The Cincinnati Bengals have some really solid early contributions from the rookie class this year.
Cashius Howell, their first draft pick, is clearly a capable pass-rusher. Third-rounder Tacario Davis looks like he’ll play a key role at boundary corner. Fourth-round wideout Colbie Young will be key depth and seventh-rounder Landon Robinson is making some final-roster noise.
While a little boring, sixth-round offensive lineman Brian Parker quietly just looks like a pro’s pro, too.
Parker popped on the live broadcast and eventually on film review too for his steady play. The number eventually backed it up too. Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com pointed out that Parker played 57 snaps, more than any other player on the team, getting looks at guard and center.
Over the course of that versatile work, Parker only let up two hurries on 34 pass-blocking attempts.
When the Bengals drafted Parker, it looked like he would have a shot at the 53 as versatile depth. But after the strong pro debut, the needle is moving a little bit, to the point he’s worth remembering as a possible long-term starter in a year or two on the interior.
Granted, Bengals fans have heard this before with names like Seth McLaughlin, only for it to not happen or for them to get away. But with Parker arriving so strongly, it’s now an important point to watch (and there seems to be little doubt about the 53-man roster projection).
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: 1 unexpected Bengals rookie already flashing long-term starter upside