Joe Burrow the savior in Cincy?

LSU Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow is largely expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Can he be the Cincinnati Bengals’ savior?

Should the Cincinnati Bengals fall on the road in Week 16 to the Miami Dolphins, they will lock up having the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Unless they are all-in on Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young, LSU Tigers Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow will be the No. 1 pick by the Bengals. Does Burrow have what it takes to be Cincinnati’s football savior?

On this week’s episode of Stacking the Box, FanSided‘s Matt Verderame and Mark Carman, along with former NFL wide receiver Earl Bennett, answer the question if Burrow has what it takes to carry a bad Bengals team out of the AFC basement and back into national relevance (44:20)?

Verderame thinks very highly of Burrow and believes he’ll be good enough to help galvanize a rebuilding Bengals team into being a force again in the AFC one day soon. He’s not sure if he’ll be a game-changing quarterback like a Deshaun Watson or a Lamar Jackson, but Verderame is in on Burrow as a prospect and thinks he’ll fit in very well in the Queen City.

As for Bennett, he doesn’t envision Burrow being able to save the awful Bengals from themselves. He cites a bad offensive line and a poor offensive coaching staff as reasons it’ll be hard for him to have success professionally. Bennett also notes that Burrow likely won’t have perennial Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Green next season, who looks to be leaving Cincinnati in his free agency.

Of course, there is a ton to like about Burrow as a prospect. He has a great pocket presence, throws the ball with good touch and anticipation and seems to be a leader of men that’ll help change the culture in the Bengals organization. However, he might be seen as a one-year wonder at LSU and may not have enough elite traits to be the tractor to the Bengals’ football trailer.

Overall, the Bengals need something to reenergize the organization and the fan base. Drafting Burrow No. 1 overall will be well-received by everybody in professional football. He plays with a chip on his shoulder like the Cleveland Browns’ Baker Mayfield but doesn’t make as many mistakes with the football in his hand or in front of a microphone on the podium.

Here are a few other topics discussed on this week’s episode of Stacking the Box:

• Where does Drew Brees rank all time? (1:10)
• Who is the best team in the NFC? (6:50)
• Are the Chiefs and Ravens the class of the AFC? (11:44)
• Matt Ryan interview (33:42)

All this and more!

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