The Cincinnati Bengals enter Week 11 with a critical game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. The orange and black are fighting for their playoff lives and have called upon rookies to play early and often. So, without further ado, let’s award some midseason grades for the Bengals’ 2024 draft class.
Cincinnati Bengals Midseason Rookie Draft Grades
First Round (18th Overall): Amarius Mims, OT
The man-mountain that is Mims was thrust into action early in the season when starting right tackle Trent Brown was lost for the season against the Washington Commanders. The former Georgia product has been steady since and gives the Bengals a solid duo to pair with Orlando Brown Jr. Look for Mims to continue to refine his technique for the remainder of the season with hopes he can stay healthy.
Grade: B+
Second Round (49th Overall): Kris Jenkins, DT
Stopping the run and rushing the passer from the interior have been issues for the Bengals’ defense. Enter Kris Jenkins who has been solid and recently saw his snaps increase in the last two games. He has recorded four SOLO tackles and one sack thus far and is looking for more.
Grade: B
Third Round (80th Overall): Jermaine Burton, WR
The biggest character risk player in the Zac Taylor era has been a disappointment. The Bengals have been burned by Burton’s inability to be a reliable player when it comes to being a professional. He has missed meetings, and walkthroughs and has trouble picking up the playbook. Head coach Zac Tayor and quarterback Joe Burrow are saying all the right things when it comes to Burton but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Burton has made plays when his number was called but needs to quickly mature if he wants to have a career playing in the NFL.
Grade: D
Third Round (97th Overall): McKinnley Jackson, DT
The Bengals double-dipped at defensive tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft and McKinnley Jackson often lines up next to Jenkins with overall positive results. Jackson is getting more reps each week much like his playing partner with his arrow currently pointed upward.
Grade: C+
Fourth Round (115th Overall): Erick All, TE
It’s a real shame the Bengals lost standout tight end Erick All for the year with a knee injury suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles. All was showing promise and connecting well with Burrow in the passing game while helping tremendously as a blocking tight end in 12-personnel. All is a fighter and has been here before with injury so coming back with a vengeance should be anticipated in 2025.
Grade: Incomplete
Fifth Round (149th Overall): Josh Newton, DB
Josh Newton was a sneaky-good pick with great value at 149 overall. The TCU Horned Frog has played sparingly in 2024 but should get more run in a rotational setting with starting cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt struggling.
Grade: C
Sixth Round (194th Overall): Tanner McLachlan, TE
Tanner McLachlan is an older prospect with great size and instincts who has a big fan in Daniel Jeremiah from NFL Network. McLachlan has been inactive for the majority of the season, which will likely be a redshirt year for the former Arizona Wildcat.
Grade: Incomplete
Sixth Round (214th Overall): Cedric Johson, EDGE
Cedric Johnson is another rookie who has seen limited action to begin their career in stripes. The Ole Miss product has played in one game and recorded two SOLO tackles.
Grade: D
Seventh Round (224th Overall): Daijahn Anthony, DB
The Bengals love the upside potential from another Rebel in Daijahn Anthony at safety. He is most notably known this season for the pass interference call that helped the Kansas City Chiefs win in Week 2 in the final seconds. Overall, Anthony has played in four games with one tackle and one pass defended. Even though he’s been a mixed bag, he may see the field more often after the bye in Week 12.
Grade: C+
Seventh Round (237th Overall): Matt Lee, C
Cincinnati has been dreadful the last two games from the interior of the offensive line and soon Matt Lee might see action if veteran Ted Karras continues to struggle at center. This would allow the Bengals to possibly move Karras to guard and help shore up the pocket for Burrow.
Grade: Incomplete
Main Photo: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
