Cincinnati Bengals 7-round Mock Draft: Joe Burrow gets another dynamic playmaker; elite corner tops draft
Burrow gets a couple more intriguing playmakers on offense
Ja'Tavion Sanders. Ja'Tavion Sanders. Texas. player. . Ja'Tavion Sanders. 56. Scouting Report. 49. TE
The second-best tight end in the draft, Ja’Tavion Sanders gives Burrow the most talented tight end he has had in his early career in the NFL.
At 6-foot-4, 243 pounds, the former Texas Longhorns tight end is a nightmare once he gets into the secondary. His explosiveness, speed and ball skills will give Burrow a unique target to go along with Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins in the offense, especially with his soft hands and the separation he can get from defenders with his size.
Obviously, there is some upside to Sanders and things he will need to work on at the NFL level like his blocking, which he didn’t have much experience within college, but this is an offense in which he will be allowed to grow and show off his pass-catching talent right away.
During his last season with the Longhorns, Sanders racked in 45 receptions for 682 yards and 2 touchdowns, which has him as the second ranked tight end prospect behind Brock Bowers. Joining an offense with Burrow at QB, he could have the better rookie season out of the two tight ends.
Roman Wilson. Roman Wilson. Scouting Report. WR. Roman Wilson. . Michigan. 80. player. 56
The Bengals placed the franchise tag on Higgins, but the team will still address the position on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft with the selection of Michigan product Roman Wilson.
National Champion WR Roman Wilson with a solid 4.41u
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With Tyler Boyd set to hit the market and Chase eligible for a contract extension, it would be wise for the Bengals to bring in a receiver high in the draft just in case they can’t extend Higgins or Chase becomes disgruntled regarding an extension.
While Wilson is not a name you hear a lot about in a deep wide receiver class, he is coming off a National Championship with Michigan. In catching the ball from J.J. McCarthy in 2023, Wilson had 48 receptions for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns. Not elite numbers, but his toughness and competitive nature makes him a playmaker who could replace Boyd as the No. 3 receiver in the Bengals offense by the middle of the season.