Stock report for the Bengals’ 2020 draft class

The Cincinnati Bengals’ 2020 NFL Draft class so far has already been one of the most productive in a while. The first three picks are all expected to be starters in their third year, while several more are going to be important rotational pieces.

There are no disappointments in this class so far, though there might be one or two players who that are at critical growth points in their careers.

Here’s how the stocks for each player in the Bengals’ 2020 draft class are trending, along with two undrafted free agents from that year.

Joe Burrow - Stock up (Slight)

Joe Burrow’s stock is only slightly up because his expectations were so high coming in. He did suffer the knee injury in his rookie year, so it still remains to be seen if that will effect him in 2021. But a second year of experience in the NFL and in Zac Taylor’s offense will help his stock go up this season.

Tee Higgins - Stock up (High)

Again, Tee Higgins had high expectations coming in, so his stock has risen. Since he was the 33rd pick, the Bengals had a first-round grade on him. He will be WR1 in the Bengals offense in 2021, which was the plan in case the Bengals couldn’t re-sign A.J. Green.

Logan Wilson - Stock up (High)

Logan Wilson was a third-round pick, and is already one of the most intriguing young players on the defense. In 2020, he only came in for certain packages, but in 2021, he will be calling the plays on the defense. Of the first three picks, Wilson has surpassed expectations the most.

Akeem Davis-Gaither - Stock up (Slight)

Only a fourth round pick, there wasn’t a lot of pressure on Akeem Davis-Gaither. He is a solid player, and probably would be a good enough starter for the Bengals in a three-linebacker scheme. He’ll be the first one off the bench, which is not bad for a fourth round pick’s second year.

Khalid Kareem - Stock down (slight)

Khalid Kareem had a few decent games in the middle of the season last year, but he is probably the most forgotten player the Bengals drafted. In 2021, the Bengals continued to revamp the defensive line, signing Trey Hendrickson, extending Sam Hubbard, drafting Joseph Ossai, Cam Sample, and Wyatt Hubert, and acquiring Darius Hodge. But Kareem is starting the year with an injury, so he will have to fight an uphill battle to see significant snaps.

Hakeem Adeniji - Stock down (slight)

Injury strikes again as Hakeem Adeniji is out for the year. At a time when the Bengals are revamping their offensive line, Adeniji could have a chance to earn his spot. Instead, he has to watch as Jackson Carman and D’Ante Smith grow and put his job in danger next year.

Markus Bailey - Stock up (slight)

Markus Bailey might be on the bottom of the depth chart, but he has shown some promise. He will still have to fight for snaps, but he was the last draft pick for the Bengals in 2020. His performance has been as good as any last pick. Jordan Brown was the Bengals’ last pick in 2019, and he didn’t even make it to the regular season that year.

Jacques Patrick - Stock up (slight)

If Jacques Patrick makes the 53-man roster, the argument could be made that his stock is up at a high rate. The fact that we’re even talking about him making the roster means his stock is going up. Patrick was signed from the XFL, and is benefiting from having a preseason. He’s tied with Chris Evans for the most carries in the preseason through the first two weeks.

Winston Rose - Stock even

The Bengals signed Winston Rose from the CFL, and he’s pretty much in the same position he was last year—on the outside looking in.