Bengals third-round pick named preseason's 'highest-graded offensive rookie'

The Bengals must find a way to replicate the production of wide receiver Tyler Boyd, who joined the Tennessee Titans in free agency this offseason.

That won't be an easy task, as Boyd amassed 513 catches for 6,000 yards and 31 touchdowns over the past eight years. However, Cincinnati is hopeful that its third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, wide receiver Jermaine Burton, can help do just that.

Following Burton's impressive showings the past few weeks, Pro Football Focus seems provided the Bengals some optimism that Burton is up to the challenge, naming him the "highest-graded offensive rookie" (86.1) of the preseason.

Over the past three weeks, Burton recorded a team-leading eight catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns, showing why many believed he was a first-round talent that fell to the third round.

Much of Burton's production came in the latter portions of the games, but he's made a strong case that he's deserving of reps with the first-team offense. When that time will come is unknown, but he has earned it, nonetheless.

Sixth-year wide receiver Trenton Irwin is currently slotted as the No. 3 option on the team's depth chart with second-year wide receivers Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones also getting increased opportunities. If Burton continues to play the way he has, however, the job will be his in no time.

Burton is part of a very talented rookie wide receiver class, which is highlighted by the Cardinals' Marvin Harrison Jr., Giants' Malik Nabers and Bears' Rome Odunze.

The futures of Bengals wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are also up in the air as both players are looking to get paid sooner rather than later. 

Burton's early success will give Cincinnati a little peace of mind knowing it will likely lose one of them in the near future.