4 former Bengals draft picks who may be done in the NFL

2 of 3

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ryan Finley (5) – Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Ryan Finley

Fourth-round pick in 2019 NFL Draft

When the Bengals drafted Ryan Finley in 2019, some experts believed he had what it took to replace Andy Dalton. Finley got his chance as a rookie. In three games as a starter, the rookie quarterback had a QBR of 25 and the Bengals lost all three matchups.

While some fans may be disappointed with how Ryan Finley’s career went with the Bengals, his Monday Night Football performance against the Steelers will always be remembered.

https://twitter.com/espn/status/1341228181433556994?s=20&t=drC26LyS1_Qw610uw2-uiA

If that 2020 matchup was the last time Finley starts a game in the NFL, it certainly was a good one to end on.

Finley was traded to the Houston Texans last offseason for a sixth-round pick. Shortly after the trade, the 26-year-old quarterback was released.

2. A.J. McCarron

Fifth-round pick in 2014 NFL Draft

A.J. McCarron had a very interesting career with the Cincinnati Bengals. At one point, he looked like the savior, and at others, he looked like a mediocre backup in the NFL. Regardless, the Bengals messed up with his situation.

In his rookie season, McCarron appeared in seven games for the Bengals, starting three. Although McCarron didn’t play great in the playoff performance against the Steelers, many fans direct their blame elsewhere for that loss. After McCarron’s rookie season, teams around the league were interested in acquiring him.

Reports say the Bengals turned down a second-round pick for the young quarterback. Although they held their ground initially, the Bengals caved and prepared to send him to the Cleveland Browns for a third-round pick.

The exact fallthrough with that trade is unclear, but McCarron never got to play for his former offensive coordinator Hue Jackson in Cleveland. McCarron would later file a grievance case against the Bengals and win.

Since his time in Cincinnati, the former National Champion spent time in Buffalo, Oakland, Houston, and Atlanta. McCarron hasn’t stepped on the field since the 2020 season.

Home/Bengals News