Are Bengals planning to trade up in first round of 2024 NFL Draft?

The Bengals currently own the No. 18 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but if they feel like they will just miss out on some of the draft's top talent, a trade-up could be possible.

College scouting director Mike Potts hinted that Cincinnati wants to do just that.

"We would be stupid to not go and do what it takes to get a certain player if we think it can make that kind of impact," Potts said, via Ben Baby of ESPN.

Following active free agency, it is debatable who the Bengals could be eyeing. The team addressed most of its needs, signing running back Zack Moss, tight end Mike Gesicki, offensive tackle Trent Brown, defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, and safety Geno Stone.

However, that will allow Cincinnati to take a best-player-available approach.

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers is one of the draft's top players who could fall. The 21-year-old currently ranks as the best tight end and No. 7 overall prospect on Pro Football Focus' big board after registering 175 catches for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns in the past three seasons.

The Bengals have put a band-aid on the tight end position with veterans for the past two years. If Bowers falls out of the top 10, they could certainly move up to add him to QB Joe Burrow's arsenal of weapons.

This year's class is top-heavy at offensive tackle, another position Cincinnati could be eyeing. Brown is on a one-year deal, so landing his future replacement could also be the plan.

Either way, the Bengals have more than enough resources to make a move if they want to. Cincinnati currently has 10 total selections, including an additional third-round pick, which Potts believes could be the key piece.

"It is good to have that extra third-round pick that we have this year," Potts added. "Hopefully we can use it as ammo to potentially trade up."

The Bengals won't be the only team looking to move up come Thursday night but landing another impactful player in Round 1 could get them back to being Super Bowl contenders in 2024.