The class I chose as the Cincinnati Bengals’ greatest draft class of the last 20 years is one of their most recent draft groups. The Bengals have had several dynamic drafts that have produced quality starters and reliable backups over this time period. The 2006 draft class produced All-Pro offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth as well as cornerback Johnathan Joseph and defensive tackle Domata Peko.

Image

Former Bengals WR A.J. Green (18) – Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports

The 2011 class produced All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Green and longtime starting quarterback Andy Dalton. The 2012 draft ushered in such stalwart performers as cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, guard Kevin Zeitler, and wide receivers Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones.

Greatest Draft Class

But the group I chose as the greatest draft class of this era has produced a franchise quarter, an outstanding receiver, an underrated middle linebacker, and several valuable backup/special teams performers. These players have contributed greatly to the teams’ recent success on the field. So, without further ado: the 2020 Cincinnati Bengals Draft Class.

Franchise Quarterback

Any class that includes quarterback Joe Burrow in it would automatically be considered a great draft class. Chosen as the number one overall pick in the 2020 draft, franchise All-Pro Burrow has led the Bengals to two straight playoffs, including an appearance in the 2022 Super Bowl. As long as Joe Burrow is at the helm of the Bengals’ offense, the team always stands a chance to win a football game.

With the second pick in this draft, Cincinnati selected one of Burrow’s favorite targets, wide receiver Tee Higgins. Along with teammates Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd, Burrow has a bevy of targets to choose from, and they are all capable of breaking the big play. And despite Higgins’s performance sometimes being overlooked due to Chase’s brilliance, he has recorded two straight 1,000-yard reception seasons over the past two years.

Underrated Performer

Greatest Draft Class

Bengals LB Logan Wilson (55) – @Bengals Twitter account

Rounding out the starters in the Bengals’ greatest draft class is middle linebacker, Logan Wilson. Wilson is one of the most underrated players in the NFL and is the heart and soul of the Cincinnati defense. He has led the team in tackles both of the past two seasons and has already recorded 7 interceptions in his young NFL career. Bengals’ officials and league analysts drool over his potential.

Fourth-round pick Akeem Davis-Gaither has been oft-injured since he was drafted, which has limited his playing time. When healthy, he has been a solid contributor to the Bengal’s defense. The highlight of his time in Cincinnati is his interception in this year’s Wild Card game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Greatest Draft Class Exception

The Bengals’ fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, defensive end Khalid Kareem, is an anomaly within the Bengals’ greatest draft class. He is the only member of this draft class that is no longer with the team. He was plagued by the injury bug while in Cincinnati, but he played there long enough to be a significant contributor in their march to the Super Bowl in 2021.

Cincinnati next chose offensive lineman Hakeem Adeniji with the 180th selection in this draft. He has struggled with inconsistency in his three years in Cincinnati, but he has been a valuable backup for the injury-prone Bengals offensive line. In fact, due to injuries, Adeniji has started all seven games in the Bengals’ playoff runs in 2021 and 2022.

Bengals Greatest Draft Class

Bengals LB Germaine Pratt (57) – Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire

Greatest Draft Class Hidden Talent

The last member of this greatest draft class is linebacker Marcus Bailey. This seventh-round pick has unfortunately been beset with multiple knee injuries during his short career. However, when healthy, he has been a valuable contributor to Cincinnati’s special team units and has been a competent replacement when asked to rotate in at the linebacker position.

The players that were selected by the Bengals in their greatest draft class have been significant cogs for a team that has had great success recently. From stars like Joe Burrows to unsung contributors like Akeem Davis-Gaither, this class has provided the impetus to propel the Cincinnati Bengals to their status as one of the NFL’s elite teams. The future looks bright for the team from “The Queen City.”