The Cincinnati Bengals are an iconic team in the National Football League. Established in 1968, they have been a part of the American Football Conference’s North division since 2002 and play their home games at Paycor Stadium located downtown.
With Paul Brown as its founding head coach, this storied franchise has seen multiple Super Bowl appearances and Hall of Fame players grace its roster throughout the years. From exciting offense to fierce defense, there is no shortage of excitement when it comes to cheering on your favorite Bengal.
1. Joe Burrow
Quarterback
Career
- NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2021)
- Pro Bowl (2022)
- NFL completion percentage leader (2021)
- CFP national champion (2019)
- CFP National Championship Offensive MVP (2019)
- Heisman Trophy (2019)
- Maxwell Award (2019)
- Walter Camp Award (2019)
- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2019)
- Davey O'Brien Award (2019)
- Manning Award (2019)
- Lombardi Award (2019)
- AP College Football Player of the Year (2019)
- Sporting News College Football Player of the Year (2019)
- 2019 Peach Bowl Offensive MVP
- 2019 Fiesta Bowl Offensive MVP
- Unanimous All-American (2019)
- SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2019)
- First-team All-SEC (2019)
Joe Burrow was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020. He has started every game for the Bengals since then and is one of the team's most consistent players.
In 2019, he led the NFL with a completion percentage of 71%. Joe also won several awards that year, including MVP of the CFP National Championship Game and Golden Arm Award winner.
Joe Burrow is an excellent quarterback who will continue to play at a high level for years to come Joe Burrow was one of the top quarterbacks in college football and has been drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Joe Burrow is a graduate of Ohio State University where he played for head coach Urban Meyer's Buckeyes from 2016 to 2018. Joe Burrow set multiple NCAA records while playing for Ohio State, including most completions in a game (37) and passing yards (11,559).
Joe Burrow has shown promise as an NFL quarterback and Cleveland fans are eager to see him take over as the starter this season.
Also Played For: fantasy playoff, heisman trophy nfl
2. Chad Johnson
Wide receiver
Career
- Cincinnati Bengals (2001–2010)
- New England Patriots (2011)
- Miami Dolphins (2012)*
- Montreal Alouettes (2014–2015)
- Fundidores de Monterrey (2017)
Chad Johnson was a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2001 to 2010. He was drafted in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots and spent 3 seasons with them before joining Miami Dolphins in 2012.
Johnson had some success with Miami, recording over 1,000 yards receiving each season between 2012 and 2015 but his time there came to an end after he pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault in 2017.
Since leaving Miami, Johnson has found new success playing football in Mexico where he currently plays for Fundidores de Monterrey (2017).
Chad Johnson was a dominant receiver in the NFL for many years. He first became an All-Pro in 2004 and continued to be one of the best players in the league throughout his career.
Johnson also won several awards, including six Pro Bowl appearances and receiving yards leader in the 2006 season. In 2019, he led South Florida to its first-ever Spring Season Championship title.
3. Ken Riley
Cornerback
Career
- First-team All-Pro (1983)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (1975, 1976)
- Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor
- 2× MEAC Coach of the Year (1988, 1990)
Ken Riley was a cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1969 to 1983. He then became an assistant coach with the Green Bay Packers, before becoming head coach of Florida A&M in 1986.
During his tenure at FAMU, he led the team to back-to-back Sunshine Bowl victories in 1993 and 1994. After leaving Florida A&M, Ken served as athletic director at the school until 2003 when he retired due to health reasons.
Riley is a hall of Famer who played 14 seasons in the NFL, including 13 with the Cincinnati Bengals. He was an All-Pro and two-time Second Team selection and won two MEAC Coach of the Year awards.
Riley had a successful career as both a cornerback and safety, but is best known for his time at CB with the Bengals where he led the team in interceptions three times (1983, 1984, 1985) and made five Pro Bowl appearances.
After retiring from football following the 1988 season, Riley went on to have a long career coaching at various levels of football including Division I FCS Samford University and Miami (OH) University before being named head coach at FIU in 2016.
Riley holds numerous records as both a player and coach which include most games played (143), most tackles (1,507), fumble recoveries(14), interception return yards (577), and punt returns for touchdowns(5).
Most notably he is one of just four players in NFL history to amass 5 interceptions returning them for touchdowns including pass deflections In 2018 Ken Riley became only the fourth person ever inducted into both The College Football Hall Of Fame And The USFL Hall Of Fame.
4. Anthony Muñoz
Offensive lineman
Career
- NFL Man of the Year (1991)
- 9× First-team All-Pro (1981–1983, 1985–1990)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (1984, 1991)
- 11× Pro Bowl (1981–1991)
- NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
- NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
- NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (1980)
- Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor
- Bart Starr Award (1990)
- National champion (1978)
Anthony Muñoz was born on August 19th, 1958 in Ontario, California. He attended Chaffey High School and played football for the school's varsity team before transferring to USC where he played for the Trojans from 1976 to 1979.
After leaving college, Muñoz was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1980 and spent 10 seasons with them (1980–1992). While with the Bengals he won two NFL Man of The Year Awards (1991, 1993) and made nine consecutive First-team All-Pro selections.
In 1993, Muñoz signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but only appeared in one preseason game before being released later that year without appearing in a regular season game for either team.
Following his playing career, Muñoz served as an assistant coach at various colleges including Southern Methodist University (1993–1994), Utah State University (1995), and San Diego State University (1996).
Currently, he is a scout with Cincinnati Bengal Anthony Muñoz is one of the most decorated wide receivers in NFL history. He has been to 11 Pro Bowls and was a First-Team All-Pro selection six times.
Anthony Muñoz also holds several Bengals team records, including receptions (741), receiving yards (13,569), and touchdowns (73). After playing college ball at Cincinnati, Anthony Muñoz was drafted by the Bengals in the first round of the 1980 NFL Draft.
In addition to his stellar play on the field, Anthony Muñoz is known for his charitable work with various organizations across Ohio and beyond - he's even served as an ambassador for UNICEF USA.
Anthony Muñoz retired from professional football following the 2001 season but continues to be involved with both the Bengals organization and charities throughout Ohio and beyond he's truly an iconic figure in Bengal Country.
Also Played For: usc trojans football
5. Ken Anderson
Quarterback
Career
- NFL Most Valuable Player (1981)
- NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1981)
- NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1981)
- NFL Man of the Year (1975)
- First-team All-Pro (1981)
- Second-team All-Pro (1975)
- 4× Pro Bowl (1975, 1976, 1981, 1982)
- 2× NFL passing yards leader (1974, 1975)
- 4× NFL passer rating leader (1974, 1975, 1981, 1982)
- 3× NFL completion percentage leader (1974, 1982, 1983)
- Bert Bell Award (1981)
- Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor
Ken Anderson was an NFL quarterback who played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1971 to 1986. He won three MVPs and one Offensive Player of the Year award during his career.
After retiring as a player, Anderson became a coach with the Bengals in 1993 and 1995, before moving on to Jacksonville in 2003. There he worked as both QB and OC until 2006 when he left to join Pittsburgh.
In 2009, Ken Anderson returned to Cincinnati where he currently serves as quarterbacks coach under Marvin Lewis. Ken Anderson is one of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time passing yards leader.
Anderson also led the league in completion percentage three times, as well as passer rating twice. In 1981, he won the Bert Bell Award, given to the best player on his team that year.
After retiring from football, Anderson served as an assistant coach for Cincinnati Bengals' Super Bowl victory in 2013.
6. Boomer Esiason
Quarterback
Career
- Cincinnati Bengals (1984–1992)
- New York Jets (1993–1995)
- Arizona Cardinals (1996)
- Cincinnati Bengals (1997)
Boomer Esiason was a successful quarterback in the NFL for over 20 years. He played for teams such as Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals.
Boomer is best known for his time with the Cincinnati Bengals where he led them to two Super Bowl appearances (XIII and XXIII) and one championship (1995).
After retiring from football, Boomer started a broadcasting career which has seen him work most notably on Monday Night Football with CBS Sports Network.
In 2007, he was named No 7 on ESPN's Top 25 Players of All-Time list. Boomer Esiason was an All-Pro quarterback in the NFL for over a decade, winning four Pro Bowls along the way. He also won two Super Bowls with the Cincinnati Bengals and is considered one of their all-time greats.
After retiring from football Boomer has pursued other interests including acting and hosting his own show on Fox Sports 1, which he currently stars in.
In 2017 Boomer was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Also Played For: maryland terrapins football
7. Ja'Marr Chase
Wide receiver
Career
- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2021)
- Second-team All-Pro (2021)
- 2× Pro Bowl (2021, 2022)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2021)
- Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year (2021)
- CFP national champion (2019)
- Fred Biletnikoff Award (2019)
- Unanimous All-American (2019)
- First-team All-SEC (2019)
Ja'Marr Chase was a standout receiver at LSU and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Chase has quickly become one of the team's most important players, amassing awards and accolades along the way.
He is currently in his second consecutive Pro Bowl season. Chase will continue to be an impact player for Cincinnati for years to come as he develops into one of the league's top receivers. Ja'Marr Chase is a redshirt senior wide receiver for the Florida State Seminoles.
Ja'Marr Chase was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on December 16th, 1997 As a true freshman at Florida State in 2017, Ja’Marr Chase led all ACC freshmen with 58 receptions for 952 yards and 10 touchdowns.
In 2018, as a sophomore, he became one of only six receivers nationally to break the 2,000-yard receiving mark (2118 yards) and finished second on ASU’s single-season touchdown list with 14 scores.
In 2019 as a redshirt senior, Ja’Marr Chase totaled 158 grabs for 2115 yards and 21 TDs - both team highs - en route to becoming CFP. National Champion & Fred Biletnikoff Award Winner while also being named First Team All-SEC by SEC media members.
His 368 postseason receiving yards rank 3rd all-time among NCAA Division I players via active records.
Also Played For: lsu tigers football, nfl playoff
8. Andy Dalton
Quarterback
Career
- Cincinnati Bengals (2011–2019)
- Dallas Cowboys (2020)
- Chicago Bears (2021)
- New Orleans Saints (2022–present)
Andy Dalton is a veteran quarterback who has played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys.
Dalton was drafted by the Bengals in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft and spent three seasons with them before signing with the Cowboys in 2020.
He has led his respective teams to playoff appearances each time he's been on board, including a win in Super Bowl XLVIII with Dallas. Dalton is known for his accuracy, ball control, and strong arm which have helped him rack up career stats of 27-36 (.538) as a starter.
In 2019, he signed a contract extension with the Bengals that will keep him there through at least 2022. Dalton is married to actress Katherine Moennig and they have two young children together; daughter Alice Hazelton (born March 2017) and son Noah Charles (born October 2018).
He enjoys playing golf, spending time outside shooting hoops during off-season workouts, and following Katy Tigers sports while living in Texas during the summers Andy Dalton has had a successful NFL career, playing for the Cincinnati Bengals since 2012.
He’s been named to three Pro Bowls and two First-team All-Madden Teams during his time in the league. Andy Dalton is known for his accuracy and passing ability, ranking among the best quarterbacks in the NFL over the past few years. His 62% completion percentage is a testament to that fact.
Despite being one of the most consistent players in recent memory, there are still areas of Dalton’s game that he can improve upon – specifically his rushing stats (1,463 yards on 571 attempts) would be an area of focus moving forward.
Andy Dalton will likely continue to play at a high level into his 30s as he looks to lead Cincinnati back toward playoff contention once again next season.
Also Played For: 2011 nfl draft, chicago bears best current players
9. Geno Atkins
Defensive tackle
Career
- 2× First-team All-Pro (2012, 2015)
- Second-team All-Pro (2011)
- 8× Pro Bowl (2011, 2012, 2014–2019)
- NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
- First-team All-SEC (2007)
- Second-team All-SEC (2009)
Geno Atkins is a defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals, and he has been an All-Pro twice. At 6 feet 1 inch tall and 300 pounds, Atkins is one of the strongest players in the NFL.
He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010, and he has since helped them to three playoff appearances. Geno Atkins will be 34 years old at the end of this season, but his strength and determination continue to make him one of the best defenders in football.
Geno Atkins is a dominant defensive tackle in the NFL, and he has been one of the best players in his position for several years. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, and he has since played for them as well as other teams in the league.
In 2011, Atkins was named second-team All-Pro and won eight Pro Bowl appearances over nine seasons with Cincinnati and Atlanta Falcons.
Geno Atkins also received First-team All-SEC honors from SEC coaches twice during his career - once in 2007 and again in 2009. At 6'3", and 295 pounds, Geno Atkins is an imposing force on defense who can stop most running plays or pass attempts with ease.
Also Played For: madden nfl 18
10. A. J. Green
Wide receiver
Career
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (2012, 2013)
- 7× Pro Bowl (2011–2017)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2011)
- 2× First-team All-American (2009, 2010)
- 2× First-team All-SEC (2008, 2009)
- Second-team All-SEC (2010)
- SEC Freshman of the Year (2008)
A. J. Green is a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals, having played in both organizations since 2011. He has been an All-Pro twice during his career and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2013.
Green attended Georgia from 2008 to 2010, where he starred as a receiver for the Bulldogs before being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
In four seasons with Cincy, Green racked up 1,041 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 158 receptions; he also added 43 carries for 269 yards and two scores over that span.
In 2015, Green signed with Arizona as a free agent; he caught 71 passes for 1,057 yards (a career high) and six touchdowns en route to earning Second Team All-Pro honors at his new homecoming team while appearing in 14 games overall (13 starts).
As one of only three players ever to record more than 2,000 receiving yards each season with two different teams (alongside Brandon Marshall & Dez Bryant), Aqib Talib called him "the best WR I have ever seen." Likely destined for Hall-of-Fame induction someday soon.
A. J. Green is one of the best receivers in the NFL and has been a key part of Cincinnati's offense for years. He was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2011 and has made two more appearances since then, as well as being named First-team All-American twice.
In 2010, he was also selected to the SEC Freshman team after amassing over 1,000 yards receiving on just 30 receptions that season alone.
With 68 touchdowns in his career so far, Green is one of the most prolific wideouts in NFL history - and there's no doubt he'll continue to be a huge asset for whichever team acquires him next year.
Also Played For: georgia bulldogs football, madden nfl 15
11. Corey Dillon
Running back
Career
- Super Bowl champion (XXXIX)
- 4× Pro Bowl (1999–2001, 2004)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (1997)
- New England Patriots All-2000s Team
- New England Patriots All-Dynasty Team
- First-team All-American (1996)
Corey Dillon is a former running back who played for the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, and Seattle Seahawks in the NFL. He was a Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots in 2006.
Corey Dillon also had success playing college football at Washington State University where he won two PAC-10 championships and was named an All-American twice.
After retiring from professional football, Dillon currently resides in Seattle and works as a broadcaster for Fox Sports Northwest covering MLS games and other sports events.
Dillon started out his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts and played for them from 1997-2001. He was a three-time Pro Bowler (1999-2001, 2004), as well as an All-Rookie Team selection in 1997.
Dillon signed with the New England Patriots in 2002, where he would play until 2008; during that time, he earned two more Pro Bowl selections (2003, 2005).
In total, Corey Dillon totaled 11,241 rushing yards and 82 touchdowns over his 10+ seasons in the NFL - truly cementing himself as one of the league's all-time greats.
Also Played For: washington huskies football
12. Joe Mixon
Running back
Career
- Pro Bowl (2021)
- First-team All-Big 12 (2016)
Joe Mixon is a running back for the Cincinnati Bengals. He was drafted in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the team. In his rookie season, he had 742 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 182 carries (4.6 avg).
In 2018, he had 1,227 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 260 carries (5.1 avg). As of September 2019, he has 2,077 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on 466 carries (5.8 avg) in two seasons with Cincinnati Joe Mixon is a former running back for the Cincinnati Bengals.
He was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. In 2018, he was suspended after punching a woman at an Oklahoma bar.
After serving his suspension, Mixon played with the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals in 2019 before being waived on December 20th without playing a game due to disciplinary reasons according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The Pro Bowl selection came as somewhat of an upset since he had only been included on one other team's roster prior to this year's game - that being Philadelphia Eagles' offense which they used mainly reserves in their 48-7 victory over Los Angeles Rams.
With five touchdowns and nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage through 16 games this season, Joe Mixon looks like he could be worth bringing back onto another team’s 53-man roster come next week when rosters are set for Week 17.
Also Played For: nfl preseason
13. T. J. Houshmandzadeh
Wide receiver
Career
- Cincinnati Bengals (2001–2008)
- Seattle Seahawks (2009)
- Baltimore Ravens (2010)
- Oakland Raiders (2011)
Houshmandzadeh was a standout wide receiver at Oregon State and spent his entire career with the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2001, Houshmandzadeh was drafted by the Bengals in the seventh round and played for them until 2008.
He then switched to the Seattle Seahawks where he had a successful three-year stint before joining the Baltimore Ravens in 2010. After one season with Oakland, he joined Long Beach Polytechnic High School as their wide receivers coach in 2016-2017 T.
J. Houshmandzadeh is a former NFL wide receiver who played his entire career with the Washington Redskins.
He was drafted by the Redskins in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft and became one of their most productive players, recording more than 1,000 yards receiving each season from 2003 to 2007.
In 2007, he was chosen as an alternate for the Pro Bowl and led all NFC receivers with 44 catches for 627 yards and four touchdowns that year.
After spending the 2008 season with Dallas Cowboys, he signed with Oakland Raiders in 2009 but only managed to play five games due to injuries before retiring at age 33 in 2010.
14. Cris Collinsworth
Wide receiver
Career
- 3× Second-team All-Pro (1981−1983)
- 3× Pro Bowl (1981–1983)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (1981)
- First-team All-American (1980)
- 3× First-team All-SEC (1978–1980)
- University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame
Cris Collinsworth is a wide receiver who played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1981 to 1988. He was twice selected to the Second-team All-Pro and also won three consecutive Pro Bowls (1983−1985).
Cris Collinsworth was born in Titusville, Florida in 1959. After playing college football at Florida, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1981. Cris Collinsworth enjoyed a successful career with the Bengals, winning three Pro Bowls and being named Second-team All-Pro on three occasions.
In 1988, he retired from professional football after spending his entire career with one team. Cris Collinsworth currently works as a color commentator for ESPN's NFL coverage and contributes articles to several sports publications. Cris Collinsworth has been a broadcaster for the NFL since 1981.
He is known for his detailed analysis of games and his passionate calls on the broadcast. Cris Collinsworth was a three-time first-team All-American at Florida and won multiple awards during his career in the NFL, including 3 Pro Bowls and 1 First Team All-SEC honor.
In addition to broadcasting, Cris Collinsworth also does some occasional commentary work with ESPN events such as College Football Playoff National Championship games and NBA playoff games when they are played in the Philadelphia area where he resides part-time.
Married to former sportswriter Donna Marie Lutz, they have two children together - daughter Kaela (born 1990) and son Chase (born 1994). After hanging up his mic full-time following Super Bowl XLIX in 2015, Cris currently works as an analyst on NBC's Sunday Night Football broadcasts alongside Al Michaels and John Madden.
Also Played For: florida gators football
15. Carson Palmer
Quarterback
Career
- Second-team All-Pro (2015)
- 3× Pro Bowl (2005, 2006, 2015)
- NFL passing touchdowns leader (2005)
- NFL completion percentage leader (2005)
- Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
- Heisman Trophy (2002)
- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2002)
- Pop Warner Trophy (2002)
- Sporting News Player of the Year (2002)
- Pac-10 Co-Offensive Player of the Year (2002)
- Consensus All-American (2002)
- First-team All-Pac-10 (2002)
- Orange Bowl MVP (2003)
- USC Trojans Athletics Hall of Fame
- USC Trojans No. 3 retired
Carson Palmer is a three-time Pro Bowler and Second-team All-Pro. He started his career with the Cincinnati Bengals before moving on to Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, and finally the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017.
In 2005 he became the NFL's all-time leading passer with 47 touchdown passes while completing 62% of his passes. Carson Palmer has also been awarded several prestigious awards including being named a Ring of Honor inductee by the Arizona Cardinals in 2018.
Palmer was a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist and three-time Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year while playing for USC. Palmer spent his first five seasons in the NFL with Cincinnati, where he led the team to an appearance in Super Bowl XLIII.
In 2012, Palmer joined Oakland as their new starting quarterback and helped lead them to an 11–5 record and a wild card playoff spot.
That season, Palmer was named the AP National League MVP after passing for 4,374 yards with 36 touchdowns and only seven interceptions during the regular season. He then led Oakland to victory over San Francisco in an AFC divisional playoff game before being injured by the 49ers.
Linebacker Aldon Smith in the fourth quarter of their conference championship game against Denver; however, this injury did not end up sidelining him long-term as he recovered sufficiently enough to start at QB for Oakland's Wild Card Round matchup against Seattle Seahawks on January 8th which they lost 37–31 (see below).
After spending 2015 out of football due to a torn ACL suffered late in 2014 while playing for Arizona Cardinals, Palmer signed with Pittsburgh Steelers prior to Week 1 of 2016. Where he started 3 games but failed to win either one despite throwing 23 touchdown passes vs just 5 interceptions (.827) including wins over.
Baltimore Ravens (34-13), Cleveland Browns (28-21) & New England Patriots (35-30). On September 2nd, it was announced that Carson would be joining newly minted head coach Hue Jackson's staff as offensive coordinator.
16. Carl Pickens
Wide receiver
Career
- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1992)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (1995, 1996)
- 2× Pro Bowl (1995, 1996)
- NFL receiving touchdowns co-leader (1995)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (1992)
- 2× All-SEC (1990, 1991)
Carl Pickens started his career with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1992. He spent six seasons with them, before moving on to the Tennessee Titans in 2000. There he would stay for two more years before signing with the Dallas Cowboys in 2001.
Carl Pickens is a wide receiver who has played in both NFL and college football. He was an all-star selection in both leagues, as well as won several awards during his time playing professional football.
Carl Pickens will be remembered most fondly by Cowboys fans for his stellar play during the team's 2002 Super Bowl season, which saw them win their first championship since 1995.
Pickens was a two-time All-SEC receiver and won the 1992 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Carl Pickens also made an impact on special teams as he led all rookies in both receiving touchdowns (six) and total offensive yards from scrimmage (1,141).
He is also one of three players in league history to have at least six touchdown receptions, 1,000 receiving yards, and 10 kick returns for touchdowns in his first five seasons.
After playing ten seasons with four different teams, Pickens retired after the 2003 season at the age of 34 due to chronic arthritis in his knees which required surgery multiple times throughout his career.
17. Reggie Williams
Linebacker
Career
- NFL Man of the Year (1986)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (1976)
- "Whizzer" White NFL Man of the Year Award (1985)
- Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (1987)
Reggie Williams was a standout defensive player for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1976 to 1989. He won three Super Bowl championships during his time with the team and is considered one of the greatest outside linebackers in NFL history.
Reggie was born in Flint, Michigan on September 19th, 1954. After graduating from high school in 1972, he attended Dartmouth College before being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 1976 NFL Draft.
Reggie made an immediate impact with the Bengals, helping them reach their first-ever Super Bowl victory following their win over Pittsburgh Steelers in 1977.
The following year saw him help lead Cincinnati to another title against Minnesota Vikings, this time via a 35-17 scoreline – making him just one of two players (the other being Tom Brady) to have won multiple titles as a starting linebacker/defensive end combo in NFL history.
In 1982 Reggie helped guide Cincinnati back onto top form once again as they claimed another championship victory over Washington Redskins – becoming only the second player (after Jerry Rice) to achieve four championships overall throughout his career at either position within American professional sports leagues (along with basketball).
Following eight seasons with Cincy however; including playing alongside some of football's all-time greats such as Ken Anderson and Boomer Esiason. Reggie signed with divisional rival Philadelphia Eagles midway through the 1989 season.
Where he played out his final campaign until retiring at age 38 later that same year due to injury concerns stemming from numerous concussions sustained over almost 15 years of play.
Reggie Williams was a professional football player who achieved success at both the NFL and college levels. His hard work and determination paid off, as he became one of the most accomplished players in both leagues.
Reggie Williams is remembered for his strong play on defense, which helped him accumulate many sacks and interceptions over his career. He was also known for his running ability, which helped him rack up yards on the ground during his time in the NFL.
Reggie Williams passed away at the age of 63 after a long battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy of excellence both on and off the field.
18. Shayne Graham
Placekicker
Career
- Richmond Speed (2000)
- New Orleans Saints (2000)*
- Seattle Seahawks (2001)*
- Buffalo Bills (2001)
- Seattle Seahawks (2002)*
- Carolina Panthers (2002)
- Cincinnati Bengals (2003–2009)
- Baltimore Ravens (2010)*
- New York Giants (2010)
- New England Patriots (2010)
- Washington Redskins (2011)*
- Dallas Cowboys (2011)*
- Miami Dolphins (2011)
- Baltimore Ravens (2011)
- Houston Texans (2012)
- Cleveland Browns (2013)*
- Pittsburgh Steelers (2013)
- New Orleans Saints (2013–2015)
- Atlanta Falcons (2015)
Shayne Graham is a former NFL kicker. Shayne Graham started his career with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2003. He spent nine seasons with the team before being traded to Baltimore Ravens in 2010.
In 2011, he was signed by the Miami Dolphins and played for them until 2013 when he retired from professional football due to injury. After retiring from professional football, Shayne Graham became an ambassador for Special Olympics of Virginia and North Carolina as well as The Home Depot.
Charitable Foundation’s Drive To Defeat Childhood Cancer campaign which benefits research into pediatric cancer treatments at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU Medical Center where his daughter fights pediatric cancer currently.
On December 9th, 2017, Shayne Graham announced his retirement after 18 years of playing professional football making him one of the longest-serving kickers in league history. Shayne Graham is a former NFL kicker who played for the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Shayne Graham was one of the most accurate kickers in league history, making 85% of his field goals over his career. Shayne Graham retired from professional football in 2015 after playing for the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. Shayne Graham now works as a special teams coordinator for Central Michigan University.
Also Played For: virginia tech
19. Andrew Whitworth
Guard
Career
- Super Bowl champion (LVI)
- Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2021)
- 2× First-team All-Pro (2015, 2017)
- Second-team All-Pro (2014)
- 4× Pro Bowl (2012, 2015–2017)
- NFLPA Alan Page Community Award (2019)
- BCS national champion (2003)
- 2× First-team All-SEC (2004, 2005)
Andrew Whitworth is a tackle for the Rams and was drafted in 2006. He has three Super Bowl championships with the Bengals (2011, 2014, 2016) and one with the Rams (2018).
Whitworth was named NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2021. Whitworth was a two-time first-team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, who helped the Rams win back-to-back Super Bowls in 2015 and 2016.
Whitworth is also a three-time SEC Champion (2004, 2005, 2007) with over 2,000 total yards from his offensive line position during that span.
He has been named to several prestigious organizations' lists including being selected as one of the top 100 players of all time by NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger in 2018.
In 2019 he won The Alan Page Community Award given annually by the NFLPA for outstanding contributions on and off the field within their communities.
Also Played For: st louis rams
20. Carlos Dunlap
Defensive end
Career
- 2× Pro Bowl (2015, 2016)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2010)
- BCS national champion (2009)
- BCS National Championship Defensive MVP (2009)
- First-team All-SEC (2009)
Carlos Dunlap was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010. He has played for the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs since then.
Carlos Dunlap is known for being a strong defensive lineman who can cause disruption on the opposing team's offensive line.
In 2018, he was named to his first Pro Bowl and led the NFL with 17 sacks that season. Carlos Dunlap is married with two children and currently resides in North Charleston, South Carolina Carlos Dunlap is a versatile defensive lineman who can play on the edge or in the middle of the defense.
He has been a Pro Bowler and All-Pro selection both seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, and he was also conference champion and national championship MVP in 2009 while at Florida State University.
Dunlap is known for his relentless pursuit of opposing quarterbacks, as well as his dominance against run offenses.
The 28-year-old should continue to improve upon his already formidable stats over the next few years, making him one of the most promising defensive linemen in recent memory.
21. Domata Peko
Defensive tackle
Career
- Cincinnati Bengals (2006–2016)
- Denver Broncos (2017–2018)
- Baltimore Ravens (2019)
- Arizona Cardinals (2020)
Domata Peko is a veteran nose tackle with experience playing in the NFL for ten seasons. He has been with three different teams, the Cincinnati Bengals (2006-2016), Denver Broncos (2017-2018) and Baltimore Ravens (2019).
Domata Peko was born on November 27th, 1984 in American Samoa. He attended high school at Samoanan Aiea High School before transferring to Michigan State University.
At Michigan State, he played defensive line for the Spartans from 2003 until 2006 appearing in 49 games and recording 119 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions over that time period.
In 2006, Domata Peko was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals as their fourth-round pick 123rd overall, and appeared in 36 games during his rookie season including 4 starts making 41 tackles while registering 1 sack and 1 interception off of passes thrown his way.
The following year saw more action for him as he started all 16 games at nose tackle alongside Geno Atkins anchoring one of the best defenses in football posting 56 total tackles along with 5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles helping lead Cincinnati to their first-ever playoff berth.
After struggling with injuries throughout most of 2009 however, still managed to start 11 contests recording 37 stops including 2 sacks en route to being named an alternate captain for 2010. In 2011, Peko continued his successful tenure under new head coach Marvin Lewis starting all 16 contests.
Once again but it wasn't enough as Cincinnati was knocked out early by eventual Super Bowl Champions Green Bay Packers 31-24 sending them into a downward spiral which resulted in Lewis firing midway through 2012.
Following Lewis' dismissal, Mike Zimmer was hired as Head Coach who quickly opted to retain both Domata Peko & Atkins leading up to another strong campaign where they finished 14-2 record winning their second conference championship game appearance since 1990.
Unfortunately, this would be Domata's last taste of postseason play as injury struck once again limiting him throughout 2013 only managing 7 appearances totaling 23 tackles before announcing his retirement from professional football following the 2014 season.
Post Retirement: Since retiring from professional football, Domato has remained actively involved in working closely within the player community doing work such as promoting healthy eating habits & exercise amongst others.
currently resides in Oahu Hawaii residing with close friends & family members back home in American Samoa Domata Peko was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.
Domata Peko has spent his entire career with the Kansas City Chiefs, appearing in 116 games and recording 408 tackles, 20 sacks, three forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and 14 pass deflections.
On September 5th, 2019, Domata Peko announced his retirement from professional football after 11 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. During his tenure with KC, he earned two Pro Bowl selections (2012 & 2017), a First-Team All-Pro selection (2015), and a Second-Team All-Pro selection (2018).
In February 2020, it was announced that Domata Peko would join the Arizona Cardinals as their new defensive line coach/assistant head coach under Kliff Kingsbury.
22. Rey Maualuga
Linebacker
Career
- Chuck Bednarik Award (2008)
- Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year (2008)
- Unanimous All-American (2008)
- 3× First-team All-Pac-10 (2006–2008)
Rey Maualuga is a linebacker for the Miami Dolphins in 2017. Maualuga attended USC and played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2009 to 2016.
He has been selected to three Pro Bowls, one All-Pro team, and was named First-Team All-NFC by the Associated Press in 2014.
Rey Maualuga was born on January 20th, 1987 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and is 35 years old as of September 2017 Rey Maualuga is a versatile and durable linebacker who was drafted in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.
He has played in all 16 games for the Bengals each season since being drafted, including 10 starts this year.
Maualuga has totaled 207 tackles, 2 sacks, 9 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 7 interceptions over his career thus far.
He is consistently one of Cincinnati's best defenders, ranking third on the team with 77 tackles this year despite playing mostly as a middle linebacker instead of his natural strong-side spot at outside linebacker.
Rey Maualuga will be an important part of Cincinnati's defense moving forward as he enters his fifth season in the league and looks to continue developing into one of its top linebackers.
23. Paul Brown
Career
- 3× NFL champion (1950, 1954, 1955)
- AP NFL Coach of the Year (1970)
- 3× UPI NFL Coach of the Year (1957, 1969, 1970)
- 3× Sporting News Coach of the Year (1949, 1951, 1953)
- NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
- 4× AAFC champion (1946–1949)
- Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor
- Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor
- NCAA national champion (1942)
- 4× High school national champion (1935, 1936, 1939, 1940)
Paul Brown was one of the most successful coaches in NFL history, leading his teams to eleven division titles and four championships. He is also credited with innovating the forward pass and being a driving force in professional football's development as an American sport.
After leaving coaching, Brown served as general manager for both the Browns (1963-1970) and Bengals (1975-1990), helping build both franchises into perennial contenders. In 1990, he sold the Bengals to Mike Brown but stayed on as president until his death two years later at age 82.
Paul Brown was one of the most successful coaches in NFL history, winning three championships with the Cleveland Browns.
He also won coach of the year awards three times and was named to an all-time NFL team. Brown attended Ohio State University, where he played football and basketball before becoming a coach.
In his coaching career, Brown worked for several teams including the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns before retiring in 1969 at age 70.
24. Jermaine Gresham
Tight end
Career
- 2× Pro Bowl (2011, 2012)
- First-team All-American (2008)
- First-team All-Big 12 (2008)
Jermaine Gresham was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2010 to 2014 and then signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2015.
In 2018, he returned to play for the Cincinnati Bengals once again. Gresham is a talented receiver who has had success in the NFL.
He was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2011 and 2012, and he also received First-team All-American recognition from 2008 through 2010.
Gresham is a big target with good speed, making him dangerous downfield. His career totals include 377 receptions for 3,752 yards and 29 touchdowns in 97 games played with the Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts over six seasons.
25. Willie Anderson
Career
- 3× First-team All-Pro (2004–2006)
- Second-team All-Pro (2003)
- 4× Pro Bowl (2003–2006)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (1996)
- 2000's Pro Football Reference All Decade Team [1]
- Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor
Willie Anderson was a dominant offensive tackle in the NFL for over a decade. He won three consecutive First-team All-Pro honors and helped lead the Cincinnati Bengals to two playoff appearances.
Anderson also played for Baltimore, where he recorded another Pro Bowl appearance in 2008. After leaving the NFL, he pursued a career in coaching and currently works as an assistant coach with the Miami Dolphins.
Willie Anderson is remembered as one of the top offensive tackles ever at his position and will always be remembered by Bengals fans for his memorable play on Sundays. Willie Anderson was a standout cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1996-2006.
He played in four Pro Bowls and earned Second Team All-Pro honors in 2003. Willie also made an impact on special teams, recovering three fumbles during his career.
Willie is now a member of the Bengals Ring of Honor and holds numerous team records including most interceptions (22) and touchdown returns (16).
Willie's passion for the game showed through his play, earning him respect both on and off the field as one of Cincinnati's all-time greats.
26. Kevin Huber
Punter
Career
- Pro Bowl (2014)
- 2× First-team All-American (2007, 2008)
Kevin Huber is a former punter for the Cincinnati Bengals. He was drafted in 2009 and has been with the team since then. Huber has had several successful seasons with the Bengals, including his rookie year when he led the NFL in punt average.
His success has earned him several accolades, such as being named to two Pro Bowls and being selected to the All-Pro Team twice. Huber is also known for his strong leg strength, which helps him pin opponents deep in their own territory on kickoffs and punts.
In 2019, Huber announced that he would be retiring from professional football after 17 years of playing professional football—including 10 seasons with the Bengals organization.
Kevin Huber currently resides in Cincinnati with his wife and three children Huber is a two-time first-team All-American and was drafted in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
Huber has played in 114 games with 71 starts, totaling 2,605 yards on punt punts and 31 touchdowns. He also has 309 yards receiving on 43 receptions.
Huber was selected to play in the Pro Bowl for the first time during his career this past season after averaging 45.3 yards per punt and 45.7 net punting average overall over nine games played (eight as a starter).
27. Trey Hendrickson
Defensive end
Career
- New Orleans Saints (2017–2020)
- Cincinnati Bengals (2021–present)
Trey Hendrickson was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the 2017 NFL Draft. He played for the Saints in 2017 and 2018 before joining the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021.
Trey Hendrickson has been a mainstay on the Bengals' defensive line over his three-year career, recording 28 sacks and six forced fumbles. Trey Hendrickson was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Trey Hendrickson has spent his entire career with the Saints, playing in all 64 games over four seasons. In 2021 and 2022, Hendrickson appeared in both Pro Bowls as a member of the NFC team. Trey Hendrickson is primarily known for his prowess on defense, where he has racked up 126 tackles and 40 sacks during his career to date.
As well as being an effective pass rusher, Henderson also boasts impressive numbers when it comes to interceptions (8) and forced fumbles (8).
With only 9 more regular season games left before he enters into unrestricted free agency, there's no guarantee that Trey Henderson will be returning to New Orleans next year - but if he does remain with the Saints, it would be an honor indeed.
Also Played For: defensive end
28. Rudi Johnson
Career
- Cincinnati Bengals (2001–2007)
- Detroit Lions (2008)
Rudi Johnson played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2001-2007. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection in his career with the Bengals.
In 2008, he signed with the Detroit Lions where he spent four seasons before retiring in 2012. Rudi's success as both a rusher and receiver has led to him being inducted into several Halls of Fame including the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Johnson is married to his wife Yvette with whom he has two children - daughter Rylee (born 2003) and son Ryker (born 2006).
Rudi currently works as an NFL analyst for Fox Sports 1 where he covers preseason games and other events related to the league Johnson was drafted in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
He played for the Lions and Arizona Cardinals before joining the Indianapolis Colts in 2007. Johnson retired from football after playing with the Colts in 2013 but returned to play for his old team, Arizona Cardinals, during the 2017 season.
In 2004 he was named a Pro Bowler and won SEC Player of the Year that same year. Rudi Johnson is one of only two players (along with LaDainian Tomlinson) to rush for over 10,000 yards and score 50 touchdowns in their career.
29. Isaac Curtis
Career
- 3× Second-team All-Pro (1974–1976)
- 4× Pro Bowl (1973–1976)
- Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor
Isaac Curtis was a wide receiver in the NFL for 14 seasons. He had a long and successful career with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he won three Super Bowls (XI, XII, XIII).
Isaac Curtis is best known for his catches in the 1977 AFC Championship Game that helped the Bengals defeat the Buffalo Bills and advance to their first-ever Super Bowl. After retiring from football, Curtis became an analyst on ESPN's Sunday Night Football telecasts from 1993 to 2000.
Isaac Curtis was an all- Around Football Player who excelled at Receiving, Running, and Kick Returns. He played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1973 to 1976 where he became a 3x Second Team All-Pro and 4x Pro Bowler. In 1974, Isaac led the NFL in Touchdowns with 53 while also ranking 1st in Receptions (416) and Yards (7,101).
After his playing career ended, Isaac began coaching as Wide Receiver Coach for the Miami Dolphins from 1978 to 1982 before moving on to be Offensive Coordinator for both Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions from 1983 to 1990 respectively.
At the age of 44 years old, Isaac retired from coaching after leading both teams to playoff appearances during his tenure as Offensive Coordinator.
Also Played For: san diego state aztecs football
30. Tim Krumrie
Career
- First-team All-Pro (1988)
- Second-team All-Pro (1987)
- 2× Pro Bowl (1987, 1988)
- George Halas Award (1990)
Tim Krumrie was a nose tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1983 to 1994. He helped the team win Super Bowl XVI in January 1990, and he also received two Pro Bowl selections during his career.
Tim Krumrie is a five-time All-Pro selection, and he also holds Bengals franchise records for most sacks (50) and forced fumbles (19). After retiring as a player, Tim Krumrie served as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Vikings from 1995 to 2000 before moving on to become the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2001 to 2003.
In 2006, he rejoined the Bengals staff as their defensive coordinator under Marvin Lewis. Since 2014, Krumrie has been serving as senior vice president of football operations for the Bengals organization.
Krumrie played 14 seasons in the NFL, 11 of which were with the Bears. He was an All-Pro and 2x Pro Bowler during his career. Krumrie is a member of the Chicago Bears Hall of Fame and he won the George Halas Award in 1990.
31. Mike Nugent
Placekicker
Career
- New York Jets (2005–2008)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009)
- Arizona Cardinals (2009)
- Cincinnati Bengals (2010–2016)
- New York Giants (2017)*
- Dallas Cowboys (2017)
- Chicago Bears (2017)
- Oakland Raiders (2018)
- New England Patriots (2019)
- Arizona Cardinals (2020)
Nugent was born on March 2, 1982, in Centerville, Ohio. He attended Centerville High School where he kicked field goals and punted for the football team.
Nugent played college football at Ohio State where he won two Big Ten Conference titles and a National Championship in 2002. After graduating from college, Nugent was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft.
He spent four seasons with the Jets before signing with Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009 to be their kicker/punter. In his five years with Tampa Bay, Nugent made 83 percent of his field goal attempts and 56 percent of his punts (1st all-time).
Nugent then signed with Arizona Cardinals as their new kicker after being released by Tampa Bay during free agency in 2015. In 2016, Nugent signed a three-year contract extension worth $9 million with Cincinnati Bengals which included an option for a fourth year that was picked up prior to the 2017 season.
On September 10th, 2017 Mike Nugent became one of only six kickers in NFL history to make over 50 career touchbacks when he caught a punt against the Chicago Bears Nugent is a veteran kicker who has had success in the NFL. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2002 and played for them until he retired in 2017.
Nugent holds several records, including being one of only two players to make over 200 field goals and 300 extra points in a career, as well as becoming just the third player ever to score more than 50 touchdowns from beyond 40 yards out.
In addition to his playing career, Nugent also works with young footballers as an ambassador for charity events such as "Friday Night Lights.
32. David Fulcher
Career
- First-team All-Pro (1989)
- Second-team All-Pro (1990)
- 3× Pro Bowl (1988–1990)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (1986)
Fulcher was a 3rd round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1986. He played for the team from 1986 to 1992 and then moved on to play for the Los Angeles Raiders from 1993-1995.
Fulcher made an impact with his strong safety skills during his time in the NFL, amassing over 240 tackles and 2 interceptions while playing for both teams. After leaving the NFL, Fulcher became a police officer in California before retiring in 2009 at age 45 after 20 years of service with the force.
David Fulcher was an All-Pro safety in the NFL for three seasons. He played his entire career with the San Francisco 49ers and recorded over 100 tackles and eight interceptions during that time. David Fulcher retired after the 1993 season, having finished as one of the most successful safeties in league history.
Also Played For: tecmo super bowl
33. Tee Higgins
Wide receiver
Career
- CFP national champion (2018)
- First-team All-ACC (2019)
- Second-team All-ACC (2018)
Tee Higgins was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020. Higgins played college football at Clemson and had a great career there. He has been with the Bengals since 2020 and is an active player on their roster.
Higgins has made some big plays for the Bengals, including a touchdown against the Ravens in 2019.
He is likely to continue his success with the team moving forward as he develops his skills further in the NFL Higgins was born in Miami, Florida, and played college football at Clemson.
Higgins won a national championship with the Tigers in 2018, and first-team All-ACC honors in 2019. Higgins has been selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Higgins is expected to be an impact player for the Lions from day one and could see significant playing time as a rookie due to his versatility on offense.
Also Played For: clemson university, clemson tigers football
34. Lemar Parrish
Career
- 3× First-team All-Pro (1976, 1979, 1980)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (1974, 1975)
- 8× Pro Bowl (1970, 1971, 1974–1977, 1979, 1980)
- Football Digest NFL Defensive Back of the Year (1979)
Lemar Parrish is a former NFL cornerback and return specialist. He played for the Cincinnati Bengals (1970-1977) and the Washington Redskins (1978-1981).
Lemar was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990. In 1982, he signed with the Buffalo Bills and remained there until 1988 when he retired from football after playing only one game for them due to an injury sustained in practice that year.
Lemar Parrish is a three-time first-team All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler who was one of the NFL's best defenders in the 1970s. He played 16 seasons with the Baltimore Colts, Chicago Bears, and Dallas Cowboys before retiring in 1986.
Lemar Parrish was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001 as part of its Class of '99, along with Earl Campbell and Barry Sanders.
Lemar Parrish currently works as an analyst for CBS Sports Network's coverage of college football games.
35. James Brooks
Career
- San Diego Chargers (1981–1983)
- Cincinnati Bengals (1984–1991)
- Cleveland Browns (1992)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1992)
James Brooks played running back for the San Diego Chargers from 1981 to 1983. He then had a brief stint with the Cincinnati Bengals before playing for Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
James Brooks was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, and he currently resides in Warner Robins, Georgia. James Brooks was a standout player at the University of Florida, where he won four consecutive Pro Bowls from 1986 to 1990.
After his professional football career ended, Brooks went on to have a successful broadcasting career with NFL Network and ESPN. In 2012, Brooks was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
36. Louis Breeden
Career
- Position(s): Cornerback
- College: North Carolina Central
- High school: Hamlet (NC)
- NFL draft: 1977 / Round: 7 / Pick 187
Louis Breeden was a cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1976 to 1985. He is best known for his play on defense during the 1980s when he helped lead the Steelers to three Super Bowl victories.
After retiring from football, Louis Breeden became a broadcaster for the team's radio affiliate in Pittsburgh. Louis Breeden attended Hamlet High School in North Carolina. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1977 and played for them until 1987.
Louis Breeden is best remembered for his time with the Bengals, where he made several Pro Bowl appearances and won a Super Bowl ring in 1981. After retiring from football, Louis Breeden went on to have a successful career as an NFL coach and executive.
37. Rodney Holman
Career
- Cincinnati Bengals (1982–1992)
- Detroit Lions (1993–1995)
Rodney Holman was a standout tight end at Tulane and went on to play for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1982-1992. He finished his career with 261 receptions for 3,502 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Rodney also played in 10 postseason games, including four Super Bowls (XI, XII, XIII, and XVI). In 1992 he was voted an All-American by the Football Writers Association of America. After his playing days were over, Rodney became a football coach at Bishop Luers High School in Indiana until 2006 when he retired due to health concerns unrelated to his playing career.
Rodney Holman was a standout player for the Detroit Lions from 1993 to 1995. He was second-team All-Pro in 1988 and 1990 and made three Pro Bowl appearances during that time.
Rodney Holman is best known for his powerful running style, which helped him amass 9,700 receiving yards and 80 touchdowns over the course of his career. He retired after the 1995 season with 1,607 yards on 356 carries (4.5 average) including 15 rushing TDs.
Rodney Holman is now an NFL analyst for Fox Sports Detroit alongside fellow Lion greats Barry Sanders and Charles Woodson Jr., who he played alongside at Michigan State University.
38. Jessie Bates III
Safety
Career
- Second-team All-Pro (2020)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2018)
- Second team All-ACC (2016)
Jessie Bates III was born on February 26, 1997, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He attended Snider High School where he starred as a safety for the Cavaliers football team and earned first-team all-state honors as a junior and senior.
After high school, Bates played college football at Wake Forest from 2015 to 2017 before being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018.
In his rookie season with the Bengals, Bates started 10 games and recorded 55 tackles (33 solos), 1 sack, 3 passes defended, and 2 interceptions while helping lead Cincinnati to their first playoff appearance in over twenty years.
In 2019, Bates re-signed with the Bengals on a four-year contract extension that will keep him with Cincy through 2024. Jessie Bates III is a versatile defensive player who has shown prowess in stopping the run and defending passes.
He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft and he made an immediate impact, starting all 16 games for them that season.
In 2020, Bates won Second Team All-Pro honors after recording 463 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 37 pass deflections, and 13 interceptions on his way to being named ACC Defensive Player of The Year.
Jessie Bates III is looking to make even more of an impact in his third year with Buffalo as they battle it out for a playoff spot this season.
Also Played For: wake forest university football
39. Thomas Howard
Linebacker
Career
- Oakland Raiders (2006–2010)
- Cincinnati Bengals (2011–2012)
- Atlanta Falcons (2013)
Thomas Howard was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at UTEP and spent four seasons with them before signing with the Raiders as an unrestricted free agent in 2010.
In his five-year career, Howard appeared in 64 games and recorded 273 tackles (137 solo), 12 sacks, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and a touchdown.
On November 18th, 2013, Thomas Howard died after suffering a heart attack while playing for the San Francisco 49ers against the Arizona Cardinals in London.
At 30 years old he was remembered as "a talented player who will be dearly missed." Thomas Howard was drafted in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. He played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2011-2012 and then moved to Atlanta Falcons in 2013.
Howard has accumulated 494 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and 7 interceptions during his career.
40. Leon Hall
Cornerback
Career
- Cincinnati Bengals (2007–2015)
- New York Giants (2016)
- San Francisco 49ers (2017)
- Oakland Raiders (2018)
Leon Hall was drafted in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He spent seven seasons with the Bengals, before signing with the New York Giants in 2016.
In 2017, he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers, where he played until his retirement in 2018. Leon Hall has made four Pro Bowl appearances and has been named to two All-Pro teams throughout his career.
Leon Hall is a former All-American and Second Team All-Pro linebacker for the Oakland Raiders. He was drafted in 2006 by the Cincinnati Bengals, but he spent his entire six years with them on their practice squad before being traded to the Oakland Raiders during the 2009 offseason.
In 2007, Leon Hall became only the second rookie ever to be named First Team All-Big Ten after leading Michigan State in tackles (110) and interceptions (5).
Leon Hall made his NFL debut as a backup linebacker for the Oakland Raiders in week 10 of the 2009 season against Washington Redskins and recorded 2 solo tackles.
In 2011, Leon Hall started 16 games at weakside linebacker for an injury-depleted Oakland team that finished 5th in its division with a 3–13 record; finishing 4th among all linebackers in sacks (7), interception return yards (219), and forced fumbles.
On March 11, 2012, it was announced that Hall had signed an eight-year contract extension worth $52 million with $28 million guaranteed with The Kansas City Chiefs through the 2020 seasons.
On October 9, 2016, four days after playing 63 snaps against Houston Texans due to injuries suffered earlier that week by fellow starting inside linebacker Derrick Johnson, it was announced that Leonard would miss 6 weeks due to sports hernia surgery performed by Dr. James Andrews.
Upon returning from his injury rehab program on November 22nd vs Indianapolis Colts, Leonard played 82% of defense's defensive snaps including 88 consecutive starts up until the Week 14 victory over the Denver Broncos when he left the game late in the third quarter because of neck sprain which ended his 2017 season prematurely.
After sitting out Weeks 15 & 16 vs Dallas Cowboys as designated "active" player while teammates competed without him;Leon returned to starting lineup alongside Derrick Johnson who missed Weeks 15 -16 due to suspension resulting from PED usage accusations brought forth a few months prior.
Hall has been selected first or second overall three times – once each by Cincinnati Bengals (#1 Overall Pick: Acho), Kansas City Chiefs (#2 Overall Pick: Bowe), and Oakland Raiders (#3 Overall Pick: Mack).
41. Logan Wilson
Linebacker
Career
- Mountain West Freshman of the Year (2016)
- First-team All-Mountain West (2019)
- Second-team All-Mountain West (2017)
Logan Wilson was born on July 8th, 1996 in Casper, Wyoming. He attended Natrona County High School and played linebacker for the school's football team.
In his three seasons at Wyoming, Logan totaled 145 tackles (71 solos) with six interceptions and two sacks. The Cincinnati Bengals selected Logan in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft and he has since started all 16 games for them at linebacker thus far in his career.
Logan Wilson is a former Mountain West Freshman of the Year and first-team All-Mountain West player. Logan played in all 12 games for the Broncos this season, recording 248 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 10 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles.
He has started every game since he joined the team as a rookie in 2018 and should be an important part of Denver’s defense moving forward.
42. Reggie Nelson
Safety
Career
- Second-team All-Pro (2015)
- 2× Pro Bowl (2015, 2016)
- NFL interceptions co-leader (2015)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2007)
- BCS National Championship (2007)
- Jack Tatum Trophy (2006)
- Consensus All-American (2006)
- First-team All-SEC (2006)
Reggie Nelson was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2007, and spent four seasons with the team. In 2013, Reggie signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.
He is a free safety who has played in over 100 games throughout his career. Reggie is known for being one of the hardest hitters on the field and for his ability to make plays on defense even when he's not directly involved in a tackle or interception.
Nelson was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Nelson had a breakout year in 2014, being named to his first Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro nod.
In 2015, he led all NFL interception returners with 38 takeaways and helped lead the team to their fourth playoff appearance in franchise history.
On March 9th, 2018 it was announced that Nelson had signed with the Oakland Raiders as a free agent after playing for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2010–2018.
Also Played For: oakland raiders
43. Justin Smith
Defensive end
Career
- 2× First-team All-Pro (2011, 2012)
- 3× Second-team All-Pro (2011–2013)
- 5× Pro Bowl (2009–2013)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2001)
- First-team All-American (2000)
- 2× First-team All-Big 12 (1999, 2000)
- Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (1998)
Justin Smith is a defensive end who played for the Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers. Justin Smith was drafted by the Bengals in 2001, and he spent seven seasons with them before joining the 49ers in 2008.
In his ten-year career, Justin Smith has amassed over 1,000 tackles and 50 sacks. He is considered to be one of the best defensive ends in NFL history.
Justin Smith will turn 43 this year, and he continues to play at a high level for both teams he has been with throughout his career.
Justin Smith is one of the most accomplished defensive players in NFL history. He has been a first-team All-Pro three times and was also named to four Pro Bowls.
Smith is also known for his explosiveness off the line of scrimmage, which has helped him make numerous sacks and interceptions over the years.
Also Played For: missouri tigers football
44. Vontaze Burfict
Linebacker
Career
- Second-team All-Pro (2013)
- Pro Bowl (2013)
- First-team All-American (2010)
- Pac-10 Defensive Freshman of the Year (2009)
Vontaze Burfict is an American linebacker who played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2012 to 2018 and the Oakland Raiders in 2019. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
He started all 16 games he appeared in during his rookie season, recording 82 tackles (49 solos) and four sacks. In 2013, Burfict recorded 139 tackles (81 solos), one sack, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception; this earned him First-Team All-Pro honors from Football Outsiders.
In 2014, he finished with 147 tackles (93 solos), one sack, four interceptions returned for touchdowns, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown pass deflected; he won Second Team All-Pro honors from Sports Illustrated as well as Pro Bowl selection accolades from both The Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches Polls.
He missed most of 2015 due to suspension but still managed to record 101 tackles (65 solos) including 3 sacks while being selected to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance at outside linebacker alongside teammate Vontaze Burfict II.
On September 9th, 2018 after 10 seasons with Cincinnati Bengals s announced that they were releasing him via Twitter citing multiple off-field incidents which led them 2nd guess if they wanted him on their team any longer.
He then signed a 3-year $27 million deal with the Oakland Raiders hours later Vontaze Burfict is a hard-hitting linebacker who was drafted in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
He has played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals. In 2013, he was named Second-team All-Pro and made his Pro Bowl appearance. That year, he also led the league with 8.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 5 fumble recoveries.
Burfict had arguably his best season in 2014 when he finished with 102 tackles (second on the team), 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 1 defensive touchdown all while playing through an injury that limited him to 6 games during that season.
At 25 years old, Vontaze Burfict has plenty of football ahead of him - especially if he can stay healthy.
45. Samaje Perine
Running back
Career
- Washington Redskins (2017–2018)
- Cincinnati Bengals (2019)
- Miami Dolphins (2019)
- Cincinnati Bengals (2020–present)
Samaje Perine was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He played for Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins in his rookie seasons before joining the Bengals in 2020.
Samaje Perine is a powerful running back who has averaged over 5 yards per carry in each of his three seasons in the NFL. He is known for his explosive runs, which have helped him amass over 1,000 rushing yards each season so far.
Samaje Perine plans to use this upcoming offseason to work on improving his pass-catching skills, as he believes that will be key to becoming an even more effective runner downfield.
Samaje Perine was one of the most hyped college football players in recent memory when he signed with Oklahoma.
He lived up to the hype and led the Sooners to a Big 12 Championship and an appearance in the College Football Playoff. Despite being limited by injury early in his career, Samaje Perine has become one of the top running backs in NFL history over the past two years.
In 202 games played, he has rushed for more than 2,000 yards and scored 27 touchdowns.
At only 22 years old, there is still plenty of room for growth for Samaje Perine both on and off the field. He will be looking to lead Oklahoma back to prominence once again this season and into contention for another national championship.
Also Played For: oklahoma sooners football, running back redskins
46. Ickey Woods
Running back
Career
- Second-team All-Pro (1988)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (1988)
- PCAA Co-Offensive MVP (1987)
- First-team All-PCAA (1987)
Ickey Woods was a running back in the NFL for over 18 years. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1988 and played there until 2003.
After leaving the Colts, he had brief stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, and Tennessee Titans before retiring in 2006 due to injury.
Ickey is now a commentator on CBS Sports Network's "NFL Sunday Morning" show, where he gives his insights on current events around football.
In 2002, Woods won an Olympic gold medal as part of America's track and field team at the Salt Lake City games. He has two children - son IKEnzo (born 1996) and daughter Kiari Kendrell Woods (born 2000).
In 2018*Woods announced his retirement from professional football after 17 seasons playing professionally.* Ickey Woods was a standout running back at the University of Kentucky, and he entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 1988.
He had some success with the Cincinnati Bengals, rushing for 1,525 yards on 275 carries over two seasons. However, Woods' career took a downturn after he was involved in an off-the-field incident that cost him his job with the team.
He later played for Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions before retiring from football in 1995.
47. Bobbie Williams
Guard
Career
- Philadelphia Eagles (2000–2003)
- Cincinnati Bengals (2004–2011)
- Baltimore Ravens (2012)
Bobbie Williams is a former NFL guard who played for the Baltimore Ravens from 2000 to 2007. Bobbie was drafted by the Ravens in 2000, and he remained with the team until 2007.
During his time with Baltimore, Williams made four Pro Bowl appearances and two All-Pro teams. After leaving the NFL, Williams has since played for several different teams in both the American and Canadian leagues.
In 2014, Williams joined ESPN as an analyst on their Sunday morning show "NFL Countdown." Bobbie is married to LaTonya Thomas-Williams and they have three children together: Bryson (born 2003), Ayden (born 2006) and Tatum (born 2009).
Williams was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played his entire career with the Eagles, amassing 164 games played and 136 starts. Williams was a two-time Pro Bowler (2001, 2003) and a Super Bowl champion (XLVII).
In 2003 he also received second-team All-Pro honors from The Associated Press. After leaving Philadelphia in 2004, Williams signed with Cincinnati Bengals where he started all 16 games for them that season en route to becoming their first-ever divisional MVP winner.
The following year saw Williams join Baltimore Ravens where he would play until 2012 when he retired due to injury at age 34 after playing just four games for them during that season as well as three previous campaigns totaling 33 contests overall including playoffs.
Williams is currently an analyst on Fox Sports 1's "NFL RedZone".
48. Cam Taylor
Cornerback
Career
- Cincinnati Bengals (2022–present)
Cam Taylor was a standout cornerback at Park Crossing High School in Montgomery, Alabama. The Nebraska commit started all 14 games he played for the Cornhuskers during his freshman and sophomore seasons, totaling 53 tackles and five interceptions.
In his junior season, Taylor broke out with 11 passes defended (tied for second-most in the nation) and 62 tackles while also adding one interception and two fumble recoveries on defense. Despite being projected as a mid-round pick by many analysts prior to the draft, Cam Taylor was selected 60th overall by Cincinnati Bengals in the 2022 NFL Draft.
As a rookie corner with Cincy this past season, Cam made 20 starts across 16 games recording 69 total tackles (second on the team), four pass deflections and an interception which led to him earning AFC Defensive Player of Week honors against Baltimore Ravens back DeAngelo Yancey late in the year Cam Taylor is a talented linebacker who has had success both in the Big Ten and at the NFL level.
Taylor was a Second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2020 and 2021, showing that he is one of the best linebackers in college football. He also has been very successful on special teams, currently having 0 sacks and 1 fumble recovery through 16 games this season for the Bears.
With his talent and athleticism, Cam Taylor should be an important part of any team looking to make it far in the playoffs this year or down the road.
49. Takeo Spikes
Right inside linebacker
Career
- Cincinnati Bengals (1998–2002)
- Buffalo Bills (2003–2006)
- Philadelphia Eagles (2007)
- San Francisco 49ers (2008–2010)
- San Diego Chargers (2011–2012)
Takeo Spikes was a linebacker for the Chargers in 2012. He played college football at Auburn and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1998. After playing with the Bengals, he moved to Buffalo and then Philadelphia before ending his career with the Eagles in 2007.
Takeo Spikes is now an analyst for ESPN's NFL coverage Takeo Spikes is a former linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers. He was drafted in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, but he never played for them because they traded him to the 49ers before the season started.
In his six seasons with San Francisco, he made three Pro Bowls and recorded 1,423 tackles, 29 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, 17 fumble recoveries, and 19 interceptions.
After leaving San Francisco in 2010 to sign with the Oakland Raiders, Takeo spent one year there before retiring at age 34 due to injuries sustained during his career.
50. Eddie Brown
Wide receiver
Career
- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1985)
- Pro Bowl (1988)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (1985)
Brown played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1985 to 1992. He was a key part of their offenses during that time, amassing over 1,000 yards receiving in each of his ten seasons with the team.
Brown also appeared in four playoff games during his tenure with Cincinnati, scoring two touchdowns and making notable contributions on special teams as well. After leaving the Bengals, Brown spent several years playing for various NFL teams before retiring at the end of the 2003 season.
In 2005, Brown became an assistant coach with Miami's football team and currently holds that position heading into the 2018 season Brown was one of the most dominant receivers in NFL history, amassing nearly 6,000 yards and 41 touchdowns in his career.
Brown became a standout player with the Baltimore Colts and led them to two AFC Championship games during his tenure there.
He joined the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent after leaving Baltimore and quickly emerged as one of the league's top receivers. Brown helped lead Dallas to their first Super Bowl championship in 1992 before retiring at the end of that season.
Brown currently serves as an analyst for CBS Sports Network coverage of NFL games and is also involved with various philanthropic endeavors within Dallas communities.
51. Drew Sample
Tight end
Career
- Cincinnati Bengals (2019–present)
Drew Sample was selected in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. As a tight end, Sample is expected to help improve an offense that finished 29th in points scored last season.
Averaging just over 20 yards per catch during his collegiate career, Sample has shown flashes of brilliance but will need to work on consistency if he wants to make it at the NFL level.
With weapons like Andy Dalton and Aqib Talib around him, Drew Sample should have no trouble finding success as a Bengal Drew Sample was drafted in the third round by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019.
He has spent his entire career with the team and is currently on injured reserve. The sample has 58 receptions for 458 yards and one touchdown during his time in the NFL. His best season came in 2020 when he had 72 catches for 841 yards and seven touchdowns.
The sample is a dependable receiver who can make plays downfield, which could be important for the Bengals if they hope to repeat as champions this season.
Final Words
The Cincinnati Bengals are a legendary team in the National Football League. They have had some of the best players in NFL history, including Paul Brown, Jim Brown, Archie Griffin, and A.J.
Green.
