.

Potentially trading up and grabbing a guy like Johnny Newton would be a home-run move. But assuming that doesn’t happen, they must find a way to upgrade this position.

Cornerback

Another position of need is on the defensive side again.

The Bengals lost Chidobe Awuzie to free agency this offseason, and this is a position that can never have too much talent/depth.

Cincinnati currently has guys like Cam Taylor-Britt, DJ Turner, and Mike Hilton on the roster.

Snagging a guy like Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry in Round 2 would be a fantastic addition.

Defensive End/Edge Rusher

The Bengals may be looking at an edge rusher sooner than expected after a shocking trade request from Trey Hendrickson earlier this week.

Numerous edge rushers were taken in the first round of the draft, but the Bengals could be eyeing someone in Rounds 2-3 as well.

A few names that come to mind are Chris Braswell (Alabama), Adisa Isaac (Penn State), and Austin Booker (Kansas).

Tight End

To the offensive side of the football, the Bengals still need to address a long-term situation at the tight end position.

Joe Burrow has never truly had a stud at tight end for multiple seasons, but the Bengals did bring in veteran Mike Gesicki this offseason on a one-year deal.

This position is currently not an absolute must on Day 2, but grabbing a young guy like Ja’Tavion Sanders or Ben Sinnott on a four-year rookie deal could be a massive addition to the Bengals’ offense.

Wide Receiver

Some might see this position and think, ‘we have Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins,’ but letting a guy like Tyler Boyd walk this offseason opens up a need at WR.

Bringing in a young and cheap receiver in a pass-heavy offense like the Bengals could be a perfect addition.

Adonai Mitchell (Texas), Troy Franklin (Oregon), and Keon Coleman (Florida State) are some names that come to mind in Rounds 2-3, depending on the guys that are available.

The Bengals could address this position in the later rounds as well, but if someone like the names listed above is there, it could be hard to pass on with a quarterback like Joe Burrow.