Bengals WR Dohnte Meyers chasing NFL breakthrough

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Dohnte Meyers did not take a conventional path to the NFL. Small-school football, an undrafted exit from college, DoorDash deliveries and a successful stop in Canada all preceded his first opportunity with an NFL team.

Now, the 26-year-old is making a strong case to survive the Bengals' crowded receiver competition. Meyers led the Bengals with three receptions for 29 yards in Thursday’s 16-14 preseason win vs. the Detroit Lions. He also added 13 yards on a jet sweep and an 11-yard punt return, showing the versatility that could separate him in the battle for a roster spot.

That production followed an encouraging training camp. Head coach Zac Taylor said earlier this month that Meyers had found ways to stand out as both a receiver and returner without the staff having to create opportunities for him.

Meyers began his college career at Presbyterian before transferring to Division II Delta State. He went undrafted in 2023 and attended rookie minicamp with the Atlanta Falcons, but he did not receive a contract. While continuing to prepare for another chance, he spent part of that year working as a DoorDash driver.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders eventually gave Meyers his next shot. He caught 24 passes for 349 yards and a touchdown in four games during his 2024 CFL debut, then broke out the following season with 65 receptions, 1,056 yards and eight touchdowns. Meyers helped Saskatchewan win the Grey Cup before signing a Reserve/Future contract with Cincinnati in January.

His approach since arriving has impressed the Bengals. Meyers has made plays throughout camp, while the team’s scouting department has praised the work ethic he brought into the offseason program.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov shared Joe Burrow’s account of Meyers’ commitment after the quarterback invited the receiver to an offseason throwing session shortly before training camp after Thursday night's win:

“The week before training camp, I texted him, ‘Hey, are you in town?’ He’s like, ‘I can be.’ And I was like, ‘Can you be here tomorrow at 11?’ He’s like, ‘Yeah.’ I come to find out he drove from Atlanta that night to be there to throw the next day. That’s the kind of guy he is.”