Tag: Jordan Battle

Jordan Battle thinks time with Nick Saban will help transition to Bengals

Bengals safety Jordan Battle will go from Nick Saban to Lou Anarumo.

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The Cincinnati Bengals surprised onlookers by taking Alabama safety Jordan Battle in the third round of the draft, yet his experience in Nick Saban’s defense with the Crimson Tide played a big part in that selection.

Right from the jump, it was clear that Bengals coaches intended for Battle to have an early role in Lou Anarumo’s defense. After his success in the complex Alabama scheme, picking up Anarumo’s likewise complex scheme won’t be as tough as it normally is for rookies.

Just ask Battle himself.

“If you’re under coach (Nick) Saban, you know it’s a complex defense,” Battle said, according to Shelby Dermer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “I gotta realize it’s a gift to be smart on the field and just take that all in. A guy who can learn quickly and take that to the field. Just doing that and trying to play as early as possible.”

The Bengals wanted the instant impact and leadership of a guy like Battle from a program like Alabama after losing Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell in free agency.

While the team used a first-rounder on Dax Hill last year and signed Nick Scott in free agency this offseason, there’s nothing guaranteed at the safety spot.

As of right now, Battle’s got a real shot at breaking into playing time early, especially if the theory about his easier pro transition than normal due to time with Saban comes true.

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Bengals interrupted Jordan Battle’s Uno game when drafting him

Another funny Bengals draft story, this time from Jordan Battle.

Cincinnati Bengals fans have already seen that punter Brad Robbins thought that Zac Taylor was pranking him when he called.

Another fun draft-moment story for incoming Bengals rookies? Third-round pick Jordan Battle got the call while playing a game of Uno.

“I was with my family, my friends,” Battle told the team’s official website. “Everybody who helped me get here, who supported me while I was on this journey…Had everybody there, everybody recording. I got the phone call, I was actually playing Uno and like, I stopped, right. You know, just pick up the phone. And everybody was like, oh shoot, he just got the call. So it was just a proud moment.”

Bengals coaches Zac Taylor and Lou Anarumo explained the Battle pick and the expectation is he’ll have a big impact right away as a rookie. In fact, he’s consistently brought up as a big part of the positive draft grades the Bengals received.

The Uno part? It’s a funny exclamation point of sorts and one of the more unique moments for a draft prospect getting the call recently.

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Bengals considered multiple offensive players before drafting Jordan Battle

The Bengals were looking at offensive players in Round 3…but Jordan Battle’s grade was significantly higher.

TheĀ Cincinnati Bengals surprised fans by avoiding an offensive player in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft, instead opting for Alabama safety Jordan Battle.

But as a note fromĀ Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com shows, the team had multiple offensive players up and ready — but the grade difference was too much:

At No. 92, the Bengals talked about taking a couple of offensive players and one was even something they needed. But here’s another principle that has translated to success in their 2020 draft rooms. Talent beats need when the grades are so disparate. Battle’s grade was so much higher and that’s why he’s here.

Why Battle over a limited-snap offensive player? Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo summed it up.

“He’s in position a lot to make plays. He’s very rarely out of position,” Anarumo said, per Hobson. “You can see him communicating, which is really important back there obviously, so you can trust him. You can tell his teammates to trust him. He’s rarely out of position, (he) gets guys on the ground, and his character is off the charts. That’s why he’s so intriguing.”

Translation: The Bengals think they got a guy in Battle who can potentially start — and maybe soon. Even if he doesn’t, he’ll probably see the field more than any offensive player they could have picked.

The Bengals traded out of that No. 92 spot, though candidates they were looking at could have been tight end Darnell Washington (Steelers), Cincinnati wideout Tre Tucker (Raiders) or any number of running backs or other great prospects left on the board entering Day 3.

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Look: Bengals coach Zac Taylor calls third-round pick Jordan Battle

The moment Bengals head coach Zac Taylor called Jordan Battle before drafting him.

TheĀ Cincinnati Bengals tripled down on defense to close out Friday’s action in the 2023 NFL draft, taking Alabama safety Jordan Battle in the third round.

Those Bengals actually traded down before making the pick, dropping three spots in the order via trade with the Kansas City Chiefs and adding an extra sixth-rounder.

Now the Bengals’ social media team has sent out a video of Bengals head coach Zac Taylor calling Battle, a fun behind-the-scenes look at the draft process fans don’t normally get to see.

In the video, Taylor says the team enjoyed meeting Battle at the combine and he’s exactly what the team wants in the locker room and on the field:

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Bengals coaches explain the Jordan Battle pick

Why did the Bengals pick Jordan Battle?

It was understandable on first pass if Cincinnati Bengals fans were a little confused about the team picking Jordan Battle in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.

The Bengals had already signed Nick Scott in free agency to play alongside first-rounder Dax Hill and other needs besides safety seemed to be available on the board.

But Bengals coaches had other ideas. Namely, the 44-start Battle with the Alabama Crimson Tide, who usually pops on film and rarely makes mistakes, a trait pretty undervalued these days in a position called safety.

Both head coach Zac Taylor and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo explained a big reason for the pick, as captured by Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic:

And on the in-game side:

No specific word on how Battle will fit directly into the safety conversation, but it’s safe to presume based on his resume that he could push for breaking into the rotation early. Anarumo is known to like his three-safety looks, anyway.

Like our breakdown suggested, Battle could have a key role right away and is once again right on theme for a draft class that continues to hit needs before they become problems.

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Cincinnati Bengals select Jordan Battle No. 95 overall in the 2023 NFL draft

The Cincinnati Bengals chose Alabama safety Jordan Battle with the No. 95 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

With the No. 95 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals selected Alabama safety Jordan Battle.

Battle spent four seasons at Alabama. He started at free safety for Alabama since his sophomore season in 2020. Battle recorded 252 tackles, 10 pass deflections, and six interceptions.

Following his senior season, Battle was listed as a first team All-SEC honoree by coaches across the league. He was also named to the watch list for significant awards like the Bednarik Award, Nagurski Award, and Jim Thorpe Award.

Battle can cover a lot of ground in the secondary and will likely have a chance to play early on in Cincinnati. With the Bengals losing Jessie Bates in free agency, the addition of Battle should really help on the back end of their defense.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama players drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft.

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Best reactions after Bengals draft Jordan Battle in third round

The best reactions after the Bengals made their pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.

TheĀ Cincinnati Bengals added Alabama safety Jordan Battle in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.

It was a move that stirred up some chatter, to say the least.

Those Bengals first started the buzz by trading down three spots in that third round with the Kansas City Chiefs, picking up an extra sixth-round pick in the process.

Not only was trading with the Chiefs of all teams odd for fans, so was picking a safety when it was presumed that Nick Scott and Dax Hill had a grip on the starting jobs going into next season.

Here are some of the best reactions to the move.

Instant analysis of Bengals picking Jordan Battle in the third round

Instant analysis after the Bengals add to the roster in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.

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TheĀ Cincinnati Bengals surprised some fans with the pick of Alabama safety Jordan Battle in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.

After all, the Bengals drafted Dax Hill in the first round the year prior, then went out and added Nick Scott in free agency to a room that already has Michael Thomas and Tycen Anderson.

But maybe it’s not so surprising, either. The Bengals traded down three spots before making Battle the pick, picking up an extra sixth-rounder from the Chiefs in the process. It was probably a sign the team wasn’t overly thrilled with the way the board fell, or at least thought they could getĀ their guy a handful of picks later.

And Battle does have Bengals written all over him. He’s from a huge program, started 44 games there, and rarely made mistakes while racking up 252 tackles and six interceptions with three defensive touchdowns and 10 passes defended over 44 starts.

Battle has ranked as high as the fifth overall safety in the class for some, with The Athletic’s Dane Brugler writing the following:

Battle plays aware in zone coverage and assignment sound in the run game with accurate fits and the physical nature of a linebacker. However, he is a linear athlete with limited playmaking range and tackling inconsistencies. Overall, Battleā€™s tape and skill set scream ā€œaverage,ā€ but he is a smart, experienced safety with reliable football character and competitive toughness. He projects as a low-ceiling post/box starter in the NFL with core special teams skills.

Lou Anarumo loves his three-safety looks, just overloading the field with defensive backs. Battle is always where he needs to be and reliable, which is what the unit needs after the major losses of Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates.

Safety was always a possibility for the Bengals even though it looks like the position was set with its two starters. Like Myles Murphy in the first and DJ Turner in the second, Battle is about getting younger and cheaper for the long-term at a time the franchise has to shift more money to the offense.

There were some other big names available for the Bengals before they traded down and even after, but none so overpowering that it dings the outlook of this move. This is the sort of pick a team can make when trying to find that now-later balance after hitting all needs well in free agency. Given his resume, Battle might just make the…battle for the starting safety jobs interesting, too.

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Bengals select DB Jordan Battle in third round after trading down with Chiefs

The Bengals have made their pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.

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TheĀ Cincinnati Bengals traded down in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft with the Kansas City Chiefs and at No. 95 selected Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle.

Battle, 6’1″ and 209 pounds, projects as a potential quick starter and ranked near the top five safeties in most rankings, making him likely the top player on Cincinnati’s board after the trade down.

The pick comes on the heels of the Bengals adding defensive end Myles Murphy in the first round on Thursday night, then cornerback DJ Turner out of Michigan in the second round to start things off on Friday night.

Battle is a surprise, but the trade down beforehand shows what the team thought about the board.

Cincinnati picked up pick No. 217 in the trade down with the Chiefs.

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Top landing spots for five of Alabama’s remaining undrafted prospects

Roll Tide Wire breaks down the top landing spots for five of Alabama’s remaining undrafted prospects. There is still plenty of talent on the board!

The Alabama football program seems to always have some of the top prospects enter the draft year in and year out. Thus far, three Alabama players have heard their names called. Bryce Young was chosen No. 1 overall by the Carolina Panthers. Will Anderson was taken at No. 3 by the Houston Texans. Jahmyr Gibbs skyrocketed up the draft and was selected at No. 12 by the Detroit Lions.

With numerous Alabama prospects undrafted, there will likely be a handful of them chosen on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down some of the top landing spots for five of Alabama’s remaining undrafted prospects.