The Cincinnati Bengals 2021 rookie class was an important one in fueling their Super Bowl run. This class was crucial for the team and for head coach Zac Taylor. Buoyed by their outstanding 2020 draft which produced an unprecedented seven players who either started or played in backup roles the last two seasons. Well, the Bengals were again one of the better drafting teams in the NFL in 2021. Cincinnati’s recent class was led by standout players Ja’Marr Chase and Evan McPherson. Other contributors included Jackson Carman, Cam Sample, Tyler Shelvin, D’Ante Smith, Trey Hill, and backup running back, Chris Evans. Two successful draft classes, that include a franchise quarterback in Joe Burrow, should set the team up as perennial contenders for many years to come. Let’s take a look at the 2021 Bengals rookie stock watch.
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Cincinnati Bengals 2021 Rookie Stock Watch
Round one – Ja’Marr Chase (Buy/Sell/Hold)
Buy
One of the easiest decisions you will ever make. Buy as many shares as your can afford. The 2021 rookie of the year was masterful in every sense of the word and had the best rookie wide receiver season of all time. Chase finished 2021 with an absurd 1821 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns and rekindled his stellar connection with Burrow. Chase just turned 22 years old on March 1st and the Bengals have a legitimate deep threat opposite Tee Higgins for the foreseeable future.
Round two – Jackson Carman (Buy/Sell/Hold)
Hold
Still, a hold based on his youth and potential. The Clemson product showed flashes of potential at times at right guard but was mostly inconsistent in his first season in stripes. Carman also battled maturity, weight, and injury issues which put him in the proverbial dog house of coaches from the jump. Look for Carman to make major strides both on and off the field in year two.
Round three – Joseph Ossai (Buy/Sell/Hold)
Buy
Buy plenty of shares as his stock is still trending in a positive direction. Ossai’s rookie season was cut short after a torn meniscus ended his season in the first pre-season game. The youngest player on the Bengals roster and still only 21 years of age, Ossai showed impressive speed, agility, and power from the defensive end position in his limited playing time last year. Should be a solid contributor as a pass rusher on third down for Cincinnati in 2022.
Round four – Cam Sample (Buy/Sell/Hold)
Buy
Still on the up and up after a solid season at defensive tackle/end for the Bengals. Sample was mostly used as a rotational player on first and second downs and flashed at times throughout the season. Ended 2021-2022 with 1.5 sacks in 14 games.
Round four – Tyler Shelvin (Buy/Sell/Hold)
Buy
Shelvin is a mountain of a man and will see his playing time increase for the Bengals at defensive tackle. Was inactive for long stretches of the season but did play well when called into action. Cincinnati has hopes he will pair well with D.J. Reader along the interior of the defensive line.
Round four – D’Ante Smith (Buy/Sell/Hold)
Hold
Smith saw brief playing time at right tackle following the injury of Riley Reiff. In this period, Smith was also injured and missed several games with varying issues. The coaching staff still seems bullish on his potential, possibly, at right tackle.
Round five – Evan McPherson (Buy/Sell/Hold)
Buy
Much like Chase, buy as much as you can possibly afford. McPherson was simply fantastic in his first season at kicker for the Bengals. Money Mac was clutch all year and kicked multiple game-winners both in the regular season and in the playoffs. Finished with an 85 percent field goal percentage for the year and tied Adam Vinatieri’s playoff record with 14 field goals made. The Bengals have found their Justin Tucker for the next 15 years.
Round six – Trey Hill (Buy/Sell/Hold)
Sell
Hill played in three games for the Bengals at center in the absence of starter, Trey Hopkins. Still has work to do from a power and athleticism standpoint if he wants to stick around in the NFL.
Round six – Chris Evans (Buy/Sell/Hold)
Buy
Evans was used sparsely at the beginning of the season at running back. After the mid-point of the season, the Bengals relied on him more both as a runner and a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Look for Evans to see his playing time heavily increase in 2022 and possibly take third-down back, Samaje Perine’s spot on the roster.
Round seven – Wyatt Hubert (Buy/Sell/Hold)
Hold
Hubert’s season was over before it started for the Bengals with a torn pectoral in OTA’s. The Bengals still feel like he can contribute in a likely deep pass rush rotation in 2022.
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