PFN Simulation - Trade Down

[OSUfan]

I personally would like to see the Bengals select Darnell Wright at #28 and I would hope that if he is there that they would. Of course this is just my preference and may be way off base of what they feel is best for the franchise and I could understand their reasoning. While this is my preference most mocks have Wright coming off the boards prior to the Bengals selection at #28. If Wright is off the board I believe this is a great draft for the Bengals to trade down and acquire capital in this draft.

Some points to consider:

* Bengals fans must come to grips with winning. Selecting at the bottom of the draft is no longer about choosing that day 1 rookie impact player as must as it is about incremental improvements at positions or depth that can end up being a high end starter in a year or two.
* This draft is full of really good football players that can be quality NFL starters but may take a season or so to continue their development and to clean up some techniques issues or work on things such as functional strength at the next level.
* Successful NFL rosters have good depth and this is not built only through FA but also by drafting and developing talent.

Considering these things and going with the premise that Wright is off the board this is how my ProFootballNetwork Simulation went:

[OSUfan]

   
   

[OSUfan]

RD 1 - 28th Overall

The Rams offered a trade which gave them the 28th selection and sent the 36th and 77th overall selections to the Bengals with the Bengals approving this trade.

RD 2 - 36th Overall

Darnell Washington - TE - Georgia - 6'7" 264

Seriously, what is not to like about his selection? Washington has more than displayed his abilities as a blocker and while underutilized as a receiver his natural abilities in this aspect are pretty clear on film. Washington gives real options to this offense that they have not had at the position since Burrow has been the QB. Washington can line up in a heavy package while making a defense account for him as a receiver. As a receiver Washington creates difficult coverage matchups and this should become even more true as he continues to develop the receiving portion of his game. What a redzone target he is and his ability to make the contested catch may not be matched in this class of TEs.

RD 2 - 60th Overall

Mazi Smith - DT - Michigan - 6'3" 323

DJ Reader is a free agent after the '23 season and while most of us would really like to see him back having insurance is always a great idea. Mazi Smith is a story of pure and natural talent just waiting to be unleashed. Smith needs to develop consistency and he will have a season to work with coach Hobby in doing so. Smith, unlike an NT behind Reader, offers the ability to push the pocket like Reader does and not just eat up blocks. Smith is uber athletic for his size and could be one of the best players to come out of this draft if he can translate that raw talent to the field. So much potential of this defensive staff to work with and continue to develop.

RD 3 - 77th Overall

Darius Rush - CB - S. Carolina - 6'2" 198

Rush is a big, fast, long, and physical corner who will be a great addition to this secondary. Rush is still developing at the position after playing WR as a freshman but it is easy to see that he is pretty natural as a corner. Rush needs to develop his technique as should be expect while being pretty new to the position but with Lou being a DB guy I believe this is something this staff can succeed at. Rush will bring a welcome physical presence that should fit well in this secondary for the Bengals.

RD 3 - 92nd Overall

Wanya Morris - OT - Oklahoma - 6'5" 307

Morris is a former 5 star prospect that after some early college struggles made his way from Tennessee to Oklahoma where he started to regain that top prospect form. Morris was the bookend to Anton Harrison and his combine testing virtually matched that of Harrison. The reality is that Jonah Williams is likely to be the RT in '23 because unless a team suddenly became LT needy they are not going to give up a third round or above selection for him and they also know that he is a FA in '24. Morris gives the Bengals a legit candidate to compete with Carman for the RT position in '24 and immediately gives them quality depth at both OT positions in '23. Morris is a guy that should relatively easily move Adeniji or D'ante Smith off of the roster.

RD 4 - 131st Overall

Tyjae Spears - RB - Tulane - 5'10" 204

Spears is the playmaker that this backfield has been missing. He can do a bit of everything and while he may not make his living running between the tackles it is certainly something he is capable of doing and he runs through arm tackles with regularity. The Bengals offense does not need a 30 carry a game back but does need a back that gives the legit threat to break a big run whenever he touches the ball. Spears brings this ability in spades. While he may not be the best pass blocking back in the draft he also is not a total liability in this aspect either and the Senior Bowl coaching staff stated that he stood out in blitz pickup drills.

RD 5 - 163rd Overall

Hunter Luepke - RB - N. Dakota St. - 6'1" 235

Some may wish to refer to Luepke as a FB but that would not be accurate as he showed on tape and at his Pro Day that he is an athletic running back and not a big lumbering FB. Luepke posted impressive results at the N. Dakota St. Pro Day with a vertical of 36.5", a broad jump of 9'9", and a 4.56 time in the 40. He has natural hands as receiver and the traits he has put on tape are those that transfer to the next level. This selection completes the Bengals transformation at RB and allows the team the ability to make Mixon a June 1st cut saving them over $10 mil on the cap while only incurring roughly $2.75 mil in dead money.

RD 6 - 206th Overall

Karl Brooks - DT - Bowling Green - 6'3" 303

The Bengals had high QB pressures in '22 but were not able to convert enough of them to sacks. Adding pass rush from the DT position could change that for them. With the addition of an explosive NT in Mazi Smith to the rotation and a 3 technique that has some Geno like attributes could go along way in disrupting offensive backfields, creating turnovers, and putting QBs on the ground. This selection could let the Bengals consider taking some weight off of Zach Carter and standing him up on the end. Brooks should be a great addition to this rotation.

RD 7 - 246th Overall

Davis Allen - TE - Clemson - 6'6" 245

Davis is not a great blocker but he is not deficient at the task either. He should improve in this area as he adds functional strength in a NFL strength training program. Where Allen excels is as a receiver and I have heard him referred to as a vacuum cleaner as a receiver. There does not seem to be a catch that Allen cannot make. He positions himself to box out the defender and high points the ball while fighting for contested catches. Allen and Washington should be an incredible tandem in solidifying the TE position for the Bengals for many years.