The Cincinnati Bengals attended the 2024 scouting combine with a handful of major needs on the checklist.
There, the team’s biggest attention likely zeroed on the offensive and defensive lines, as well as skill position weapons for Joe Burrow and defensive help across the board.
But as is the case every year, the performance of prospects in interviews, measurements, drills and on-field work provided an updated snapshot of stock watch for the entire class.
As such, here’s a quick refresher on a handful of prospects who might classify as Bengals targets, yet whose showings at the combine hurt their chances of actually hearing their names called by the team.
Georgia C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
At first glance, Pran-Granger has everything the Bengals like — he’s got loads of starting experience and helped a big program win multiple titles. But short arms (31 3/8 inches) and wingspan (78 5/8 inches) while weighing 298 pounds might have the Bengals looking elsewhere.
Georgia OT Amarius Mims
Bengals fans won’t like this one given the 6’8″, 340-pound Mims’ popularity with them on social media. But his injuring a hamstring during drills — after starting just eight games in college — might have been enough to make him a no-go because the team needs available starters in front of Joe Burrow right away.
Washington DE Bralen Trice
Once an intriguing depth and rotational prospect, Trice showed up at the combine 30 pounds lighter than his listed playing weight in college. Yet at 245 pounds, he ran a 4.72 in the 40-yard dash. While it’s not worth putting massive weight into testing numbers (film is more important), it leaves more questions than answers.
Texas TE Ja'Tavion Sanders
Sanders has been an interesting idea for a team that needs a long-term solution. But with Brock Bowers not working out and the field wide open for somebody to gain attention, Sanders ran the ninth-best 40-yard dash amongst tight ends and was just 6’2″ and 245 pounds. It wasn’t a horrible day, but it was compared to others in the draft class like Ben Sinnott.
Oregon WR Troy Franklin
The Bengals drafted two wideouts las year, yet could be on the market for more versatile depth. But it might not be Franklin, a field-stretching threat who showed up at the combine at just 176 pounds and had the slowest 10-yard split of any wideout who tested.
