Now that the Cincinnati Bengals’ season is over with a 9-8 record and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year, they have some critical decisions to make this offseason. Injuries and another slow start forced the team to start several rookies at significant positions in 2024. The results were a mixed bag, as some played at a higher level than others as the season progressed. Let’s see how the Bengals’ recent draft class has faired since our initial report card was issued in November.
Cincinnati Bengals Final 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 was a bright spot in a miserable season. He was steady in 2024 and gives the Bengals high-caliber bookends with Orlando Brown Jr. manning the left side.
This is pretty much how every rep between Amarius Mims and Harold Landry went yesterday pic.twitter.com/ImSrvRrT4n
— mike (@bengals_sans) December 16, 2024
Grade: A
Second Round (49th Overall): Kris Jenkins, DT
Jenkins was slightly downgraded from his initial B grade in November based on consistency issues. He did finish the season with 10 SOLO tackles and three sacks. The Bengals are counting on him taking a big jump in his sophomore season.
Grade: C+
Third Round (80th Overall): Jermaine Burton, WR
The biggest character risk player in the Zac Taylor era has been a major disappointment. The Bengals were burned by Burton’s inability to be a reliable player when it comes to being a professional. He has missed meetings, and walkthroughs had trouble picking up the playbook, and capped off his season with a domestic violence allegation against a 19-year-old female.
The @Enquirer has obtained records of a call from a 19-year old woman accusing #Bengals WR Jermaine Burton of assault. She declined to press charges and none were filed.
Story:https://t.co/uJ4hTrgjyd
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) January 8, 2025
If an F minus represents complete and utter failure, Burton certainly deserves it for his rookie season which may be his last in stripes.
Grade: F-
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 gets the grade bump that Jenkins was docked. The former Aggie was playing lights out in the last quarter of the season and got more reps each week.
Good play young fella. He routinely beats them guards pulling to make plays. McKinnley Jackson. pic.twitter.com/kMlex5t3mt
— Divine_thoughts (@Devine_thought) January 5, 2025
Grade: B
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. His grade remains incomplete and Cincinnati is hopeful he can return to form in 2025 after another injury.
Grade: Incomplete
Fifth Round (149th Overall): Josh Newton, DB
Josh Newton was a sneaky-good pick with great value at 149 overall and made the biggest jump in grading for the rookie class. Newton was thrust into action after injuries decimated the Bengals’ secondary. His ball skills and closing speed were impressive after he settled in late in the season. He gives the orange and black much-needed depth on the backend and may even earn a starting spot in 2025.
Grade: B+
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 was inactive for most of the season, it was a redshirt year for the former Arizona Wildcat.
Grade: Incomplete
Sixth Round (214th Overall): Cedric Johson, EDGE
Cedric Johnson flashed sparingly this season and the new Bengals defensive coordinator will work hard with him to be a useful rotational piece.
Grade: C
Seventh Round (224th Overall): Daijahn Anthony, DB
The Bengals still love the upside potential from Daijahn Anthony as he saw his snaps decrease heavily as the season concluded. His grade remains the same and he likely left the coaching staff wanting to see more.
Grade: C+
Seventh Round (237th Overall): Matt Lee, C
The last pick of the 2024 class was largely used in goal-line settings as an extra blocker. With Ted Karras playing well down the stretch, look for Lee to be used similarly next season with possibly a longer look at guard.
Grade: C
Main Photo: Cara Owsley/The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
