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Since the Marvin Lewis era began in 2003, the Bengals have drafted 125 players. Only 27 of them have appeared in all 16 games as a rookie, and just three have started all 16 games.
Second-round wide receiver Tyler Boyd has the best opportunity to join that elite list given the status of his position heading into training camp.
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The most combined starts by a rookie class was 34 in 2011, with 31 of them belonging to first-round wide receiver A.J. Green (15) and second-round quarterback Andy Dalton (16).
The most combined games played is 90 by the 2009 class, which also featured the most draft picks (11). And while this year’s group will have a tough time topping that number, the first four picks – cornerback William Jackson, Boyd, linebacker Nick Vigil and defensive tackle Andrew Billings — have a chance to be regular contributors at least on special teams, if not at their given positions.
Here is a look at how past rookies and their classes have fared in the Lewis era:
Most starts by rookie (draft round in parenthesis)
16 – Andy Dalton (2), 2011
16 – Kevin Zeitler (1), 2012
16 – Russell Bodine (4), 2014
15 – Eric Steinbach (2), 2003
15 – Odell Thurman (2), 2005
15 – Rey Maualuga (2), 2009
15 – A.J. Green (1), 2011
15 – Tyler Eifert (1), 2013
13 – Jeremi Johnson (4), 2003
13 – Madieu Williams (2), 2004
12 – Andrew Whitworth (2), 2006
11 – Landon Johnson (3), 2004
10 – Leon Hall (1), 2007
10 – Jermaine Gresham (1), 2010
Most games started by a first-round pick
16 – Kevin Zeitler, 2016
15 – A.J. Green, 2015
15 – Tyler Eifert, 2013
10 – Jermaine Gresham, 2010
9 – Johnathan Joseph, 2006
7 – Keith Rivers, 2008
5 – David Pollack, 2005
1 – Andre Smith, 2009
0 – Carson Palmer, 2003
0 – Chris Perry, 2004
0 – Dre Kirkpatrick, 2012
0 – Darqueze Dennard, 2014
0 – Cedric Ogbuehi, 2015
Most games started by a second-round pick
16 – Andy Dalton, 2011
15 – Eric Steinbach, 2003
15 – Odell Thurman, 2005
15 – Rey Maualuga, 2009
13 – Madieu Williams, 2004
12 – Andrew Whitworth, 2006
8 – Jeremy Hill, 2014
5 – Keiwan Ratliff, 2004
1 – Jerome Simpson, 2008
1 – Jake Fisher, 2015
0 – Kenny Irons, 2007
0 – Carlos Dunlap, 2010
0 – Devon Still, 2012
0 – Giovani Bernard, 2013
0 – Margus Hunt, 2013
Most rookie starts by player drafted in fifth round or later (draft round in parenthesis)
5 – Marvin Jones (5), 2012
2 – Bernard Scott (6), 2009
2 – Chinedum Ndukwe (7), 2007
1 – Jonathan Fanene (7), 2005
Most starts by Bengals rookie class in Marvin Lewis era
34 – 2011
33 – 2004
31 – 2003
30 – 2012
27 – 2005
27 – 2006
24 – 2008
24 – 2014
18 – 2009
15 – 2007
15 – 2010
15 – 2013
2 – 2015
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