The Cincinnati Bengals enter Round 2 of the 2023 NFL draft with a handful of needs to address and plenty of great players left on the board.
Thursday night, the team addressed its big need at pass-rusher with Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy, bolstering the defensive line with immediate help right away and a potential long-term starter.
Now the Bengals head into Friday with needs at positions like tight end, cornerback and offensive line, though the front office going strictly best-player-available isn’t out of the question in the second round.
Ideally, the picks will marry value and need well like the selection of Murphy.
Here’s an updated look at a mock draft attempting to do just that, using the mock simulator from Pro Football Focus.
Round 2, No. 60: UCLA RB Zach Charbonnet
A bevy of tight ends came off the board, as did Joey Porter Jr. and popular names like Dawand Jones. But that’s just fine — Charbonnet is one of the most complete backs in the draft and can rotate with Joe Mixon right away, if not outright replace him. For those who wanted to see Jahmyr Gibbs in the first, this isn’t that far off.
Round 3, No. 92: CB Garrett Williams, Syracuse
Like the need to hit pass-rusher for right now and far into the future, the Bengals also need to do the same at corner. That’s Williams, an elite mirroring cornerback just made to play boundary press in Cincinnati. He shouldn’t have to start right away, but he’s incredible depth and a long-term starter.
Round 4, No. 131: T Braeden Daniels, Utah
Waiting on a tackle isn’t the end of the world with La’el Collins rehabbing and Jonah Williams there. Plus, the signing of Cody Ford. Daniels has some major upside they could bring out to potentially help him start. Until then, he’s a superb multi-spot backup.
Round 5, No. 163: TE Davis Allen, Clemson
A massive pass-catching target joins Irv Smith Jr. and Drew Sample on a rather strong depth chart of guys with various traits. It’s not the big splash fans wanted, but historically, projecting which tight ends actually turn into major contributors might be the biggest crapshoot of all.
Round 6, No. 206: WR Ronnie Bell, Michigan
Here’s the team drafting for major needs one year in advance — Bell is a fantastic slot prospect who can plug right into the offense as the third wideout when needed. Tyler Boyd has one year left on his deal and the big money is going to the boundary receivers and quarterback.
Round 7, No. 246: Bryce Baringer, P, Michigan State
We could’ve grabbed a few notable names the team met with during the draft process. But that’s the point of those meetings — establishing a relationship with possible undrafted free agents. Securing one of the draft’s best punters to upgrade on Drue Chrisman is a no-brainer if he actually makes it this far.
