The Cincinnati Bengals were one of the more polarizing performers in the 2019 NFL draft when it comes to immediate draft grades.
Many had their preconceived notions of what the Bengals should do to start the Zac Taylor era. Some thought quarterback. Most thought blocking tight end in the second round was rough. All agree on a certain mid-round linebacker boasting star potential.
Here is a notable sampling of draft grades for the Bengals class.
Touchdown Wire: A-
For Touchdown Wire, there was some surprise the Bengals didn’t go get a quarterback higher — but plenty of praise for Germaine Pratt, an underrated gem.
The only surprise about the Bengals’ draft is that they didn’t take a quarterback earlier to challenge Andy Dalton. But getting Alabama offensive tackle Jonah Williams with the 11th pick is a great decision—Williams may be able to stay outside in the NFL, or he could become one of the best guards in the league. Second-round tight end Drew Sample is a mean-streak blocker with untapped receiver potential, and third-round linebacker Germaine Pratt out of North Carolina State is one of my most underrated players in this draft with his ability to cover, stop the run, and rush the passer from the edge. Ryan Finley was Cincinnati’s quarterback decision in the fourth round, and he’s more of a career backup type. The sleeper here might be Arizona State defensive tackle Renell Wren—like a lot of prospects at his position, he’ll have more effect when he’s moved from nose tackle in college to three-tech tackle at the NFL level.
USA TODAY: D+
USA Today assigned the Bengals one of the worst outright grades and was especially harsh on the Drew Sample pick, as well as Ryan Finley.
It would appear they picked a blocking tight end (Drew Sample) in Round 2. Um … Even if he develops into a quality all-around player, the Bengals, who finished last in total defense in 2018, certainly should have been addressing other areas instead. No real qualm with first-round OL Jonah Williams. But why pick QB Ryan Finley, who seems like a lateral move from Andy Dalton, in Round 4 when you could have had Dwayne Haskins 11th and picked up decent blockers later. Sorry, but this is still perplexing.
NFL.com: A-
Sample is one again the turning point, with NFL.com content with the pick thanks to his skill set.
Draft analysis: Cincinnati desperately needed help at offensive tackle, and Williams proved he can handle playing on the left or right side at Alabama. With both of the top inside linebackers off the board, this pick made a whole lot of sense. Just a solid pick.
Sample was considered one of the better combination tight ends (run blocker/receiver) in the draft, and the new Bengals coaching staff wanted that sort of player on the roster. It was probably two rounds too early, though. Pratt will be a good inside ‘backer for Cincinnati, which needed to replace Vontaze Burfict.
Finley has the chance to be a starter eventually, whether it is in Cincinnati after the Andy Dalton era concludes or with another team via trade. Wren’s athleticism is just waiting to be tapped by the right coach — don’t be surprised if he becomes a top-notch starter. Jordan is a guard for the Bengals, who could use an upgrade there. Mark Walton’s departure made Williams a must-pick, given his value. Anderson’s injury history caused him to fall into the sixth round, but that pick could pay off if he can get healthy. The addition of Brown’s coverage ability closed a strong draft for the Bengals.
Sports Illustrated: B+
Sports Illustrated was quite a bit kinder about the whole ordeal, especially since it should mean less of Bobby Hart on the field.
Apparently Bengals fans weren’t the only ones feeling unsettled about the team signing weekly bull rushing victim Bobby Hart at right tackle. With Jonah Williams now aboard, Hart can slip into a more-fitting backup role. It’s also possible Williams will first get a crack at guard, where Clint Boling the last two years has been so-so at best on the left side and where ex-Bill John Miller lacks twitch and quickness on the right side. This in mind, it’s possible that fourth round pick Michael Jordan could also compete for playing time inside.
Drew Sample’s addition presents an opportunity for more two-tight end sets, which is a clever way to diversify an offense that must start with the ground game. Sample is a noted on-the-move blocker, which will serve him well in new head coach Zac Taylor’s staple split-zone runs, where the tight end must work back across the formation to clean up a backside edge defender.
Staying with the theme of drafting in positions of need, the Bengals tabbed downhill thumping linebacker Germaine Pratt, who, given the team’s mediocrity at this spot, could immediately compete for a three-down role. And they took a quarterback (Ryan Finley), but waiting until early in Round 4 suggests this was with the backup job in mind, not Andy Dalton’s starting job. Dalton can be cut for $0 in dead money next year, when the draft is expected to offer better options under center.
SB Nation: B-
Pratt has been a common point of praise for the Bengals. Here, he even gets the Vontaze Burfict comparison.
After getting jumped by Pittsburgh for linebacker Devin Bush, the Bengals took offensive tackle Jonah Williams at No. 11 overall. Maybe he’ll be the one to fix the team’s ongoing issues at offensive tackle.
The Bengals helped their blocking issues further with Washington tight end Drew Sample at No. 52. That seemed a little early for him. It was evident coming into this draft that the Bengals needed a starting linebacker from this draft. They got one at No. 72 with Germaine Pratt of NC State. He’s a close comparison to what Vontaze Burfict did for the Bengals.
Cincinnati needed a quarterback and got one in NC State’s Ryan Finley. He’s an accurate quarterback with otherwise average tools. But can he be anything more than a solid backup?
Pro Football Focus: Average
Pro Football Focus goes deep on all the picks and shies away from a letter grade. Here’s a quick look at why they were so high on the team’s performance on Day 1.
Pro Football Focus’ No. 4 overall player in the class, offensive tackle Jonah Williams was a steal for Cincinnati at pick No. 11 in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. While many want to kick him inside to guard, Williams should have his chance to prove himself at tackle in the NFL after earning impressive run-blocking and pass-blocking grades as a three-year starter with ‘Bama split between right and left tackle. Williams’ high-end production should translate to the next level quite easily.
