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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Chris Roling

15 best available players for the Cincinnati Bengals on Day 3

The Cincinnati Bengals should again have a really nice set of options in front of them almost every time they walk to the podium on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL draft.

That was the case in each of the first three rounds, to the point the team was comfortable trading down at the end of the third round with the Kansas City Chiefs and still getting a guy they really wanted.

During the Day 3 festivities, the Bengals project to hit needs like tight end and running back at what should be really good values for those positions, though best-player-available remains the focus.

Here’s a look at some of the best players left, with a focus on areas the Bengals need help.

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Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jones is in a free fall, whether it’s due to medicals, his path to the draft or something else. But at some point, taking a 6’8″, 374-pound right tackle prospect just makes sense for these Bengals.

Adetomiwa Adebawore, DT, Northwestern

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Adebawore was mocked to the Bengals a few times in the first round and he’d be an amazing value on Day 3. They need a deeper pass-rushing depth from the interior.

Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t think the Bengals wouldn’t take another corner. Phillips is smaller (5’9″), but wickedly productive — and size hasn’t stopped Mike Hilton, has it?

Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

Syndication: Online Athens

Ringo used to have first-round hype. That’s done, but we can’t pretend Lou Anarumo wouldn’t have a blast moving him all over.

Cory Trice Jr., CB, Purdue

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

We’ve constantly mocked Trice, a big-bodied boundary corner, to the Bengals. Think of him as an Eli Apple or Tre Flowers replacement.

Chandler Zavala, G, North Carolina State

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Guard isn’t a bigger need than tackle, but at some point, Zavala is just too good to pass up.

Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati

Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals need to think about life after Tyler Boyd beyond 2023 and Scott is exactly how they should do it.

Blake Freeland, OL, BYU

Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Line help is line help at this point, even if they want to stick with La’el Collins and Jonah Williams (or Cody Ford and Jackson Carman in some order) at right tackle.

Karl Brooks, DT, Bowling Green

Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports

We’ve endlessly mocked Brooks to the Bengals — he’s local and a Geno Atkins-styled pass-rusher from the inside who could feast in their defense.

Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Running back being “devalued” could mean the Bengals get Johnson, a guy who broke 46 tackles on just 94 carries last season.

Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pittsburgh

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Abanikanda is one of the youngest players in the draft and just put up 1,426 yards and 20 touchdowns on a 5.9 average last year.

DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The most dominant back in college football, McBride ran for 3,507 yards on 484 carries (7.2 yards per carry) over the last three seasons.

Keaton Mitchell, RB, East Carolina

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Mitchell is small (5’9″ and 184 pounds), but ran for 1,452 yards and 14 scores on a 7.2 average last year.

 

Josh Whyle, TE, Cincinnati

Syndication: The Enquirer

Keeping the local prospect home could help the offense in a big way.

Davis Allen, TE, Clemson

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Allen is a huge target who can make plays up the seam.

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