After the 2021 NFL Draft, Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo called it a “pleasant surprise” that defensive end Joseph Ossai was still on the board in the third round.
The Bengals had signed two starting cornerbacks in free agency, which made edge rusher the defense’s biggest need in the draft. Most evaluators had Ossai projected as a second round pick, and he was clearly the best edge rusher on the board when the Bengals were on the clock in the third round.
Ossai immediately became a starter on the Bengals pass rush unit. But in his first preseason game, Ossai suffered a knee injury that will keep him out indefinitely.