For the first time since 2019, neither of Ohio’s NFL teams will play in the postseason. That was guaranteed on Sunday when the Denver Broncos steamrolled the Kansas City Chiefs’ second-stringers 38-0, a win that eliminated the Cincinnati Bengals during the last week of the regular season.
With the Week 18 games completed, the top half of the NFL Draft order is now set, barring any trades that may take place between now and late April. The Bengals will receive the No. 17 pick in the first round after winning their last five games and going 9-8. The Cleveland Browns, meanwhile, will get the No. 2 pick after finishing 3-14 and losing their final six contests.
Outcome | Draft Position |
Average | 27 |
Median | 18 |
For the final time this season, BetOhio.com – the home of the best Ohio sportsbook promotions – will analyze where teams with identical records as the Bengals and Browns have picked in recent drafts. As the data shows, both clubs stand to benefit more than most teams that had the same records in recent seasons.
We used The Football Database to see what draft pick position teams with 9-8 and 3-14 records have gotten since the 2021 NFL season and to see how the team’s draft spot compares to past teams with the same record. We only calculated the 9-8 and 3-14 teams first selection positions, finding the average and median first pick positions for the following draft.
Cincinnati fans would have preferred a playoff spot this season, especially given the career years posted by quarterback Joe Burrow, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Instead, the team will get a chance to shore up one of the glaring holes elsewhere on the roster that kept them from making the playoffs for the second year in a row.
The Bengals’ most glaring needs are on the interior of both the offensive and defensive lines, as well as in the secondary. The team could select a wide receiver should management believe they cannot resign pending free agent Tee Higgins. Any moves could change Bengals futures odds for Ohio sports betting.
While the Bengals could select an edge rusher for defense, they will likely be able to land a player like Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen or Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams to shore up the middle of the defensive line. Either would help a Bengals defense that performed an AFC-worst minus-33.29 in expected points contributed by rushing defense.
Outcome | Draft Position |
Average | 6 |
Median | 6 |
The Browns are in a prime position to land a rookie quarterback. They have several holes to fill, but reports that Deshaun Watson has suffered a setback in his recovery from rupturing his Achilles’ tendon makes picking a future franchise quarterback the team’s most pressing need.
No one would excite the Dawg Pound more than either Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. Either should be available, depending on whom the Tennessee Titans select with the No. 1 pick.
The NFL season may be over, but BetOhio.com remains your go-to source for analysis and insights on what’s happening with the Bengals, Browns and the Buckeye State’s other major pro and college teams. Browns. We also offer reviews of Ohio sports betting apps for the 14 licensed sportsbooks available in the state.
USA Today photo by Scott Galvin
Author
Steve is an accomplished, award-winning reporter with more than 20 years of experience covering gaming, sports, politics and business. He has written for the Associated Press, Reuters, The Louisville Courier Journal, The Center Square and numerous other publications. Based in Louisville, Ky., Steve has covered the expansion of sports betting in the U.S. and other gaming matters.
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