Cincinnati Bengals clinch No. 1 pick in 2020 NFL draft with loss to Miami Dolphins
The Cincinnati Bengals have four full months to mull a franchise-shaping decision.
With a 38-35 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, the Bengals clinched the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL draft. At 1-14, Cincinnati can finish with no more than two wins, one fewer than any other team in the league.
The Bengals have not drafted No. 1 overall since 2003, when they selected quarterback Carson Palmer out of USC.
LSU quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow — an Athens, Ohio, native — has been widely projected to be the early favorite to be the first player drafted in April.
The timing could be right for Cincinnati to make an investment at quarterback. Veteran Andy Dalton was benched on Oct. 29 but returned after three weeks to relieve third-round rookie Ryan Finley.
The 2020 NFL draft will be held in Las Vegas from April 23-25.
Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.