NFL Draft: Re-grading every first round pick from the 2018 NFL Draft: Number 21 overall, C Billy Price
Things just haven’t gone the way the Cincinnati Bengals were hoping for with center Billy Price. The talent was clear as day over at Ohio State but what they saw on tape just hasn’t matched up with the player they received in the 2018 draft.
Admittedly, Price didn’t get a fair shake as a torn pectoral muscle in the NFL Combine set him back considerably. Somehow someway, he managed to make it back in time for the first game of the season but sat on the sidelines yet again following a foot injury. Things didn’t quite look right for him once he made his return to the lineup and his second year in the league was just as disheartening.
Noticing that playing him at center probably isn’t the best move, the Bengals began playing him at guard but his continued bad play saw him go from starter to bench warmer for half the season in 2019. His most recent campaign seems to crystallize his position moving forward. In 16 games, he started only one and spent most of his time cheering and clapping for his teammates from the bench.
Of course, all isn’t entirely lost but by the looks of it, the Cincinnati Bengals wish they could have a do-over with this one.
Grade: D-