Bengals Launch ‘No-Name’ Search for Help In NFL Draft

It is no secret the Cincinnati Bengals are looking to tighten up their secondary. They have brought in several candidates who can assist them in the draft and are looking under every stone to see who can help out.

Add Marshall University's JJ Roberts to the list. He will visit the Bengals next week.

Roberts is not expected to be selected on the first day of the draft. In fact, he might not get drafted at all. 

The Bengals have done a great job in scouting lower-ranked prospects. Several of them have turned into later round picks or signings as undrafted free agents once the draft ends.

“No-name” seems harsh, but …

The Athletic's Dane Brugler does not even have a draft grade on him, but he is the 28th ranked safety coming out.

“Roberts has the body type of a cornerback but the mentality of a safety with the way he runs the alley with speed and conviction (led the team in solo tackles in 2024),” Brugler writes. “He explodes into ball carriers, although he often opts for the big hit instead of relying on tackling fundamentals. He plays with impressive range in coverage (led the Sun Belt in passes defended in 2024), although the speed he faced against Ohio State gave him some trouble.

“Overall, Roberts has the athletic profile, production and playing temperament that could make him a draft pick.”

Pro Football Focus graded Roberts as the top safety in college football in 2024.

Roberts had only two penalties and nine missed tackles for the Thundering Herd. In coverage, he led the conference in passes broken up with 14.