The 2019 NFL Draft is underway in Nashville, and FTW’s lead NFL writer Steven Ruiz is grading picks and offering analysis on how each player will fit with his new team.
No. 11: Jonah Williams, OT Alabama
Analysis: The only knock against Jonah Williams is that his arm are a little short. Who cares? It was never a problem on the field. Williams was the best all-around tackle in the draft, and the Bengals got him outside of the top-10. That’s rare. This was a no-brainer for Cincinnati, especially with Andy Dalton still producing with a modest cap number. The Bengals can wait until next year to find his successor.
GRADE: A
No. 52: Drew Sample, TE Washington
Analysis: New Bengals coach Zac Taylor, one of the million Sean McVay disciples out there now, needs a good blocking tight end to run his scheme at a high level. Drew Sample will give him that, but are we really using second-round picks on blocking tight ends? Maybe Sample will prove me wrong and develop into an impact pass-catcher, which he’ll have to do for this pick to make sense, but it’s a longshot.
GRADE: C-
72. Bengals: Germaine Pratt, LB N.C. State
Analysis: The Bengals have needed an injection of speed to the second level of their defense for a while now, and Pratt will provide that. He came to Raleigh as a safety, and it shows on film.
