Jaydn Ott to visit Bengals

Running back brings upside and athleticism to Cincinnati's backfield

Apr. 4, 2026 at 11:20am

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Former California standout Jaydn Ott, who impressed at the Senior Bowl and pro day, is scheduled to meet with the Cincinnati Bengals as they look to add more explosiveness to their running game.

Why it matters

The Bengals' offense is built around quarterback Joe Burrow and the passing attack, but the team has been seeking more consistency and big-play ability from its running backs. Ott's pre-draft performances have put him back on the radar as a potential mid-round target who could provide that upside.

The details

Ott had a standout 2023 season at California, rushing for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns and earning First-Team All-Pac-12 honors. However, his path since then has included an ankle injury in 2024 and a transfer to Oklahoma, where he finished his college career in a backup role. Despite the quieter finish, Ott's strong showings at the Senior Bowl and pro day, including a 4.47-second 40-yard dash, a 40.5-inch vertical, and a 10-foot-11 broad jump, have helped put him back on teams' radars.

  • Ott is scheduled to meet with the Bengals in the coming weeks.
  • Ott had a standout 2023 season at California.
  • Ott's production and playing time declined in 2024 due to an ankle injury.
  • Ott transferred to Oklahoma for his final season, where he finished in a backup role.

The players

Jaydn Ott

A running back who had a standout 2023 season at California before dealing with injuries and a transfer to Oklahoma for his final college season.

Joe Burrow

The Bengals' franchise quarterback, whose passing game is the centerpiece of Cincinnati's offense.

Cincinnati Bengals

The NFL team that is scheduled to meet with Jaydn Ott as they look to add more explosiveness and consistency to their running game.

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What’s next

The Bengals will evaluate Ott during his upcoming visit and determine if he is a viable option to add to their running back room in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The takeaway

The Bengals' interest in Jaydn Ott reflects their ongoing search for more explosiveness and consistency in their running game to complement their pass-heavy offense led by quarterback Joe Burrow. Ott's pre-draft performances have put him back on the radar as a potential mid-round target who could provide that upside if he can stay healthy.