ESPN "Best team fits" has the Bengals taking Washington and Achane

[CJD]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/36079362/2023-nfl-draft-best-team-fits-top-wide-receivers-running-backs-tight-ends-bijan-robinson-jaxon-smith-njigba

Quote:Devon Achane to the Cincinnati Bengals
Height: 5-foot-9 | Weight: 188
College: Texas A&M

Where the Bengals can get him: Round 3 (No. 92 overall)

Why he fits: With Samaje Perine singing in Denver and Joe Mixon's future with the team a little cloudy at this point, Achane fits in the Bengals' run game due to his traits and play style. The speed pops here on tape. Achane ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the combine, and he plays big despite his smaller frame. He's decisive and determined in downhill schemes, with the perimeter ability to bounce the ball to daylight. Achane averaged 5.6 yards per carry last season. And the receiving skills are there, too -- he brought down 36 catches and scored three receiving TDs in 2022.

I like the upside of Achane in Cincinnati, who can work in a backfield rotation to share touches and provide quarterback Joe Burrow with another playmaker.

Quote:Darnell Washington to the Cincinnati Bengals
Height: 6-foot-7 | Weight: 264
College: Georgia

Where the Bengals could get him: Round 1 (No. 28 overall)

Why he fits: Let's give quarterback Joe Burrow an upside target in Washington, a tight end with the physical traits to develop into a dominant run blocker and create mismatches in the pass game. He can use his size and power to seal the edge on outside zone run schemes or move defenders off the ball in gap schemes. And with his 4.64 speed and long frame, Washington has the potential to produce as a second-level option for Burrow while also creating conflict for linebackers and safeties in the red zone. He has post-up ability to dig out space in the end zone.

Adding Washington would fill a need for the Bengals after the departure of Hayden Hurst. The arrow is pointing up on the Georgia tight end, despite middling numbers last season while playing behind Brock Bowers.

This isn't a mock draft, but it is kind of because they are saying we should draft Washington at 28 and Achane at 92.

If we were to take a TE in the first round, Washington is definitely an intriguing one. We have Irv now, so day 1 impact isn't as high of a priority as it was earlier this off season. Day 1 impact is what made Mayer the favorite for me, but now that we have Irv, I could see us prioritizing Washington over Mayer.

Washington is just so absurdly athletic, large and powerful. His run blocking alone would be an incredible addition to this team, especially with Achane joining the team as well in this mock, who likes to bounce the ball outside for big chunk plays.

If we're going TE, I think Washington makes sense. The only thing I wonder about is if he is worth the #28 pick or if he's more like a mid 2nd rounder. Could we get away with drafting a top OT or DT at 28 and then trading up to ~50 and getting him? Or is that gambling too much?

As for Achane, I really like what he brings to the team in tandem with Mixon. Mixon is your short yardage grinder who can occasionally muscle through some tackles to get a big gain and Achane is your outside threat who can take one to the house. Thunder and Lightning.

How would you all feel about this combination of picks? Are they fits to what we want to do? Do you feel they're good value at their selection spots?