The Cincinnati Bengals added a lot of talent in the 2024 NFL Draft. The team made 10 selections, including offensive tackle Amarius Mims, who the team selected with the No. 18 overall pick. All of those first-year guys will be hungry for on-field opportunity next season. Not all of them are likely to get it, of course, but some assuredly will.
But, playing time for rookies could potentially mean less tick for some veteran players. While that’s not easy for some players to accept, it’s just the reality of life in the NFL. With that said, here’s a look at three Bengals veterans whose jobs aren’t safe following the ’24 draft.
Bengals’s Trenton Irwin, Wide receiver
Trenton Irwin is entering his sixth season with the Bengals, and he’s been a spot starter for the team in recent years. He started two games for Cincinnati in 2022 and five games for the team last season. That number could dip down drastically in 2024 after the addition of Jermaine Burton.
Assuming that the Bengals don’t trade Tee Higgins before the season, which seems like the likely outcome at this point, the team will have the top two receiver spots set with Higgins and Ja’marr Chase. But, there could be some real competition for the No. 3 spot, and Burton is an intriguing option thanks to his speed and athleticism. If he has a great camp, there’s a real chance that he could enter the season as a starting receiver for Cincinnati, and squeeze Irwin out in the process.
Dax Hill, Corberback
This one shouldn’t come as a surprise since the Bengals already switched Hill’s position this offseason from safety to cornerback after stocking up on safeties in free agency and in the draft. Hill has some experience at CB from his college days, but still, it remains to be seen how well he’ll adapt to the change after playing solely safety for his first two years as a professional.
“We’ve seen it from him and we think it’s the best opportunity right now to help our team,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said of making the move.
Given his lack of a defined role, it might not be too hard for Hill to be supplanted in Cincinnati’s depth chart. The Bengals drafted cornerback Josh Newton in the fifth round of this year’s draft, and the team is optimstic about his potential. Could he ultimately edge out Hill on the depth chart? It’s probably doubtful, but crazier things have happened.
Trent Brown, Offensive line
The Bengals just signed Trent Brown this offseason, and he’s yet to play a single snap for the team, but he could already be in danger of potentially losing his starting spot following the selection of Mims. In fact, Bleacher Report recently listed Brown as a starter whose job could be in jeopardy, and understandably so. The writing may have already been on the wall once that pick was made.
Mims is the future of the O-line, and Brown was never intended to be a long-term answer on the line for the Bengals, as evidenced by the fact that they signed him to just a one-year deal. Perhaps Brown will begin the season as the starter, but once the coaching staff feels like Mims is ready, the gig will likely be his.
Maybe Brown could even end up serving as a mentor of sorts to Mims. After all, Brown has had a long, productive NFL career that has included a Pro Bowl selection and a Super Bowl victory. Given his experience, he’s a valuable veteran to have on the roster, even if he does ultimately lose his starting spot.
