In a draft which the Bengals entered under prepared and left without direction, the 8th overall pick loomed. Initial internal rumors implied the Bengals were looking for a QB to ride the bench and learn from Joe Cool for a season or two for a seamless transition. But in a class with only 2 or 3 viable QBs, who all went 1,2,3, it left the Bengals in a position of figuring out what to do.
Introducing your 2025 Bengals rookie class
1.8 - RT Oscar Lopez | 21 years old | Texas A&M | 6'6" | 305 lbs Post Skew Ratings 66 SPD | 89 STR | 58 AWR | 58 AGI | 74 ACC | 87 PBK | 91 RBK
Breakdown Once the 8th pick rolled around, outside of replacing a QB in 2 seasons, the next best option was to protect the QB we have now. In a league where the offensive lines are suspect, a rookie with an average blocking rating of 89 day 1 was enticing.
With the 8th overall selection the Bengals selected RT Oscar Lopez, from Texas A&M. The towering offensive tackle was a force in college and will be sliding in day 1 at RT to protect Burrow, pairing with standout LT Amarius Mims at the other tackle.
1.16 - OT/OG Derron Sparks | 22 years old | Wisconsin | 6'6" | 301 lbs Post Skew Ratings 65 SPD | 84 STR | 62 AWR | 58 AGI | 68 ACC | 90 PBK | 92 RBK
Breakdown With the 16th overall draft pick the Bengals select... another offensive tackle?
Sparks was one of the highest rated players entering the draft, and obviously by his draft position he skewed down physically considerably.
But this wasn't enough to change the Bengals feelings. Sparks was been moved to LG replacing Orlando Brown (who is going to be playing center).
Between rookie progression and receiving training camp as the physically most needing lineman, Sparks will pan out to be a great long term starter.
1.18 - RG Ty Jamerson | 21 years old | Ole Miss | 6'5" | 329 lbs Post Skew Ratings 61 SPD | 93 STR | 60 AWR | 54 AGI | 69 ACC | 83 PBK | 85 RBK
Breakdown The Bengals have traded up for the 18th overall pick and they select... a third offensive lineman?
Week 1 of the preseason in the inaugural GGL season saw the Cincinnati Bengals traveling to New Orleans to take on the Saints in a rare AFC North/NFC South battle. A game in which a strong Bengals defense, and a weak Saints special teams unit saw the Bengals coming out on top 38-16.
On offense the Bengals seemed to struggle to find a rhythm with starting QB Joe Burrow and backup QB Davis Mills combining to complete only 7 passes on 21 attempts (33%) for a meager 158 yards. Burrow, who was 3 of 10, did manage to find the endzone twice in his 3 completions, first coming in the form of a Gesicki drop that found its way into backup TE Tanner Hudson's hands, and the second TD to 4th string WR Jermaine Burton on a broken coverage for a 60 yard completion in the 2nd.
The running game also saw it's own successes, as well as short comings. Starting HB Zack Moss carried the ball 13 times for 44 yards and former TE turned FB Erick All caried the ball 5 times for 19 yards in his running back debut. But the biggest surprise of all is the emergence of 2nd year running back Chase Brown. Brown contributed 167 all purpose yards and found the endzone 3 times, in the form of 2 rushing TDs in the 2nd half, and a 99 yard kick return in the 2nd quarter.
The defense consistently found their way into the backfield, producing 6 TFL and 3 sacks. CB Cam Taylor-Britt struggled to cover, giving up 4 catches and 0 deflections. OLB Germaine Pratt was everywhere when he was on the field, producing a game leading 8 tackles, with 2 for loss and a sack, as well as a deflection.
The biggest miss for the Bengals today was K Evan McPherson who was 1/3 on FGs. GM Brady Tinning believes this is just new league jitters, and he should find his stride in due time. Newly signed punter Ryan Anderson managed to not shank the ball, producing a 43.67 yard average on his 3 punts, versus a 24.83 yard average by saints punter Matthew Hayball.
