The 2025 NFL Draft marks the fifth anniversary of one of the most pivotal drafts in Bengals history, 2020. Cincinnati held the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and they were in the market for a quarterback. It was a loaded quarterback class, featuring Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa, Oregon's Justin Herbert, Utah State's Jordan Love and Oklahoma's Jalen Hurts. In the end, the Bengals selected LSU quarterback and Heisman winner Joe Burrow.
Since being selected, Burrow has re-written the Bengals record books, led the team to two AFC title games and an appearance in Super Bowl LVI and established himself as one of the elite quarterbacks in football. He has posted a 94.0 career PFF passing grade, the highest in the NFL since he entered the league.
Let's take a look at Burrow's scouting report from the NFL.com archives.
Joe Burrow Scouting Profile
Analysis by Lance Zierlein
Prospect: Joe Burrow
College: LSU
Hometown: Athens, OH
Class: r-Senior
Height: 6'3 ½"
Weight: 221 lbs
Arm: 30 ⅞
Hand: 9"
Prospect Grade: 7.07 - Pro Bowl Talent
Draft Projection: Round 1
NFL Comparison: Kurt Warner
Overview
"People's champ with rags-to-riches story arc culminating in one of the greatest one-year turnarounds in sports history. He's self-assured and plays with competitive toughness that teammates will gravitate toward instantly. He's a rhythm passer who benefited from tempo and scheme, but his vision, touch and read recognition made the offense special. He buys time for himself inside the pocket, but creates explosive, off-schedule plays outside of it with his arm or legs. He throws with staggering precision and timing... He's a smart quarterback with special intangibles and could become a Pro Bowler if a team tailors its offense to his specific strengths and comfort level."
Strengths
"Off-the-charts football IQ and intangibles. Plays with brazen field presence and poise. Rapid ascension to chess master who can beat up coverages thrown at him. Initial field glances are often lies being told to safeties. Gets through full-field progressions with unique internal clock timed to the routes. Decisive from read to release with elite precision and placement. Stuck it into impossible windows on several occasions. Very good timing and anticipation. Throws pass-catchers away from coverage and into space. Throws with superb touch and trusts receivers to make the play. Deep dime-dropper, completing 55 percent with 24 TDs and 2 INTs in 2019. Separates from rush with deft climbs, slides and escapes. Above-average toughness in pocket and as runner. Unexpected wiggle to elude when scrambling. Makes explosive, off-schedule plays while on the move. Can deliver back-breaking runs to move the chains."
