In the 5th round, with the 149th pick, of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select CB Josh Newton.
Newton wasn’t someone I scouted in the pre draft process, so I can’t speak directly as to the quality of this pick. He is 5’11” with mediocre combine testing. From reading around, it seems as though he is a physical player, who has had ups and downs, with the downs largely being a result of his athleticism.
Next month, I will be doing a deep dive on the Bengals UDFA signings from this class, and I will add in Newton as well. Will know more about him later on.
In the 6th round, with the 197th overall pick, the Cincinnati Bengals select TE Tanner McLachlan.
It is a double dip for the Bengals at TE, but a good one. McLachlan was the 4th ranked TE on my board, and someone I could see starting in the future.
McLachlan has the upside to be a high end starting TE in the NFL. He already has the tools to contribute as a receiver, thanks to his strong hands, catch radius, and athleticism. The flashes have been there as a blocker. But his frame is lean at this point. Getting stronger will hopefully allow him to maintain a higher level of consistency as a blocker, while also improving certain aspects of his game as a pass catcher. If he can keep his development going on an upward slope, the potential is there for McLachlan to be an impact player at TE, from both the slot and the in-line position.`
In the 6th round, with the 214th overall pick, the Cincinnati Bengals select DE Cedric Johnson.
Johnson, like Newton, wasn’t someone I scouted pre-draft. Seems to have good measurables but apparently was unable to put it all together in college. Like with Newton, I will include some stuff about Johnson in my UDFA analysis article that will likely come out next month.
