NFL Draft: Five potential sleeper picks for the Cincinnati Bengals

The 2024 NFL Draft is approaching, and the Cincinnati Bengals will have 10 total picks across seven rounds. Here are five potential sleeper picks who could be wearing orange and black next season.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, Purdue

After trading Joe Mixon to the Texans this offseason, the Bengals will be looking to add depth to their backfield. Tyrone Tracy rushed for 716 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023, ranking 14th best in the NCAA in yards per carry with a 6.3 average. Tracy is seen as a late-round draft pick due to his size, standing at 5-11 and 209 pounds. This issue could allow Cincinnati to add the former boilermaker later in the draft.

Zak Zinter, OC/OG, Michigan

Protecting Joe Burrow will be one of the top concerns for Cincinnati in the draft, and Zak Zinter can do just that. Zinter was the anchor for the Michigan offensive line, allowing zero sacks and just five QB hurries in 2023. Many had Zinter pegged as an early Day Two pick to begin the year, but after suffering a broken fibula and tibia against Ohio State last season, teams will be less likely to use a high draft pick. The Bengals now have the opportunity to draft a quality guard in later rounds.

Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M

The Bengals will head into the 2024 season without their main slot receiver, Tyler Boyd. Cincinnati could look to Ainias Smith as his replacement. In his last season at Texas A&M, Smith had 795 yards, averaging 15 yards per reception. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound receiver projects as a shifty yet quick playmaker out of the slot. With a current 5th-round projection per NFL Draft Buzz, the Bengals would be getting a possible sleeper pick late in the draft.

Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State

After replacing its starting tight end every year since the 2021 season, Cincinnati will look to add consistency to the tight end room. 6-foot-6, 260-pound tight end Theo Johnson might be just that. The former Nittany Lion ran a 4.57 forty-yard dash at the combine and had 32 receptions for 325 yards and six touchdowns last season. Giving Joe Burrow another big and athletic target would be a no-brainer for the Bengals.

Dwight McGlothern, CB, Arkansas

The Bengals will likely look for more depth at cornerback after Chidobe Awuzie left for the Titans in free agency. Dwight McGlothern could be a late-round addition, as the 6-foot-2 cornerback is coming off his senior season at Arkansas, playing in nine games with three interceptions. McGlothern would be a good fit for the Bengals' zone defense, as he is an effective zone corner with above-average ball skills.