Taylor didn’t want fast starters, which ought to assist give the Bengals’ draft picks time to study. Cincinnati nonetheless wants rookies that may play a task, although. Listed below are some preliminary grades on this 12 months’s draft class and the way properly the Bengals hit their wants:
ROUND 1: No. 18 – Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
Mims began simply eight video games in faculty however he’s bought all of the instruments and athleticism to point he may turn out to be one of many league’s finest proper tackles. At 6-foot-7, a lean 340 kilos and a big wingspan, he’s an imposing drive (faculty defenders couldn’t get by him for any sacks), and Mims can have time to study and acquire the expertise he is perhaps missing whereas finding out behind Trent Brown – and left sort out Orlando Brown Jr. – earlier than he’s actually wanted. Cincinnati wanted an offensive sort out to develop for the long-term with Trent Brown solely on a one-year deal and Mims was an incredible get if he stays wholesome.
Grade: B+
ROUND 2: No. 49 – Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan
A group captain main the top-ranked protection in faculty soccer on the nationwide championship group, Jenkins brings all of the intangibles the Bengals like, however he’s additionally the most effective run defenders on this draft class. He’s freakishly athletic and powerful and able to shedding blocks, plus he matches a giant want with the departure of DJ Reader and Josh Tupou. Lou Anarumo believes Jenkins also can become an honest move rusher so as to add to his skills within the run protection.
Grade: A
ROUND 3: No. 80 – Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama
There’s a cause Taylor pounded the desk in pleasure after the Bengals grabbed Burton within the third spherical, as seen on a video shared by the Bengals social media channels. Burton is a starting-caliber weapon with explosive velocity and craftiness, and his ability set matches proper in with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. With Tyler Boyd gone, Cincinnati had a right away want within the slot and future want on the surface if Higgins departs after this 12 months. Burton can fill each roles. Maturity points got here into query and there may need been higher, safer picks for the short-term, but when he can preserve his feelings underneath management, he could possibly be a severe steal.
Grade: A-
ROUND 3: No. 97 – McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M
I really had the Bengals taking Jackson at No. 80 after which doubling up on the place right here as properly in my mock draft, utilizing the Professional Soccer Focus draft simulator and PFF’s “Large Board.” It appeared like possibly a attain on the time, and plenty of draft analysts didn’t have Jackson rated as excessive, however he was the one big-body run stopper obtainable to me and the depth at defensive sort out on this class wasn’t nice. Cincinnati was pondering the identical when this choose got here up, and I like the way in which the group attacked the wants at defensive sort out with completely different kinds of gamers. Jackson got here for his post-draft go to able to get to work immediately (he requested for a playbook!), and it appears he might be a great match. My solely knock on this choose is the Bengals may need been in a position to get him later within the draft, however I perceive not desirous to take that threat.
Grade: B
ROUND 4: No. 115 – Erick All, TE, Iowa
Iowa has been an incredible place for tight ends to become future NFL skills, and All could possibly be the following nice one. He checks all of the bins for the Bengals if he’s wholesome, however his medical historical past, together with an ACL tear he’s nonetheless rehabbing, makes him a little bit of a threat. That is one other choose they may have been in a position to wait on, however All is a whole tight finish and could possibly be the three-down choice the Bengals have been trying to develop for the long run. He’ll compete for the third tight finish place, however All ought to settle proper in as a neighborhood man already accustomed to town.
Grade: B
ROUND 5: No. 149 – Josh Newton, CB, Texas Christian
This was the final place of actual want the Bengals hit on on this draft. Newton was picked proper within the vary most anticipated, and he offers Anarumo the flexibility he likes in his defensive backs. Proper now, he tasks as a rotational choice behind Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner II, probably competing with Dax Hill for the CB4 spot, however he can also play inside and play the function of Mike Hilton’s understudy as Hilton enters the final season of his contract. He’s not the quickest (he clocked a 4.51-second 40-yard sprint time) and doesn’t have an intimidating body at 5-foot-10, 190 kilos, however he’s extra of a tackler than a protection man, and Cincinnati wanted somebody like that.
Grade: C+
ROUND 6: No. 194 – Tanner McLachlan, TE, Arizona
The Bengals had McLachlan greater on their board (The Athletic projected him as a fourth- or fifth-rounder) and have been shocked he was nonetheless obtainable to them with this choose, so that they determined to double dip at tight finish. It looks like insurance coverage in case All isn’t prepared, or just two probabilities to hit on one want, which could not be a nasty concept. Like All, he’s thought-about a robust move catcher and blocker however doesn’t undertaking with as excessive of a ceiling. Cincinnati may need used this spot to get an inside offensive lineman however at this stage within the draft, it was a worth choose.
Grade: B-
ROUND 6: No. 214 – Cedric Johnson, DE, Ole Miss
Groups can by no means go mistaken including depth at defensive finish with a late-round choose, particularly a man like Johnson who has upside and time to develop. He’s bought distinctive bodily instruments at 6-foot-3 and 260 kilos and with a 4.63-second 40-yard sprint time and 38-inch vertical, and The Athletic projected him to go as excessive because the fourth spherical, so that is one other good worth choice.
Grade: B
ROUND 7: No. 224 – Daijahn Anthony, S, Ole Miss
Anthony was the No. 16 security on insanely well-researched draft board by Dane Brugler, of The Athletic. The 6-foot, 195-pound versatile defensive again is a self-made athlete, beginning at Shepherd College earlier than shifting as much as Liberty and at last touchdown within the SEC with Ole Miss. There’s loads to love with this seventh-round choose, however he enters a security room with a variety of choices at present.
Grade: B+
ROUND 7: No. 237 – Matt Lee, C, Miami (Fla.)
Including inside offensive line depth looks like one thing the Bengals ought to have performed with an earlier choose, particularly with Ted Karras on an expiring contract, however they get a great one right here. He’s tall and cellular and thought of a high-upside move blocker with room to develop within the operating recreation.
Grade: A-
