In the final days before the 2023 NFL draft, mock drafts keep throwing out new names for the Cincinnati Bengals.
First it was Cam Smith from South Carolina, a cornerback pick for the team in Round 1.
And now it’s Georgia Tech defensive lineman Keion White, courtesy of Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar:
The Bengals addressed their most obvious need (left tackle) in free agency with the Orlando Brown Jr. contract, and while I could see them going right tackle later in this draft, there’s another sneaky need that should be noted. Cincinnati has estimable edge-rushers in Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard, but there isn’t a lot of depth behind them, and in today’s NFL, you can never have too many pass-rushers. White would fit wonderfully in Lou Anarumo’s defense as a speed-to-power end who can both drop into coverage, and kick inside at times to provide interior pressure.
White is a new name for the Bengals but the idea remains the same — they want another rotational pass-rusher inside with B.J. Hill and/or an edge rusher who can deepen the rotation. Our recent trade-up mock draft had them doing something similar in the first round, too.
The other two picks for the Bengals in this three-round mock:
- 60. Cincinnati Bengals: Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State
- 92. Cincinnati Bengals: Devon Achane, RB, Texas A&M
The Bengals aren’t above going best-player-available despite needs and Robinson would be that sort of pick with the team set to start Dax Hill and Nick Scott at safety.
Achane is a nice instant-starter complementary piece alongside Joe Mixon, provided he stays with the team, too.
