CINCINNATI — A lot has been put on the rookie class of 2024. From the organization to teammates to the fan base, the class is expected to produce this year and going forward, helping the Bengals maintain their standard of competing for Super Bowls for the foreseeable future.
Starting with first-rounder Amarius Mims and second-round defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr, both of whom might see their first regular season NFL snaps Monday night against Washington, to third round wide receiver Jermaine Burton all the way down to seventh-rounder Daijahn Anthony, this is no ordinary group of rookies.
The Bengals have put a lot of expectations on the class to produce and everyone – including head coach Zac Taylor – expects them to produce.
But perhaps what is most encouraging is how two of them have responded to early adversity.
Burton was admittedly slow to pick up the offense because he didn’t know exactly how to study, pay close attention and mentally prepare day-to-day in the NFL. Zack Moss sat down with him for 30 minutes to talk it out and he looks ready to contribute like the Bengals need him to. His 47-yard fly route against KC is testament to that. But that’s just one catch and he knows he needs to do much more in games.
But when you have the support of your star quarterback, that’s a very good sign.
“Yeah, he’s gotten exponentially better over the last three weeks I would say,” Burrow said Thursday. “You saw him make a big play on Sunday for us. He’s going to continue to carve out his role and continues to have good practices. The more he does that and the more he learns, the more you are going to see him.”
Jermaine Burton, who Joe Burrow says has gotten “exponentially better”, says he had a 30-minute conversation with Zack Moss and learned a lot. pic.twitter.com/OuACKNMVHw
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) September 19, 2024
Perhaps the most definitive sign of maturity comes from Daijahn Anthony, the rookie safety that was a split-second from a game-saving spectacular pass break up on Rashee Rice, only to be called for pass interference, despite playing the ball.
He was consoled by Cam Taylor-Britt, Mike Hilton, Vonn Bell and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo after the game. He said he was in tears after the game after the Chiefs hit the game-winning field goal, three plays after the call. How did he respond?
“I honestly can’t wait to see them (again),” Anthony said of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. “I got them as one of my lock screens, so I see them every day. Both of them. I can’t wait to see them again. Remember what you’re doing it for. Remember your why.”
“I honestly can’t wait to see them again. I made it one of my Lock Screens.” Daijahn Anthony on Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce and Chiefs and the end of the game Sunday. pic.twitter.com/Nqo9zaxxlH
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) September 19, 2024
All of this from the rookies gives Burrow genuine hope. Of course, that hope is also predicated on earning a win Monday night at home against Washington.
“It’s high,” Burrow said of the level of urgency. “We’ve treated every practice like it’s the same. We pride ourselves on us not being able to tell if we win or lose. At practice, we’re going to go out and have fun and get our work in and get better. We had a good day today. We’ve had a bunch of good meetings since Sunday, so we’re excited.”
Two games in, the Bengals don’t have a win but they’re starting to see a lot of reason for hope. Fourth round tight end Erick All Jr. has been ahead of schedule all year, from getting cleared to participate in OTAs and minicamp to learning the offense and working with starters in camp.
He’s been in on all types of packages, including pass and run sets. He been a pass blocker, a run blocker and caught four passes from Joe Burrow. Taylor believes All’s progression is a product of his dedication and the support of tight ends coach James Casey and teammates like Drew Sample.
“You can put a lot on his plate,” Taylor said. “That’s what you’re not sure about when you add a rookie. And again, you’ve heard me talk about tight ends over and over, all the things that they have to do. We put a lot on his plate, and he keeps answering the bell. And so, you just keep going at him. And he’s really good in multiple phases for us on offense.
“I think that’s a credit to him. That’s a credit to James. That’s a credit to Drew and the other veterans in that room bringing him along, too. That’s one unit. He represents everybody when he walks out there on the field in that unit, in that position group. And you can feel that from that group. It’s a very tight group. They have high expectations for each other. They’re helping bring each other along, whoever gets the rep. Erick’s done it through two games now, and now it’s just that consistency moving forward. But we certainly like what we see.”
“He just gets better, does nothing but work hard and improve and learn from his mistakes and continue to get better every day,” Burrow added. “That’s what you want out of a young player. He’s got all the physical tools. He’s big, fast, strong, catches it really well and he’s continuing to understand what we’re trying to do with concept and scheme, so I’m excited about his future.”
Maybe it’s all the talent and potential in the rookie class or maybe it’s just a sense that the team found its bearings in Kansas City, but Burrow likes the mental space of his team right now.
“I wouldn’t say I’m frustrated right now,” Burrow said. “I was frustrated on Sunday.That was a tough loss, but we’ve just got to go out and get a win. We’ve got to focus on on getting better every day through our practice, and go out and execute when we have to execute on Monday, the rest will take care of itself. We’re in a fine spot. We’ve been here before. We’re not panicking.”
Joe Burrow says he and the Bengals are in a good mental space right now, not frustrated pic.twitter.com/lbBhZUuWQi
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) September 20, 2024
But they are approaching Monday with a definitive sense of urgency.
“I would say that’s very unique, and we have two guys on offense that are continuing to get really, a lot better for us in Erick and Jermaine,” Burrow said. “And then whenever Mims comes back, see him on the field some, so we have some rookies we are counting on this year that have made some big plays for us so far, and they are going to continue to get better and find their role.”
What remains to be seen is just how physically and mentally tough are these Bengals.
“It’s too early to tell,” Burrow told me. “We have a chance to be. We have the variation in weapons to pound the rock and play action and hit you over the top as well as spread you out and get our playmakers the ball. You got a taste of that on Sunday. The way we handled that game is who we are going forward.”
