The Cincinnati Bengals have been a consistent conference title contender since the drafting of Joe Burrow. There’s no doubt that this franchise has been revitalized from obscurity with his selection. It shows the power of the NFL Draft to completely change a franchise when they get the picks right.
That is what the Bengals are hoping coming out of the 2023 NFL Draft. Cincinnati’s title window has closed in terms of getting through it while still on Burrow’s rookie contract. He’s due a new contract that promises to make him one of the highest-paid players in football history. Did they add enough cheap, young talent in the draft to keep pursuing the Lombardi Trophy?
Cincinnati Bengals Draft Picks by Round in 2023
- Round 1, Pick 28
Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson - Round 2, Pick 60
DJ Turner, CB, Michigan - Round 3, Pick 95 (From KC)
Jordan Battle, S, Alabama - Round 4, Pick 131
Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue - Round 5, Pick 163
Chase Brown, RB, Illinois - Round 6, Pick 206
Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton - Round 6, Pick 217 (From KC)*
Brad Robbins, P, Michigan - Round 7, Pick 246
DJ Ivey, CB, Miami (FL)
*denotes compensatory selections
The Bengals spent the 2023 NFL Draft attempting to fortify an already elite defense. The offense and Burrow get a lot of the press, but it can be argued that the defense is what has sustained their status as an elite team these last few years. They’ve been among the league’s best in preventing their opponents from efficiently scoring points.
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However, Burrow — and one of the best wide receiver rooms in the NFL — can have anyone believing they will always have a shot. It appears that, in 2023, the Bengals opted to ensure that there is always an elite defense to get them the ball.
Who Did the Bengals Draft in 2023?
Myles Murphy is expected to come in and start right away opposite Trey Hendrickson. A consistent pass-rush upgrade was needed in Cincinnati, who was around the league average in sacks and pressures in 2022. When you’re competing with the likes of Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes in the postseason, consistent pressure generation is a must.
MORE: History of Cincinnati Bengals First-Round NFL Draft Picks
The Bengals’ other big need was cornerback, and they wasted no time addressing that with their second-round pick. DJ Turner was considered by many to be a top secondary player in the 2023 draft. Getting him at pick 60 must feel like a steal in Cincinnati.
There are two ways to slow down a passing offense — pass rush and pass coverage. The Bengals upgraded both in the 2023 NFL Draft.
How Many Draft Picks Did the Bengals Have Entering the 2023 NFL Draft?
The Bengals made eight selections in the 2023 NFL Draft. Of those eight picks, four were on the defensive side of the ball, while three were on offense, plus a punter. Cincinnati made a selection in each of the seven rounds and two in the sixth.
The Bengals had a need at edge rusher, and with their first selection, that’s the direction they went. As mentioned, Cincinnati stayed on the defensive side of the ball in Round 2 and took perhaps their second biggest need at cornerback. Eli Apple seems to be the odd man out in free agency, and getting a cheap and capable replacement was a priority.
Many thought the Bengals would target offensive tackle in this draft, but they answered that by signing Orlando Brown Jr. in free agency to be their LT. As of now, Cincinnati is moving Jonah Williams to right tackle. But he’s not too thrilled with the move and has requested a trade. At this point in time, that has not materialized, and they did not select a tackle in the 2023 NFL Draft.
