Tight End or Cornerback Could Make Sense For Bengals in Round One of 2023 NFL Draft

Cincinnati has the 28th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Author:
James Rapien
Publish date:
Feb 21, 2023 8:53 AM EST

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The Bengals have multiple needs going into the offseason, but nothing feels bigger than the hole at right tackle.

With veteran La'el Collins rehabbing from a torn ACL and no clear replacement on the roster, most believe the Bengals could and should address offensive tackle with the 28th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Throw in the fact that left tackle Jonah Williams underwent offseason knee surgery and is in the final year of his contract and it may seem like a no-brainer.

Despite the offensive line concerns, there's a very real possibility that the Bengals address another need in this year's draft.

Dane Brugler's revealed his 100 players and offensive tackle doesn't seem realistic at No. 28. The Bengals would need one to fall or they would have to trade down to get good value.

Brugler has five cornerbacks in top 32, including two at 31 (Deonte Banks) and 32 (Kelee Ringo), respectively.

He also has four tight ends between 24 and 30. The Bengals only have one tight end (Mitch Wilcox) under contract and there are plenty of different styles of tight ends that the Bengals could target.

From a traditional tight end like Michael Mayer (24th), who is a big, physical player with great hands and contested catch ability to an elite pass catcher like Dalton Kincaid (30th)—the top of the tight end class has everything.

Some scouts expect Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave (27th) to run a 4.4 40-yard dash at 255 pounds. He's an elite athlete that has the versatility to catch, run and block at a high level.

Darnell Washington is 29th on Brugler's big board. The Georgia product is a giant at 6-7, 280 pounds. Washington would instantly bolster the Bengals' blocking ability—both in the pass and run game.

He has plenty of untapped potential in the passing game, but will make an instant impact as a blocker and could become an easy target for Joe Burrow with his large frame.

There isn't an offensive tackle listed on Brugler's board from No. 12 (Broderick Jones) to No. 37 (Darnell Wright).

Plenty could change between now and the draft, especially next week at the combine, but the top player available is more likely to be a tight end or cornerback, not an offensive tackle.

Check out Brugler's top 100 here.

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