The Cincinnati Bengals came into the free agency period with one goal in mind: fix the offensive line. Jonah Williams at left tackle is fine for now. Every other spot along the offensive line desperately needed fixing. Thankfully, Cincinnati attacked the offensive line with a force in free agency, signing Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, and La’el Collins to anchor the right side of the offensive line. The left guard spot may be a need, but the front office seems to love Jackson Carman. Outside of the offensive line, the most notable move the Bengals did was re-sign Eli Apple. Even with doing so, Cincinnati still has a big hole at the cornerback spot, and the offensive line signings put the Bengals in a position to take the best player available when they’re on the clock with the 31st pick.
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Round 1, Pick 31: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
If the top four tackles and top three interior linemen are gone, Cincinnati will likely turn their attention to the cornerback room. Unfortunately, the top five are off the board, and the Bengals may have to reach for the next best option. Gordon was making his way towards the middle of the first down before his lackluster combine performance. He is a great fit in Cincinnati and will likely be the third outside cornerback to start the season. Outside of Apple and Chidobe Awuzie, the Bengals don’t have any other options at outside cornerback.
For more on Gordon, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 2, Pick 63: Darian Kinnard, OL, Kentucky
Despite signing three offensive linemen in free agency, the Bengals should continue to add to the unit. Carman and Jackson are the only returning starters as of now, but Cincinnati has yet to retain Riley Reiff or Quinton Spain, who were both starters last season. Adding a player like Kinnard, who can play guard or tackle for the Bengals, is a valuable move. Kinnard would likely be the sixth offensive lineman and could play any position if there were to be an injury to one of the starters along the offensive line.
For more on Kinnard, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 3, Pick 95: Nick Cross, SAF, Maryland
With the Bengals franchise-tagging Jessie Bates, they don’t necessarily need a safety this season. Unfortunately, Bates is a free agent following the 2022 season, along with Vonn Bell and Brandon Wilson. Because of this, the Bengals could opt to take a safety much higher than expected, and Cross is here for the taking in the third round. The Maryland safety may not be here at this point and has been listed as a potential surprise first-round prospect, but if he’s here at this point, Cincinnati should take him.
Round 4, Pick 136: Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Maryland
The Bengals lost C.J. Uzomah in free agency and replaced him with Hayden Hurst on a one-year deal. While that is a good stop-gap, Cincinnati should look to add a future playmaker at the position. Okonkwo is an uber-athletic player that can sit behind Hurst for a year while the Maryland tight end continues to refine his game. He isn’t the greatest blocker but could provide a spark for Cincinnati this year. Either way, the Bengals should look to add a tight end as soon as day two of the draft.
Round 5, Pick 174: Jeffrey Gunter, EDGE, Coastal Carolina
Despite taking two developmental pass-rushers last year in Joseph Ossai and Cameron Sample, the Bengals should continue to infuse their pass rush with talent. Gunter would be a welcomed addition to a team that loves to rotate their pass-rushers and will immediately fight for playing time.
Round 6, Pick 209: Pierre Strong Jr, RB, South Dakota State
Cincinnati has added a few running backs with their day three picks in recent years, including Chris Evans and Trayveon Williams. With Samaje Perine a free agent following the 2022 season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a player like Strong be a selection on day three for the Bengals. The South Dakota State running back has great vision and can take any run to the endzone with his electrifying speed.
Round 7, Pick 226: Luke Goedeke, OT, Central Michigan
The Bengals could select Bernhard Raimann with the 31st pick, but with a developmental prospect like Gordon on the board, they opted not to. Instead, the Bengals take Raimann’s teammate, Goedeke, to potentially be a backup at either tackle spot. The former D-III tight end transferred to Central Michigan from UW-Stevens Point and immediately proved to be a worthwhile addition as their right tackle. Goedeke would provide depth along the offensive line for the Bengals.
Round 7, Pick 252: Nephi Sewell, LB, Utah
Cincinnati does end up with Sewell. Well, not the one that many expected. The brother of the Detroit tackle will likely be a day three selection and could factor in sooner than expected for the Bengals. Jordan Evans hasn’t re-signed, and Germaine Pratt is a free agent following the 2022 season. Adding Sewell would give Cincinnati depth at linebacker and could start as soon as 2023.
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