In the 2022 NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals will pick later than they have in a draft than at any point in the 2000s.
Going to the Super Bowl will do that for a team.
Back in 2004 the Bengals picked 26th and in 2012, 27th. But over the last five years, they’ve picked ninth, 21st, 11th, first and fifth.
Now the Bengals enter a draft picking late and hoping that the formula that produced players like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins is still alive and well, but later than usual in the process.
The goal, after all, is to keep picking very late, and preferably 32nd. Here’s a look at every Bengals first-rounder since 2000.