Michael Jordan will “be a really good player,” according to one Bengals lineman

Michael Jordan was the Bengals fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, and like fellow fourth-round selection Ryan Finley, he’s played like a seasoned veteran so far this preseason.

Expected to be a starter at some point this season, Jordan has been provided the opportunity to shine as the Bengals have been heavily struggling to find capable bodies on the offensive line.

Jordan’s work has been well recognized by both the team’s staff and his teammates. According to Geoff Hobson, senior writer for Bengals.com, 11-year veteran Andre Smith is very high on what Jordan can eventually become.

“He’s going be a really good player once his body fills out,” Smith said. “I knows he’s a young guy, 20 years old.”

Let’s just say Smith couldn’t find enough good things to say about Jordan and how he’s developed so far.

“Told Jordan is actually 21, the 32-year-old Smith said, ‘21? He’s still got a long way to go, but he’s going to be a really good player.’”

What has created such a beast inside the rookie? Well, it’s all in his mentality and he has the mentality to get better every day.

“It just comes from inside, a mentality,” Jordan said. “You make the conscious decision to do or not to do every day.”

The former Ohio State standout went from protecting Dwayne Haskins to now Andy Dalton. He was a key reason for Haskins breakout season, throwing 50 touchdowns in under 15 games in 2018.

In his brief appearance in the Bengals’ two preseason games, Jordan has played well.

He ranked tenth in offensive rating of the 32 Bengals that saw snaps against the Redskins. According to Pro Football Focus (premium content), Jordan was given a 68.7 in his 38 snaps.

In the team’s first preseason game, Jordan ranked, ironically, tenth of 35 players that saw offensive snaps. That said, let’s hope he can continue to thrive as the Bengals will soon prepare for the regular season.