The Cincinnati Bengals are a National Football League (NFL) franchise founded as an expansion team of the American Football League in 1968. They joined the National Football League as a result of the 1970 AFL–NFL merger.The Bengals' first draft selection was Bob Johnson, a center from the University of Tennessee. The team's most recent first-round selection was Ja'Marr Chase, a wide receiver from the Louisiana State University. The Bengals have selected the number one overall pick in the draft four times. They have also selected the second overall pick two times and the third overall pick four times. The team's four selections from the University of Alabama are the most chosen by the Bengals from one university. The Bengals have used a first round pick on a Heisman Trophy winner three time