Fansided
Fansided

Cincinnati Bengals 2023 NFL Mock Draft: A Rare Talent In Round One

By Jacob Schyvinck

Dec 3, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Darnell Washington (0) reacts after his touchdown reception against the LSU Tigers during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Darnell Washington (0) reacts after his touchdown reception against the LSU Tigers during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Sep 3, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Brandon Joseph (16) reacts to the missed field goal during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Brandon Joseph (16) reacts to the missed field goal during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 2, 60th Overall: Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame

Free agency will determine a lot of this. If Jessie Bates or Vonn Bell somehow returns, we’re having a different conversation. But for now, the Cincinnati Bengals have to operate with incomplete info in this mock. It’ll be interesting to see how the Bengals value Daxton Hill.

Brandon Joseph has the single-high, turnover creation archetype that Bates has. He had a six interception season for Northwestern in 2020, and his ability to drop into short and intermediate windows combined with his back end range will give the Bengals more speed and athleticism in the secondary.

Round 3, 92nd Overall: Jacquelin Roy, DL, LSU

A lot of what the Cincinnati Bengals have done recently on defense is rely on two big guys in the middle controlling the trenches, D.J. Reader and B.J. Hill. Reader is set to hit free agency in 2024, and rekindling that formula will be important to think about.

Jacquelin Roy profiles best as a one technique, with the idea that he will be in control in the middle to one-gap or two-gap with impressive power and technique to anchor and snap off of blocks. Roy’s pass rush upside isn’t quite there, but he’ll be a big contributor for early down success rate of the run defense in Cincinnati.

Home/Mock Drafts