Sunday, May 21, 2023

Cincinnati Bengals Post-Draft 2023 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a post-draft roundup for the Cincinnati Bengals in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 2

Most improved: Offensive tackle

Cincinnati made a massive splash in free agency by signing Orlando Brown Jr. as its new left tackle. Last season with Kansas City, Brown was 18th in pass block win rate as a tackle, according to ESPN Analytics. When Jonah Williams was healthy in 2021, he was 50th among 68 qualifying players -- his best finish in three seasons. If Williams slides over to right tackle as the Bengals hope, he could be an upgrade over La'el Collins, who has had availability and durability issues in his career. And improved pass-blocking means more time for QB Joe Burrow in the pocket.

NFL.com -- Rank: 3

There was loads of speculation entering the draft that Cincinnati would make a move to replace Joe Mixon, the veteran running back who's coming off a down season and is currently facing criminal charges for an off-field incident. Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs -- the top running backs in this draft class -- each came off the board long before Cincinnati came on the clock Thursday night, removing any Mixon-related drama in Round 1. The team did select Illinois RB Chase Brown in the fifth round on Saturday, but the day ended with head coach Zac Taylor throwing his support behind his incumbent starter. "His future is here with the team," Taylor said. "I like Joe Mixon."

CBS Sports -- Rank: 4

The Bengals and Joe Burrow will be in the top 10 for the foreseeable future. They are so talented and they are coming off an impressive draft that will help keep the defense improving.

USA Today -- Rank: 3

They still need to pay QB Joe Burrow but got him a new left tackle (Orlando Brown Jr.) and likely upgraded a defense needing a boost.

The Athletic -- Rank: 2

Draft takeaway: If you were to build a draft plan around limiting the other great quarterbacks in your conference, it would probably look something like edge-cornerback-safety in the first three rounds. With Myles Murphy, DJ Turner and Jordan Battle, that's what Cincinnati did.

Hype man: We might have the top-to-bottom best offensive roster in the league — and I'm telling you right now, sixth-round pick Andrei Iosivas is gonna be the steal of the draft.

DJ Downer: Mahomes is still healthy, right?

PFF -- Rank: 4

After losing two starting safeties in Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell this offseason, the Bengals were always going to draft at least one. They settled on Alabama's Jordan Battle, who earned 80.0-plus PFF grades in each of the past three seasons. They also drafted a solid cornerback in DJ Turner, who allowed a catch on just 46.5% of the passes thrown into his coverage and forced 14 incompletions in 2022.

PFT -- Rank: 3

Since New Year's Day 2022, Cincinnati has beaten Kansas City by 3, 3 and 3, and lost by 3—after being tied at 20 with 30 seconds left and punting to Patrick Mahomes. (Guess what happened.) Lucky for the Bengals, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo didn't get the Arizona job—he's been as good as a schemer can be against Mahomes.

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