The Bengals today signed five draft picks — DT McKinnley Jackson, CB Josh Newton, TE Tanner McLachlan, S Daijahn Anthony and C Matt Lee. Five of the Bengals’ 10 selections in the 2024 NFL Draft have now been signed.
Jackson (6-2, 326) was a third-round pick (97th overall) out of Texas A&M University. He played in 40 games with 24 starts in four seasons (2020-23), and served as a team captain in each of his final two years. He totaled 91 tackles (43 solos), 7.5 sacks, 15.5 TFLs, one FF, two FRs, one PD and one blocked kick.
Newton (5-11, 190) was selected in the fifth round (149th overall) out of Texas Christian University. He spent two seasons (2022-23) with the Horned Frogs, following three years (’19-21) at the University of Louisiana Monroe. In 27 games played (all starts) at TCU, he recorded 68 tackles (52 solos), 2.5 TFLs, four INTs and 24 PDs.
McLachlan (6-5, 244) was taken in the sixth round (194th overall) out of the University of Arizona. He played in 25 games with 18 starts in two seasons (2022-23) with the Wildcats, after spending three years (’18-21) at Southern Utah University. At Arizona, he caught 79 passes for 984 yards and six TDs, and was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2023.
Anthony (6-0, 195) was a seventh-round pick (224th overall) out of the University of Mississippi. He played in 13 games with 10 starts in one season (2023) with the Rebels, and recorded 61 tackles (28 solos), 2.5 TFLs, three INTs, eight pass breakups and one FF. He began his collegiate career at Shepherd University (Division II), then spent two seasons (2021-22) at Liberty University before transferring to Mississippi.
Lee (6-4, 301) also was taken in the seventh round (237th overall) out of the University of Miami (Fla.). He played in 12 games (all starts) in his lone season with the Hurricanes, after spending his first four seasons (2020-23) at the University of Central Florida. He was a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in 2023.
