Australian Open Bracket

CINCINNATI -- The 2024 NFL draft (ESPN, ABC, ESPN App) began Thursday in Detroit and will wrap up on Saturday. The Cincinnati Bengals are scheduled to make 10 of the draft's 257 picks, beginning with the No. 18 selection.

ESPN will provide pick-by-pick analysis of each of the Bengals' selections as they are made.

A look at each of Cincinnati's scheduled selections:

My take: Cincinnati has another long-term option at right tackle. After adding veteran Trent Brown on a one-year deal this offseason, Amarius Mims is someone who can hold down that spot for several years and end the yearly churn at that spot. Bobby Hart's three-year reign at right tackle from 2018 to 2020 was the last time someone held down that position for multiple years. If Mims can gain experience and develop at a good trajectory, it will fill a persistent roster hole for the Bengals.

When will he be expected to get regular playing time: It's not out of the realm of possibility that Mims will be pressed into action at some point this season. While the Bengals did add Brown, he has battled injury concerns over the past few years. Brown has played in every one of his team's games once in the last five seasons. He started in eight of his 11 appearances with the New England Patriots last season. The 2025 season is when Mims will be projected to be a starter, but history suggests his time could come sooner.

What we're hearing about Mims: Mims' measurables are impossible to overlook. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, his 86.7-inch wingspan is the 10th longest of all tackles measured at the combine dating back to 2003. After the Bengals made the pick, offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said Mims not only has great length but is able to use that size to his advantage as well. Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Mims was an inexperienced prospect, not a raw one. He also added that Mims is a "rare-sized athlete" who the Bengals were fortunate to snag in the first round.

My take: Cincinnati addresses a future need by taking Jenkins, who becomes the latest Michigan defender to be drafted by the Bengals. After adding defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins in free agency, Cincinnati continued to target the interior defensive line this offseason. Jenkins had 8.5 total sacks in three seasons with the Wolverines, with 4.5 of them coming during Michigan's championship-winning run in 2023. By taking a defensive tackle, Cincinnati addressed a need with each of its first two draft picks. He joins safety Dax Hill (first round, 2022) and cornerback DJ Turner (second round, 2023) who are recent ex-Wolverines who Cincinnati drafted early.

What we're hearing about Jenkins: During Jenkins' Top 30 visit with the Bengals, coach Zac Taylor said there was little to talk about since there weren't many questions he had for him. He was a standout player and captain for a championship Michigan squad. The Bengals believe he can be a three-down lineman who has position versatility across the defensive line, from being in the middle of the line of scrimmage to stretching out wide at times. He is also a good run defender, which is something Cincinnati needs after last season. Said defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo: "I just like everything about his game."

My take: Cincinnati takes a receiver and addresses another big position that was a question coming into the draft. Burton was a high-production receiver at Alabama, where he led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns last season. His senior season featured his best numbers -- 798 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Given the uncertainty surrounding Tee Higgins' future and the competition for the starting slot receiver position, Burton is definitely worth a third-round pick. He also gives Cincinnati another potential explosive option for an offense that needs to create more big plays.

When will he be expected to get regular playing time?: Because of the aforementioned questions around the receiving corps, Burton could work his way into the receiver rotation as a rookie. The Bengals predominately run offensive sets with three wide receivers. And Burton has shown a knack for creating big plays. He averaged 20.5 yards per catch in his final year in college, which is notable given that he also had 39 receptions. If he can gain trust and a rapport from quarterback Joe Burrow, he will find his way onto the field.

My take: Jackson is a stout defensive tackle who is primarily a run-stopping defender. The Bengals were gashed by the run last season and lacked depth at defensive tackle. Cincinnati used two of its three Day 2 picks on interior linemen who were also quality run-stoppers. In his post-draft teleconference with Cincinnati media, Jackson said he was sometimes considered "too damn aggressive" and would rather do too much than too little. Cincinnati will certainly take a reasonable amount of that this season.

Is this pick for depth or does it fill a hole? This is definitely a depth pick. By adding Jenkins in the second round, Cincinnati gave starters B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins some young depth to help with the snap rotation. While Jenkins is considered someone who can play both the run and the pass, Jackson is more suited in run-defense situations. Jackson's presence will help fill the massive void left by DJ Reader, Cincinnati's interior anchor who signed with the Detroit Lions in free agency this offseason.

What's next: Cincinnati has six remaining picks in the final four rounds of the draft. The Bengals attacked key positions of need on Days 1 and 2. Adding cornerback depth, particularly in the slot, could be a point of emphasis on the final day. Running back, edge rusher and center could be other positions Cincinnati targets as it looks to fill out the back of the roster and evaluate players who could potentially compete for starting roles in future seasons.