Bengals mock draft roundup ahead of 2023 NFL draft
The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the most interesting teams featured in mock drafts this year.
For some, the obvious choice is mocking the Bengals to add a tight end to Joe Burrow’s offense after losing Hayden Hurst. For others, it’s again about protecting Burrow, especially with La’el Collins rehabbing a knee injury and the trade request from Jonah Williams.
But with the way the Bengals have adequately addressed all major roster holes before the draft, they are something of a wild card in the opening round.
That’s starting to show the closer we get to the draft, so let’s do a quick roundup.
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Natalie Miller, Draft Wire
Syndication: Notre Dame Insider
Round 1: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Round 2: EDGE Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame
Quick Take: Pass-rusher remains a critically underrated need, so the Bengals get a really good one in the second here.
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Round 1: DL Keion White, Georgia Tech
Round 2: Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State
Round 3: Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
Quick Take: A new name in Round 1, but not a bad one given the need for a pass-rusher. Safety seems unlikely, but the team loves its best-player-available approach.
Curt Popejoy, Draft Wire
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Round 1: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
Quick Take: The Bengals love their first-round corners, so don’t be too shocked. Smith is bigger and was productive, making him a fit.
Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, ESPN
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Round 1: CB Julius Brents, Kansas State
Round 2: OT Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse
Round 3: S Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn State
Quick Take: Corner and line help in the opening rounds, though more likely here might be a tight end or running back in Round 3.
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Round 1: DT Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern
Round 2: RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Round 3: OT Tyler Steen, Alabama
Quick Take: It doesn’t get much better. That’s a very disruptive pass-rusher, an every-down running back right away and help on the line.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Round 1: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Round 2: RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Quick Take: Maybe the most popular scenario there is, it would certainly be hard to complain.
Ian Valentino, Pro Football Network
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Round 1: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
Round 2: DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
Round 3: RB Zach Evans, Ole Miss
Quick Take: More of a defensive slant, but the team’s moves in free agency have made this a possibility, too.
Danny Kelly, The Ringer
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Round 1: TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
Quick Take: Kincaid is a superb pick if his medical issues fully check out.
