Bengals 7-round NFL mock draft: JC Latham, a trade and a Round 3 triple-up

Time for one final, accountable mock draft before the Bengals set forth on a 10-pick, three-day journey to sustainability this weekend.

The priorities are to come away with a defensive tackle (or two), right tackle, interior offensive lineman and wide receiver. Throw in the chance of a cornerback entering the equation at any level of the draft and there’s no shortage of options or intrigue.

In this final edition, I pinpoint the most likely selection in the first round, execute a Day 2 trade, dominate the back of the third round and find snug fits throughout the final rounds.

This all starts with the trenches, though.

Round 1, pick 18: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

The Bengals will track the tackle pace closely as the first 17 picks come off the board. How many quarterbacks, edge rushers and cornerbacks go in front of them will go a long way to deciding if one of the desired protectors for Joe Burrow slips down to this spot. Make no mistake, Latham being available with the 18th pick would check a million Bengals preferences of the Zac Taylor era.

Let’s count them, shall we?

1. Always think about helping Joe Burrow? Can’t go wrong with OL. Check.

2. Performed at the highest level of college football? Started 27 games at right tackle for the Crimson Tide. Check.

3. Powerful, large humans with strong anchors at offensive tackle? Let’s see, 6-foot-6, 342 pounds whom Dane Brugler dubs “arguably the strongest player in the draft class.” Check.

4. Positional versatility? His size and power make for an easy projection shifting inside to guard if desired. Check.

5. Nasty, bullying play style prioritized by OL coach Frank Pollack? Just turn on the tape. Check.

The Bengals could end up with multiple top tackle options here. Or maybe a surprise drop by Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II. There are considerations in every direction. Yet, Latham feels like the safest pick of the bunch and that’s meant in a good way. Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin is known as a doubles hitter. He will always lean into the high-floor prospect. Latham fits the bill most of all the tackles anticipated to be available here.

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Round 2, pick 49: Trade back seven spots with the Dallas Cowboys

• Cowboys get: 49, 115 and 194
• Bengals get: 56 and 87

A favorite maneuver of Tobin and the Bengals is to move back in the second round to pinpoint their targets in the middle rounds. They traded back in the second round in 2017, ’18, ’19 and ’21. They traded back in the third round in ’23. Only, this would be about using the extra picks in the back of this draft to help make the most of their early picks. This would give them three picks between 80 and 97, a potential sweet spot for their draft needs. Dallas makes sense as a partner as they always enjoy jumping in front of Philadelphia (50).

Round 2, pick 56: Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan

The exact type of football player the Bengals have fallen in love with in their secondary. More precisely, Sainristil plays exactly like Mike Hilton, who enters the final year of his contract. He’s undersized at 5-9, 182 pounds and doesn’t have the raw speed of others, but his instincts in the slot jump off the tape along with his tenacity. The Bengals always think a year ahead and always consider depth in the secondary. He checks both boxes and couldn’t ask for a better mentor to take over the position in 2025.

GO DEEPER

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Round 3, pick 80: Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington

Receiver will be in play at every pick on Day 2, but McMillan makes perfect sense at this point in the draft. He arrives with a play style and awareness that reminds of Tyler Boyd and serious production playing inside two top receivers at Washington. He was overlooked due to injuries, but played through them and provided plenty of production when healthy. He would fit the selfless mantra Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Boyd were defined by as a trio, plus a ton of fight as a blocker when called upon.

Jalen McMillan had 17 receiving touchdowns and averaged 13.1 yards per catch in his four years at Washington. (Ian Maule / Getty Images)

Round 3, pick 87 via Dallas: Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU

Undersized for a defensive tackle at 6-0, 284 pounds, which is why he hangs around at this point in the draft, but his lower-body strength was legendary and allows him to overcome his smaller dimensions. The Bengals won’t hesitate to take a shot at an undersized three-technique at this point in the draft (see Atkins, Geno), especially knowing another swing is coming. Wingo brings all the captain and leadership traits the Bengals track closely at this point in the draft, searching for players who will get the most out of what they’ve got.

Round 3, pick 97: Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin

The Bengals call old friend Luke Fickell at Wisconsin for a scouting report on a potential heir apparent to Ted Karras, entering the last year of his contract. He brings immediate position flexibility with time spent at both guard and center. At the very least, the Bengals need an upgrade for interior line depth and you can always find that with the Badgers.

GO DEEPER

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Round 5, pick 149: Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois

All the traits you want to invest in with a late-round tight end selection. He ran a 4.64 40-yard dash at 271 pounds to catch everyone’s attention. He has more of a play style like Drew Sample, which is what the Bengals would be seeking with two pass-catching tight ends (Mike Gesicki, Tanner Hudson) already in the mix. He could develop into more down the line.

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Round 6, pick 214: Dillon Johnson, RB, Washington

The Bengals will be looking for a bigger back with three smaller bodies filling the room right now. He provides that at 6-0, 217 pounds. He’s a tough runner who could do well in traffic, but also brings comfort in the passing game with 173 career receptions, including three years in the Air Raid at Mississippi State.

Round 7, pick 224: McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M

At some point, the Bengals must find an oversized defensive tackle to compete for Josh Tupou’s backup role. They brought Jackson in for a visit and if they don’t want to take a chance of a late pick or losing out in undrafted free agency, they just make the pick here.

Round 7, pick 247: Michael Barrett Jr., LB, Michigan

The Bengals will look for reserve linebackers who can fill out special teams. Barrett started 35 games with 208 tackles for the national champs. He’ll enter the mix fighting for a roster spot.

Analysis: The simple move back with the Cowboys allowed for five picks in the top 100 and all of the primary needs filled with a top-100 selection. Going for a corner in the second was a luxury move, but the extra picks at the end of the third allowed for it. The depth of the receiver draft showed up in snagging McMillan, who can compete to start at slot receiver immediately. The Bengals would love to get a more impactful player at defensive tackle, but that’s just not how this draft is constructed. So, multiple swings at it later in the draft ends up being the philosophy. The philosophy of finding sustainability is caked all over this draft. Each of the first five players is positioned to fill in for a player who either left in free agency last year or could next season. This fills it with captains and leaders from winning programs who played on the biggest stages in college football. That’s how the Bengals like to operate and on a roster with very few holes at the top levels for 2024, that’s the best method for contending into the future.

(Photo of JC Latham: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images)