Bengals' rookie has the right mindset
If there's one thing the Cincinnati Bengals or quarterback Joe Burrow aren't concerned with it's the talent at wide receiver. Ja'Marr Chase is a top-five guy, Tee Higgins is one of the league's best second options, and Tyler Boyd is a high-level slot threat. With that type of arsenal, the Bengals weren't pressed for a […]
If there's one thing the Cincinnati Bengals or quarterback Joe Burrow aren't concerned with it's the talent at wide receiver. Ja'Marr Chase is a top-five guy, Tee Higgins is one of the league's best second options, and Tyler Boyd is a high-level slot threat.
With that type of arsenal, the Bengals weren't pressed for a receiver in the NFL Draft, they needed defensive help, and they got plenty of it. However, on Day 3, the Bengals took Charlie Jones out of Purdue in the fourth round.
Jones is as intriguing a draft pick as the Bengals have. He's 5'11" with a 36.5-inch vertical jump and 10'4" in the broad jump, so he's very athletic. Also, he's a burner with 4.43 speed.
Boyd is entering the last year of his deal, so taking Jones made a lot of sense for the Bengals just in case things don't go smoothly contractually at some point in the next year. Plus, Jones is simply a good player with loads of potential.
That's on the field, which of course carries a lot of weight. However, the value of Jones goes beyond the gridiron, as the fourth-round pick has the right focus and purpose to match his talent.
Jones is stepping into an ideal situation.
His quarterback is one of the best in the league, and the better the quarterback, the more comfortable any receiver will be. Jones also has what many would say is the best trio of receivers in the NFL ahead of him. So, as far as learning the nuances of his position, Jones hit the jackpot.
The Bengals are striving for a third straight trip to the AFC Championship Game and their second Super Bowl appearance in three seasons. So, Jones is coming into a winning culture which goes perfectly with trying to perfect a craft, he's getting top-notch training and advice.
When it's all said and done, Jones could end up being one of the players from this recent draft haul by the Bengals that makes the most impact.