Cincinnati Bengals select Daijahn Anthony in seventh round of 2024 NFL Draft

The Cincinnati Bengals have selected Ole Miss safety Daijahn Anthony with the No. 224 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Anthony began his career at Shepherd University before transferring to Liberty and eventually landing at Ole Miss ahead of the 2023 campaign.

In his lone season with the Rebels, Anthony appeared in all 13 games and made 10 starts. The 6-foot, 195-pound senior tallied 61 tackles, eight passes defended and a team-high three interceptions. Anthony exploded for a season-high 15 tackles in Ole Miss’ regular-season finale against Mississippi State.

Prior to Ole Miss, Anthony spent two seasons at Liberty, where he appeared in 24 games. While there, he collected 41 tackles, six pass break-ups and three interceptions.

As stated previously, Anthony started his collegiate career at Division-II program Shepherd. Anthony did not compete for the Rams in 2020 due to COVID-19. However, in 2019, Anthony appeared in 10 games and made five starts as a true freshman, notching 14 tackles and two picks.

Daijahn Anthony played high school football at Henrico High School (VA), where he was an unranked prospect in the 2018 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Anthony was one of three Ole Miss players to receive an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine. He didn’t let the opportunity go to waste, recording a 4.55-second 40-yard dash, 37-inch vertical leap and 9’8” broad jump.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Daijahn Anthony

Anthony undoubtedly has the size and athleticism to play at the next level. NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein believes with a few technical improvements, Anthony could become an excellent reserve at the next level.

“Hard-hitting safety with man cover tools but potential limitations if asked to play on the back end. Anthony is high-cut but with good size and an aggressive field demeanor,” Zierlein wrote. “He aligned as both a big nickel and a split safety. He’s fairly comfortable handling man coverage duties over the slot and does a nice job of staying connected with routes and disrupting catch tries with timing.

“He’s fast enough to play over the top from center field, but the instincts are average, and he can be clunky swiveling hips with the changing gaze of the quarterback. He needs to take more consistent angles and do a better job of wrapping up, but Anthony has the talent to become a versatile backup.”