Joe Burrow Rumors: QB Was 'Exceptional' in Bengals Meeting, 'A Lock' to Go No. 1

After the Cincinnati Bengals met with former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow at the NFL Scouting Combine, there is reportedly a strong belief that Cincinnati will take him with the No. 1 overall pick. 

Appearing Thursday on ESPN's Get Up, NFL reporter Jeff Darlington said he spoke with someone who was in the meeting with Burrow, and that person called the Heisman Trophy winner "exceptional." Darlington added that Burrow feels like a "lock" to go to the Bengals.

With the Bengals going back and forth on veteran Andy Dalton as their starting quarterback last season, and Burrow making history with 60 touchdown passes, Burrow as been the favorite to go first overall ever since Cincinnati locked down the No. 1 selection.

Joe Burrow Dominates vs. Bulldogs 🐯

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On the heels of the Bengals going 2-14 last season and missing the playoffs in each of the past four campaigns, there has been some speculation that Burrow might hold out if taken by the Bengals, similar to what Eli Manning did in 2004, when he essentially forced a trade from the then-San Diego Chargers to the New York Giants.

Burrow largely put those fears to rest Tuesday when discussing the subject at the combine, per the Associated Press (h/t USA Today): "Yeah, I'm not going to not play. I'm a ballplayer. Whoever picks me, I'm going to go show up."

The Athens, Ohio, native also spoke positively about the possibility of playing in Cincinnati: "Yeah, absolutely. It's two hours, 15 minutes from my house. I could go home for dinner if I wanted to."

Based on Burrow's comments and the meeting he had with the Bengals, Darlington noted that there is no sense Burrow would consider forcing his way onto another team if Cincinnati takes him first overall.

Burrow was considered a middling NFL draft prospect entering the 2019 season, but an overhaul of LSU's offensive system launched him into the next stratosphere.

The confident signal-caller completed 76.3 percent of his passes for 5,671 yards, 60 touchdowns and just six interceptions, while also rushing for 368 yards and five scores. Burrow won the Heisman Trophy and led the Tigers to a national championship.

Burrow looks like the total package, and he is one of the most celebrated quarterbacks to enter the NFL draft in years.

The last few seasons have been rough for the Bengals, but if Burrow turns out to be as good as advertised, the 2-14 campaign will be well worth it.

Cincinnati will likely do its due diligence in considering Ohio State defensive end Chase Young or another quarterback like Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert, but given what Burrow accomplished last season, it would be a shock if the Bengals passed up on the opportunity to take him.