The newly signed players include defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, cornerback Josh Newton, tight end Tanner McLachlan, safety Daijahn Anthony, and center Matt Lee.

McKinnley Jackson, a third-round pick out of Texas A&M University, brings impressive credentials to the Bengals' defensive line. Standing at 6-2 and weighing 326 pounds, Jackson played in 40 games during his four-year college career, with 24 starts. He served as a team captain in his final two years and compiled an impressive stat line of 91 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, one pass defended, and one blocked kick.

Joining Jackson in the Bengals' defensive backfield is cornerback Josh Newton. Drafted in the fifth round from Texas Christian University, Newton brings versatility to the team with his skills as a defender. At 5-11 and 190 pounds, he played 27 games as a starter for TCU, recording 68 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, and 24 pass deflections.

Tanner McLachlan, a tight end selected in the sixth round from the University of Arizona, adds depth to the Bengals' receiving corps. Standing at 6-5 and weighing 244 pounds, McLachlan played in 25 games over two seasons at Arizona, where he caught 79 passes for 984 yards and six touchdowns. His performance in 2023 earned him a second-team All-Pac-12 selection.

Safety Daijahn Anthony, a seventh-round pick from the University of Mississippi, brings his defensive prowess to the Bengals' secondary. Standing at 6-0 and weighing 195 pounds, Anthony played 13 games as a starter for the Rebels in 2023, amassing 61 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, eight pass breakups, and one forced fumble.

Completing the signings is center Matt Lee, another seventh-round pick from the University of Miami (Fla.). Standing at 6-4 and weighing 301 pounds, Lee played 12 games as a starter in his lone season with the Hurricanes. His impressive performance earned him a spot on the second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference in 2023.

With the signings of these five draft picks, the Bengals have now secured contracts with half of their selections from the 2024 NFL Draft. These additions bring depth, talent, and potential to the team as they continue preparations for the upcoming season. Bengals fans can look forward to seeing these promising young players in action as they contribute to the team's success on the field.