Dohnte Meyers is about to get his first NFL snaps, and the path that brought him there is about as unconventional as it gets.
The former DoorDash driver is set to make his preseason debut Thursday night when the Cincinnati Bengals open against the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium. For a player who once spent his nights delivering food until 2 or 3 a.m. after training all day, simply getting to this point is a major step. Now the 26-year-old undrafted receiver has turned enough heads in camp to earn a real look.
Meyers joined Cincinnati on a reserve/futures contract in January after a strong run in the Canadian Football League, and he has kept making plays over the past 10 practices. Coaches and teammates have noticed the same things over and over: separation, dependable hands, and a knack for finding the football.
His route to the Bengals never followed the usual NFL script. Meyers was a zero-star recruit out of Georgia, began his college career at Presbyterian, then moved on to Division II Delta State.
He put up solid numbers there, but went undrafted in 2023. With little NFL interest, he built his days around staying ready, training in the morning and afternoon, recovering, then heading out for DoorDash shifts.
“I structured my whole life around pursuing a dream,” he later explained.
That dream got a boost from a $100 open tryout with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Meyers earned a contract, worked through a broken wrist, and eventually became a productive receiver.
In 2025, he caught 65 passes for 1,056 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 16.2 yards per catch. He also handled kick returns and helped Saskatchewan win the Grey Cup.
That production put him on Cincinnati’s radar. Scouting executive Andrew Johnson kept tabs on other professional leagues and brought Meyers in for a workout. Not long after, he had his chance with the Bengals.
The challenge now is obvious. Cincinnati’s receiver room is already crowded, so making the 53-man roster means bringing value beyond the offense.
Special teams may be the cleanest path, and the preseason opener puts that role under the spotlight. The return job is still up for grabs, with Charlie Jones having handled most of those duties in recent seasons and Ke’Shawn Williams among the others in the mix.
Meyers has a case there, too. Last year in the CFL, he averaged 29 yards on kickoff returns and 10.4 yards on punt returns.
Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher has praised Meyers for his ability to create separation and his reliable hands. Head coach Zac Taylor said the team hasn’t had to force chances for him. Meyers just keeps showing up near the ball.
Thursday night gives him the biggest stage yet. A strong showing as either a receiver or returner could move the long shot a step closer to the roster. For a player who has already climbed far beyond what most expected, one productive preseason debut would only add to an unlikely rise years in the making.
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