Bengals Address Defense Early, Give Joe Burrow More Weapons in Mock Draft 3.0

The 2023 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, April 27.

CINCINNATI — The NFL Draft is just 10 days away and the Bengals have the 28th overall pick. 

They decide to address their defense early in mock draft 3.0, but ultimately spend four of their seven selections on offensive players, including two guys from the University of Cincinnati. 

Check out mock draft 3.0 below.

Round 1, Pick 28: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State

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Forbes had 14 interceptions in college, including six pick-sixes, which tied an NCAA record. 

There are some questions about his weight, but he has the height, length and talent to be a high-quality starting cornerback in the NFL. 

Forbes has elite speed (4.35 second 40-yard dash) and his ball skills are arguably the best in this class. He's a more than willing tackler, despite his weight and should be a good fit in Lou Anarumo's secondary. 

Round 2, Pick 60: Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State

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The Bengals would love to add a high-end pass catching tight end in this draft. After missing out on Michael Mayer and Dalton Kincaid in round one, they're still able to get one of the top tight ends in this class with Musgrave. 

Darnell Washington wasn't available in the simulator, but Musgrave is a better fit. He's a high-end athlete, quality route runner and solid blocker. 

Musgrave ran a 4.61 40-yard dash and tested in the 97th percentile among tight ends, which makes him one of the best athletes at the position. 

 

Round 3, Pick 92: Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas

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Johnson can slide right into the Samaje Perine role on third down for the Bengals. He's a good pass catcher and pass blocker and would likely be an instant contributor as a rookie. 

He doesn't have breakaway speed and adding an explosive back like Keaton Mitchell later in the draft would make a ton of sense if the Bengals were looking to compliment Johnson. 

The double dip at running back didn't happen in this mock, but Johnson could be a big part of their backfield in 2023 and beyond. 

Round 4, Pick 131: Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati 

Scott is small (5-9, 177),  but he's one of the most of the most explosive players in this draft. The Bengals would love to get faster on offense and Scott would help them reach another gear. 

Scott has draft comparisons to Tyler Lockett. While that may be unrealistic, he would certainly give Zac Taylor and Brian Callahan another deep threat to use alongside Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Round 5, Pick 163: Cory Trice, CB, Purdue

The Bengals double dip at corner with Trice falling to round five. Trice has great size (6-3, 206), tested well during the pre-draft process and could go earlier than this. 

Trice led Purdue with 10 passes defensed, 34 tackles (two for loss) and two interceptions last season. The Bengals aren't shy about doubling up at key positions and the former Boilermakers star would make a ton of sense if he fell this far in the draft, even after adding Forbes in the first round.  

Round 6, Pick 206: Josh Whyle, TE, Cincinnati 

Adding Whyle at this stage of the draft might be unrealistic, but it would also be a no-brainer. 

He's an above average athlete, quality blocker and solid route runner. Tight end is deep this year, which means someone could fall. Adding Musgrave and Whyle would give the Bengals two tight ends that could develop and be with Joe Burrow for the foreseeable future. 

Cincinnati took two tight ends in the 2015 NFL Draft (Tyler Kroft, C.J. Uzomah). 

Round 7, Pick 246: Desjuan Johnson, DT, Toledo 

Johnson is Cincinnati-bound for a second-straight mock. He impressed teams at the East-West Shrine Game after racking up 65 tackles (16.5 for loss), 5.5 sacks and one interception last season for the Rockets.

He doesn't have great size at 6-2, 285 pounds, but he's worth taking a flier on at this point in the draft.

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