Every NFL head coach dreams of making a splash with their first draft class. For Zac Taylor and the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019, that initial foray into team-building was a turbulent ride, but it unearthed a defensive cornerstone whose legacy would be defined by a single, season-saving play.

As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, it's the perfect time to look back at the last decade of Bengals selections. We're kicking off a series to identify the single best pick from each class, weighing tenure, impact, and value. The 2019 class, Taylor's inaugural effort, presents a fascinating case study.

Coming off a 2-14 season, the pressure was immense. A rushed free agency period and a late-assembled coaching staff meant the draft had to carry the weight of the franchise's turnaround. While the class overall had its struggles, one mid-round selection proved to be an absolute home run.

The early rounds were head-scratchers for many fans, including a surprising second-round trade-back. But in the third round, with the 72nd overall pick, the Bengals selected linebacker Germaine Pratt out of NC State. A former safety, Pratt brought a unique blend of coverage instincts and downhill physicality to the linebacker corps.

Under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Pratt earned a starting role by mid-season and never looked back. He grew through early struggles, evolving into the reliable heart of the defense. His career-defining moment arrived in the 2021 Wild Card round against the Las Vegas Raiders. With the game on the line, Pratt's game-sealing interception—the franchise's first playoff win in 31 years—etched his name into Bengals lore forever.

While the 2019 draft had its bumps, finding a perennial starter and playoff hero in the third round is the very definition of a successful pick. Germaine Pratt wasn't just the best selection of that class; he became a foundational piece for the new era of Bengals football.