Who did the Bengals draft? How NFL experts grade Cincinnati's second, third-round picks

[Arkansas Bengal]

Shelby Dermer

Cincinnati Enquirer

 

 

It's no secret the Cincinnati Bengals are trying to find a defensive tackle to replace the loss of D.J. Reader in the NFL Draft. After missing out on Texas product Byron Murphy in the first round Thursday, there was a run at defensive tackles in the second round with five going in the first 16 selections.

 

The Bengals were still able to land a defensive tackle with the 49th overall pick, selecting Michigan's Kris Jenkins. His father, Kris Jenkins Sr., was a three-time All-Pro defensive tackle over a 10-season career with the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets.

 

In the third round, the Bengals drafted Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton with the 80th overall pick. There was talk of the Bengals targeting a receiver early in the draft with the question marks surrounding Tee Higgins' future. In four collegiate seasons split between Georgia and Alabama, Burton totaled 132 catches for 2,376 yards and 23 touchdowns.

 

With its compensatory third-round selection, Cincinnati added to the defensive line again, picking Texas A&M defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson.

 

Here's how NFL draft experts are grading the Bengals picks.

 

Kris Jenkins NFL draft expert grades

USA TODAY: B

Bleacher Report: C

CBS Sports: A-

SB Nation: B+

 

Grade breakdown: The Bengals weren't going to replace the production of Reader with one pick, but the selection of Jenkins is a nice start to healing a run defense that ranked 26th against the run last season. Pundits raved about Jenkins' explosiveness and athleticism on the interior defensive line, pointing out that he was No. 6 on The Athletic's Bruce Feldman's list of College Football Athletic Freaks priors to last season.

 

While he may be one of the best run-defending defensive tackles in the draft, experts believe Jenkins has minimal ability to impact the pass rush.

 

 

Jermaine Burton NFL draft expert grades

USA TODAY: A-

Bleacher Report: A

CBS Sports: A

SB Nation: B-

 

Grade breakdown: The majority of pundits rave about Burton's ability to stretch the field as one of the best vertical threats in this year's receiver class. Burton ranked sixth in all of college football last season in yards per catch (20.46). Questions about his behavior caused Burton to sink in the draft, but it's worth the risk in the third round with the potential for Burton to become part of a formidable receiving tandem with Ja'Marr Chase if Higgins leaves next offseason.

 

McKinnley Jackson NFL draft expert grades

Bleacher Report: B

CBS Sports: B

SB Nation: C+

 

Grade breakdown: Pundits praised Jackson as a nice depth piece pickup on the Bengals defensive line. Jackson had 5.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks last season for the Aggies and the experts believe he showed more on tape than during a poor Pro Day workout. Jackson uses his leverage to plug up gaps in the trenches with limited upside as a pass-rusher. The Bengals needed defensive line help and they got it in Day 2.

 

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2024/04/26/cincinnati-bengals-nfl-draft-grades-roundup-rounds-2-3/73468418007/