The Cincinnati Bengals are gearing up for one final game against the Cleveland Browns. While there are plenty of storylines to watch in that one, there is still work to be done in the NFL Draft. The College Football Playoff Quarterfinals will kick off on New Year’s Eve as the reigning National Champions Ohio State Buckeyes, will take on the Miami (FL) Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl. Then, Texas Tech faces Oregon in the Orange Bowl, Indiana faces Alabama in the Rose Bowl, and Georgia gets another shot at Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.
Naturally, these games will be filled with all kinds of NFL-bound talent. We know the Bengals have the smallest scouting department in the NFL, so getting a scout to any one of these games would be a challenge. So, let’s do them a favor and highlight some players they can watch on their TVs rather than spend those precious dollars to actually scout in person.
Cincinnati Bengals Draft Prospects to Watch In the CFP Quarterfinals
Cotton Bowl
The Cotton Bowl features a few players the Bengals can get with their first-round pick. Caleb Downs, Rueben Bain Jr., and Arvell Reese may already be off the board. However, if any of those three are still available, it would be a slam-dunk pick. Downs could be considered the top defender in the draft despite being a safety. He has elite football IQ and can do just about anything a coach would ask. Bain is a dominant defensive end who could provide the Bengals with that game-changer off the edge. The same could be said for Reese, but the likelihood of him being there is slim.
An under-the-radar pick could be Francis Mauigoa, the Hurricanes’ tackle. Orlando Brown Jr. is getting up there in age, but has not quite had that drop-off just yet. If the Bengals want an heir-apparent at left tackle, Mauigoa could be the move.
As for the second round, if Sonny Styles is there, you’d have to think about it.
Orange Bowl
There are plenty of talented playmakers in this game between Oregon and Texas Tech. In terms of first-rounders, David Bailey is the draw for the Bengals. He’s an uber-productive EDGE who could be a day-one starter. Sure, the Bengals have invested two of their last three first-round picks at EDGE, but neither Myles Murphy nor Shemar Stewart has lived up to their billing, and Trey Hendrickson is more than likely gone. Another underrated player who could be in play is tight end Kenyon Sadiq. The Bengals don’t value the tight end position as much as other teams, but Sadiq could be that hybrid TE1/WR3 kind of player for the offense. Imagine trying to cover Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Sadiq.
The second round could be where the Bengals get involved here. Dillon Thieneman is a day-one starting safety and could be a fantastic Geno Stone replacement. Or, the team could get Bailey’s running mate, Romello Height. He would fall into the “draft a project with underwhelming production” mold that the team has been married to for a while now. On the offensive line, as we said with Mauigoa, Oregon’s Isaiah World could be the next man up at tackle.
Read More: One Last Bengals Mock Draft Before the New Year
Rose Bowl
The Bengals love drafting from the SEC, so Alabama could have a few players worth keeping an eye on. Kadyn Proctor could be that next man up at tackle if the team wanted another high-ceiling project. Or, they could hit LT Orverton in the second round. The defensive lineman has been dominant for the Tide after transferring in from Texas A&M. At the same time, if you want to get squirrelly, why not Germie Bernard? The Bengals could use a dynamic WR3 on the cheap, so why not add a better Alabama receiver than the one they let go?
Either of Indiana’s star receivers could be a fun addition, too. Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. have each battled injuries this year, but they’ve been a big part of why Fernando Medoza took home the Heisman Trophy. At the same time, corner D’Angelo Ponds has been dominant for the Hoosiers and could fully shore up the Bengals’ cornerback room.
Sugar Bowl
Finally, the nightcap of the quarterfinals, the Sugar Bowl, is an interesting case for the Bengals. According to many big boards, Ole Miss doesn’t have many top-end players to watch for this year’s draft.
As for Georgia, there are a few who could bolster the defense, led by CJ Allen. Another linebacker? Yes, but at least this one is good. Allen has been productive all three seasons he’s been with the Dawgs, and he’s significantly younger than anyone in the room. He’s a dominant, sure-tackler who could challenge for playing time right away. Or, could we interest you in a Zachariah Branch? He’s a YAC monster who could fill that WR3 role perfectly, and he can line up anywhere on the field. His lining up wide while putting Chase in the slot would open up a whole other gear to the offense.