Bengals GM Duke Tobin Denies Bengals Are Shopping John Ross in Trade Talks

Wide receiver John Ross has failed to live up to expectations since the Cincinnati Bengals selected him with the No. 9 overall pick in 2017, and on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported the AFC North team is looking to move him.

However, Bengals general manager Duke Tobin denied that report, per Sal Capaccio of WGR 550:

Ross quickly made a name for himself during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine when he ran the 40-yard dash in a record time of 4.22 seconds. The Washington product figured to use that speed to beat defenders downfield in single coverage and appeared to be an ideal fit with the Bengals given the presence of A.J. Green.

Green frequently draws double coverage as one of the best receivers in the league, which leads to other receivers finding themselves on an island with No. 2 or 3 cornerbacks. However, Ross has been unable to consistently take advantage of those scenarios and finished with zero catches as a rookie and 21 catches for 210 yards in his second year.

The silver lining was that seven of his 21 catches in 2018 went for touchdowns, suggesting he can use his speed to create game-changing plays as he grows more accustomed to playing at the NFL level.