Bengals News (9/8): Looking at what is left of 2019 draft class

Bob Johnson, the first ever draft pick in Bengals history, will serve as the "Ruler of the Jungle" in the 2021 opener
Bob Johnson, who wore No. 54 when he started the first Bengals drive in history with a simple snap of the ball, is the unofficial starter of the club's 54th season when he takes the throne Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium (1 p.m.-Cincinnati's Channel 19) as "The Ruler of the Jungle," during Opening Day against the Vikings.

Cincinnati Bengals Projected to Finish With Most Wins Since 2017
From drafting Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase to signing veterans like DJ Reader and Vonn Bell in free agency—there are plenty of new faces in the locker room. After winning just six games over the past two seasons, the Bengals are projected to finish with a 7-10 record in 2021 according to FiveThirtyEight.com.

5 Vikings-Bengals Storylines
Zimmer Ridge Ranch is nestled in the Kentucky foothills a short distance to the South, and the coach managed to visit his property for a bit last weekend when players were able to enjoy a holiday weekend before diving into a 17-game season for the first time in league history.

How Joe Burrow's beefed-up arm could have Bengals thinking playoffs
The ball looked faster coming out of his hand. Receivers struggled to haul in passes arriving quicker than expected. And one even put his gloves back on during the middle of drills.

Cincinnati Bengals: Was the 2019 draft class the worst in recent history?
The Cincinnati Bengals started a new chapter under head coach Zac Taylor in 2019, and his first decisions involved picking the 2019 draft class. The remaining players from that draft are as follows:

Cincinnati Bengals Home Underdogs in Season Opener Against Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota's defense hopes to be much improved after struggling for most of last season. They gave their secondary a boost when they added former All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson.

Around the league

Texans trading CB Bradley Roby to Saints
New Orleans is trading for Texans starting corner Bradley Roby, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Roby won't be available for Week 1 because of a 2020 violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. But the eighth-year corner will help at a position of need for the Saints, whom Rapoport noted worked the phones hard in search of a CB.

NFL Power Rankings, Week 1: Buccaneers, Chiefs begin 2021 season on top
After an offseason of talk (and talk ... and talk ... and talk), it's time for some action. The 2021 NFL season kicks off on Thursday night when the defending champion Bucs meet the Cowboys (8:20 p.m. ET on NBC), so this feels like an ideal time to roll out the first regular-season edition of the Power Rankings.

Josh Allen says Bills-Steelers games are like 'boxing matches': 'We know they're going to bring it'
"We know that it's gonna be a tight game," Allen said, via the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. "Last couple of years, obviously, they've been kind of boxing matches, taking a couple hits here and there, giving them out. They're extremely well coached, they're a very talented group on defense, they got a Hall of Fame quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger) over there so we got to be on top of our game and go out there and try to execute to the best of our abilities."

RB Le'Veon Bell signing with Ravens practice squad
An apparently motivated and ready Bell weighed in on social media not too long after the news broke with a highlight package of him working out. When Bell, 29, was with the Pittsburgh Steelers and facing the Ravens twice a year, he was considered one of the premier backs in the NFL.

Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray
With the Saints up against the salary cap (owning roughly $2 million in free space prior to Murray's release, per Over The Cap) and signing veteran corner Desmond Trufant, New Orleans opted to cut Murray just days before the team's season opener against Green Bay at Jacksonville's TIAA Bank Stadium. The release will save $3.17 million in immediate space, giving the Saints a little bit of financial breathing room in case they need to make future moves during the season. The Trufant signing was finalized with Tuesday's wire.