Football is finally becoming a successful venture for the Cincinnati Bengals, but their first-round NFL Draft pick history shows the hills and valleys that have come over the years. Few teams have been as volatile as the Bengals in Round 1, but their highest peaks speak to their potential.
Cincinnati Bengals First-Round Draft Picks Throughout History
Across the Bengals’ vast NFL Draft history, only one first-round pick has been inducted into the Hall of Fame: Offensive tackle Anthony Munoz. Drafted third overall in 1980, Munoz played thirteen seasons for the Bengals. He made the Pro Bowl 11 times and earned All-Pro honors nine times, and is widely viewed as one of the best offensive tackles all time, regardless of era.
Beyond Munoz, wide receiver A.J. Green may have the best chance of eventually becoming a Hall of Famer. Injuries and a late-career regression hurt Green’s chances, but he was on a torrid pace to start his career, making the Pro Bowl in seven consecutive seasons after being drafted. Meanwhile, in the modern era, Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are both on the right track.
2024
- Amarius Mims | Pick 18
OT, Georgia
2023
- Myles Murphy | Pick 28
EDGE, Clemson
2022
- Daxton Hill | Pick 31
S, Michigan
2021
- Ja’Marr Chase | Pick 5
WR, LSU
2020
- Joe Burrow | Pick 1
QB, LSU
2019
- Jonah Williams | Pick 11
OT, Alabama
2018
- Billy Price | Pick 21
C, Ohio State
2017
- John Ross | Pick 9
WR, Washington
2016
- William Jackson III | Pick 24
CB, Houston
2015
- Cedric Ogbuehi | Pick 21
OT, Texas A&M
2014
- Darqueze Dennard | Pick 24
DB, Michigan State
2013
- Tyler Eifert | Pick 21
TE, Notre Dame
2012
- Dre Kirkpatrick | Pick 17
DB, Alabama - Kevin Zeitler | Pick 27
G, Wisconsin
2011
- A.J. Green | Pick 4
WR, Georgia
2010
- Jermaine Gresham | Pick 21
TE, Oklahoma
2009
- Andre Smith | Pick 6
OT, Alabama
2008
- Keith Rivers | Pick 9
LB, USC
2007
- Leon Hall | Pick 18
DB, Michigan
2006
- Johnathan Joseph | Pick 24
DB, South Carolina
2005
- David Pollack | Pick 17
LB, Georgia
2004
- Chris Perry | Pick 26
RB, Michigan
2003
- Carson Palmer | Pick 1
QB, USC
2002
- Levi Jones | Pick 10
OT, Arizona State
2001
- Justin Smith | Pick 4
DE, Missouri
2000
- Peter Warrick | Pick 4
WR, Florida State
1999
- Akili Smith | Pick 3
QB, Oregon
1998
- Takeo Spikes | Pick 13
LB, Auburn - Brian Simmons | Pick 17
LB, North Carolina
1997
- Reinard Wilson | Pick 14
LB, Florida State
1996
- Willie Anderson | Pick 10
OT, Auburn
1995
- Ki-Jana Carter | Pick 1
RB, Penn State
1994
- Dan Wilkinson | Pick 1
DT, Ohio State
1993
- John Copeland | Pick 5
DE, Alabama
1992
- David Klingler | Pick 6
QB, Houston - Darryl Williams | Pick 28
DB, Miami (FL)
1991
- Alfred Williams | Pick 18
DE, Colorado
1990
- James Francis | Pick 12
LB, Baylor
1989
The Bengals traded their first-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons.
1988
- Rickey Dixon | Pick 5
DB, Oklahoma
1987
- Jason Buck | Pick 17
DE, BYU
1986
- Joe Kelly | Pick 11
LB, Washington - Tim McGee | Pick 21
WR, Tennessee
1985
- Eddie Brown | Pick 13
WR, Miami (FL) - Emanuel King | Pick 25
LB, Alabama
1984
- Ricky Hunley | Pick 7
LB, Arizona - Pete Koch | Pick 16
NT, Maryland - Brian Blados | Pick 28
OT, North Carolina
1983
- Dave Rimington | Pick 25
C, Nebraska
1982
- Glen Collins | Pick 26
DE, Mississippi State
1981
- David Verser | Pick 10
WR, Kansas
1980
- Anthony Munoz* | Pick 3
OT, USC
1979
- Jack Thompson | Pick 3
QB, Washington State - Charles Alexander | Pick 12
RB, LSU
1978
- Ross Browner | Pick 8
DE, Notre Dame - Blair Bush | Pick 16
C, Washington
1977
- Eddie Edwards | Pick 3
DE, Miami (FL) - Wilson Whitley | Pick 8
DT, Houston - Mike Cobb | Pick 22
TE, Michigan State
1976
- Billy Brooks | Pick 11
WR, Oklahoma - Archie Griffin | Pick 24
RB, Ohio State
1975
- Glenn Cameron | Pick 14
LB, Florida
1974
- Bill Kollar | Pick 23
DE, Montana State
1973
- Isaac Curtis | Pick 15
WR, San Diego State
1972
- Sherman White | Pick 2
DE, California
1971
- Vern Holland | Pick 15
OT, Tennessee State
1970
- Mike Reid | Pick 7
DT, Penn State
1969
- Greg Cook | Pick 5
QB, Cincinnati
1968
- Bob Johnson | Pick 2
C, Tennessee
*Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
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