2019 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams
By Conor Dorney
Cincinnati Bengals
Grade: B
Best pick: Jonah Williams (OT, Alabama)
Questionable pick: Drew Sample (TE, Washington)
Sleeper pick: Trayveon Williams (RB, Texas A&M)
The Bengals entered the 2019 draft with needs all over the field and a new head coach, so they had the option of going in a number of different directions. They chose to bolster their offensive line in the first round for the second consecutive year and wound up with Alabama standout tackle Jonah Williams. Williams was nitpicked during the draft process for not having the elite length that some expect out of the tackle position, but I believe he ends up as one of the best offensive linemen from the entire class when all is said and done. Adding a tough, reliable and technically-sound player like Williams is an excellent building block for the Bengals’ offensive line and he should have an long, productive career.
Tight end was a big need coming into this draft, but Washington’s Drew Sample felt like a bit of a reach in the second round. Sample makes his hay as an excellent in-line blocker who possesses some upside as a receiver, but with the main run on tight ends happening in the third round (and some who possessed better upside), the Bengals may have been better off addressing the need one round later with their third-round pick.
The Bengals continued to add to their running backs room with the selection of Texas A&M’s Trayveon Williams, an outstanding value in the sixth round. Zac Taylor understands keeping Joe Mixon fresh will be critical to the Bengals’ success next season, so adding a durable third-down back like Williams will be a valuable asset.