2017 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals final grade

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted 11 players in the 2017 NFL Draft this weekend, including wide receiver John Ross. Here is their 2017 NFL Draft grade.

The Cincinnati Bengals lived at the 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia. They made 11 selections in an attempt to make their AFC North football team better, eight of which came on day three of the draft Saturday afternoon.

The highlight of the Bengals’ NFL Draft was taking Washington Huskies speedy wide receiver John Ross. He was the fastest prospect in the history of the NFL Scouting Combine in the 40-yard dash. Ross is often injured, but does give the Bengals a nice player opposite A.J. Green in the passing game.

Here is a look at the Bengals’ 2017 NFL Draft grade.

First Round

9

John Ross

Wide Receiver, Washington Huskies

Ross was the third of three wide receivers to go in the top-10 of the 2017 NFL Draft. The Tennessee Titans used their No. 5 pick on Western Michigan’s Corey Davis and the Los Angeles Chargers used their No. 7 pick on Clemson’s Mike Williams.

At Washington, Ross was the standout player on the 2016 Huskies that made it to the College Football Playoff. Sure, he had an accurate quarterback in Jake Browning slinging him the pigskin, but Ross’ persistent vertical threat certainly opened up throwing lanes in the Washington offense.

The idea is that Ross will do much of the same in the Bengals passing game. Cincinnati has a sure thing in possession receiving in Green. Tight end Tyler Eifert is a fine player, but gets hurt all the time. The same sort of injury concerns have followed Ross throughout his career in the Pac-12.

Mentored by Snoop Dogg, Ross could very well be one of the best deep threats in the game going forward. As long as he stays healthy, Ross will help quarterback Andy Dalton considerably in the passing game. However, the Bengals clearly reached to take Ross at No. 9. He could have been available in the mid-teens.