With the NFL Draft less than a month away and debate over how the Bengals should upgrade their roster raging, what better time to do our first Bengals mock draft of the year? Cincinnati has a strong roster coming back this season, which sets them up very well for this Draft. Drafting purely for need is what poorly run organizations do. Drafting for value is what the best organizations do. There will always be positions that a team wishes to upgrade, but entering the Draft with glaring holes leads to reaching on a certain position early in the Draft (I’m looking at you Billy Price). The Bengals have done a good job in the second half of free agency filling in some of the biggest needs on the roster. Signings like TE Irv Smith Jr. and CB Sidney Jones do not mean they cannot or will not upgrade those positions, but it does provide them with vets that have starting experience so their hand is not forced early in the Draft. Without further ado, let’s hop into the mock draft. I used PFF’s mock draft simulator to complete this exercise.

Round 1 Trade: Seahawks receive pick 28, Bengals receive picks 37 and 83

In this scenario, the top players at premium positions (OT, EDGE, and CB) were off the board. Blue chip guys at other positions such as DT Calijah Kancey, RB Bijan Robinson, and TEs Michael Mayer and Dalton Kincaid were also off the board. There were still a handful of good players at different positions, but with Cincinnati having a dozen players on the board that they liked, they decided to move down with Seattle who was trying to get back into the 1st round for the third time this draft (similar to the Jets last year).

Round 2, Pick 37: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State

With pick 37, Cincinnati selects the massive OSU Right Tackle Dawand Jones, a player who was in consideration at pick 28. Dawand will be quite the polarizing prospect among teams in this draft. Jones, a two year starter at RT for the Buckeyes, is the 4th heaviest prospect in the history of the NFL Combine. He is 6’8″, 374 pounds, with 36.5 inch arms and 11.5 inch hands. Jones is likely the strongest and longest player in the draft. He bullies defenders in the run game and puts defenders on their face in pass pro with his snatch and trap technique. EDGEs who try to turn speed to power and go through his chest are pretty much never successful. Jones also is more nimble than you’d think, getting out in space on screens and making Defensive Backs wish they chose to play pickleball instead as he buries them into the dirt. However, if you are a team that likes uber athletic Tackles that move in the run game constantly, he is probably not your guy. With Cincinnati switching midseaosn away from outside zone to a more heavy shotgun gap/power run scheme, Dawand would fit in well. In the pass game, Jones has a strong anchor and forces defenders to try to beat him outside. Even if they do, it’ll take a while to loop all the way around him. Defenders were not as successful as you’d think at doing this in 2022. He was not perfect, but Dawand allowed just 5 pressures and 0 sacks in 419 pass block snaps as a junior. You could see his confidence build throughout the season after a shaky week 1 vs. Notre Dame. There are still risks with Jones. He chose not to complete his athletic testing at either the Combine or his Pro Day. Players that do not test inherently carry more risk than those that test well. Dawand has stayed healthy during his college career, but at 370+ pounds, that is something you worry about (look at how many games Jets LT Mekhi Becton has missed since being taken round 1). Finally, it has not been an issue yet, but teams have to make sure he keeps his weight in check. If he gets up to 400 pounds, it is unlikely he will be able to move well enough to start at RT. Those risks likely knock him just out of the round 1 discussion, but a player with his skillset is worth taking early in round 2. Cincinnati also now boasts a starting OT on the other side (Orlando Brown Jr.) that plays at 6’8″, 360 who can serve as a mentor to Jones as a successful big Tackle in this league. In pass pro, Burrow struggles most when faced with interior pressure, usually choosing to invite a free rusher on the outside that he can make miss over a DT up the middle that swallows him up. Having a strong interior OL along with two mammoth OTs with long arms and strong anchors forces D-Linemen to try and beat them with long looping rushes around the outside. Allowing Burrow (who had the second quickest release time in the NFL last year) to get balls into his playmakers’ hands quickly and cleanly.

Round 2, Pick 60: Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State

The Bengals just recently signed former second round pick Irv Smith Jr. to play TE, but that move will not prevent them from taking one in the Draft if a good value falls to them. Tucker Kraft fits that bill. Kraft tested as a very good all around athlete, tallying a 9.58 RAS (Relative Athletic Score) at the NFL Combine. The 254 pound TE hails from the same school that produced Eagles TE Dallas Goedert (also a 2nd round pick). Kraft has good hands and a large catch radius, showcasing some impressive contested catches on tape. He also is good after the catch, quickly turning from a receiver to a ball carrier in the open field. Kraft is also one of the better blockers in this class, something young TEs typically struggle with. Kraft needs to improve as a route runner. He was able to get open often playing FCS competition, but needs to sharpen his routes at the next level. He has good speed, but is not the elite freak that will consistently open defenses down the seam that players such as Darren Waller and George Kittle are in the NFL. Kraft does not have one elite skill like some of the other TEs in this class, but is above average to good at pretty much everything and still has room to grow as a player. He’d be a great addition in round 2 that could split time with Irv this season before taking over as the full time TE1 in 2024.

Round 3, Pick 83: DJ Turner, CB, Michigan

The Bengals have a history of targeting college teammates from the same side of the ball. They took Chase and Burrow in back-to-back drafts. They took Higgins and Carman in back-to-back drafts. Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon shared a backfield at Oklahoma. Germaine Pratt and BJ Hill were roommates at NC State. Sam Hubbard, Vonn Bell, and Eli Apple won a national title together at OSU. They clearly leverage the relationships they have with current players and resources at schools, particularly at big programs. Why not do it again here with CB DJ Turner, who shared the defensive backfield with 2022 Bengals first rounder Dax Hill? Like Hill, Turner is a bit light for his position (6’0″, 180 lbs.) but makes up for it with elite athleticism. Turner ran the fastest 40 time of any player at the Combine. This translates to the field, as DJ showed the long speed to keep up with speedy WRs as well as the fluidity, oily hips, and sudden change of direction to move in space. He is super smooth and mirrors WRs extremely well. He does not have elite length which can show up in contested catch situations, but he is going to make life difficult throughout the route. Don’t let his size fool you, Lou Anarumo will love Turner’s eagerness and ability to get his nose in on run plays and tackles after receptions. He hits harder than most DBs his size. With Chidobe Awuzie coming off injury and in the last year of his deal, Turner could see a similar role as Hill did as a rookie. A depth player who can step in when needed before becoming a full time running mate alongside Cam Taylor-Britt on the outside in 2024.

Round 3, Pick 92: Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pitt

In a class featuring many good RBs, I expect the Bengals sweet spot to be somewhere on day 2. With their final picks of day 2, they select the high upside RB from Pitt, Israel Abanikanda. Izzy is the youngest RB in the class, and won’t be able to legally drink a Rhinegeist Truth until midway through his rookie season. Abanikanda was an AP 3rd Team All-America selection in 2022 tallying over 1,400 rushing yards and 20 TDs. Abanikanda has a thick frame, standing at 5’10” 216 pounds, but possesses acceleration and breakaway speed that jumps off the film the first time you see it. He is a one cut runner that is always a threat for the home run. He showed elite explosion with a 41 inch vertical (99th percentile) and speed (mid 4.3s) at his Pro Day. Having a back be so young with his size, production, and athleticism is rare. He can still grow as a pass blocker and receiver, but I think he can take over Mixon’s role on early downs immediately while providing significantly more explosiveness – something Cincinnati has been looking for for the past couple seasons. If they miss out on Abanikanda, then Zach Charbonnet and Tyjae Spears are other RBs I love that for the Bengals.

Round 4, Pick 131: YaYa Diaby, EDGE, Louisville

With the Bengals having the second most expensive DL room in the NFL, I expect them to try to get younger and cheaper at DL in the coming seasons. Diaby is a great athlete that can develop behind the EDGE talent that they have currently. Originally a JUCO player, Diaby found his stride at U of L last season, tallying 14 TFLs and 10 sacks. The 6’3″, 263 lb senior lit up the combine showing off explosiveness and speed with a 37 inch vertical (93rd percentile) and 4.58 40 time (98th percentile). Diaby mostly relies on his athletic gifts and turns speed to power at the point of attack. His speed can also be dangerous when used in loops and stunts early on in his career. While unlikely to play a huge role early on, Cincinnati needs to hit on cheap future starters at expensive positions like EDGE as they look to pay big money to Burrow and his weapons in the next few years.

Round 5, Pick 163: Chandler Zavala, OG, NC State

Zavala has been a late riser in this Draft cycle. He started his college career at Fairmont State before transferring to NC State for his final two seasons. Zavala is a BIG boy at 6’3″, 322 pounds. Despite his large frame, his is an elite athlete for a Guard, tallying a 9.90 RAS. He moves better than any 320+ pound player should. He has quick feet, with a short shuttle of 4.53 seconds (94th percentile) and a 5.01 40 time (96th percentile). He can move in space, seal off players, and get to the second level. His showed his explosion and strength with jumps and bench press reps that both were in the 87th percentile or better. As a senior, he was an elite pass blocker per PFF, recording an 86.5 Pass Block grade and allowing just 3 pressures and 0 sacks. By the time draft day rolls around, round 5 may be considered late for Zavala, but the Bengals would do well to add a high upside interior lineman like him on early day 3.

Round 6, Pick 206: Dante Stills, DT, West Virginia

With BJ Hill among the snap leaders at DT in the NFL last season, it is clear that Cincinnati did not replace Larry Ogunjobi’s role in 2022. 2022 3rd rounder Zachary Carter will hopefully add some more weight and take a step this year, but the Bengals could use another body in the room. Dante Stills would be a good fit at 3-Tech as an undersized, but quick interior rusher. He was productive, tallying 35 pressures and 13 sacks his final 2 years at WVU per PFF. He also showed out in the run game, recording a 90.3 run defense grade in 2022. While just 284 pounds, Stills makes up for it with elite explosiveness and athleticism, and has experience playing multiple positions along the DL for WVU. He combines this skillset with a high motor that leads to pressures and hits on extended plays. On day 3, he is a poor man’s version of Calijah Kancey, a player the Bengals would love to add at pick 28. You absolutely take that at this point in the Draft.

Round 7, Pick 246: Bryce Baringer, P, Michigan State

IT IS TIME! FINALLY! If you are still reading round 7 of this mock, then I owe you a beer. Now let’s get a real Punter in Cincinnati. With all due respect to two GCL legends, I am sick and tired of watching Kevin Huber and Drue Chrisman fail to flip the field in key moments of playoff games. Huber’s leg is shot at this point. Chrisman gets good distance, but had the lowest hangtime in the NFL on punts last season. He had good fortune at times in the second half of the year with lucky bounces and guys muffing kicks. However it caught up to him late in the rear, and proved costly on a key return late vs. Kansas City. Hitting line drive knuckle balls is unsustainable. Special Teams Coach Darrin Simmons was basically begging for a new punter in interviews this off-season, so the Bengals make that happen with Sparty Punter Bryce Baringer. Baringer, who was once a team photographer for the Spartans before finally earning a walk-on spot, broke the Big Ten record for punting average in 2022, averaging 49 yards per punt. The difference between he and Chrisman, is he has hang time on his punts that allows the gunners to get down the field and prevent a big return. Baringer led the nation with 45.5 net yards per punt (Punt Yards minus return yards per punt). The NFL leader, Tommy Townsend of the Chiefs, averaged 45.6 net yards per punt in 2022. Baringer ripped the Senior Bowl and Combine to pieces in his drills. Per Chris Burke of the Athletic, at the Senior Bowl, Baringer had “the top average hang time (4.6 seconds), average punt distance (59.2 yds) and average punt height (89.7 ft!) for any kicker/punter at the event since at least 2018.” Bryce’s excellence did not stop there. At the Combine, he proved he was in a class of his own. Former Bengals Kicker, and current University of Florida Special Teams Coach Shayne Graham (who coached Evan McPherson in college) said this of Bryce’s combine performance “Bryce posted what many are calling the best punter performance at the combine in recent memory. Not only did he turn over almost every spiral, but his +50 pooch punts reached 5.0 hang time on almost every ball. His entire day averaged over 5.0 seconds of hang time.” To some, drafting a punter is wasteful, but some said the same of McPherson before his clutch kicks helped the Bengals make the Super Bowl. After watching Huber and Chrisman sputter in January and February for the last two years, Baringer would be a real difference maker for Cincinnati moving forward.