Cincinnati Bengals 2019 NFL Draft Review

While the Bengals have a new coach in Zach Taylor they still have Mike Brown as the owner who is basically the General Manager. That means the Bengals will take players primarily from Power 5 schools and tend to take stop the fall of some bigger names. That was no different this year. Our Cincinnati Bengals 2019 NFL Draft Review highlights each pick will looking at the best and worst picks.

1st Round, Pick #11: Jonah Williams OT Alabama

Taking a offensive lineman isn’t a surprise as the Bengals need help at both right guard and tackle. I think Jawaan Taylor would have been a better fit because of the nastiness he plays with, but it’s hard to hate the Bengals getting my top rated offensive lineman. Cincinnati loved that Williams has some position flexibility in that he could realistically play all five line spots. Williams likely gets first crack at right tackle but he could be a Pro Bowler at any position. Great pick here.

2nd Round, Pick #52: Drew Sample TE Washington

Quite the interesting pick here for the Bengals as they take Drew Sample much higher than anybody thought he would be going. But when you look back and see that Sample was the fourth tight end taken and 52nd player off the board it was head scratching to say the least. And to make matters worse, Sample is a blocking tight end. So it’s not like they took a flyer on an ultra athletic guy. Oakland got Foster Moreau who was a much better blocker and athlete than Sample but they took him in the fourth round. Horrible pick here.

3rd Round, Pick #72: Germain Pratt LB North Carolina State

After reaching for Sample the Bengals get a good value here with Pratt. The former safety Pratt still runs like he’s a safety but can hit like a linebacker. Cincinnati needs to reload at the position after cutting ties with Vontaze Burfict and will see Pratt battle it out with Jordan Evans at the weakside linebacker position. Its only a matter of time before Pratt is starting.

4th Round, Pick #104: Ryan Finley QB North Carolina State

Not too big of a surprise that the Bengals took a quarterback in this draft because they have a new head coach who was a quarterback coach. Finley will be looked as someone who can be developed into a quality backup. Finley has talent but his ceiling is someone who can come in for a game or two and keep the ship afloat. No more, no less.

4th Round, Pick #125: Renell Wren DT Arizona State

Wren has good size and athletic ability that gives the Bengals a versatile defensive lineman that could play both defensive tackle or even some base defensive end. At a minimum Wren gives the Bengals a solid run defender to fill in a role but he does have some upside as a pass rusher if he can continue to develop.

4th Round, Pick #136: Michael Jordan G Ohio State

After taking Jonah Williams in the first round the Bengals continued to add pieces to their offensive line by adding the versatile Jordan. Jordan played guard initially before moving to center this past year. Jordan played much better at guard than center which should be his position moving forward. Expect Jordan to compete for the right guard position but if he’s a backup that can play multiple positions inside than the Bengals got good value here.

6th Round, Pick #182: Trayveon Williams RB Texas A&M

Williams is a steady running back who has good vision but can only take what is given to him. He’ll have his work cut out for him because the Bengals already have Joe Mixon as their starter and Giovani Bernard as their starter. Williams could come in and be the third running back and get some carries here and there.

6th Round, Pick #210: Deshaun Davis LB Auburn

At this point the Bengals are looking for diamonds in the rough and opening to find role players in the later rounds. Davis is a good run defender when coming forward and filling holes or knifing through traffic. But there really isn’t much more than that. He isn’t big nor fast. It’s going to be an uphill battle for him to make this roster.

6th Round, Pick #211: Rodney Anderson RB Oklahoma

I was very surprised to see Rodney Anderson available this late because when he was healthy he was one of the best running backs in the draft. But the Bengals are taking a chance that he can regain his old form and stay healthy. If so Anderson and Joe Mixon will be a dynamic duo for this offense moving forward. If not, they only lost a late 6th round pick.

7th Round, Pick #223: Jordan Brown CB South Dakota State

Brown has solid height but really lacks the speed and length that would cause him to go much higher. But Brown does play the ball well and can make smooth changes of directions. At this point they’re hoping NFL coaching can help him but he’s a backup at his very best.