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          Cincinnati Bengals 2023 NFL draft picks, depth chart, analysis

          • Ben Baby, ESPN Staff WriterApr 29, 2023, 11:42 PM
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              Ben Baby covers the Cincinnati Bengals for ESPN. He joined the company in July 2019. Prior to ESPN, he worked for various newspapers in Texas, most recently at The Dallas Morning News where he covered college sports. He provides daily coverage of the Bengals for ESPN.com, while making appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN's NFL shows and ESPN Radio programs. A native of Grapevine, Texas, he graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor's degree in journalism. He is an adjunct journalism professor at Southern Methodist University and a member of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).
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          CINCINNATI -- The 2023 NFL draft concluded in downtown Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday, capping off all 259 picks.

          ESPN provided pick-by-pick analysis of each of the Cincinnati Bengals ' selections, beginning with Myles Murphy at No. 28.

          Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart

          Round 1, No. 28 overall: Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson

          My take: The lack of a disruptive pass rush has been referenced throughout Cincinnati's offseason. Despite another division title and berth in the AFC Championship Game, Cincinnati struggled getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. They had just 30 sacks in 2022, the fourth-fewest total in the NFL, according to ESPN Stats and Information, with starting ends Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard combining for just 14.5. Murphy was a first-team all-conference selection and had 18.5 total sacks in his three seasons at Clemson.

          Will he be expected to get regular playing time? Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is going to get Murphy on the field often as a rookie. Anarumo said Murphy will feature in the team's third-down packages, which will allow him to be a designated pass rusher. This scenario gives Murphy a chance to learn the ropes as a rookie before potentially slotting into a starting role down the road.

          What we're hearing about Murphy: Anarumo loves positional flexibility in his defense. It's one of the reasons why the Bengals' defense has been so effective the past two seasons, finishing seventh and fifth, respectively, in defensive efficiency. Anarumo said the 6-foot-5, 268-pound Murphy can be lined up either on the inside or outside of the defensive line, which makes him a major asset.

          Round 2, No. 60 overall: DJ Turner, CB, Michigan

          My take: The Bengals continue to work their long-term plan of having a young secondary. With cornerback Chidobe Awuzie approaching the final year of his contract, the Bengals are in the market for a pair of corners. And for the second straight year, Cincinnati addressed the position in the second round. Last year the Bengals selected Cam Taylor-Britt.

          Ties to the team to know: Turner will have at least one familiar face greeting him when he arrives in Cincinnati. He was college teammates with safety Dax Hill, who was the Bengals' first-round pick last year.

          Will he start as a rookie? Turner shouldn't be a starter from Day 1. While the timetable is still uncertain for his return, Awuzie is recovering well from an ACL injury. Bengals coach Zac Taylor said that Turner will give depth as an inside and outside cornerback in 2023. The Bengals like Turner's speed -- he ran a sub 4.3 at the combine -- length and experience. Those will be big resources for a Cincinnati secondary that is handing the torch over to the next generation of players.

          What’s next: The Bengals have one pick remaining on Day 2, the 92nd overall pick in the third round. Remaining Day 3 picks: fourth (No. 131), fifth (No. 163), sixth (No. 206), seventh (No. 246).

          Round 3, No. 95 overall: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama

          My take: Cincinnati traded down in the third round to take Battle, who will be a rotational player on defense and get significant reps on special teams. The Bengals lost a couple of key safeties in free agency (Jessie Bates III, Vonn Bell) and added one by signing Nick Scott to play alongside Dax Hill, last year's first-round pick. Battle also displayed solid ball skills with the Crimson Tide. He's tied for the second-most interceptions returned for a touchdown in school history, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

          Is this pick for depth? Yes. When asked if Battle could potentially be a starter down the line, Bengals coach Zac Taylor said that wasn't something he would ever rule out but it's clear that Battle will be featured in a reserve role for the foreseeable future. Between the 2022 and 2023 drafts, Cincinnati has filled its secondary with young players who can contribute in future years.

          Round 4, No. 131 overall: Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue

          My take: Wide receiver is the first major offensive need the Bengals address in this year's draft. Bengals assistant Troy Walters praised Jones' versatility to play any of the receiver spots. Offensive coordinator Brian Callahan pointed out that Jones could also be in contention to be the team's starting punt returner and kick returner. But perhaps most importantly, he could be an option to replace Tyler Boyd as a slot receiver in future years, as Boyd is entering the final year of his current contract.

          Round 5, No. 163 overall: Chase Brown, RB, Illinois

          My take: The Bengals picked up a position they desperately needed. Cincinnati's running back room was a question mark with Joe Mixon a potential cap casualty and Samaje Perine gone to Denver in free agency. Brown was a Doak Walker Award finalist at Illinois who rushed for 1,643 yards and 13 total touchdowns in 2022. Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said Brown is capable of making defenders miss and break off long runs, two traits the offense lacked last season.

          Round 6, No. 206 overall: Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton

          My take: Cincinnati adds a big wide receiver -- 6-foot-3, 200 pounds -- to bring some needed depth into the locker room. While the Bengals did have some reliable options arise in 2022, Iosivas gives Cincinnati a big target who was a multisport athlete at Princeton. Iosivas was also a First-Team All-American at the 2022 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

          Round 6, No. 217 overall: Brad Robbins, P, Michigan

          My take: The Bengals tried to solve the punter situation to no avail last season. Drue Chrisman replaced veteran Kevin Huber in the middle of last season but had his ups and downs. Chrisman's consistency was an issue throughout the year, most notably in the AFC championship game against Kansas City when a short punt gave K.C. great field position before the game-winning field goal. Cincinnati used an extra pick acquired in this draft to potentially fix a spot that has been an issue the last two postseasons.

          Round 7, No. 246 overall: DJ Ivey, CB, Miami

          My take: The Bengals added another cornerback to cap another defensive-heavy draft. For the second straight year, Cincinnati loaded up with young players on defense as the Bengals will try to navigate the salary cap constraints that come with paying a quarterback and at least one wide receiver. Ivey started 11 games last season and tallied two interceptions and a career-high seven pass deflections.