Joseph

Ossai

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the deal includes "$22.5 million fully guaranteed.” The No. 69 overall pick of the 2021 draft, Ossai played out his rookie deal with the Bengals before tacking on an extra year last season. More of a rotational pass rusher than true difference-making EDGE threat, Ossai theoretically still offers upside at age 26 (next month). He is still nevertheless the kind of player who fills out a defense rather than elevate it.

Higgins still hasn’t cleared concussion protocol, but the questionable designation suggests he could have a chance to clear it before Sunday’s game. His status will be one to watch heading into the weekend, but if Higgins is unable to go, Mitchell Tinsley would again see an expanded role in his absence. While Higgins is questionable, TE Noah Fant (ankle), DE Joseph Ossai (ankle), and WR Charlie Jones (ankle) have all been ruled out.

The Bengals are working to rebuild their defensive front, following DE Trey Hendrickson’s trade request and DE Sam Hubbard’s retirement. They re-signed DT B.J. Hill earlier today, now bring back Ossai. Ossai posted career-highs in both QB pressures (31) and sacks (five) last season and at just 24 years old, he has the chance to take another developmental step this season.

Ossai played through this injury last season, appearing in 16 regular season games and all three of their postseason contests. The second-year pass rusher totaled 3.5 sacks and two TFLs after missing his 2021 rookie campaign with a torn meniscus. Ossai should be ready for training camp.

Ossai was caught on video sprinting at the practice, but Taylor also admitted that Ossai had another procedure done to his knee “to help the process.” Ossai tore his meniscus in the first game of the preseason in 2021. He may be a PUP candidate as training camp opens. Ossai will start the second season of his career, if healthy, as the rotational pass rusher that the Bengals really needed last year behind Sam Hubbard and Tre Hendrickson.

Ossai, a third-round pick, flashed before going down, sacking Tom Brady and posting five QB pressures in his debut. It’s a hit to an already thin Bengals’ pass rush, leaving Amani Bledsoe, Khalid Kareem, and fourth-rounder Cam Sample behind starters Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard. The Bengals signed Noah Spence to replace Ossai on the roster. Ossai, 21, should be fully healthy ahead of next year’s training camp.

Chase, who joins his former LSU QB Joe Burrow in Cincinnati, is the highest 2021 draft pick to sign his rookie deal, a four-year, $30.8 million fully guaranteed contract with a $19.7 million signing bonus. In 2019, Chase led the nation with 1,780 receiving yards (21.2 yards per reception) and 20 touchdowns. He was 17th among college receivers with 84 receptions in LSU’s Burrow-led offense. In a Bengals offense with 195 vacated targets, Chase could be among the NFL’s most targeted wideouts in Cincy’s pass-heavy offense. The Bengals also signed third-round draft pick DE Joseph Ossai on Wednesday.

The Nigerian born Ossai (6'4/256) immigrated to Houston in 2008 and played soccer before transitioning to football as a high school freshman. Ossai blossomed into a four-star prospect and played in all 14 games as a true freshman. He went on to start 24 games and earn numerous accolades, including first-team All-Big 12. Ossai’s RAS of 9.5 popped off the chart, with only five percent of all defensive ends since 1987 surpassing his marks. He has a quick, fluid get off and nice change-of-direction ability. Ossai flashes an effective outside-in pass rush move but needs to add a few more to keep tackles honest. He must also his improve his speed-to-power transition and tackling in space. Ossai is a toolsy prospect with a Brian Orakpo-level ceiling.

Ossai (6'4/253) was one of the Longhorns’ standouts on the defensive side of the football this season, as in nine games he tallied 55 total tackles (16.0 for loss), 5.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. Due to his athleticism and ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage, Ossai shouldn’t have to wait very long to hear his name called in this spring’s draft. Pro Football Network draft analyst Tony Pauline has given the edge rusher a second-round grade.

Ossai showed flashes of brilliance in his freshman year, picking up 20 tackles and a sack. As Daeschner notes, the Longhorns have produced a few quality options at linebacker over the past few years, and Ossai could be next. " But now with the departures of Gary Johnson and Anthony Wheeler -- Texas’ two leading tacklers in 2018 -- Ossai will have to take on a much larger role as a starter next season,” Daeschner writes. A former four-star recruit, this could be one of the better underclassman defenders in the Big 12.