The Bengals brass will have a massive decision come April 25th that will change the trajectory of their offensive or defensive line. Cincinnati has a need on both sides of the ball and are blessed with a talented class of first round tackles. But they’ll likely be staring down two very talented defensive disruptors at 18th overall who could finally bring back what franchise legend Geno Atkins brought for 10 years in the Queen City. Both positions are among the most important in the game. Which side should the Bengals choose?

The case for Offensive Tackle

The Bengals find themselves in an eerily familiar situation they were in three years ago. Following a season-ending injury to Joe Burrow, the Bengals are picking much higher in the draft than they should be. Cincinnati likely, hopefully, won’t be in this situation again.

But because they are, they’re in an advantageous position to pick up a caliber of offensive tackle that they should never been in reach to obtain. The Bengals won’t be able to find an Amarius Mims or say an Olu Fashanu potentially, at their draft range again. Adding an elite offensive tackle prospect to a contending roster would be a blessing for the Bengals, one that came in disguise.

The Bengals offensive line fell apart of 2016 and they’ve never put it back together. After the departures of Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler in that fateful free agency the Bengals offensive line has been in constant turmoil cycling through dozens of failed draft picks and past their prime veterans.

Although the Bengals have been able to finally put out a competent unit on the field in 2022 and 2023. Veteran signings of Ted Karras and Alex Cappa instantly gave the Bengals the best interior offensive line they’ve had in nearly a decade. But they’re aging, lack elite athleticism and strength, and their contracts are coming up.

Average NFL OL athleticism (by RAS) plotted against PFF production this year.

Data from @MathBomb continues to be one of the best resources out there.

I knew the Bengals line was unathletic but the reality is they’re not even close to the rest of the league.

This is damning. pic.twitter.com/OfgyNE6iye

— Gridiron Grading (@GridironGrading) November 17, 2023

The Bengals need to get cheaper, younger, and more athletic in front of Joe Burrow. Cincinnati would be well advised to take advantage of a top loaded tackle class. Especially considering defensive tackle is a much deeper pool to pick from in rounds two and three than the offensive tackle options later on.

There is one intriguing factor to consider when debating a round one tackle. Trent Brown is the locked in starter at right tackle in 2024. Barring an injury, if the Bengals drafted Amarius Mims or J.C. Latham, they likely wouldn’t contribute a starter’s worth of snaps as a rookie. Making this the third year in a row the Bengals first rounder would be sitting on the bench behind a veteran for the majority of the season. While this isn’t necessarily a huge factor in their decision, or even a negative, it is something to consider for a contending team. If you’re competing for a title you want as many impactful contributors as you can find. And round one of the NFL Draft is as good of a market as any.

The case for Defensive Tackle

11 of the 13 highest paid interior defensive linemen came into the NFL as a first-round selection. Chris Jones, who the Kansas City Chiefs just made number one on the aforementioned list barely escaped the first in 2016. If you want a top end defensive tackle, you’ll almost exclusively have to spend a first-round selection on him.

If Cincinnati submits their draft card with Johnny Newton or Byron Murphy written in at 18th overall the NFL offers a relieving track record to back up the Bengals. Of the last ten defensive tackles that were drafted first at their position seven are pro bowlers and three are first team all-pros. And of course, future Hall of Famer, Aaron Donald. The three non pro bowlers are Christian Barmore, Jordan Davis, and Jalen Carter. The three most recent on the list who are all still on rookie contracts and are currently proving they were worthy of being the first defensive tackle taken. If Cincinnati does decide to select a defensive tackle in the first round, historically speaking that is a very safe pick.

Every team in the AFC has to have a good defensive line if you want to compete against this gauntlet of quarterbacks. Cincinnati has a hole at nose tackle, and being in the AFC North stopping the run will be a big focus. Round one of the 2024 draft will be the Bengals best opportunity to find a difference maker up front. A difference maker in the pass rush department is what the Bengals have been lacking at defensive tackle since Geno Atkins.

No matter which side of the trenches the Bengals go first in the draft, one thing is clear. The Bengals will be getting one of the best trench players that the NCAA has to offer in 2024. The Bengals decision to prioritize protecting the passer vs getting after the passer will be one of their biggest and most important decision in years.