With the No. 9 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select wide receiver John Ross out of the University of Washington.
- Draft Tracker: Round 1
Cincinnati Bengals
Pete Prisco's Grade: B
"I like this pick more than Williams. Why? He can fly. They need help for A.J. Green."
Instant analysis
The Bengals lost their No. 2 and 3 wideouts last offseason when Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones Jr. signed elsewhere. Their offense suffered badly in 2016 as defenses were able to turn their sole focus to A.J. Green. Now, they add Ross to the mix opposite their star wideout. The breakout star of the NFL combine, Ross ran the 40-yard dash in 4.22 seconds -- a new record. He lit the Pac-12 on fire during his final season with the Huskies, catching 81 passes for 1,150 yards and an incredible 17 touchdowns. He comes with some injury concerns due to his slight frame, but he is a game-breaking player and much more than just a speedster. He's a complete wideout that can make plays at every level of the field.
Fantasy impact
"The Bengals needed help on defense, and John Ross is a luxury for them, especially after drafting Tyler Boyd last year. Andy Dalton gets better here, but Ross is a low-end option in seasonal leagues. He's a second-round pick in dynasty leagues." -- Jamey Eisenberg
NFL comparison
Brandin Cooks: Despite being undersized like Cooks, Ross has the route running skills and athletic prowess to get open and be a big play target like the Patriots receiver.
