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

Bengals 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft, trade-down edition

The 2023 NFL draft looks like an opportune time for the Cincinnati Bengals to trade down and acquire more draft assets while reinforcing the roster.

Given the stunning depth of the class and the lukewarm projectable first round, the Bengals could gain much by adding more picks in the heart of the event.

That’s what we do below in a seven-round mock draft after seeing how the board fell, seeking out a trade partner willing to jump up into the first round.

Using the mock draft simulator at Pro Football Focus, here’s a look at the trade explanation and how the picks unfold from there.

The trade

(AP Photo/Steve Luciano)

With Emmanuel Forbes, Dalton Kincaid, Anton Harrison and a host of others still on the board, we hit the trade block and found the Los Angeles Rams. We gave them No. 28 in the first round while picking up No. 36  and No. 77 (via New England). An extra top-100 pick in a class this deep means another potential rotational starter right away.

Round 2, No. 36: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Moving down, picking up an extra pick and still getting Jones is really nice. At 6’8″ and 374 pounds, he’s got instant-starter potential at right tackle. This makes it much easier to trade Jonah Williams and possibly bow out of La’el Collins’ expensive cap hit at the same time.

Round 2, No. 60: Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Knowing they have an extra pick, it makes investing in a running back early easy. Zach Charbonnet is an every-down prospect they can pair with Trayveon Williams (or Ezekiel Elliott?). This makes it easier to get out of Mixon’s expensive cap hit, too.

Round 3, No. 77: Karl Brooks, DL, Bowling Green

A versatile pass-rusher with 20 sacks over his last two seasons, Lou Anarumo gets a fun piece with Brooks. He’s a strong immediate interior pass-rusher next to DJ Reader, helping in a rotation with B.J. Hill and others.

Round 3, No. 92: Cory Trice, CB, Purdue

A 6’3″ corner who only allowed one catch on 88 press snaps last year? Sign Anarumo up. The Bengals need serious depth at the spot and Trice has some intriguing upside.

Round 4, No. 131: Davis Allen, TE, Clemson

Allen, who scored five times last year, is a nice big target who has a ton of proven production as a contested-pass catcher. That’s just what the offense needs, and it might be enough to have him in a battle with Irv Smith Jr. right away.

Round 5, No. 163: Jalen Moreno-Cropper, WR, Fresno State

One of the best route runners in the draft, Moreno-Cropper feels like a no-brainer of a pick as the team eyeballs life without Tyler Boyd in the slot beyond 2023.

Round 6, No. 206: Desjuan Johnson

A local prospect with 13 sacks over his last two seasons, Johnson comes in and improves line depth while pushing for the final roster.

Round 7, No. 246: Bryce Baringer, P, Michigan State

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals need competition for Drue Chrisman after last year’s struggles and get it here with one of the best in class.

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