3 Bengals Players Who Will Be Rookie of the Year Candidates in 2020

The Cincinnati Bengals were expected to take LSU quarterback Joe Burrow No. 1 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. To the surprise of no one, that is exactly what went down. What did shock some people was the Bengals actually drafting pretty well, using premium picks on productive college stars and athletic mounds of clay that have Zac Taylor and company set up nicely for 2020. While the Bengals still won't be a Super Bowl team, fans will get to see a lot of these three players, who will compete for Rookie of the Year honors.

3. LB Akeem Davis-Gaither

Appalachian State linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither / Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Cincinnati really only plays with two linebackers given how often they line up in nickel, and competition for the starting spot opposite Germaine Pratt might be pretty cutthroat. While third-rounder Logan Wilson was one of the most productive 2020 linebackers, and seventh-rounder Markus Bailey would have been a Day 2 pick had it not been for injuries, a fourth-rounder has the highest ceiling. His speed at the position is remarkable, and his ability to stick his nose into the trenches while covering nicely should earn him a starting role.

2. WR Tee Higgins

Clemson WR Tee Higgins / Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Higgins is by no means a perfect prospect, as his incredibly poor athletic scores and subpar speed knocked his stock down a peg or two. Having said that, there is a reason he was Trevor Lawrence's favorite target. The ability to make contested catches and outmuscle defensive backs routinely makes him a safety target that Burrow can trust to go over the middle, deep down the sideline or towards the back corner of the end zone. Expect plenty of targets being force-fed to Higgins in the latter part of the season.

1. QB Joe Burrow

LSU QB Joe Burrow / Don Juan Moore/Getty Images

The 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year award is Burrow's to lose. After orchestrating a national championship run and a Heisman trophy campaign at the center of one of the most dominant seasons in college football history, Burrow was clearly the No.1 pick. Furthermore, Burrow is the only rookie quarterback that is guaranteed to start the season as the Week 1 starter. Given his unrivaled accuracy, pocket presence, and playmaking on the run, the Cincinnati passing attack got the kick in the rear end it needed now that Burrow is under center.