6 2015 NFL Draft Picks Who Could Be Opening-Day Starters for Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals will be looking to make their fifth consecutive playoff appearance in 2015. If the team can nail down a strong draft class, the Bengals might be able to finally move past the first round of the postseason.

Cincinnati already possesses a playoff-caliber roster. However, there is still something missing from the puzzle. Otherwise, the last four years wouldn't have resulted in opening-round exits for the Bengals.

The Bengals will have an opportunity to search for those missing pieces in this month's upcoming draft. One or two impact starters may be all that separates Cincinnati from being a first-round footnote or a true Super Bowl contender.

With this in mind, let's take a look at some of the top draft prospects that could realistically be available for Cincinnati and who could emerge as Week 1 starters.

Malcom Brown, DT, Texas

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The Bengals are in dire need of pass-rushing help, as the team ranked dead last in the NFL with a mere 20 sacks last season.

This is why Texas defensive tackle Malcom Brown makes sense if he falls to Cincinnati in Round 1. He is a penetrating big man (6'2", 319 pounds) who racked up 6.5 sacks and 13.0 tackles for loss in 2014, impressive numbers for an interior defender.

Due to his athleticism—he ran a 5.05-second 40-yard dash and a 7.84-second three-cone drill at the combine—Brown is likely a player that the Bengals could move around in order to maximize his efficiency on the defensive line.

D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida

John Raoux/Associated Press

The Bengals can potentially add their left tackle of the future if former Florida lineman D.J. Humphries falls to No. 21 overall.

Current left tackle Andrew Whitworth is 33 years old and is entering the final year of his contract. The 6'5", 307-pound Humphries possesses the type of athleticism and upside that teams covet in a future left-side starter.

However, Humphries could potentially supplant starting right tackle Andre Smith before the start of the regular season. Smith has shown potential, but he isn't a consistent player. He ranked just 47th overall among offensive tackles in 2014, according to Pro Football Focus, and missed seven games due to injury.

Like Whitworth, Smith is entering the final year of his current deal. This means that Humphries could be a permanent fixture on the line, even if the Bengals decide to extend Whitworth.

Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

The Bengals tried to strengthen their defensive line in free agency by adding former Detroit Lions standout Nick Fairley. Unfortunately, Fairley ultimately chose to sign with the St. Louis Rams.

Enter Florida State product Eddie Goldman, a mammoth 6'4", 336-pound defensive tackle who should be available when Cincinnati selects with the 21st pick in Round 1. Goldman would potentially pair with defensive tackle Geno Atkins to anchor the Cincinnati defensive line for years to come. 

The biggest knock on Goldman is that he isn't a polished pass-rusher. However, he is stout against the run, which is another area where Cincinnati could use help—the team allowed 116.3 rushing yards per game last season, finishing 20th in the NFL.

Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

The Bengals chose not to re-sign former starting tight end Jermaine Gresham this offseason, which leaves an opening on the offense.

Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams could easily be Gresham's replacement. The 6'4", 249-pound tight end is a fluid receiver with tremendous speed (4.78-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine) for the position, and he racked up 569 yards and eight touchdowns in 2014.

Yes, the Bengals have another pass-catching tight end on the roster in former Notre Dame standout Tyler Eifert. However, if you can imagine the havoc these two would create in two-tight end sets, you can see why Williams should be considered an option for Cincinnati.

Williams should be available at the end of the first round, and may even be an option if the Bengals decide to trade down a few spots.

Jeff Heuerman, TE, Ohio State

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Even if the Bengals don't go after a guy like Williams in Round 1, the team can still snag a potential starter at tight end in this year's draft.

Depending on how the draft unfolds, Ohio State tight end Jeff Heuerman may be available for Cincinnati to select in the second or even third round. Like Williams, this 6'5", 254-pound tight end has great speed (ran a 4.8-second 40 at his pro day) for the position.

Also like Williams, Heuerman is a guy who could step in immediately and create mismatches as a second tight end.

Nate Orchard, DE, Utah

Rick Bowmer/Associated Press

Former Utah standout Nate Orchard is another second-day prospect who could potentially emerge as a regular presence by the time opening day rolls around.

The 6'3", 250-pound defender has the type of skills that teams look for in a pass-rushing defensive end, as he is quick (ran a 4.80-second 40 at the combine) and long, though his technique isn't exactly polished.

"When I'm on the road, I hear other scouts tell me they think he's tough enough but his tape doesn't show it. He's a finesse player with some a high ceiling as a pass rusher, but he could easily bust out," one NFC personnel man said of Orchard, per NFL.com's Lance Zierlein.

Cincinnati would have to show some faith in its ability to develop Orchard into a consistent pro, but the fact that he racked up 18.5 sacks in 2014 alone makes him a very enticing prospect.