Former Bengals coach thinks Justin Herbert is still in the mix with Joe Burrow

One former coach thinks the No. 1 pick is far from decided.

Former Cincinnati Bengals offensive line coach Paul Alexander knows a thing or two about how Mike Brown operates the franchise.

It’s notable, then, when Alexander goes out and publicly suggests Joe Burrow isn’t a lock for the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL draft…thanks to Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert.

There’s plenty of reason to believe this sort of idea before the calendar even hits February. Herbert was at the Senior Bowl where the Bengals were his coaches — Burrow wasn’t. Zac Taylor and Co. have a long, long time to work through interviews, personal visits and more with both passers (and other prospects) before making a final decision.

Alexander’s resume with the Bengals fell apart late in his tenure with the team but there’s no doubt he understands how Brown and the front office works. He spent 20-plus seasons with the team and though it’s easy to forget, was even the assistant head coach when Marvin Lewis arrived back in 2003.

Burrow figures to end up being the pick either way, but this is just another reminder nothing gets cemented in January, no matter how good Burrow has looked.

[vertical-gallery id=27171]