The 2024 NFL Draft is once again loaded from top to bottom at wide receiver. Luckily for the Bengals, it will be easier to replace a talented pass catcher like Tee Higgins this offseason. Which names should be on the radar for Cincinnati fans?
Bengals NFL Draft Target — No. 1: Rome Odunze (Washington)
Let’s keep things realistic with this article; that means no Marvin Harrison Jr. for the Bengals. But depending on how the team bounces back, they could be sitting somewhere in the middle of Round 1 next April. If so, Rome Odunze is the ideal backup option for any franchise that misses on Harrison Jr.
Odunze boasts the best body control of any wide receiver I’ve ever evaluated. He contorts his body similarly to prime Odell Beckham Jr. and always finds a way to get his feet in bounds when working the sideline. The Husky pass catcher has never seen a 50/50 throw that he didn’t think he could come down with.
Impressively, Odunze is more than a jump-ball specialist. At 6-foot-3 and weighing 216 pounds, the Washington star flexes remarkable top-end speed. He even returns punts for his squad, highlighting his ability to impact the game in several facets. I cannot imagine a better replacement for Tee Higgins.
Bengals NFL Draft Target — No. 2: Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)
If the Bengals cannot draft one Ohio State wideout, how about the “other” one? Emeka Egbuka is a polished route runner who excels at creating separation while working downfield. He is bigger than he plays, profiling as a potential big slot on Sundays. Egbuka is not quite the athlete of Odunze, but the Buckeye alum displays more refinement. He is like a souped-up Tyler Boyd, another Cincinnati pass catcher with an expiring contract.
Bengals NFL Draft Target — No. 3: Troy Franklin (Oregon)
A player quickly rising up the 2024 NFL Draft rankings is Oregon star Troy Franklin. The 6-foot-3 pass catcher wins with blazing speed; anyone can see that when they turn on his tape. Franklin’s 4.3 speed is his calling card, but his competitiveness at the catch point makes him a fringe first-round prospect.
If Franklin can add more weight to his lanky frame, the sky is the limit, especially opposite Ja’Marr Chase. Keep an eye on the Ducks for the remainder of the season; Troy Franklin might secure a spot on Day 1 when things are all said and done. Joe Burrow would turn him into a true superstar.
Bengals NFL Draft Target — No. 4: Malachi Corley (Western Kentucky)
Malachi Corley is one of “my guys” from the 2024 NFL Draft. The Western Kentucky product is a game-wrecker for the Hilltoppers. He shows the ability to separate downfield and leave his defender in the dust. Although his top speed is impressive, it is far from the best trait in his arsenal.
After the catch, Corley abuses his opponents. He is similar to Deebo Samuel in that way, as the two become running backs with the ball in their hands. Zac Taylor doesn’t have a weapon like Corley; a field stretcher that can also be a threat after Joe Burrow delivers the pass. He should be available on Day 2, but not very late into it.
Bengals NFL Draft Target — No. 5: Jalen McMillan (Washington)
Keeping with the trend, the “other” Washington wide receiver makes an appearance on the list. Jalen McMillan is similar to Egbuka in the sense that his skill set mirrors Tyler Boyd’s more than Tee Higgins’. Regardless, McMillan is a necessary addition to the Bengals unit.
The Washington star carves defenses up from the slot, regularly shaking free and giving his quarterback an easy target. McMillan boasts sure hands and a deceptive agility with the ball in tow. He may not be Rome Odunze, but it would be a nice consolation prize for Cincinnati if they wait until Day 2 to address wide receiver.