Let's regrade the Cincinnati Bengals rookie draft class from our initial report card issued in November to see where they currently stack up.

[Arkansas Bengal]

 

 

Now that the Cincinnati Bengals’ season is over with a 9-8 record and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year, they have some critical decisions to make this offseason. Injuries and another slow start forced the team to start several rookies at significant positions in 2024. The results were a mixed bag, as some played at a higher level than others as the season progressed. Let’s see how the Bengals’ recent draft class has faired since our initial report card was issued in November.

 

Cincinnati Bengals Final 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 was a bright spot in a miserable season. He was steady in 2024 and gives the Bengals high-caliber bookends with Orlando Brown Jr. manning the left side.

 

Grade: A

 

 

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

 

Jenkins was slightly downgraded from his initial B grade in November based on consistency issues. He did finish the season with 10 SOLO tackles and three sacks. The Bengals are counting on him taking a big jump in his sophomore season.

 

Grade: C+

 

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

 

The biggest character risk player in the Zac Taylor era has been a major disappointment. The Bengals were burned by Burton’s inability to be a reliable player when it comes to being a professional. He has missed meetings, and walkthroughs had trouble picking up the playbook, and capped off his season with a domestic violence allegation against a 19-year-old female.

 

If an F minus represents complete and utter failure, Burton certainly deserves it for his rookie season which may be his last in stripes.

 

Grade: F-

 

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 gets the grade bump that Jenkins was docked. The former Aggie was playing lights out in the last quarter of the season and got more reps each week.

 

Grade: B

 

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. His grade remains incomplete and Cincinnati is hopeful he can return to form in 2025 after another injury.

 

Grade: Incomplete

 

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

 

Josh Newton was a sneaky-good pick with great value at 149 overall and made the biggest jump in grading for the rookie class. Newton was thrust into action after injuries decimated the Bengals’ secondary. His ball skills and closing speed were impressive after he settled in late in the season. He gives the orange and black much-needed depth on the backend and may even earn a starting spot in 2025.

 

Grade: B+

 

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 was inactive for most of the season, it was a redshirt year for the former Arizona Wildcat.

 

Grade: Incomplete

 

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

Cedric Johnson flashed sparingly this season and the new Bengals defensive coordinator will work hard with him to be a useful rotational piece.

 

Grade: C

 

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

 

The Bengals still love the upside potential from Daijahn Anthony as he saw his snaps decrease heavily as the season concluded. His grade remains the same and he likely left the coaching staff wanting to see more.

 

Grade: C+

 

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

 

The last pick of the 2024 class was largely used in goal-line settings as an extra blocker. With Ted Karras playing well down the stretch, look for Lee to be used similarly next season with possibly a longer look at guard.

 

Grade: C

 

 

https://lastwordonsports.com/nfl/2025/01/13/cincinnati-bengals-final-rookie-draft-grades/#google_vignette

[-GoBengals-]

that jenkins grade is nonsense

[gupps]

I STILL don't understand the McLachlan pick. And agree about the Jenkins grade, tho I would draft another DT this year to replace Rankins.

[sparky151]

Jenkins is the Rankins replacement at 3T. I'm not too worried if he's the starter next year. But we should sign a vet to back him up, as well as a big body to rotate with Jackson at NT. 

[-GoBengals-]

7 hours ago, sparky151 said:

Jenkins is the Rankins replacement at 3T. I'm not too worried if he's the starter next year. But we should sign a vet to back him up, as well as a big body to rotate with Jackson at NT. 

 

agreed, need either 2 new bodies or hill at a backup rate to play veterans backup snaps..

[Jamie_B]

I dont know I think the grades are pretty fair. I like Jenkins but he is inconsistent. 

[sparky151]

Rankins is really a 3T, not a NT but they played him next to Hill as the NT and he got moved back repeatedly in the run game. Jackson provided about as much pass rush as Rankins (not a lot) and was better at run defense. Jenkins rotated behind both Hill and Rankins and was ok. Unless the new DC is switching to a 3-4 or something, I think we'll be ok at 3T if we start Jenkins and rotate a vet behind him.

 

[T-Dub]

9 hours ago, sparky151 said:

Rankins is really a 3T, not a NT but they played him next to Hill as the NT and he got moved back repeatedly in the run game. Jackson provided about as much pass rush as Rankins (not a lot) and was better at run defense. Jenkins rotated behind both Hill and Rankins and was ok. Unless the new DC is switching to a 3-4 or something, I think we'll be ok at 3T if we start Jenkins and rotate a vet behind him.

 

 

Jackson has a crazy-fast first step, it's just that the second and third and so on aren't any faster.