Cincinnati Bengals Midseason Rookie Draft Grades

[Arkansas Bengal]

The Cincinnati Bengals Have Called Upon Their Rookie Class Early And Often This Season. Let's Award Some Midseason Rookie Draft Grades.

 

 

The Cincinnati Bengals enter Week 11 with a critical game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. The orange and black are fighting for their playoff lives and have called upon rookies to play early and often. So, without further ado, let’s award some midseason grades for the Bengals’ 2024 draft class.

Cincinnati Bengals Midseason Rookie Draft Grades

First Round (18th Overall): Amarius Mims, OT

 

The man-mountain that is Mims was thrust into action early in the season when starting right tackle Trent Brown was lost for the season against the Washington Commanders. The former Georgia product has been steady since and gives the Bengals a solid duo to pair with Orlando Brown Jr. Look for Mims to continue to refine his technique for the remainder of the season with hopes he can stay healthy.

Grade: B+

Second Round (49th Overall): Kris Jenkins, DT

Stopping the run and rushing the passer from the interior have been issues for the Bengals’ defense. Enter Kris Jenkins who has been solid and recently saw his snaps increase in the last two games. He has recorded four SOLO tackles and one sack thus far and is looking for more.

 

Grade: B

 

 

Third Round (80th Overall): Jermaine Burton, WR

The biggest character risk player in the Zac Taylor era has been a disappointment. The Bengals have been burned by Burton’s inability to be a reliable player when it comes to being a professional. He has missed meetings, and walkthroughs and has trouble picking up the playbook. Head coach Zac Tayor and quarterback Joe Burrow are saying all the right things when it comes to Burton but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Burton has made plays when his number was called but needs to quickly mature if he wants to have a career playing in the NFL.

 

 

Grade: D

Third Round (97th Overall): McKinnley Jackson, DT

 

The Bengals double-dipped at defensive tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft and McKinnley Jackson often lines up next to Jenkins with overall positive results. Jackson is getting more reps each week much like his playing partner with his arrow currently pointed upward.

Grade: C+

Fourth Round (115th Overall): Erick All, TE

It’s a real shame the Bengals lost standout tight end Erick All for the year with a knee injury suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles. All was showing promise and connecting well with Burrow in the passing game while helping tremendously as a blocking tight end in 12-personnel. All is a fighter and has been here before with injury so coming back with a vengeance should be anticipated in 2025.

Grade: Incomplete

 

Fifth Round (149th Overall): Josh Newton, DB

 

 

Josh Newton was a sneaky-good pick with great value at 149 overall. The TCU Horned Frog has played sparingly in 2024 but should get more run in a rotational setting with starting cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt struggling.

Grade: C

Sixth Round (194th Overall): Tanner McLachlan, TE

Tanner McLachlan is an older prospect with great size and instincts who has a big fan in Daniel Jeremiah from NFL Network. McLachlan has been inactive for the majority of the season, which will likely be a redshirt year for the former Arizona Wildcat.

Grade: Incomplete

Sixth Round (214th Overall): Cedric Johson, EDGE
 

Cedric Johnson is another rookie who has seen limited action to begin their career in stripes. The Ole Miss product has played in one game and recorded two SOLO tackles.

Grade: D

Seventh Round (224th Overall): Daijahn Anthony, DB

 

The Bengals love the upside potential from another Rebel in Daijahn Anthony at safety. He is most notably known this season for the pass interference call that helped the Kansas City Chiefs win in Week 2 in the final seconds. Overall, Anthony has played in four games with one tackle and one pass defended. Even though he’s been a mixed bag, he may see the field more often after the bye in Week 12.
 

Grade: C+

Seventh Round (237th Overall): Matt Lee, C

Cincinnati has been dreadful the last two games from the interior of the offensive line and soon Matt Lee might see action if veteran Ted Karras continues to struggle at center. This would allow the Bengals to possibly move Karras to guard and help shore up the pocket for Burrow.

 

Grade: Incomplete

 

https://lastwordonsports.com/nfl/2024/11/14/

[claptonrocks]

1 hour ago, Arkansas Bengal said:

The Cincinnati Bengals Have Called Upon Their Rookie Class Early And Often This Season. Let's Award Some Midseason Rookie Draft Grades.

 

 

The Cincinnati Bengals enter Week 11 with a critical game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. The orange and black are fighting for their playoff lives and have called upon rookies to play early and often. So, without further ado, let’s award some midseason grades for the Bengals’ 2024 draft class.

Cincinnati Bengals Midseason Rookie Draft Grades

First Round (18th Overall): Amarius Mims, OT

 

The man-mountain that is Mims was thrust into action early in the season when starting right tackle Trent Brown was lost for the season against the Washington Commanders. The former Georgia product has been steady since and gives the Bengals a solid duo to pair with Orlando Brown Jr. Look for Mims to continue to refine his technique for the remainder of the season with hopes he can stay healthy.

Grade: B+

Second Round (49th Overall): Kris Jenkins, DT

Stopping the run and rushing the passer from the interior have been issues for the Bengals’ defense. Enter Kris Jenkins who has been solid and recently saw his snaps increase in the last two games. He has recorded four SOLO tackles and one sack thus far and is looking for more.

 

Grade: B

 

 

Third Round (80th Overall): Jermaine Burton, WR

The biggest character risk player in the Zac Taylor era has been a disappointment. The Bengals have been burned by Burton’s inability to be a reliable player when it comes to being a professional. He has missed meetings, and walkthroughs and has trouble picking up the playbook. Head coach Zac Tayor and quarterback Joe Burrow are saying all the right things when it comes to Burton but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Burton has made plays when his number was called but needs to quickly mature if he wants to have a career playing in the NFL.

 

 

Grade: D

Third Round (97th Overall): McKinnley Jackson, DT

 

The Bengals double-dipped at defensive tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft and McKinnley Jackson often lines up next to Jenkins with overall positive results. Jackson is getting more reps each week much like his playing partner with his arrow currently pointed upward.

Grade: C+

Fourth Round (115th Overall): Erick All, TE

It’s a real shame the Bengals lost standout tight end Erick All for the year with a knee injury suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles. All was showing promise and connecting well with Burrow in the passing game while helping tremendously as a blocking tight end in 12-personnel. All is a fighter and has been here before with injury so coming back with a vengeance should be anticipated in 2025.

Grade: Incomplete

 

Fifth Round (149th Overall): Josh Newton, DB

 

 

Josh Newton was a sneaky-good pick with great value at 149 overall. The TCU Horned Frog has played sparingly in 2024 but should get more run in a rotational setting with starting cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt struggling.

Grade: C

Sixth Round (194th Overall): Tanner McLachlan, TE

Tanner McLachlan is an older prospect with great size and instincts who has a big fan in Daniel Jeremiah from NFL Network. McLachlan has been inactive for the majority of the season, which will likely be a redshirt year for the former Arizona Wildcat.

Grade: Incomplete

Sixth Round (214th Overall): Cedric Johson, EDGE
 

Cedric Johnson is another rookie who has seen limited action to begin their career in stripes. The Ole Miss product has played in one game and recorded two SOLO tackles.

Grade: D

Seventh Round (224th Overall): Daijahn Anthony, DB

 

The Bengals love the upside potential from another Rebel in Daijahn Anthony at safety. He is most notably known this season for the pass interference call that helped the Kansas City Chiefs win in Week 2 in the final seconds. Overall, Anthony has played in four games with one tackle and one pass defended. Even though he’s been a mixed bag, he may see the field more often after the bye in Week 12.
 

Grade: C+

Seventh Round (237th Overall): Matt Lee, C

Cincinnati has been dreadful the last two games from the interior of the offensive line and soon Matt Lee might see action if veteran Ted Karras continues to struggle at center. This would allow the Bengals to possibly move Karras to guard and help shore up the pocket for Burrow.

 

Grade: Incomplete

 

https://lastwordonsports.com/nfl/2024/11/14/

Cedric Johnson....Matt Lee...

Sleepers 

[Jamie_B]

I give Mimms an A the rest of this is fair, I also think if he stayed healthy Eric All was an A as well.

[Cricket]

2 hours ago, claptonrocks said:

Cedric Johnson....Matt Lee...

Sleepers 

 

 

I thought Burton was our only sleeper. 
 

 

 

[claptonrocks]

7 minutes ago, Cricket said:

 

 

I thought Burton was our only sleeper. 
 

 

 

He's a literal sleeper..

[Shebengal]

39 minutes ago, claptonrocks said:

He's a literal sleeper..

😴💤🛌

[|High School Harry|]

8 hours ago, Cricket said:

 

 

I thought Burton was our only sleeper. 
 

 

 

He even shows up prepared to snooze on game days wearing his pajamas

after being benched as inactive for a game for skipping 

a practice.

Or he had one hella night before and was in a rush to get to the stadium

and didn't have time to dress.

[|High School Harry|]

12 hours ago, Arkansas Bengal said:

The Cincinnati Bengals Have Called Upon Their Rookie Class Early And Often This Season. Let's Award Some Midseason Rookie Draft Grades.

 

 

The Cincinnati Bengals enter Week 11 with a critical game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. The orange and black are fighting for their playoff lives and have called upon rookies to play early and often. So, without further ado, let’s award some midseason grades for the Bengals’ 2024 draft class.

Cincinnati Bengals Midseason Rookie Draft Grades

First Round (18th Overall): Amarius Mims, OT

 

The man-mountain that is Mims was thrust into action early in the season when starting right tackle Trent Brown was lost for the season against the Washington Commanders. The former Georgia product has been steady since and gives the Bengals a solid duo to pair with Orlando Brown Jr. Look for Mims to continue to refine his technique for the remainder of the season with hopes he can stay healthy.

Grade: B+

Second Round (49th Overall): Kris Jenkins, DT

Stopping the run and rushing the passer from the interior have been issues for the Bengals’ defense. Enter Kris Jenkins who has been solid and recently saw his snaps increase in the last two games. He has recorded four SOLO tackles and one sack thus far and is looking for more.

 

Grade: B

 

 

Third Round (80th Overall): Jermaine Burton, WR

The biggest character risk player in the Zac Taylor era has been a disappointment. The Bengals have been burned by Burton’s inability to be a reliable player when it comes to being a professional. He has missed meetings, and walkthroughs and has trouble picking up the playbook. Head coach Zac Tayor and quarterback Joe Burrow are saying all the right things when it comes to Burton but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Burton has made plays when his number was called but needs to quickly mature if he wants to have a career playing in the NFL.

 

 

Grade: D

Third Round (97th Overall): McKinnley Jackson, DT

 

The Bengals double-dipped at defensive tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft and McKinnley Jackson often lines up next to Jenkins with overall positive results. Jackson is getting more reps each week much like his playing partner with his arrow currently pointed upward.

Grade: C+

Fourth Round (115th Overall): Erick All, TE

It’s a real shame the Bengals lost standout tight end Erick All for the year with a knee injury suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles. All was showing promise and connecting well with Burrow in the passing game while helping tremendously as a blocking tight end in 12-personnel. All is a fighter and has been here before with injury so coming back with a vengeance should be anticipated in 2025.

Grade: Incomplete

 

Fifth Round (149th Overall): Josh Newton, DB

 

 

Josh Newton was a sneaky-good pick with great value at 149 overall. The TCU Horned Frog has played sparingly in 2024 but should get more run in a rotational setting with starting cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt struggling.

Grade: C

Sixth Round (194th Overall): Tanner McLachlan, TE

Tanner McLachlan is an older prospect with great size and instincts who has a big fan in Daniel Jeremiah from NFL Network. McLachlan has been inactive for the majority of the season, which will likely be a redshirt year for the former Arizona Wildcat.

Grade: Incomplete

Sixth Round (214th Overall): Cedric Johson, EDGE
 

Cedric Johnson is another rookie who has seen limited action to begin their career in stripes. The Ole Miss product has played in one game and recorded two SOLO tackles.

Grade: D

Seventh Round (224th Overall): Daijahn Anthony, DB

 

The Bengals love the upside potential from another Rebel in Daijahn Anthony at safety. He is most notably known this season for the pass interference call that helped the Kansas City Chiefs win in Week 2 in the final seconds. Overall, Anthony has played in four games with one tackle and one pass defended. Even though he’s been a mixed bag, he may see the field more often after the bye in Week 12.
 

Grade: C+

Seventh Round (237th Overall): Matt Lee, C

Cincinnati has been dreadful the last two games from the interior of the offensive line and soon Matt Lee might see action if veteran Ted Karras continues to struggle at center. This would allow the Bengals to possibly move Karras to guard and help shore up the pocket for Burrow.

 

Grade: Incomplete

 

https://lastwordonsports.com/nfl/2024/11/14/

Nice to see (not really) Ted Karras being called out for struggling at center.

About time.

I do not, however, think Lee is the answer as a starting center.

Be interesting to see who slides a bit in the draft.

[texbengal]

It’s early but there’s a lot to like about this draft class so far. Especially as opposed to last year, which doesn’t look nearly as good in comparison. In particular, guys like Murphy, Turner and Battle need to up their games. It’s not like they aren’t getting opportunities, they just need to do more. I wonder if Lou mentioning Ossai’s motor is a shot at Murphy? 
 

Anyway, I am particularly encouraged by the two rookie DTs… Jackson really hustles, even on plays away from him,  and he’s not easy to move at the POA. Jenkins has flashed, too… especially lately. And Cedric Johnson has something as an edge guy… he’s not gonna give you much as a run defender but as a designated pass rusher, he looks quick and fast. 

[|High School Harry|]

1 hour ago, texbengal said:

 I wonder if Lou mentioning Ossai’s motor is a shot at Murphy? 
 

I think its simply a way of saying Mild Murphy simply ain't that good.

Or as good as Ossai.

[|BlackJesus|]

Mims gets at A+. 🐻 

 

The team's best draft pick since Ja'Marr & Joe. 

[|High School Harry|]

19 minutes ago, BlackJesus said:

Mims gets at A+. 🐻 

 

The team's best draft pick since Ja'Marr & Joe. 

Agree but I would lean toward A- because he has been had a couple times.

[Cat]

6 hours ago, High School Harry said:

Mild Murphy

😄

[Randle P McMurphy]

On 11/14/2024 at 7:32 PM, Arkansas Bengal said:

Second Round (49th Overall): Kris Jenkins, DT

Stopping the run and rushing the passer from the interior have been issues for the Bengals’ defense. Enter Kris Jenkins who has been solid and recently saw his snaps increase in the last two games. He has recorded four SOLO tackles and one sack thus far and is looking for more.

 

Grade: B

 

 

This grade should be an incomplete.  He recently saw his snaps increase because he was injured and the poor play of our DT's,

not because he was killing it on the field and 4 solo tackles and a sack going into week 11 isn't anything to write home about or worthy of a B.  

 

[-GoBengals-]

On 11/14/2024 at 6:32 PM, Arkansas Bengal said:

The Cincinnati Bengals Have Called Upon Their Rookie Class Early And Often This Season. Let's Award Some Midseason Rookie Draft Grades.

 

 

The Cincinnati Bengals enter Week 11 with a critical game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. The orange and black are fighting for their playoff lives and have called upon rookies to play early and often. So, without further ado, let’s award some midseason grades for the Bengals’ 2024 draft class.

Cincinnati Bengals Midseason Rookie Draft Grades

First Round (18th Overall): Amarius Mims, OT

 

The man-mountain that is Mims was thrust into action early in the season when starting right tackle Trent Brown was lost for the season against the Washington Commanders. The former Georgia product has been steady since and gives the Bengals a solid duo to pair with Orlando Brown Jr. Look for Mims to continue to refine his technique for the remainder of the season with hopes he can stay healthy.

Grade: B+

Second Round (49th Overall): Kris Jenkins, DT

Stopping the run and rushing the passer from the interior have been issues for the Bengals’ defense. Enter Kris Jenkins who has been solid and recently saw his snaps increase in the last two games. He has recorded four SOLO tackles and one sack thus far and is looking for more.

 

Grade: B

 

 

Third Round (80th Overall): Jermaine Burton, WR

The biggest character risk player in the Zac Taylor era has been a disappointment. The Bengals have been burned by Burton’s inability to be a reliable player when it comes to being a professional. He has missed meetings, and walkthroughs and has trouble picking up the playbook. Head coach Zac Tayor and quarterback Joe Burrow are saying all the right things when it comes to Burton but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Burton has made plays when his number was called but needs to quickly mature if he wants to have a career playing in the NFL.

 

 

Grade: D

Third Round (97th Overall): McKinnley Jackson, DT

 

The Bengals double-dipped at defensive tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft and McKinnley Jackson often lines up next to Jenkins with overall positive results. Jackson is getting more reps each week much like his playing partner with his arrow currently pointed upward.

Grade: C+

Fourth Round (115th Overall): Erick All, TE

It’s a real shame the Bengals lost standout tight end Erick All for the year with a knee injury suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles. All was showing promise and connecting well with Burrow in the passing game while helping tremendously as a blocking tight end in 12-personnel. All is a fighter and has been here before with injury so coming back with a vengeance should be anticipated in 2025.

Grade: Incomplete

 

Fifth Round (149th Overall): Josh Newton, DB

 

 

Josh Newton was a sneaky-good pick with great value at 149 overall. The TCU Horned Frog has played sparingly in 2024 but should get more run in a rotational setting with starting cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt struggling.

Grade: C

Sixth Round (194th Overall): Tanner McLachlan, TE

Tanner McLachlan is an older prospect with great size and instincts who has a big fan in Daniel Jeremiah from NFL Network. McLachlan has been inactive for the majority of the season, which will likely be a redshirt year for the former Arizona Wildcat.

Grade: Incomplete

Sixth Round (214th Overall): Cedric Johson, EDGE
 

Cedric Johnson is another rookie who has seen limited action to begin their career in stripes. The Ole Miss product has played in one game and recorded two SOLO tackles.

Grade: D

Seventh Round (224th Overall): Daijahn Anthony, DB

 

The Bengals love the upside potential from another Rebel in Daijahn Anthony at safety. He is most notably known this season for the pass interference call that helped the Kansas City Chiefs win in Week 2 in the final seconds. Overall, Anthony has played in four games with one tackle and one pass defended. Even though he’s been a mixed bag, he may see the field more often after the bye in Week 12.
 

Grade: C+

Seventh Round (237th Overall): Matt Lee, C

Cincinnati has been dreadful the last two games from the interior of the offensive line and soon Matt Lee might see action if veteran Ted Karras continues to struggle at center. This would allow the Bengals to possibly move Karras to guard and help shore up the pocket for Burrow.

 

Grade: Incomplete

 

https://lastwordonsports.com/nfl/2024/11/14/

 

 

pretty accurate honestly, and they can just not grade anything past the 4th round its all a 10% chance of turning out well. icing on the cake sorta thing.

[I_C_Deadpeople]

In the few plays in the second half, McKinley Jackson stood out with an initial quick first step or two. Time to let him play more given the season. 
 

they should shut Hubbard down given his partially torn hamstring. 

[|High School Harry|]

13 minutes ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

In the few plays in the second half, McKinley Jackson stood out with an initial quick first step or two. Time to let him play more given the season. 
 

they should shut Hubbard down given his partially torn hamstring. 

Looking like McKinley Jackson > Sheldon Richardson.

I still think Sam Hubbard should retire.

[claptonrocks]

2 hours ago, High School Harry said:

Looking like McKinley Jackson > Sheldon Richardson.

I still think Sam Hubbard should retire.

Id start Jenkins and Jackson from here on to see how they perform together.

Hubbard will be released.

Good player but slowed down ..Start Trey on one side and Murphy on the other to see 

If he can pressure there.

I don't think Ossai is more than a backup.

 

Play Turner and Newton exclusively.

 

If head case  Burton continues to be a detriment to the team bench his ass and cut him off season.

 

The lines have to be prioritized.

If not we'll face the same shit next year.

 

 

[Jamie_B]

Turner has a clavicle, don't know how serious yet, hopefully he can heal up with the bye week, but if not it's more of Cam Toast Britt.

[|High School Harry|]

1 hour ago, Jamie_B said:

Turner has a clavicle, don't know how serious yet, hopefully he can heal up with the bye week, but if not it's more of Cam Toast Britt.

turner out for the season...

[Jamie_B]

33 minutes ago, High School Harry said:

turner out for the season...

 

 

[|High School Harry|]

9 minutes ago, Jamie_B said:

 

 

Didn't see the X but posted the repeated story from local news elsewhere.

Two weeks of waiver wire dumpster diving coming up.

[|BlackJesus|]

9 minutes ago, Jamie_B said:

 

 

 

... So basically one of the only DBs worth a damn is now lost for the year. 

 

The curtain on 2024 is lowering towards the floor. 

[I_C_Deadpeople]

1 hour ago, claptonrocks said:

Id start Jenkins and Jackson from here on to see how they perform together.

Hubbard will be released.

Good player but slowed down ..Start Trey on one side and Murphy on the other to see 

If he can pressure there.

I don't think Ossai is more than a backup.

 

Play Turner and Newton exclusively.

 

If head case  Burton continues to be a detriment to the team bench his ass and cut him off season.

 

The lines have to be prioritized.

If not we'll face the same shit next year.

 

 

Hubbard tore his hammy in training camp and either had to have season ending or heal for some weeks and play through it.  So not fair to judge his play based on that