Watch Zac Taylor's call to Bengals pick Amarius Mims for No. 18 NFL draft pick

The Cincinnati Bengals picked Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims at No. 18 in the 2024 NFL draft. Mims only had eight starts for the Bulldogs, but at 6-foot-8 and 340 pounds he possesses the traits to be a starting tackle in the NFL for Cincinnati for a long time.

The Bengals have needs at defensive line, offensive line, wide receiver and cornerback, but weren't in position where they had to reach for a specific position. DJ Reader signing with the Detroit Lions created a need for a run-stopping defensive tackle. Tyler Boyd leaving in free agency opened up a need for a slot wide receiver. Chidobe Awuzie signing with the Tennessee Titans in free agency left a void at cornerback.

Follow every pick live: Analysis and updates from USA TODAY

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Need to know: How the Bengals ace the 2024 NFL draft

Zac Taylor calls Amarius Mims ahead of No. 18 pick in NFL draft:

Cincinnati Bengals pick Amarius Mims in first round of 2024 NFL draft

The Bengals selected Georgia tackle Amarius Mims at No. 18. The Georgia tackle will have his introductory press conference Friday afternoon.

Byron Murphy II not available for Bengals in 2024 NFL draft?

The Cincinnati Bengals were projected by beat writer Kelsey Conway to nab Byron Murphy II out of Texas in the 2024 NFL draft and he could still be available at pick No. 18. The Seattle Seahawks claimed him at No. 16 in the first round.

First surprise of 2024 NFL draft happens with Atlanta Falcons picking Michael Penix Jr.

The Atlanta Falcons picked Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick in the draft. Penix led the Huskies to the national championship game where they lost to J.J. McCarthy and the Michigan Wolverines. McCarthy is still on the board. The Falcons signed quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency this offseason.

No surprises in first three picks of 2024 NFL draft

As projected by most draft experts, the Chicago Bears drafted quarterback Caleb Williams out of USC, the Washington Commanders drafted quarterback Jaden Daniels and the New England Patriots drafted quarterback Drake Maye.

Here are the Bengals' picks in the 2024 NFL draft

Cincinnati has 10 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. The picks:

• No. 18 (Round 1)

• No. 49 (Round 2)

• No. 80 (Round 3)

• No. 97 (Round 3)

• No. 115 (Round 4)

• No. 149 (Round 5)

• No. 194 (Round 6)

• No. 214 (Round 6)

• No. 224 (Round 7)

• No. 237 (Round 7)

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor arrives for NFL draft first round

This will be Zac Taylor's sixth NFL draft as a head coach and his first time with a pick in the middle of the draft. The Bengals are 37-44-1 under Taylor and have a Super Bowl appearance and two AFC championship game appearances.

Cincinnati Bengals pick history at No. 18 in NFL draft

The Bengals have picked at No. 18 twice in franchise history. Cincinnati drafted defensive end/linebacker Alfred Williams in 1991. Williams played four seasons with the Bengals and also played for the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers.

In 2007, the Bengals picked cornerback Leon Hall out of Michigan. Hall played nine years in Cincinnati and also played for the New York Giants, then-Oakland Raiders and 49ers during his 12 seasons.

Who will be available for Cincinnati Bengals at No. 18 in the 2024 NFL draft?

NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein has a surprise pick for the Bengals in his draft day mock as Cincinnati selects Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. "The Bengals certainly didn't expect to see Brock Bowers available here," Zierlein wrote. "While they need offensive line help and another receiver to eventually take over for Tee Higgins, they would be wise to grab Bowers here and target OL and WR on Day 2."

Could the Cincinnati Bengals trade up in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft?

The Bengals have moved up in the first round of the NFL draft three times in franchise history – 1992 to select DB Darryl Williams, 1995 to draft RB Ki-Jana Carter and 2012 to select G Kevin Zeitler. USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz predicts there will be eight trades in today's first round.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Amarius Mims phone call from Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor