02-28-2023, 10:13 PM
RD. 1 - 28th Overall
Anton Harrison - OT - Oklahoma - 6'5" 315
Arguably the best pure pass blocker in the draft. When Harrison latches onto a defender they are stopped. Harrison exhibits elite level pass blocking traits with raw strength and outstanding foot usage. While Harrison is not an elite run blocker he it still would not be considered a weakness. In the run game Harrison does not regularly put defenders on their backs but he is an effective run blocker and gets to the second level very smoothly because of his athleticism. Even if the Bengals are committed to Jonah Williams for the '23 season Harrison will be there to push him and to step into the starting job in '24. The name of the game is protecting the franchise QB and Harrison keeps the QB clean.
RD. 2 - 60th Overall
Tucker Kraft - TE - S. Dakota St. - 6'5" 255
A complete TE. Kraft has drawn comparisons to Pat Freiermuth and if he can get even close to that production, 1,200 yards and 9 TDs, over his first two seasons then he will compliment this offense very positively. Kraft is a good blocker and an outstanding receiver. Great hands, good speed, and a tough tackle after getting the ball in his hands. Kraft is TE that will be a legit deep threat and a touch matchup in coverage. Ideally the Bengals bring back Hurst which will give Kraft the ultimate pro and mentor to learn from.
RD. 3 - 92nd Overall
D.J. Turner - CB - Michigan - 6'0" 180
Turner brings elite athleticism, speed, and technique to the position. Has shown the ability to play both man and zone coverage at a very high level. Turner is a master of technique and is rarely penalized. His strong technique keeps him out of trouble and in the right place to make plays much of this is because of his outstanding football IQ. Turner will have to continue to get stronger at the next level and physical and bigger receivers can challenge him. Should be an outstanding addition to Awuzie, Taylor-Britt, and Hilton. Turner will challenge early on for playing time because of his technical soundness.
RD. 4 - 131st Overall
Israel Abanikanda - RB - Pitt - 5'11" 215
Israel is the best RB in the draft that many have not heard of. I will not be at all surprised if he becomes the best RB to come out of this draft class. Israel is young and will not turn 21 until after the season starts and will need some maturing in the game to reach his very high ceiling. However, he already shows good vision, the ability to set up and follow his blocks, and very good long speed. When Israel gets in the open field he will run away from defenders. Shows good leg drive when in traffic and fights for yards after contact. Has not been used extensively as a receiving threat. Has drawn comparisons to the Chiefs Isiah Pacheco. His ability to run inside and speed to run outside will make this offense even more dangerous.
RD. 5 - 165th Overall
Habakkuk Baldonado - DE - Pitt - 6'5" 260
Baldonado is a work in progress that has an extremely high ceiling. He is from Rome where he played 3 years of high school football but only 1 year of high school ball after coming to the United States. Baldonado displays good raw play strength and the ability to set the edge for a defense in the run game. While he is a good pass rusher that displays decent instincts this is a part of his game that he will need to continue to develop. Should benefit greatly from working with Hobby and being in the room with Hendrickson and Hubbard.
RD. 6 - 206th Overall
Ryan Hayes - OT - Michigan - 6'7" 307
Hayes is a very experienced lineman who should be able to compete early for the RT job. He plays with a very physical demeanor and is a + run blocker. Hayes needs to continue to develop his kick step in pass coverage but his areas of weakness are those that should be coachable. When it comes to experience Hayes has over 2,100 snaps playing OT at Michigan. Hayes should be welcome addition to the depth of this O line on the outside and should provide the experience to push starters and/or take their job.
Round 7 - 248th Overall
Cam Jones - LB - Indiana - 6'1" 230
When I watch film on Cam Jones I see no real way that he is still here for this selection but if he is then it is an easy selection. Cam comes with a very high football IQ and was a three time captain for the Hoosiers. Jones is a former defensive back who has a good understanding of coverage and is not a liability in this part of the game. In '22 Jones was having a break out season however a foot injury cut the season short for him. Jones needs to refine some points of his game but is very coachable and should be a great addition to the LB room. If the Bengals bring Pratt back he Jones will be in great position to work with him and Wilson and learn from two of the best how to transition to the next level.
Anton Harrison - OT - Oklahoma - 6'5" 315
Arguably the best pure pass blocker in the draft. When Harrison latches onto a defender they are stopped. Harrison exhibits elite level pass blocking traits with raw strength and outstanding foot usage. While Harrison is not an elite run blocker he it still would not be considered a weakness. In the run game Harrison does not regularly put defenders on their backs but he is an effective run blocker and gets to the second level very smoothly because of his athleticism. Even if the Bengals are committed to Jonah Williams for the '23 season Harrison will be there to push him and to step into the starting job in '24. The name of the game is protecting the franchise QB and Harrison keeps the QB clean.
RD. 2 - 60th Overall
Tucker Kraft - TE - S. Dakota St. - 6'5" 255
A complete TE. Kraft has drawn comparisons to Pat Freiermuth and if he can get even close to that production, 1,200 yards and 9 TDs, over his first two seasons then he will compliment this offense very positively. Kraft is a good blocker and an outstanding receiver. Great hands, good speed, and a tough tackle after getting the ball in his hands. Kraft is TE that will be a legit deep threat and a touch matchup in coverage. Ideally the Bengals bring back Hurst which will give Kraft the ultimate pro and mentor to learn from.
RD. 3 - 92nd Overall
D.J. Turner - CB - Michigan - 6'0" 180
Turner brings elite athleticism, speed, and technique to the position. Has shown the ability to play both man and zone coverage at a very high level. Turner is a master of technique and is rarely penalized. His strong technique keeps him out of trouble and in the right place to make plays much of this is because of his outstanding football IQ. Turner will have to continue to get stronger at the next level and physical and bigger receivers can challenge him. Should be an outstanding addition to Awuzie, Taylor-Britt, and Hilton. Turner will challenge early on for playing time because of his technical soundness.
RD. 4 - 131st Overall
Israel Abanikanda - RB - Pitt - 5'11" 215
Israel is the best RB in the draft that many have not heard of. I will not be at all surprised if he becomes the best RB to come out of this draft class. Israel is young and will not turn 21 until after the season starts and will need some maturing in the game to reach his very high ceiling. However, he already shows good vision, the ability to set up and follow his blocks, and very good long speed. When Israel gets in the open field he will run away from defenders. Shows good leg drive when in traffic and fights for yards after contact. Has not been used extensively as a receiving threat. Has drawn comparisons to the Chiefs Isiah Pacheco. His ability to run inside and speed to run outside will make this offense even more dangerous.
RD. 5 - 165th Overall
Habakkuk Baldonado - DE - Pitt - 6'5" 260
Baldonado is a work in progress that has an extremely high ceiling. He is from Rome where he played 3 years of high school football but only 1 year of high school ball after coming to the United States. Baldonado displays good raw play strength and the ability to set the edge for a defense in the run game. While he is a good pass rusher that displays decent instincts this is a part of his game that he will need to continue to develop. Should benefit greatly from working with Hobby and being in the room with Hendrickson and Hubbard.
RD. 6 - 206th Overall
Ryan Hayes - OT - Michigan - 6'7" 307
Hayes is a very experienced lineman who should be able to compete early for the RT job. He plays with a very physical demeanor and is a + run blocker. Hayes needs to continue to develop his kick step in pass coverage but his areas of weakness are those that should be coachable. When it comes to experience Hayes has over 2,100 snaps playing OT at Michigan. Hayes should be welcome addition to the depth of this O line on the outside and should provide the experience to push starters and/or take their job.
Round 7 - 248th Overall
Cam Jones - LB - Indiana - 6'1" 230
When I watch film on Cam Jones I see no real way that he is still here for this selection but if he is then it is an easy selection. Cam comes with a very high football IQ and was a three time captain for the Hoosiers. Jones is a former defensive back who has a good understanding of coverage and is not a liability in this part of the game. In '22 Jones was having a break out season however a foot injury cut the season short for him. Jones needs to refine some points of his game but is very coachable and should be a great addition to the LB room. If the Bengals bring Pratt back he Jones will be in great position to work with him and Wilson and learn from two of the best how to transition to the next level.