Bengals Add Weapons for Joe Burrow, Bolster Trenches in Final 7-Round Mock Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is Thursday, April 27-29.

Author:
James Rapien
Publish date:
Apr 26, 2023 8:13 AM EDT

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The 2023 NFL Draft is almost here and the Bengals have seven selections.

In a perfect world they would take a cornerback or a high-end pass rusher with the 28th pick, but they're going to stick to their board, regardless of position.

It's time to make a prediction for all seven of the Bengals' picks. Check out my final mock draft of the season below.

1st Round, Pick 28: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

Sep 17, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jahmyr Gibbs (1) runs the ball for a touchdown against the UL Monroe Warhawks at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 63-7. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports — Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Gibbs is arguably the most explosive player in the draft and he's a perfect fit for the Bengals.

He'll turn simple checkdowns into big plays and make it that much harder for opposing defensive coordinators to double team Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Gibbs has elite speed, vision and is a high-end pass catcher. Some will look at his 5-9, 199 pound frame and think he'll struggle in pass protection, but NFL evaluators believe he'll be solid in that area.

Getting him isolated against opposing linebackers will help Burrow defeat 2-high safety looks that opposing defensive coordinators used to limit Cincinnati's explosive plays last season.

He's drawn comparisons to Chris Johnson, Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Charles. Even if he doesn't hit that ceiling, he would make an instant impact in Cincinnati.

If Emmanuel Forbes, Dalton Kincaid or Calijah Kancey are on the board, they could be the pick. In fact, Forbes feels like the favorite to be the 28th selection. Ahead of Michael Mayer or Kincaid or Kancey. If he isn't available, any of the other top cornerbacks could also be considered if that fall farther than projected, including Joey Porter Jr. and Deonte Banks.

If they're all gone, then the Bengals may be forced to sett "settle" for arguably the most explosive playmaker in the draft.

BOLD PREDICTION: Gibbs is a perfect fit in the Bengals' offense. If they take him, he'll win Offensive Rookie of the Year. For more on Gibbs, go here.

Other Candidates: Dalton Kincaid, Calijah Kancey, Myles Murphy, Emmanuel Forbes, Lukas Van Ness, Joey Porter Jr., Bryan Bresee, Deonte Banks, Michael Mayer.

2nd Round, Pick 60: Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa

Iowa junior tight end Sam LaPorta scores a touchdown in the third quarter against Colorado State at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. 20210925 Iowavs Coloradost — © Bryon Houlgrave/The Register via Imagn Content Services, LLC

The Bengals are a pass first team, which is why Gibbs is a perfect fit in their offense.

Adding LaPorta in round two would align with their pass-first approach.

At 6-3, 245 pounds, he doesn't have ideal size, but he ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at the combine and could develop into a high-end pass catcher in the NFL. He's also a capable blocker.

There's a chance he doesn't make it to the Bengals in round two, but if he does, he'd be the favorite to get picked—especially if Cincinnati doesn't land Kincaid or Meyer in the first round.

The top round two tight ends include Tucker Kraft, Darnell Washington, Luke Musgrave and LaPorta. One of those guys could fall to pick 60.

Other Candidates: Dawand Jones, Zach Charbonnet, Derick Hall, Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Tuli Tuipulotu, DJ Turner, Cam Smith, Tyrique Stevenson, Julius Brents.

3rd round, Pick 92: Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina

Mar 3, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive back Darius Rush (DB28) participates in drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports — Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After missing on Forbes in round one and taking LaPorta in the second round, Cincinnati addresses their defense in round three.

Rush has ideal size at nearly 6-2, 198 pounds. He transitioned from wide receiver to cornerback in 2018 and the move worked.

He thrived as a two-year starter, plus he has good length and is a physical player. He also has good ball skills and could develop into a future starter.

Other Candidates: Devon Achane, Tyjae Spears, Roschon Johnson, Zach Harrison, Isaiah Foskey, Isaiah McGuire, Tuli Tuipulotu, YaYa Diaby, Jayden Reed, Kendre Miller.

4th Round, Pick 131: Kobie Turner, DT, Wake Forest

Dec 23, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook (12) is sacked by Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive lineman Kobie Turner (0) in the fourth quarter in the 2022 Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports — Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals' defensive line could use a boost and Turner should be an instant contributor as a 3-technique.

He plays with a ton of effort and showed off his quickness in both the 3-cone and short shuttle.

Turner isn't the biggest player, but he should give the Bengals another option on the interior alongside Zach Carter.

Other Candidates: Parker Washington, Ivan Pace Jr,. Israel Abanijanda, Ricky Stromberg, Moro Ojomo, Zach Kuntz.

5th Round, Pick 163: Keondre Coburn, NT, Texas

Texas defensive lineman Keondre Coburn (99) celebrates as Oklahoma quarterback Davis Beville (11) is helped up after a sack during the Longhorns' 49-0 win Saturday at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. cover main — © BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Even though they just addressed the interior of their defensive line, Coburn would give the Bengals a long-term answer at nose tackle. DJ Reader and Josh Tupou are in the last year of their contracts.

Cincinnati took Tyler Shelvin in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft hoping he could develop into a competent nose tackle, but that experiment failed.

Coburn might not have Shelvin's ceiling, but he should be able to contribute on defense if needed as a rookie and certainly in 2024 and beyond.

Other Candidates: Will Mallory, Josh Whyle, Sean Tucker, Anthony Johnson Jr., Sean Tucker, Davis Allen, Warren McClendon, Tank Bigsby.

6th Round, Pick 206: Clayton Tune, QB, Houston

Feb 4, 2023; Mobile, AL, USA; American quarterback Clayton Tune of Houston (3) runs the ball during the first half of the Senior Bowl college football game at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports — Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals have looked at quarterbacks throughout the offseason. They reached out to Cooper Rush in free agency, brought it Trevor Siemian for a visit and even brought in Dorian Thompson-Robinson for a pre-draft visit.

Instead of signing Siemian or taking Thompson-Robinson, they take Tune.

The fifth-year senior ran a 4.64 40-yard dash, is an accurate passer and has the potential to develop into a high quality backup in the NFL.

He's a leader, has good intangibles and would be a good fit behind Burrow in the Bengals' quarterback room.

Other Candidates: Jake Witt, Evan Hull, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Tre Tucker, Deuce Vaughn, Rakim Jarrett, Colby Sorsdal.

7th Round, Pick 246: Grant Dubose, WR, Charlotte

Sep 10, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte 49ers wide receiver Grant DuBose (14) makes a touchdown catch defended by Maryland Terrapins defensive back Deonte Banks (3) during the first quarter at Jerry Richardson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports — Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals could address the interior of their offensive line on day three or take a punter, but instead they take a promising receiver prospect in Dubose.

He specializes in contested catch situations and could develop into a contributor, which is all you can ask for at this point in the draft. He has good size at 6-2, 200 pounds and finished with 792 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

In the picture above he's catching a touchdown pass over projected first round pick Deonte Banks.

Other Candidates: Bryce Baringer, Colby Sorsdal, Adam Korsak, Brad Robbins, Michael Turk, Jake Witt.

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