Identifying Potential Bengals' Targets At Defensive Tackle Ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft

Which defensive tackles could Cincinnati target in the draft?

Author:
Mike Santagata
Updated:
Apr 17, 2023 8:02 AM EDT
Original:
Apr 17, 2023

In this story:

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are expected to address the defensive tackle spot at some point in the 2023 NFL Draft. They have some specific trends and preferences that they target at that position.

We covered edge rusher last week. Check out that breakdown here.

They are less particular about size when it comes to defensive tackle.

There is a famous, undersized defensive tackle that wore No. 97 for the Bengals that they took in the fourth round of the 2010 draft. And they actually drafted a player last year in Zach Carter that is actually slimmer than Geno Atkins was when they took him 13 years ago.

Even though the Bengals have been more accommodating to different sizes for their 3 techniques, they have some more strict testing thresholds than they do at edge rusher.

Both Duke Tobin and Lou Anarumo prefer guys that can fire off of the ball and explode out of their stance to build a cage around the quarterback. Using some of their trends on size, athleticism, and college production we can zero in on likely targets for them in this draft along the interior of the defensive line.

Looking at the first four rounds since 1999, the average 3-technique that they have drafted comes in at about 6-3, 304 pounds, which is a big player.

The drills that they seem to really prioritize are the 10-yard split from the 40-yard dash and the short shuttle. However, unlike some of the agility stuff for edge rushers, they do not have a test that they ignore. Their average defensive tackle has a 10-yard split in the 73rd percentile and the short shuttle average is in the 75th percentile.

Looking at both the 10-yard split and the short shuttle is interesting because it seems as if they want a more balanced athlete at defensive tackle.

Now let’s dig into their history and how it may be predictive for what type of 3 technique they could look for early on in the 2023 NFL Draft.

After removing every defensive tackle in the top 150 by consensus that would be an outlier either by age, measurement, or testing, we are left with just seven players. Take away Georgia star Jalen Carter, who's expected to be a top 10 pick and only six players make the cut.

First, lets take a look at the guys that almost made it:

Just Missed The Cut

Sep 10, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey (8) reacts after recording a sack against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Tennessee won 34-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports — Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

There are a group of players that would be outliers for the Bengals, but it wouldn't be surprising if they broke some of their trends in this draft.

All 3 of their last draft picks at this position (Zach Carter, Renell Wren, and Ryan Glasgow) were all outliers for one reason or another and Cincinnati still took them in the first four rounds.

Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey is the most interesting outlier that the Bengals could draft. He's projected to be a first rounder even though he failed to reach every physical measurement threshold. He did finish above average in production, age, and every single testing that he performed. If they ignore his size, like they've done in the past, they could be extremely interested in Kancey.

Byron Young from Alabama would be an outlier with his vertical jump, but finished above average in four measurements. Kobie Turner from Wake Forest is older than they have drafted and didn't hit their production thresholds, but he came very close to passing every other mark and finished above average in three of the measurements.

Here are the six guys that hit the Bengals' thresholds and could be targets throughout the draft:

Bryan Bresee, Clemson

Bresee could make sense for the Bengals at 28 if he falls that far. Currently the consensus 31st player on the big board, he has a decent shot of being available for them. He finished above average in his agility testing, 40-yard dash, and 10-yard split.

At 21-years-old, he's a younger than most of the defensive tackles they typically draft. Arm length is the only questionable mark from a measurable standpoint His arms would be the second shortest the Bengals have ever drafted after Atkins. The Bengals met with Bresee at both the combine and his pro day.

Adetomiwa Adebawore

Adebawore tore up the combine and would have gotten more hype for doing so if he was listed as a defensive tackle rather than a defensive end. He projects better on the inside than the outside as his best film was from the interior.

He didn't do any agility tests, but he finishes above average in every single combine testing that he performed. Only his height and weight would be in the first quartile for the Bengals. He would be the second shortest defensive tackle they have ever drafted and would be tied with Carter for the lightest defensive tackle that they've drafted. He’s currently the 55th player on the consensus board, but it’s doubtful that he would fall to the Bengals at pick 60 after a successful combine. He could be a trade back target, but if the board falls a certain way, it wouldn't be shocking to see him get consideration at pick 28.

Keeanu Benton

While Benton is listed as a nose tackle in some places, he actually passes every threshold for the Bengals at 3 technique.

The former Badger does not have a single area in which he finished in the first quartile and would be above average in eight of the 13 measurements that the Bengals prioritize, including production, age, and size.

Benton is currently listed as the 60th player on the consensus big board, which is just perfect for the Bengals' second round pick (60th overall).

Gervon Dexter

Dexter was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school and while he might not have lived up to expectations, he was still pretty darn good in college. The Bengals met with Dexter at the combine which could indicate some interest from them.

He finished above average in six of the measurements selected for this exercise, which is about average for one of their selections. He’s the 91st player on the consensus big board and could be a target for the Bengals in the third round (92nd overall).

Zacch Pickens

Pickens is a little bit older and lighter than the Bengals typically go for at the position. He would be the second lightest player that they have selected after taking Carter last year. Despite that, the South Carolina product finished above average in nine of the 13 criteria for this exercise, including the 10-yard split which the Bengals have shown plenty of interest in before.

He also has above average sack production for them and defensive line coach Marion Hobby was at his pro day. He’s currently the 95th player by consensus making him another target for the Bengals in round three.

Moro Ojomo

Similar to Pickens, Ojomo is a defensive tackle who would be a little bit lighter than they typically select. He’s a pound lighter than Atkins was and would be the second lightest after Carter. Ojomo crushes the Bengals averages other than the weight finishing above average in seven of the criteria. Explosive, young, and strong, Ojomo is a defensive tackle who would be an interesting ball of clay to mold into a future contributor on the team. He’s currently the 128th player on the consensus big board, making him a potential fourth round target for the Bengals.

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