Cincinnati Bengals 2020 NFL Draft Preview: Everything you need to know

Here, we get you ready for the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2020 draft, one that will shape the future of the franchise in more ways than one. 

The 2020 NFL draft is finally upon us. All eyes remain on the Cincinnati Bengals, clutching the first overall selection of the event. Here, we’ll make sure you get everything you need to know to prepare for the three-day stretch. From the picks the Bengals possess, to the advantages they hold, to the latest rumors, let’s dive right in.

When?

The first round will begin on Thursday, April 23 at 8:00 pm ET. The second round will kick off on Friday at 7:00 pm ET and run through the third round. The third and final day is slated to start at noon ET and finish off the event, all the way through round 7.

Where?

The draft will be held entirely virtually. Coaches, General Managers, and even owners are required to carry out the process in their own respective homes. It presents a challenge for organizations that want to trade, but the Bengals hold an advantage in that regard that we’ll get to later.

What Picks do the Bengals Have?

As things stand, Cincinnati holds the first pick in each round. That turns out to be the first, 33rd, 65th, 107th, 147th, 180th, and 215th picks. Of course, trades to move up or down are always on the table.

Advantages:

The Bengals hold a number of advantages in this year’s draft. First, their staff was responsible for coaching the Senior Bowl. Due to many pro days and pre-draft meetings being canceled, the team has gotten to know a lot of the top prospects better than other organizations. Considering that the number of combine interviews allotted to teams was also slashed, this is an added bonus.

In addition to the advantage of more face-to-face time with players, the Bengals will also have more time to work out trades and decide who they’re going to take. With the first selection in each round, the team will have at least 12 hours to find a trade partner if they choose or analyze their board to make the best pick. Of course, this only applies to the first, second, and fourth rounds.

Rumors:

• In case you haven’t heard, the Bengals are pretty much a lock to take Joe Burrow. Fox’s Jeremy Rauch has reported that the team has informed the LSU product he’ll be their selection.
• According to Adam Schefter, the Miami Dolphins have rung up a 513 area code to see if the Bengals would be willing to trade the first overall pick. Cincinnati said they would be staying put.
• Thanks to a historical free-agency spending spree, the Bengals are focused on going for the best player available rather than drafting for need, according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini.

Drafting Tendencies:

Looking at the Bengals draft history over the past 10 years can give fans a clue of what positions the front office might value most. Thanks to Vivid Seats, that information is available to us and can be found here.

Looking at the data, the Bengals’ three most drafted positions are offensive line, wide receiver, and corner. The team has spent 7 picks at the guard position, 5 at tackle, and 4 at center. 14 selections have been allotted to the wide receiver core and 12 to the cornerback room.

Cincinnati seems to like the SEC, as they’ve spent 23.6% of their draft capital on players reigning from the conference since 2010.

Finally, Georgia and Ohio State seem to have the attention of those in the Bengals war room. Each school has 5 players who have gone on to play in stripes, the most of any in college football.

Conclusion:

Buckle up Bengals fans, your team is set to look drastically different in just three days’ time. Expect a twisting and unpredictable event, thanks to the virtual requirements and lack of face-to-face preparation leading up to the draft.