The 2026 NFL Draft is just five days away. Five years ago, the Cincinnati Bengals were on the brink of exploding to the top of the AFC. They just needed a couple more ingredients to make everything work.

They found them in the 2021 draft. Surrounded by mostly landmines, yes, but they were found all the same.

As a way to countdown to the 2026 draft, we’re going to go through the last 10 Bengals draft classes and identify the best pick Cincinnati made that year. A subjective combination of tenure, ability, impact, and value will be taken into account to pinpoint the single best selection from the last 10 drafts.

The class of 2021 featured many whiffs in the even rounds, but it really couldn’t have started any better at the very top.

• Round 1, No. 5: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
• Round 2, No. 46: Jackson Carman, G, Clemson
• Round 3, No. 69: Joseph Ossai, DE, Texas
• Round 4, No. 111: Cam Sample, DE, Tulane
• Round 4, No. 122: Tyler Shelvin, NT, LSU
• Round 4, No. 139: D’Ante Smith, OT, East Carolina
• Round 5, No. 149: Evan McPherson, K, Florida
• Round 6, No. 190: Trey Hill, C, Georgia
• Round 6, No. 202: Chris Evans, RB, Michigan
• Round 7, No. 235: Wyatt Hubert, DE, Kansas State

Best Pick: Ja’Marr Chase

As obvious as it was to name Joe Burrow to represent the previous class, Chase is also the clear choice for 2021.

You can make a great argument Chase is the best overall wide receiver in football. He’s a two-time All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowler, triple crown winner with virtually zero weakpoints in his game. He’s arguably the league’s most dangerous player with the ball in his hands, and requires more attention than a cornerback in man coverage.

There’s a reason Chase became the second Bengal to ever receive future guaranteed salaries in his four-year, $161 million extension. He’s invaluable for the franchise at one of the most valuable positions in the game.

If there’s any player on the Bengals most likely to make the Hall of Fame one day, it’s Chase as of now. The accolades, production, and impact from his first five years in stripes has been everything a team could hope for in the No. 5 pick.

Honorable Mention: Evan McPherson

When you draft a kicker in any round, especially in the first five rounds, he needs to become a game-changer. McPherson proved to be that as a rookie, nailing nine out of 11 kicks from at least 50 yards out and a perfect 14-14 from all distances in the postseason. He’s still yet to miss a kick seven playoff games.

McPherson had his far share of ups and downs in the years following 2021. He had the mid-range yips in 2022, the long-range yips in 2023, and both in 2024 following the signing of his three-year extension. Crucial misses in that year alone may’ve cost the Cincy a return to the postseason.

All of it seems like ancient history now. McPherson had his best year ever in 2025, kicking 89.3% of his field goals through the uprights. He’s got work to do in becoming the best kicker in franchise history, but he’s already earned that title on 50+ yard attempts. That trait gives the value of investing in a high-end kicker nowadays with fourth down aggression.

Chase is the only other draftee still with the team, and only Ossai has added similar impact below Uno himself. McPherson has proven worth a pick just inside the top 150.

Find the next Chase and McPherson with the A to Z Sports NFL Mock Draft Simulator!