The Cincinnati Bengals ended the 2023 season with a 31-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, finishing the campaign with a respectable 9-8 record. The team had already been eliminated from playoff contention and was able to take advantage of the Browns resting their starters to pick up one more win.
Injuries to Joe Burrow defined the Bengals’ 2023 campaign and ultimately cost them a shot at getting back to the postseason. Now they look towards the offseason, where they will have a mid first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Bengals draft order: No. 18 pick
Cincinnati will be picking No. 18 in the draft as it is one of five teams to miss the postseason despite finishing 9-8. The Bengals were slotted here by way of the strength of schedule tiebreaker.
Bengals mock draft: Potential first-round pick
No. 18: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia
Cincinnati has a number of outgoing free agents this offseason, chief among them wide receiver Tee Higgins. They also could be losing offensive tackle Jonah Williams as well and with the elite wideouts most likely being off the board by this point, I have Cincy taking Mims to fill that hole on the line. The team needs to continue to provide protection for Joe Burrow and the 6’7”, 340-pounder could offer a helping hand.