The Zac Taylor-Duke Tobin era in Cincinnati has been marked by a clear strategy in their draft picks. They have prioritized players with strong leadership qualities, coming from successful college programs. This was done to bring a culture reset to the Bengals and set the stage for Joe Burrow’s arrival.
However, as the Bengals enter a win-now mentality, they have learned a new lesson in this year’s draft: it’s time to take chances. The first example of this was their selection of Amarius Mims in the first round. Mims has incredible upside but lacks experience and has faced questions about his motivation. The Bengals took a risk on him because they believe his potential outweighs any concerns.
Another chance they took was in selecting Jermaine Burton from Alabama to fill their open receiver spot. Despite having first-round talent, Burton fell to the third round due to concerns about his discipline. He had an incident where he struck a female fan during a postgame celebration, although he was never charged with a crime. The Bengals vetted Burton extensively, bringing him in for visits and talking to former teammate TJ Houshmandzadeh, who has trained with Burton for years.
The Bengals feel comfortable with Burton and believe that, with the support system in place, he can overcome any character concerns. He will join one of the best receiver corps in the NFL, playing alongside Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Under the guidance of receivers coach Troy Walters and with Burrow at quarterback, Burton has the potential to be a steal of this draft.
While the Bengals have typically avoided players with character concerns in the past, they believe that their strong leadership and structure can help harness Burton’s immense potential. However, there is always a level of unpredictability when it comes to human behavior and success in the NFL.
Overall, the addition of Burton is unexpected but intriguing for the Bengals. It represents a shift in their drafting strategy as they prioritize winning in the present. Only time will tell how Burton’s career in Cincinnati will develop, but the potential payoff is limitless if he can live up to his talent.