- The Bengals and special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons have agreed to an extension, Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports (on Twitter). A longtime Dolphins ST boss, Simmons interviewed for the Bengals’ HC job last year and joined Cincinnati’s staff as a key assistant after the top job went to Zac Taylor. Despite Cincinnati’s 2-14 record, the team ranked first in special teams DVOA under its first-year leader.
After a weekend full of drama and upsets, four more spots have been determined in this year’s NFL Draft order. Most notably – the Patriots will pick No. 23 overall, their highest original pick since 2006.
Here’s the updated rundown, from Nos. 1-24:
1. Bengals (2-14)
2. Redskins (3-13)
3. Lions (3-12-1)
4. Giants (4-12)
5. Dolphins (5-11)
6. Chargers (5-11)
7. Panthers (5-11)
8. Cardinals (5-10-1)
9. Jaguars (6-10)
10. Browns (6-10)
11. Jets (7-9)
12. Raiders (7-9)
13. Colts (7-9)
14. Buccaneers (7-9)
15. Broncos (7-9)
16. Falcons (7-9)
17. Cowboys (8-8)
18. Dolphins (via Steelers 8-8)
19. Raiders (via Bears 8-8)
20. Jaguars (via Rams 9-7)
21. Eagles (9-7)
22. Bills (10-6)
23. Patriots (12-4)
24. Saints (13-3)
Here are the reserve/futures deals handed out on New Year’s Eve:
Cincinnati Bengals
- CB Winston Rose
Detroit Lions
- C Russell Bodine, TE Paul Butler, TE Matt Sokol
Miami Dolphins
- LB Jake Carlock, LB Terrill Hanks, WR Andy Jones, TE Chris Myarick, T Chidi Okeke, DT Durval Queiroz Neto, WR T.J. Rahming, WR Terry Wright
New York Jets
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A handful of minor moves to pass along:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed off waivers (from Packers): CB Tony Brown
Denver Broncos
- Claimed off waivers (from Texans): DE Joel Heath
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Claimed off waivers (from Cowboys): S Josh Jones
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Re-signed (two years): LB Tuzar Skipper
As veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer points out (on Twitter), the waiver claims will be deferred to February 3rd (the day after the Super Bowl).
Trey Hopkins is sticking around Cincy for the foreseeable future. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the Bengals have signed the center to a three-year extension. The three-year pact is worth $20.4MM, and Hopkins will receive a $4.5MM guaranteed roster bonus.
The 2014 undrafted free agent out of Texas struggled to see the field during his first few years in the NFL. He spent his rookie campaign on the injured reserve with a leg injury, and he spent the majority of the 2015 and 2016 seasons on the Bengals’ practice squad.
Hopkins finally got a chance to contribute in 2017, as he started 12 of his 13 games at right guard (he also missed four games due to a knee injury). He started nine games at various positions in 2018, including center and both guard spots. He received a second-round restricted free agent tender from the Bengals this past offseason.
This year, Hopkins has settled into the starting center role, starting all 15 games for the Bengals. The 27-year-old will presumably have the same role in 2020, with ESPN’s Ben Baby opining (on Twitter) that former first-rounder Billy Price will play offensive guard moving forward.
“I didn’t think I would ever be in this situation,” Hopkins told Geoff Hobson of the team’s website. “I started as an undrafted free agent just making sure I at least made the team. It’s nice having a little bit of security.
“It’s nice to be wanted. I’m in a place where I’m comfortable. I feel like I’m valued. I think I can contribute and help the team.”
Here are Friday’s minor moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Jordan Franks, WR Trenton Irwin
- Placed on IR: CB William Jackson
Detroit Lions
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Anthony Pittman
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: TE Ross Travis
New York Giants
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Chris Slayton
- Placed on IR: TE Rhett Ellison
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Kevin Givens
- Placed on IR: DT Jullian Taylor
Washington Redskins
- Promoted from practice squad: S Kenny Ladler, WR Jester Weah
- Placed on IR: CB Fabian Moreau, S Montae Nicholson
Bengals cornerback William Jackson will finish the year on the injured reserve list. The team is expected to shut Jackson down this week so that he can start rehabbing his injured shoulder, as Geoff Hobson of the team website tweets. 
Jackson, 27, has recorded 37 stops and one interception in 14 games (13 starts) this season. Unfortunately, the shoulder injury that forced him out of the Bengals’ narrow loss to the Dolphins last week will also keep him from playing in the season finale against the Browns.
Jackson kept a lid on Odell Beckham Jr. in the team’s Week 14 matchup against Cleveland, but the Bengals will have to find coverage help elsewhere as they aim for their second win of 2019. Whether they win or lose, the Bengals will own the No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft, so they have that to look forward to, at least.
Jackson, the No. 24 overall pick in the 2016 draft, is set to play out 2020 on his fifth-year option, which will carry a $9.594MM cap number. His salary is guaranteed for injury, so he’ll be secure regardless of what happens from here.
Andy Dalton isn’t sure where he’ll be in 2020, but wherever he winds up, he intends on starting. Dalton also acknowledges that Sunday’s game could be the final game with the Bengals, but he says it won’t be the final game of his career (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Ben Baby). 
[RELATED: Andy Dalton Eager To Be Traded In 2020]
When asked if he wants to be a starter next year, Dalton replied, “Yes, absolutely.” It remains to be seen whether he’ll be given that chance – there figure to be plenty of QB-needy teams this offseason, but Dalton’s stock is at an all-time low after a season in which he temporarily lost the starting gig to rookie Ryan Finley.
Dalton was immediately installed as the Bengals’ starter after being drafted in 2011 and guided the team to multiple playoff berths. But, after an 0-8 start this year, he was benched. A few weeks later, he regained the starting job, but he hasn’t fared much better.
With one game to go, Dalton has a sub-60% completion percentage with just 15 touchdowns against a staggering 13 interceptions. On the plus side – he led the Bengals to their lone win this year against the Jets in Week 13 and threw for four TDs (with zero INTs) against the Dolphins on Sunday.
The Bengals can move on from Dalton after this season without any dead money, so he’s unlikely to return to Cincinnati for a tenth year. It’s hard to see Dalton landing a guaranteed No. 1 QB post anywhere, but he could easily land a one-year deal with a low base salary and lots of performance-based incentives.
With one week remaining in the regular season, the 2020 NFL Draft order is starting to take shape. The 1-14 Bengals have locked up the No. 1 overall pick, but the rest of the board will be dependent on the outcome of Week 17’s games.
Here’s a look at where things stand:
1. Bengals: 1-14
2. Redskins: 3-12
3. Lions: 3-11-1
4. Giants: 4-11
5. Dolphins: 4-11
6. Jaguars: 5-10
7. Chargers: 5-10
8. Panthers: 5-10
9. Cardinals: 5-9-1
10: Jets: 6-9
11. Broncos: 6-9
12. Browns: 6-9
13. Falcons 6-9
14. Raiders 7-8
15. Cowboys 7-8
16. Colts 7-8
17. Buccaneers 7-8
18. Raiders (via Bears) 7-8
19. Dolphins (via Steelers) 8-7
20. Jaguars (via Rams) 8-7
21. Eagles 8-7
22. Titans 8-7
23. Bills 10-5
24. Vikings 10-5
25. Dolphins (via Texans) 10-5
26. Chiefs 11-4
27. Seahawks 11-4
28. Packers 12-3
29. Patriots 12-3
30. Saints 12-3
31. 49ers 12-3
32. Ravens 13-2
That was fast. On Tuesday, the Bengals cut outside linebacker Sharif Finch, just hours after claiming him off waivers.
The Bengals claimed Finch off waivers following his release from the Titans. Unfortunately, a failed physical 86’d his Cincinnati stint before it could even begin.
The reason for his failed physical is not known, but it could be tied to the shoulder injury that held him back over the offseason. If it’s not a serious red flag, the Giants and Lions could consider claiming him – both clubs tried to grab him earlier in the week, but they were trumped by the Bengals and their league-worst record.
Finch, 24, appeared in 23 games (three starts) for the Titans between 2018 and 2019. He notched 3.5 sacks in that span – including two sacks this year – and 40 total tackles.