Bengals had PFF #1 Draft Class of 2020

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(01-08-2021, 04:50 AM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: 1. CINCINNATI BENGALS

Cincinnati’s top 2020 Draft picks:

Pick Player Pos. PFF grade Snaps
1 Joe Burrow QB 75.1 710
33 Tee Higgins WR 75.9 806
65 Logan Wilson LB 54.7 343
Cincinnati fielded the second most valuable first-round rookie and the second most valuable second-round rookie. And Joe Burrow, whom they selected first overall, was on pace to be the most valuable rookie in the entire class this year before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 11.

Burrow's rookie campaign was nothing short of incredible, given the situation that he was thrust into. Yes, his deep ball wasn’t a strong suit as it was in his college days, and he also took a few too many sacks — something the Bengals QB admitted himself — but he was exceptional in the stable areas of play.

As expected, the 2020 first overall pick showed off his pinpoint accuracy on non-deep throws, finishing sixth among his peers in passing grade on throws up to 19 yards downfield. Burrow also cracked the top 10 in negatively graded throw rate from a clean pocket, finishing second in that metric to only Russell Wilson’s 2012 debut among all rookie quarterbacks since 2010.

While it would have been hard for Cincy to miss on the No. 1 overall pick this year with Burrow there for the taking, hitting on the 33rd overall pick was a much harder endeavor. But we here at PFF agreed with the Bengals' decision to select Tee Higgins, who was 25th on our big board at the time, and Higgins repaid that decision by racking up 908 receiving yards and six scores on 67 catches, earning a 75.9 PFF grade in the process. Before Burrow’s injury, Higgins had teamed up with his classmate for more combined first downs and touchdowns than any other rookie wide receiver in the NFL, with 32 through Week 10.

The Bengals' first pick of the third round, Logan Wilson of Wyoming, wasn’t as much of an impact player, finding a place as a rotational piece at off-ball linebacker before suffering an injury that ended his season in Week 14. Wilson's run defense was perhaps the biggest weakness, given that he earned a 48.1 grade in that facet, but his blitzing was also largely ineffective. Wilson was sent to rush the passer 47 times yet came away with just three pressures in Year 1.


https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-best-draft-classes-2020-nfl-season

Thanks for sharing this, Nico.

Although it isn't a very high ranking, ADG finished with a 40.0.  As many of us have discussed, the LBs (unless they are pure edge guys) tend to be rated harshly and there is some question as to knowing their assignments.  Devin Bush had a ranking of 62 his rookie season, and was a first round pick (and a fairly high one).  Isiah Simmons rated a 60.  It should be pointed out that Simmons started the season with a rating below 40 for the first 5 weeks.  Experience is everything at the LB position and Wilson and ADG got some valuable experience heading in to 2021.  Side note:  ADG was rated best coming out of college as a pass rusher.  I was really hoping we would see more of that.  

Khalid Kareem, our 5th round pick, rated a 59.0.  I don't have his breakdown in terms of pressures, but he was a solid LDE in rotation with Dunlap and Lawson.

Hakeem Adeniji started out pretty well, but declined in his last action.  I don't have a full breakdown, but someone found a weakness and exploited it.  Still, a 51.6 rating isn't that bad given his 6th round draft position and a serious lack of talent next to him at LG.  At the very least, a solid backup swing tackle that got some valuable playing experience.

Only Markus Bailey got little to no experience this season, and given his injury history that is acceptable.  He was around the team all year and still has a chance to work his way in to the starting lineup if he shows up next year 100%.  I really liked this kid coming out of Purdue and  with a year of health and conditioning under his belt, the low risk 7th rounder still has some upside.  

Overall, this was an outstanding draft class.  I am very high on Logan Wilson, Khalid Kareem, and Adeniji.  Burrow and Higgins are already excellent starters and got a lot of valuable time together.