14. Cincinnati Bengals 2020 NFL Draft
– Of course the draft is all about Joe Burrow, but the Bengals did a whole lot more than take its franchise quarterback. They crushed the calls at linebacker, getting tackling-machine Logan Wilson from Wyoming in the third round, havoc-wreaker Akeem Davis-Gaither from Appalachian State in the fourth, and taking a shot at a huge value get with Purdue’s Markus Bailey – he slid because of his bad knees – in the seventh.
2020 Cincinnati Bengals Draft Video
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– Snapping up Clemson WR Tee Higgins with the first pick in the second round was a terrific must-get for Burrow, but that was it. The Bengals need more overall firepower, and they didn’t go after it. There’s a reason they had the No. 1 overall pick, and it’s going to take a whole lot more work to dig out of this. And, of course …
– Burrow had better be something amazing. Chase Young was there. The opportunities to trade down were there. Jordan Love slid to the late first round, Jacob Eason and Jake Fromm tumbled down the draft. This draft is all about whether or not Burrow can become a superstar who can carry the franchise. If he’s anything less, not taking Young might be brutally painful in hindsight.
Best Value Pick: LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State (4th)
Biggest Reach: QB Joe Burrow, LSU (1st)
Late Flier That Could Work: LB Markus Bailey, Purdue (7th)
2019 NFL Draft Ranking: 2
2018 NFL Draft Ranking: 21
2020 Cincinnati Bengals Draft Class
1 QB Joe Burrow, LSU
2 WR Tee Higgins, Clemson
3 LB Logan Wilson, Wyoming
4 LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State
5 DE Khalid Kareem, Notre Dame
6 OT Hakeem Adeniji, Kansas
7 LB Markus Bailey, Purdue