At the moment, the Bengals have the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. Here is a look at how they have done on all their first round picks since 2010.
2010 1st round pick: Jermaine Gresham, TE
Grade: C+
Gresham was a two time Pro Bowler, but only played in the stripes for five years. Gresham had 24 touchdowns as a Bengal, which is good production from a tight end. Still, a first round pick is supposed to be a long term member of the team. With Gresham leaving for Arizona in 2015, I have his time in Cincinnati graded at a C+.
2011 1st round pick: A.J. Green, WR
Grade: A+
It is pretty obvious Green gets the highest grade on this list. He is an all-time Bengals great and a fan favorite. Currently in his ninth year on the Bengals, the former Georgia Bulldog has seven Pro Bowl selections. Only time will tell if we have seen the last of Green in a Bengals uniform.
2012 1st round pick: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB
Grade: B-
Some may argue that Kirkpatrick has underperformed, and I agree with that to an extent, but he has been a reliable starter and part of the Bengals since he was drafted in 2012. Having guys like him that stay with the organization and bring solid production on the field is important for any team.
2013 1st round pick: Tyler Eifert, TE
Grade: B-
Eifert’s career numbers have been in decline for a few years due to injury. When healthy, Eifert was an elite tight end. In 2015, Eifert had 615 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning him a Pro Bowl selection. Although he hasn’t been producing recently, his production for the Bengals when they were a playoff team gets him a B-.
2014 1st round pick: Darqueze Dennard, CB
Grade: B
Like Kirkpatrick, Dennard is a player whose stats aren’t the greatest, but he has been a reliable player for this team. Due to injury, we have not gotten to see the best of his abilities. Dennard could be a veteran leader for the Bengals going forward.
2015 1st round pick: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT
Grade: F
This was just bad. The Bengals went offensive line in the first round. This is never bad logic, but Ogbuehi just wasn’t the guy. He played in Cincinnati for just three years before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars.
2016 1st round pick: William Jackson, CB
Grade: A-
No one thought the Bengals would go corner early in the 2016 draft, but they got a good one. Jackson has been the number one corner since he was drafted and will be a core player on the Bengals going forward.
2017 1st round pick: John Ross, WR
Grade: D+
Ross still has potential. Up to this point though, it is not working out the way the Bengals had hoped. We got to see a glimpse of what he could do earlier this season, with Ross gaining 158 yards and two touchdowns in week one against Seattle, followed by a 112 yard game with a touchdown against the 49ers, but an injury ruined his hot start this season.
2018 1st round pick: Billy Price, OG
Grade: D-
Although still young, Price just hasn’t proved himself as a starter in this league. The Bengals are 0-10. Yet, Price is still having trouble getting snaps on the offensive line. Once again, getting a lineman near the top of the draft was important, but Price wasn’t the right choice.
2019 1st round pick: Jonah Williams, OT
Grade: Incomplete
Even though he has yet to play a game due to injury, Williams could be a franchise offensive tackle and a key player on the line. With the Bengals poised to go the quarterback route this year in the draft, Williams will have a huge job protecting the newest Bengals franchise savior next season.