List of Cincinnati Bengals first - round draft picks - wikipedia List of Cincinnati Bengals first - round draft picks Anthony Muñoz, the Bengals ' 1980 first round pick and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee The Cincinnati Bengals are a National Football League ( NFL ) franchise founded as an expansion team of the American Football League in 1968. They joined the National Football League as a result of the 1970 AFL -- NFL merger. The Bengals ' first draft selection was Bob Johnson, a center from the University of Tennessee. The team 's most recent first round selection was William Jackson III, a cornerback from the University of Houston. The Bengals have selected the number one overall pick in the draft three times. They have also selected the second overall pick two times and the third overall pick four times. The team 's four selections from the University of Alabama are the most chosen by the Bengals from one university. Every year during April, each NFL franchise seeks to add new players to its roster through a collegiate draft known as `` the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting '', which is more commonly known as the NFL Draft. Teams are ranked in inverse order based on the previous season 's record, with the worst record picking first, and the second worst picking second and so on. The two exceptions to this order are made for teams that appeared in the previous Super Bowl ; the Super Bowl champion always picks 32nd, and the Super Bowl loser always picks 31st. Teams have the option of trading away their picks to other teams for different picks, players, cash, or a combination thereof. Thus, it is not uncommon for a team 's actual draft pick to differ from their assigned draft pick, or for a team to have extra or no draft picks in any round due to these trades. The Bengals traded their 1989 first round draft pick to the Atlanta Falcons for Atlanta 's 1989 second round, fourth round, and tenth round draft picks. Key Table key Indicates the player was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. * Selected number one overall † Indicates the player was selected for the Pro Bowl at any time in their career. -- The Bengals did not draft a player in the first round that year. Year Each year links to an article about that particular NFL Draft. Pick Indicates the number of the pick within the first round Position Indicates the position of the player in the NFL College The player 's college football team Player selections Two - time Heisman trophy winner Archie Griffin was one of the Bengals ' first round picks in 1976 Carson Palmer was the first overall pick of the 2003 NFL Draft A.J. Green was the Bengals ' first round pick in 2011 Cincinnati Bengals first - round draft picks Year Pick Player name Position College Notes 1968 7000200000000000000 ♠ 2 Johnson, Bob Bob Johnson Center Tennessee AFL All - Star, # 54 retired by Bengals. 1969 7000500000000000000 ♠ 5 Cook, Greg Greg Cook Quarterback Cincinnati AFL Rookie of the Year 1970 7000700000000000000 ♠ 7 Reid, Mike Mike Reid Defensive tackle Penn State 2 - time Pro Bowler, 2 - time All - Pro. 1971 7001150000000000000 ♠ 15 Holland, Vernon Vernon Holland Offensive tackle Tennessee State 1972 7000200000000000000 ♠ 2 White, Sherman Sherman White Defensive end California 1973 7001150000000000000 ♠ 15 Curtis, Isaac Isaac Curtis Wide receiver San Diego State 4 - time Pro Bowler, 3 - time All - Pro 7001230000000000000 ♠ 23 Kollar, Bill Bill Kollar Defensive end Montana State 7001140000000000000 ♠ 14 Cameron, Glenn Glenn Cameron Defensive end Florida 1976 7001110000000000000 ♠ 11 Brooks, Billy Billy Brooks Wide receiver Oklahoma 7001240000000000000 ♠ 24 Griffin, Archie Archie Griffin Running back Ohio State 2 - time Heisman Trophy winner 1977 7000300000000000000 ♠ 3 Edwards, Eddie Eddie Edwards Defensive end Miami 7000800000000000000 ♠ 8 Whitley, Wilson Wilson Whitley Defensive tackle Houston 7001220000000000000 ♠ 22 Cobb, Mike Mike Cobb Tight end Michigan State 1978 7000800000000000000 ♠ 8 Browner, Ross Ross Browner Defensive end Notre Dame 7001160000000000000 ♠ 16 Bush, Blair Blair Bush Center Washington 1979 7000300000000000000 ♠ 3 Thompson, Jack Jack Thompson Quarterback Washington State 7001120000000000000 ♠ 12 Alexander, Charles Charles Alexander Running back Louisiana State 1980 7000300000000000000 ♠ 3 Muñoz, Anthony Anthony Muñoz ^ Offensive tackle USC 11 - time Pro Bowler, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee 1981 7001100000000000000 ♠ 10 Verser, David David Verser Wide receiver Kansas 1982 7001260000000000000 ♠ 26 Collins, Glen Glen Collins Defensive end Mississippi State 7001250000000000000 ♠ 25 Rimington, Dave Dave Rimington Center Nebraska 2 - time Outland Trophy winner, Lombardi Award winner 1984 7000700000000000000 ♠ 7 Hunley, Ricky Ricky Hunley Linebacker Arizona College Football Hall of Fame inductee 7001160000000000000 ♠ 16 Koch, Pete Pete Koch Nose tackle Maryland 7001280000000000000 ♠ 28 Blados, Brian Brian Blados Offensive tackle North Carolina 1985 7001130000000000000 ♠ 13 Brown, Eddie Eddie Brown Wide receiver Miami 1 - time Pro Bowler 7001250000000000000 ♠ 25 King, Emanuel Emanuel King Linebacker Alabama 1986 7001110000000000000 ♠ 11 Kelly, Joe Joe Kelly Linebacker Washington 7001210000000000000 ♠ 21 McGee, Tim Tim McGee Wide receiver Tennessee 7001170000000000000 ♠ 17 Buck, Jason Jason Buck Defensive lineman BYU 1988 7000500000000000000 ♠ 5 Dixon, Rickey Rickey Dixon Defensive back Oklahoma 1989 -- -- No pick -- -- The Bengals traded their first round draft pick to the Atlanta Falcons 1990 7001120000000000000 ♠ 12 Francis, James James Francis Linebacker Baylor 1991 7001180000000000000 ♠ 18 Williams, Alfred Alfred Williams Defensive end Colorado 1 - time Pro Bowler 1992 7000600000000000000 ♠ 6 Klingler, David David Klingler Quarterback Houston 7001280000000000000 ♠ 28 Williams, Darryl Darryl Williams Defensive back Miami 1993 7000500000000000000 ♠ 5 Copeland, John John Copeland Defensive end Alabama 1994 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Wilkinson, Dan Dan Wilkinson * Defensive tackle Ohio State 1995 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Carter, Ki - Jana Ki - Jana Carter * Running back Penn State 7001100000000000000 ♠ 10 Anderson, Willie Willie Anderson Offensive tackle Auburn 4 - time Pro Bowler 1997 7001140000000000000 ♠ 14 Wilson, Reinard Reinard Wilson Linebacker Florida State 1998 7001130000000000000 ♠ 13 Spikes, Takeo Takeo Spikes Linebacker Auburn 2 - time Pro Bowler 7001170000000000000 ♠ 17 Simmons, Brian Brian Simmons Linebacker North Carolina 1999 7000300000000000000 ♠ 3 Smith, Akili Akili Smith Quarterback Oregon 2000 7000400000000000000 ♠ 4 Warrick, Peter Peter Warrick Wide receiver Florida State 2001 7000400000000000000 ♠ 4 Smith, Justin Justin Smith Defensive end Missouri 5 - time Pro Bowler 2002 7001100000000000000 ♠ 10 Jones, Levi Levi Jones Offensive tackle Arizona 2003 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Palmer, Carson Carson Palmer * Quarterback USC 2 - time Pro Bowler, Heisman Trophy winner 7001260000000000000 ♠ 26 Perry, Chris Chris Perry Running back Michigan Doak Walker Award winner 2005 7001170000000000000 ♠ 17 Pollack, David David Pollack Linebacker Georgia Chuck Bednarik Award winner, Lott Trophy winner, Lombardi Award winner, 2 - time Ted Hendricks Award winner 2006 7001240000000000000 ♠ 24 Joseph, Johnathan Johnathan Joseph Defensive back South Carolina 2 - time Pro Bowler 2007 7001180000000000000 ♠ 18 Hall, Leon Leon Hall Defensive back Michigan 2008 7000900000000000000 ♠ 9 Rivers, Keith Keith Rivers Linebacker USC 2009 7000600000000000000 ♠ 6 Smith, Andre Andre Smith Offensive tackle Alabama 7001210000000000000 ♠ 21 Gresham, Jermaine Jermaine Gresham Tight end Oklahoma 2 - time Pro Bowler 2011 7000400000000000000 ♠ 4 Green, A.J. A.J. Green Wide receiver Georgia 6 - time Pro Bowler 2012 7001170000000000000 ♠ 17 Kirkpatrick, Dre Dre Kirkpatrick Defensive back Alabama 7001270000000000000 ♠ 27 Zeitler, Kevin Kevin Zeitler Offensive guard Wisconsin 2013 7001210000000000000 ♠ 21 Eifert, Tyler Tyler Eifert Tight end Notre Dame 2014 7001240000000000000 ♠ 24 Dennard, Darqueze Darqueze Dennard Defensive back Michigan State Jim Thorpe Award winner 2015 7001210000000000000 ♠ 21 Ogbuehi, Cedric Cedric Ogbuehi Offensive tackle Texas A&M 2016 7001240000000000000 ♠ 24 Jackson III, William William Jackson III Defensive back Houston 2017 7000900000000000000 ♠ 9 Ross, John John Ross Wide receiver Washington 2018 7001210000000000000 ♠ 21 Price, Billy Billy Price Center Ohio State References General `` Cincinnati Bengals Draft History ''. Pro-Football - Reference. Retrieved 2017 - 09 - 25. Alder, James. `` NFL Draft Basics : Determining Order of Selection ''. About.com. Retrieved 2014 - 08 - 01. Specific Jump up ^ `` Historical Moments ''. sportsecyclopedia.com. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` 1989 NFL Draft Pick Transactions ''. prosportstransactions.com. Retrieved 1 August 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Pro Football Draft History : 1989 ''. profootballhof.com. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Bob Johnson ''. pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Former AFL Rookie of the Year, Bengals QB Cook dies ''. nfl.com. January 28, 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Mike Reid ''. pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Isaac Curtis ''. pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Heisman Winners ''. heisman.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Anthony Munoz ''. pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Dave Rimington ''. sports-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Eddie Brown ''. pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Alfred Williams ''. pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Willie Anderson ''. pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Takeo Spikes ''. pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Justin Smith ''. pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Carson Palmer ''. pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Chris Perry ''. sports-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` David Pollack ''. sports-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Jermaine Gresham ''. pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` A.J. Green ''. pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Darqueze Dennard ''. sports-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved 1 August 2014. Cincinnati Bengals Founded in 1968 Based and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio Franchise Franchise History Seasons Coaches Players First - round draft picks Draft history Starting quarterbacks Stadiums Nippert Stadium Riverfront Stadium Paul Brown Stadium Rivalries Cleveland Browns Pittsburgh Steelers Culture and lore Freezer Bowl Ickey Shuffle `` Welcome to the Jungle '' Ben -- Gals Bengalized Laura Vikmanis Division championships ( 9 ) 1970 1973 1981 1988 1990 2005 2009 2013 2015 Conference championships ( 2 ) 1981 1988 Retired numbers 54 Media Broadcasters Radio network Flagships : WCKY WEBN WLW Television : WKRC - TV Current league affiliations League : National Football League ( 1970 -- present ) Conference : American Football Conference Division : North Division Former league affiliation League : American Football League ( 1968 -- 1969 ) Seasons ( 50 ) 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Cincinnati Bengals first - round draft picks Johnson Cook Reid Holland White Curtis Kollar Cameron Brooks Griffin Edwards Whitley Cobb Browner Bush Thompson Alexander Muñoz Verser Collins Rimington Hunley Koch Blados Brown King Kelly McGee Buck Dixon Francis A. Williams Klingler D. Williams Copeland Wilkinson Carter Anderson Wilson Spikes Simmons Ak. Smith Warrick J. Smith Jones Palmer Perry Pollack Joseph Hall Rivers An. Smith Gresham Green Kirkpatrick Zeitler Eifert Dennard Ogbuehi Jackson III Ross Price Lists of NFL first - round draft picks by team American Football Conference AFC East AFC North AFC South AFC West Buffalo Bills Miami Dolphins New England Patriots New York Jets Baltimore Ravens Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Pittsburgh Steelers Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Tennessee Titans Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Oakland Raiders Los Angeles Chargers National Football Conference NFC East NFC North NFC South NFC West Dallas Cowboys New York Giants Philadelphia Eagles Washington Redskins Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Minnesota Vikings Atlanta Falcons Carolina Panthers New Orleans Saints Tampa Bay Buccaneers Arizona Cardinals Los Angeles Rams San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Defunct Teams Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Cincinnati_Bengals_first-round_draft_picks&oldid=838990214 '' Categories : Lists of first - round draft picks by National Football League team Cincinnati Bengals players Cincinnati Bengals lists Hidden categories : Articles with hCards Talk About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 30 April 2018, at 15 : 34. 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Question: who did the bengals pick in the first round
Answer: Billy Price