Will Cincinnati Bengals move up in first round of NFL draft? History says it's unlikely
The 2024 NFL draft starts Thursday at 8 p.m. and the Cincinnati Bengals are slated to pick No. 18 in the first round.
The Bengals have needs at defensive line, offensive line, wide receiver and cornerback, but aren't in position where they have to reach for a specific position. DJ Reader signing with the Detroit Lions created a need for a run-stopping defensive tackle. Tyler Boyd leaving in free agency opened up a need for a slot wide receiver. Chidobe Awuzie signing with the Tennessee Titans in free agency left a void at cornerback.
The most popular players projected to be drafted by the Bengals in the first round are currently Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy, wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and offensive tackles JC Latham and Troy Fautanu.
Need to know:How the Bengals ace the 2024 NFL draft
Could the Cincinnati Bengals trade up in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft?
The Bengals have moved up in the first round of the NFL draft three times in franchise history – 1992 to select DB Darryl Williams, 1995 to draft RB Ki-Jana Carter and 2012 to select G Kevin Zeitler. USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz predicts there will be eight trades in today's first round.
This story will be updated.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Will Bengals trade up from 18th pick in 2024 NFL draft first round?
