This is the fifth of six Cincinnati Bengals mock drafts we’ll be doing leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft.

We’ve seen plenty of Bengals mock drafts up to this point, and all of them are practically best case scenarios. The era of mock draft simulators has given fans the freedom to put their dreams to (almost) reality. This freedom has gone unchecked.

Mock drafts should be exercises based on what the team in question is likely to do. I will be breaking that rule today as well, but in a different way. This mock draft will feature 10 players I think will not end up as Bengals.

The rules are simple. I have to draft positions I think the Bengals will end up addressing next week, but I must stick with players I think the Bengals will pass up on when the time comes. Most of the players have also been at least loosely linked to the team, be it from the media, or any pre-draft contact.

First round Bengals, 18th overall: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

If the Bengals were to take a wide receiver in the first round, Thomas is the most likely pick. His skillset as a plus-sized vertical playmaker makes him an ideal long-term replacement for Tee Higgins. He’s still 21 years old and his production checks all of the team’s historical marks. He’s an LSU pass-catcher for goodness sake, obviously the Bengals would be interested. They had receivers coach Troy Walters check Thomas out at LSU’s pro day.

Many mock drafts have recognized the fit here, but I don’t think the Bengals draft him over the best available offensive tackle, cornerback, or Byron Murphy II if he’s still around. Day 2 is when to expect a receiver.

Second round Bengals, 49th overall: J’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas

Another case in which the prospect checks the boxes, but the position is a bit too early. Sanders was a productive former 5-star recruit from a major program and is still just 21 years old. That normally grasps all of the Bengals’ attention. His major defect, however, is he plays a position Cincinnati has no trouble passing on early in the draft.

Mock drafts have gotten used to slotting Sanders to the Bengals in the second round, but that’s likely too early for the Bengals to take a tight end unless Drew Sample is found to have a brother waiting in the green room.

Third round Bengals, 80th overall: Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame

Mock drafts that have the Bengals passing on an offensive tackle early usually result in Fisher being their third round pick. That would undoubtedly be a best case scenario. Fisher is still very young but already has a good technical and athletic base to his game. He’s a Day 2 tackle worth investing resources into making him a starter.

But let’s be real, the Bengals aren’t going to wait three rounds to draft a tackle, and in all honesty, Fisher isn’t lasting 80 picks. Even if the former does happen, the latter would be even more shocking. It’s time to retire this pipe dream.

Third round, 97th overall: T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas

Oh how much fun it’s been projecting the big man to replace DJ Reader at nose tackle. Sweat looked very much like the chosen one with his profile as the next massive and agile nose tackle to enter the league. Unfortunately, his character concerns popped back up at the worst time for him, getting flagged with a DWI mere days after taking a top 30 visit with the Bengals.

It wasn’t the first red flag on Sweat’s resume, and the Bengals have likely wondered if it’ll be the last. I just don’t see them rolling the dice on him before some other team does.

Fourth round, 115th overall: Zak Zinter, G, Michigan

I haven’t seen this pairing too often, but it’s probably one to address. Zinter has been unable to participate in any on-field activity the last several months after suffering a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg this past November. It’s a pretty serious injury for an already 23-year old lineman.

Zinter is a lot like Andrew Vorhees; an early round offensive line prospect last year who went off the board all the way in the seventh round due to an injury he suffered at the NFL Scouting Combine. Much like how the Bengals passed on Vorhees last year, I think they take a more versatile and healthy interior option this year over Zinter.

Fifth round, 149th overall: Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville

Cincinnati needs more explosion on offense, and a running back who runs a 4.33 at the same size as Joe Mixon looks like a perfect fit. Guerendo brings plenty of size and speed to a backfield, but he’s also going to be 24 in June and started exactly one game in college. His production profile is severely lackluster, which does matter for the Bengals and running backs.

Guerendo will find a home before the draft concludes, but the only way he lands in Cincinnati is if he goes undrafted.

Sixth round, 194th overall: Marcus Harris, DT, Auburn

Now we’re in the weeds. Cincinnati had defensive line coach Marion Hobby attend Auburn’s pro day to watch Harris and another defensive tackle that we’ll mention in a minute. Harris is going to be a 24-year old rookie who’s also undersized at the position at 286 pounds. He wasn’t particularly productive for the Tigers either.

I actually think I convinced myself the Bengals will take Harris in the third round. We need to move on.

Sixth round, 214th overall: Qwan’tez Stiggers, CB, Toronto

What a story Stiggers is. College football was brushed to the side for him when he returned home following his dad’s tragic passing. After two years away from the game he got a shot in a semi pro league and leveraged that for a season in the CFL. Now he’s got the unprecedented chance to become an NFL Draft pick after never playing a snap at the collegiate level.

The Bengals have met with Stiggers, but I just think they will draft a corner who has played college football.

Seventh round, 224th overall: Justin Rogers, DT, Auburn

Rogers was the nose tackle to Harris’ 3-technique for Auburn, which is why the Bengals brought him out for a top 30 visit. Rogers has the profile of a barely draftable player, so he might end up being a priority free agent depending on how aggressive the Bengals are at the position.

I think there are other nose tackles they’ll focus on with their later selections.

Seventh round, 237th overall: Colton Spangler, P, Maryland

A punter has a good chance of being one of these two seventh round picks. Spangler and his career average hang-time of 3.62 seconds and career net average yards per punt of 40.6 doesn’t give them a better option than Brad Robbins, which is saying something.