The Cincinnati Bengals found quite a bit of success in drafting an LSU wide receiver to pair with Joe Burrow a few years back.
Kidding aside when it comes to Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals actually go that route again in a new 2024 NFL mock draft.
In an effort from NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks, the Bengals stick at 18th overall and take Brian Thomas Jr. out of LSU:
The potential loss of Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd in free agency could force the Bengals to take an offensive weapon early in the draft. Thomas is an athletic playmaker with the size and ball skills to thrive as a WR2 opposite Ja’Marr Chase.
Thomas is one of many super-talented wideouts in a stacked-looking class. But he’s much more than a simple LSU connection for the Bengals after he racked up 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns this past season.
The Bengals going value and need in the first round — even if they franchise tag Tee Higgins — would make a lot of sense, both for 2024 and beyond. While they drafted two wideouts last year, Tyler Boyd could also leave on the open market and depth has been an issue in the recent past.