The fact that the Bengals are trying out Jalen Rivers at swing tackle tells you all you need to know regarding Cody Ford.
Rivers isn’t it at OT. We know it and they know it. Ford clearly isn’t making the Bengals feel comfortable with him as the option at swing tackle.
It’s a rough situation in Cincinnati surrounding the swing tackle position.
Who’s making this wide receiver roster?
Locks:
Ja’Marr Chase
Tee Higgins
Andrei Iosivas
Colbie Young
Fighting for a spot(s):
Mitch Tinsley
Dohnte Meyers
Charlie Jones
Ke’Shawn Williams
Outside shot:
Kendric Pryor
Noah Thomas
Xavier Johnson
Jordan Moore
Three years is typically viewed as an appropriate grace period for NFL draft classes to get their feet wet and settled into the league. Now that the time has passed since the draft that proceeded a second straight AFC Championship appearance for the Bengals, it is time to look back and review how effect this pivotal class has been.
Looking at the big picture of this class, we must consider the total value and impact this group has brought to the team. Good draft classes will propel teams to the playoffs with an influx of talent, and bad one’s costs general managers jobs. Individual picks may receive high grades but how much of an impact have they made when the team hasn’t made the playoffs since they were drafted. All three top 100 picks the team made were used on defense—the same side of the ball that has been disastrous since 2024 and one of the leading reasons for missing out on postseason play.
Remember 5 years ago when everyone was freaking out about Ja’Marr Chase in the preseason? Yeah, that was silly 😅
A reminder to let young guys make mistakes. Be patient
Tyler Boyd
Joe Mixon
Jessie Bates III
Tee Higgins
All drafted in the 2nd round within 5 years. That’s an incredible, consistent run for a franchise that has lacked long form draft success.
Week one is about a month away! Throwback to an epic week 1 performance by John Ross:
• 7 catches
• 158 yards
• 2 TDs
The game that we all thought Zac Taylor had unleashed Ross.
The Bengals have enjoyed many of their most notable stars in franchise history coming from a second round draft selection of theirs. Names such as Boomer, Ochocinco, and Corey Dillon have all been taken early day 2 by the Bengals. But that’s just the start of it!
Cincinnati seems to have found their own sweet spot historically in the 30s-50s range. As a team that often is known for their hit or miss 1st round picks, the 2nd round has been ultra crucial for them.
Who is number one? And which current 2nd round picks can make the list one day?
The Bengals defense from 2011-2013 finished in the top 10 in yards allowed and points allowed while setting a franchise record and helping the team reach the playoffs three straight years for the first time ever.
Was this their best defense in team history?