The Cincinnati Bengals have sights on competing for another Super Bowl as the calendar turns to 2023, but that doesn’t mean mock draft season isn’t happening in the background.
Checking in briefly on the 2023 NFL mock draft scene, most efforts have the Bengals adding offensive line help or weapons for the offense.
A new year two-round mock from Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling has the Bengals picking 27th in the first round and adding Georgia tight end Darnell Washington:
“There are some more pressing needs on defense, and Joe Burrow already has one of the NFL’s best wide receiver tandems in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. That said, a superstar quarterback can never have enough weapons, and this offense would be that much more dangerous if it had a tight end with Washington’s rare combination of size, athleticism, and blocking prowess.”
Washington would be a fun add to the offense at 6’7″ and 270 pounds, giving them some insurance on the chance they can’t retain Hayden Hurst and Drew Sample doesn’t come back well from his injury.
In the second round, the Bengals pick 58th and take Alabama safety Jordan Battle. The Bengals added a safety in the first round last year with Dax Hill but Battle might just be best-player-available. He’s versatile, a seasoned, vocal leader and the team has to worry about both of its starting safeties hitting free agency this offseason. Juicing up secondary depth in today’s NFL is never a bad thing.
All told, the Bengals would probably like to reinforce the offensive line again too with La’el Collins out, but there’s always free agency and the chance someone like Isaiah Prince develops into a long-term option, too.
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