The Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals had a very unfortunate season to say the least. They start off very slow and seem to have rust at every position on offense and then the worst possible thing happens, Joe Burrow goes down for the year. Even with a strong performance from Jake Browning, it was clear that the Bengals shot at a superbowl was very much gone. Like the other 18 teams to not make the playoffs the Bengals had some extra time to prepare for the draft, Lets go over what their first four picks looked like and provide a grade and see what the future holds post-draft.

In a spot where Joe Burrow needed help the most, the Bengals brass took care of it, at 18 grabbing Amarius Mims (OT) out of Georgia. Injury Concerns being the biggest knock on Mims he is one mountain of a human being. Clocking in for over 800 snaps, Mims did not allow a single sack in college and that has to be music to Joe Burrow’s ears if his new bodyguard stays healthy.

At pick number 49 out of Michigan, Kris Jenkins (DT) was selected. Now this is a no brainer to me for the Bengals. Even with the requested trade from Trey Hendrickson he is still participating in OTA’s so the Bengals have their edge sorted out right now and went and got them a guy that can plug the hole. Coming from a top tier program like Michigan Kris Jenkins is groomed for the big time and having gotten in over 1,000 defensive snaps doesn’t hurt either. He is not a guy that gets to the QB a lot but he is going to plug the run and put the pressure on the man under center.

With Tee Higgins not happy with his franchise tag and Chase’s contract looming it was time for the Bengals to get another young, cheap weapon in Jermain Burton (WR) at pick number 80. Burton, a guy that got better each year in college, is a key pick for the Bengals for a shifty slot guy especially after losing Tyler Boyd to Free-Agency. In an offense that got going late, Burton made the most out of his opportunity in his last year at Alabama and I see a similar thing happening for his NFL Career since Chase will be the focal point.

With the 97th pick, McKinnley Jackson (DT) out of Texas A&M was selected. Two DT’s taken in the first 100 picks by the Bengals shows what their vision is. Their vision is to shut down the tough run attack in the AFC North and bring youth to the d-line. Jackson, while not being the player Jenkins is, has an opportunity to compete each date with him and sharpen his skills. Being about 20 pounds heavier may have its advantages but Jackson may need to cut down a little to improve the quickness necessary to be a top guy in this league.

The Bengals did have a very solid draft in my opinion. The Draft was very front loaded I would say and what I mean is the first three picks really carried them from what I can tell. I think a second TE was not needed in the later rounds but grabbing another CB was big but could have been taken earlier at the 97th pick. With that being said I would give The Bengals a kind B-. As per any team that has paid their QB top dollar the future looks good for the Bengals and they will be in a dog fight for the AFC North. Sky’s the limit when you have Burrow and Chase so I think it is a AFC Title game or bust for them.