The Cincinnati Bengals 2019 rookie class started with a thud this offseason for new head coach Zac Taylor.
First-round pick Jonah Williams went down with an injury and dampened the outlook. But the class is 10 players strong so a few emergences could always change the mood and have an unexpected impact on the season.
Perusing the rookie class, these are the candidates to break out.
Renell Wren, DL
Wren, a fourth-round pick, is a 6’5″, 318-pound force who could find himself disrupting offensive lines often enough to break into the rotation next to Geno Atkins.
Speaking of offensive lines, Wren shouldn’t have too many problems with a Bengals unit that has already lost two starters.
Considering some within the Bengals view Wren as the rookie with the most upside, he’s a candidate to emerge sooner than expected.
Trayveon Williams, RB
The man who wants to have a “day one impact” for the Bengals might just do so.
Williams, a sixth-round pick, might flash enough to break into the rotation in the backfield quickly. After all, he just rushed for 1,760 yards and 18 touchdowns in the SEC.
Granted, Williams could merely be a Giovani Bernard replacement in a year. But talent like this doesn’t get held back often.
Michael Jordan, G
Players like fourth-round lineman Michael Jordan typically end up waiting before they can have an impact.
But the injury to Williams and the retirement of Clint Boling have changed things.
Jordan, 6’6″ and 312 pounds, has the physical tools and the backing of the coaching staff. If he’s playing well, he might just beat Christian Westerman and others for a starting spot.
Deshaun Davis, LB
Davis has already caught the attention of a storied former Bengal such as Takeo Spikes.
For good reason.
Davis fell in the draft in part because he’s only 5’11”. But he’s a thumper of a presence in the middle of SEC defenses, something that could translate sooner than later. He’s not necessarily going to push Preston Brown this offseason, but him taking a commanding spot on special teams and breaking into base packages is always a possibility.
Drew Sample, TE
Sample was perhaps the biggest point of scrutiny surrounding the Bengals draft class.
Viewed as a blocking tight end only, the second-round pick seemed like a reach at the time but has already earned praise from someone such as A.J. Green.
Bengals coaches have been adamant Sample fills a different role than Tyler Eifert on the field, which can be true schematically. If he’s making an impact in the passing game early, it’s already more than most outside the building expected.
