Jared Kamrass on the Bengals Turning Attention to Draft

Originally Posted On: https://jaredkamrassoh.wordpress.com/2023/04/11/jared-kamrass-on-the-bengals-turning-attention-to-draft/

Jared Kamrass on the Bengals Turning Attention to Draft After Surprising Free Agency, Bengals Turn Attention to Draft

Bengals fans braced themselves for a free agency unlike previous years: no big splashes, retain their own guys, get ready for that Burrow mega-extension. Instead, the Bengals watched as safeties Jessie Bates, III, Von Bell, and TE Hayden Hurst left for bigger paydays. That’s when the Bengals struck, signing All-Pro OT Orlando Brown, Jr. to a team-friendly deal and making him LT of the future. Resigning LB Germaine Pratt was also a surprise after he expressed desire to be a three-down player elsewhere. They signed undervalued S Nick Scott to pair with 2022 first rounder Dax Hill to replenish the safety spot, and signed former second round picks CB Sidney Jones, IV and TE Irv Smith, Jr. to one year ‘prove-it’ deals to bolster depth.

With the calendar turning to April, the NFL Draft is upon us, and the Bengals look like a different team than we last saw in the AFC Championship Game. Picking at 28th in the first round with one pick in each round, let’s take a look at how the Bengals could approach this year’s draft.

Win Now vs. ‘Future Proofing’

The Bengals’ window has never been open wider. Before the massive cap hit that will be associated with Burrow’s extension kicks in, they’re poised to go to their third straight conference championship game, and perhaps win the franchise’s first Super Bowl. GM Duke Tobin has shown his preference of using the draft to anticipate future needs, rather than fill immediate holes. S Dax Hill was drafted in anticipation of Bates’ departure. With big name talents NT DJ Reader, DE Trey Hendrickson, WR Tyler Boyd, and CB Chidobe Awuzie in contract years, might the Bengals draft their understudies and/or future replacements? Names to watch at 28 here include DT Bryan Bresee (Clemson), CB’s Deonte Banks (Maryland) and Cam Smith (South Carolina), or DE Myles Murphy (Clemson). None of these guys would likely be opening day starters, but would likely be expected to be core pieces of the defense when the big name free agent departs.

If Tobin senses the best opportunity to win is now, there are a few holes left to address in the starting lineup, particularly TE, RT, and 3T. Smith is a good addition to the TE room, but with Devin Asiasi the only other TE on the roster, there is room to add a playmaker. Northern KY native and Notre Dame standout Michael Mayer is an option at 28 and would be an instant impact option for Burrow and Brian Callahan. Though the team expects Jonah Williams to start at RT in 2023, he has requested a trade and is also an impending free agent. RTs Darnell Wright (Tennessee), Anton Harrison (OU), and Dawand Jones (Ohio State) are all potential options at 28 to take over this year and provide a bookend to Brown for the next half-decade. 3T Calijah Kancey (Pitt) has been a testing sensation and has drawn comparisons to fellow Pitt alum Aaron Donald. If he’s available at 28, the Bengals might view him as an interior disruptor they need.

Depth Needs and Upcoming Moves

In addition to TE and RT, there are question marks at a few key areas, particularly concerning depth. While Williams and RB Joe Mixon are still on the roster, many observers expect their replacements to be drafted in a few weeks. Mixon has dealt with off-the-field distractions in recent months and carries a massive cap hit that the Bengals can mostly avoid by cutting him this summer. Williams’ situation is murkier as he could find a suitor in the trade market. Expect a RT and RB to be taken somewhere in this draft, as both positions are considered to be deep groups in this year’s crop. With Boyd likely entering his last year with the team, expect a WR to be in the mix somewhere. The Bengals have flexibility here as they could draft a pure slot guy to swap in for Boyd, or an outside guy that allows them to create mismatches by putting Ja’Marr Chase in the slot. The Bengals like what they’ve seen from DE Joseph Ossai, but sack production fell last year and Hendrickson may leave in next year’s free agency; so look for an edge rusher to come the Bengals way. The same is true with 3T, where 2022 pick Zach Carter is coming along, but the Bengals are looking for more explosiveness.

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Jared Kamrass on the Bengals Turning Attention to Draft

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