Bengals trade up for QB Ryan Finley in 4th round
The Cincinnati Bengals sent the 110th pick and a pair of sixth-rounders (No. 183, No. 198) to the San Francisco 49ers to select quarterback Ryan Finley out of NC State in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, 104th overall.
The Bengals didn't select a quarterback between rounds 1 and 3, but now Finley becomes their young passer behind Andy Dalton.
Finley will compete with Jeff Driskel to be Dalton's backup in 2019.
Prospect profile
School: NC State
Height: 6-4
Weight: 213 lbs
Strengths
- Accurate passer to short and intermediate levels of the field
- Maintains accuracy when delivering passes on the run
- Goes through progressions and makes good decisions with the ball
- Moves well within the pocket and maintains eye level
- Lots of starting experience
Weaknesses
- Average arm talent with a long release
- Accuracy fades when pushing the ball downfield
- Tight-window throws will be an issue at the next level
- Decision-making falters when under pressure
Bottom line
Finley is a developmental prospect whose accuracy and ability to work through progressions give him a good foundation. His arm talent limits the throws he can make at the NFL level, though, and he struggles when dealing with pressure. His likely projection is as a long-term backup.