Bengals Rookie Report Card: Who Fared Best in 2020?
Impact production throughout a draft class is imperative for any rebuilding team to get out of the NFL's basement. The Cincinnati Bengals used this formula to start last decade and built a consistent winner. Despite all of the obstacles COVID-19 presented, nailing the 2020 class was imperative for head coach Zac Taylor.
The Bengals' roster has steadily risen to the middle of the pack in average age after being the NFL's youngest opening day group in 2018. They've added veterans in free agency, but the lifeblood of successful NFL teams is drafting well.
Here are grades for every member of the 2020 rookie class following their first season in the NFL
Round One: Joe Burrow — A
The consensus No. 1 pick proved plenty of evaluations correct with his play this season. The deep ball was inconsistent, but Burrow shredded teams week in and week out at every other level of the field. Torn knee ligaments ended up cutting his burgeoning rookie of the year season short against Washington. Burrow has tenaciously attacked every step of his career, leaving fans hopeful he can do the same with this rehab. The 24-year-old is expected to make a full recovery and is hopeful about returning for the 2021 season opener.
Stat to Know: Burrow became the first rookie quarterback in NFL history to throw for 300 yards three consecutive times (Weeks 2-4).
Round Two: Tee Higgins — A
There was a lot of debate over what the Bengals should do with the 33rd pick in the draft. They decided to pick a fan of the team. Higgins rewarded them with arguably the second-best season among a loaded rookie class of wide receivers.
He worked his way up to the number one receiving option in this offense. With A.J. Green playing on a one-year deal, finding an heir to the throne was imperative. Higgins tied the franchise-rookie catch record and proved he's ready to be a difference maker alongside Tyler Boyd for years to come.
Stat to Know: Higgins finished fourth in rookie receiver snaps played (806).
Round Three: Logan Wilson — B+
Wilson showed flashes of quality modern-day linebacker play for 12 games before an ankle injury ended his season. The rookie was learning behind Josh Bynes and Germaine Pratt all season, making some key plays in the passing game.
The Bengals used their rookie linebackers a majority of the time on special teams. That didn't stop Wilson from leading the entire linebacker unit in points saved (12), according to Sports Info Solutions.
Stat to Know: Wilson is the first Bengals rookie linebacker since 2005 with at least one sack and an interception.
Round Four: Akeem Davis-Gaither — B-
One of two Bengals 2020 draft picks to appear in all 16 games, Davis-Gaither proved he could last through the rigors of a full NFL season. His play on the field was inconsistent, but he found a home on special teams. Time will tell where Davis-Gaither fits as a three-down linebacker.
Davis-Gaither helped lead the kicking unit all season, finishing fourth on the team in special teams snaps played (292). He found a home on Darrin Simmons' unit as he navigates the path to a starting role.
Stat to Know: According to Stathead, Davis-Gaither is one of four Bengals' rookies since 1987 to notch ten tackles and an interception in a game (Ravens, Week 17).
Round Five: Khalid Kareem — D+
The other half of the healthy rookie consortium was Khalid Kareem. The Notre Dame-product got snaps in all 16 games and performed like you'd expect a fifth-round pick to play in his first season. Kareem stepped in when needed but never consistently made an impact in games.
New defensive line coach Marion Hobby has developed young pass rushers everywhere he's been—Kareem could be next in line.
Stat to Know: Of the seven Bengals' rookie defensive ends in team history to appear in 16 games, Kareem finished tied for last in sacks (1).
Round Six: Hakeem Adeniji — D+
A year riding the learning curve for Adeniji. The rookie was pressed into starting duty late in the season as the Bengals cycled through offensive line rotations.
Adeniji was a developmental pick out of Kansas. He wasn't in the Bengals' immediate plans to begin the year. He played like a rookie, allowing four sacks on the year. He did show promise and there's a chance he could develop into a swing tackle. Adeniji is a moldable piece for new offensive line coach Frank Pollack to work with this offseason.
Stat to Know: Adeniji is the first Bengals' offensive linemen drafted in the sixth round or later to start five-plus games as a rookie since Tom Scott in 1993.
Round Seven: Markus Bailey — C-
If "incomplete" was a usable grade here, it would be fitting because Bailey never really got to show off his linebacker skills as a rookie. He played the third-fewest defensive snaps on the team (44), notching just one tackle.
Bailey is now well over a year removed from major knee surgery and could take a big leap in his sophomore NFL season.
Stat to Know: Since 2008, Clayton Fejedelem, James Wright and Bailey are the only Bengals' seventh-round picks to appear in double-digit games in their rookie seasons.
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