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The Cincinnati Bengals entered last season with Super Bowl aspirations, yet left the year with a 9-8 record and missing the playoffs. Most of that was due to quarterback Joe Burrow having his season cut to just 10 games after he suffered a season-ending wrist injury. That's all behind them now, with the 2024 season ahead.
Though the Bengals are still trying to figure out their wide receiver situation with Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase, the team still has a talented roster that should keep them in the hunt in what is a loaded AFC conference. A lot of that has to do with Burrow coming back. His health is the determining factor for this franchise's success, as was evident last season.
Helping this team hopefully get back to at least the postseason this season will be what they hope is a talented 2024 draft class. The Bengals walked out of the 2024 NFL Draft with 10 draft picks, some of which will be instant contributors. But one to look out for is fifth-round, No. 149 overall pick Josh Newton out of TCU.
TCU cornerback Josh Newton is the Bengals Rookie Sleeper in 2024
Josh Newton began his college career at Louisiana-Monroe, where he spent three seasons developing his skills and showcasing his potential. Newton then transferred to TCU in 2022, stepping up to a higher level of competition in the Big 12. The move paid off, as he earned All-Big-12 honors twice, proving his ability to adapt and excel at a Power Five program.
In his two seasons in Fort Worth, Newton accounted for 68 total tackles, 2.5 for a loss, 21 pass breakups, and four interceptions, one for a pick-six in 2022. Last season for the Horned Frogs, he allowed 25 catches on 52 targets for 303 yards and just one passing touchdown. He held quarterbacks to an average passer rating of 64.8.
Despite his college success, Newton found himself slipping all the way down to the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Concerns about his size — 5-foot-11, 190 pounds — and combine performance likely contributed to this drop, but apparently, the Bengals and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo saw beyond the numbers and focused on the potential.
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“(There's) a lot to like,” Anarumo said, per the Bengals website. “(He) plays inside, plays outside, played a bunch of games at nickel (cornerback). He's had over 30-plus tackles in three consecutive years (and), I believe, seven interceptions in his career. (He) was first-team All-Big-12 in 2022. So, great kid, great football instincts, awareness — I like everything about his game.”
Anarumo believes that there's a chance, due to Newton's versatility, that he can potentially play either inside or outside corner.
“Again, he can do both, so we'll give him the opportunity to do both and we'll see where it fits us and him the best,” Anarumo said.
Last season, Newton did spend most of his time on the outside, playing 620 snaps at the position. He played just 51 in the slot and 125 in the box, per Pro Football Focus.
Perhaps the real appeal of Newton is what he has the potential to bring to the Bengals, even early on. Anarumo and the Bengals staff are likely hoping Newton can be the successor to Mike Hilton as the slot corner, a critical position in the Bengals' defense. Hilton is 30 and will be entering the eighth year of his professional career.
There's also the transition of former first-round pick Dax Hill moving to cornerback this season. That means the secondary could see an upgrade in 2024. Newton's ability to play multiple positions will provide much-needed depth and flexibility, especially in an AFC loaded with talented quarterbacks. His versatility, along with his overall talent, makes him the Bengals' rookie sleeper of the 2024 season.
