The Cincinnati Bengals are preparing to enter their second season with Zac Taylor at the helm in 2020. In his inaugural season with the Bengals, the team went 2-14 and as a result, they were rewarded the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
With the No. 1 pick in the draft, Cincinnati took Joe Burrow out of LSU. Upon Burrow's arrival, Andy Dalton requested his release from the team, and the front office granted his wish.
Seeing that he was taken first overall, Cincinnati expects Burrow to make an immediate impact next season. Besides Burrow, who could burst onto the scene for the Bengals in the 2020 NFL season?
Jonah Williams
Just a little over a year ago, the Bengals selected Jonah Williams with the No. 11 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Coming out of Alabama, Williams was expected to shore up the left side of the offensive line.
However, before he logged a single snap with the Bengals, Williams underwent shoulder surgery for a torn labrum. The college standout at left tackle was unable to play in his rookie season, but he's slated to make his debut in 2020.
During his time at Alabama, Williams was a unanimous All-American in 2018 and was given the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which is given to the best blocker in their respective conference. With Burrow now under center, Williams will have a chance to become his blindside protector and prove why he was taken in the first round of last year's draft.
Germaine Pratt
Later in the 2019 NFL Draft, after taking Williams, the Bengals took Germaine Pratt in the third round. Unlike Williams, Pratt was able to contribute to Cincinnati in his rookie campaign.
Article Continues BelowWhile being able to suit up in all 16 games, Pratt ended up making nine starts for the Bengals a season ago. The North Carolina State product would notch 76 tackles and four tackles for loss in his first year in stripes.
The losses of veterans Nick Vigil and Preston Brown should allow Pratt to secure a starting job in 2020. In the event that he receives more snaps next season, Pratt could become a mainstay in Cincinnati's defense.
Joe Burrow
The future of the Bengals franchise rests entirely on the shoulders of Burrow moving forward. While that sentiment carries a ton of weight, it's absolutely true for a Cincinnati team that hasn't won a playoff game since 1990.
If Burrow can live up to expectations or exceed them, then the Bengals could find themselves being a playoff team sooner rather than later. In his final season at LSU, Burrow was historically good, throwing for 5,671 yards, 60 touchdowns, and six interceptions en route to winning the Heisman Trophy and the National Championship.
Burrow, an Ohio native, is hoping to aid the Bengals in emerging from the depths of despair after years of failure. Even though Cincinnati will likely miss the postseason in 2020, Burrow could still post a stellar rookie season just like last year's No. 1 pick in Kyler Murray.