The All-SEC performer can line up just about anywhere, including the slot, and is an effective defender in coverage and coming up to shut down the run. His 6-3 frame would come in handy in a division with TEs like Baltimore's Mark Andrews and Pittsburgh's Pat Freiermuth. A good chunk of Cincy's secondary is unsigned, including starting safeties Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell.
There was some thought that Harrison might return to Oklahoma for an NIL deal that was too good to pass up, but he's instead opted for the NFL. He's one of the top tackles in the class and now the question is whether he finds his way into Round 1 or goes early on Day 2.
It's safe to say that the Bengals have a team that will be AFC contenders for the next decade. But there is clearly another level that they have to reach to consistently knock off the Chiefs. I believe the Bengals make the decision to add more offensive firepower and draft Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Drafting Gibbs does not mean moving on from Joe Mixon because Gibbs has such a versatile skill set that he can play on the field with Mixon and be used as a receiver out of the backfield.
There were no first-round tight ends taken last year, but Washington is the third off the board here. (In fact, Oregon State's Luke Musgrave is in the first-round mix, as well.) That said, Washington is unique in that he plays almost like a third offensive tackle given his massive frame (6'7" and 270 pounds) and play strength. Washington is at his best as a run blocker, but he would provide Joe Burrow with a massive target in the red zone and down the seam.
Cincinnati has done well to bolster its defensive front through free agency, but with big pay days on the horizon for the likes of Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase, among others, the Bengals won't have that same luxury in the coming years. I'm tempted to take Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave, but Burrow proved his team can take a one-year flyer on someone like Hayden Hurst and make it shine. And with the current slate of QBs in the AFC, you can never have enough pass rushers.
I wouldn't count out an offensive lineman here, but think about how a standout tight end could elevate this offense to another level. Joe Burrow threw only 92 passes to tight ends in 2022, sixth fewest in the league, and now Hayden Hurst is off to free agency. Cincinnati could really use a top-tier pass-catcher there to open things up more on the outside for the Bengals' trio of wideouts, provide a security blanket for Burrow over the middle and stretch the seam for chunk plays. With a big 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame, Kincaid is coming off two straight seasons with 500-plus yards and eight TDs.
The Bengals need to learn from the Super Bowl champion Chiefs and put every possible resource into shoring up the offensive line in order to support their elite quarterback. Wright's a four-year starter who has improved every season in Knoxville. Wright only allowed one pressure when he faced off against Alabama's Anderson in a 52-49 Volunteers' victory and was consistently dominant throughout Senior Bowl practices.
Mauch showed during Senior Bowl week that he could play anywhere along the offensive line. That sort of versatility would have come in handy for the Bengals during the playoffs after they lost both starting tackles (including Jonah Williams, a free agent after the 2023 season) to injury. Putting Mauch and his former Bison teammate, Cordell Volson, on the same NFL O-line does NDSU proud.
