Grading Every Bengals' Pick in the 2023 NFL Draft

Cincinnati added eight players, including two wide receivers and three defensive backs.

CINCINNATI — The 2023 NFL Draft is over and the Bengals surprised some people with their eight selections.

Despite trading down and adding an extra pick, they didn't take a tight end. They also double dipped at two positions: cornerback and wide receiver. 

It's time to give our thoughts all eight selections and give the Bengals a final grade for their 2023 draft class:

Round 1, Pick 28: Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson

© Liz Dufour/Cincinnati Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Bengals added a young (21), athletic pass rusher that produced at a young age at Clemson. He wasn't dominant as a junior, which is a reason why he fell to the 28th pick, but there's a lot to like about Murphy. 

A quartet of Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard, Joseph Ossai and Murphy could get after opposing quarterbacks this season. 

Were there other players that could've made this grade an "A?" Sure, but none of those guys were still available. The Bengals stuck to their board and took the best player left. 

Grade: B+

Round 2, Pick 60: DJ Turner, CB, Michigan

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Turner gives the Bengals even more speed in a secondary that has to be one of the fastest and most athletic groups in the league.  

The 22-year-old moves well, thrives in man-to-man coverage and should be able to contribute right away on defense. That doesn't mean he'll start this season, but he gives Lou Anarumo another athletic, fast defensive back that should be able to play both outside and the nickel cornerback spot as a rookie. 

Grade: A

DJ Turner II was drafted with pick 60 of round 2 in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 9.58 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 94 out of 2222 CB from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/skPkElQsRG pic.twitter.com/lhrGCbhVLC

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 29, 2023

Round 3, Pick 95: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama

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Battle was a surprising pick when Cincinnati took him in the third round, but it's easy to see why the Bengals took him with the 95th overall pick. 

He was the top player on their board "by far" according to a source. They had a second round grade on Battle and expect him to help fill out a safety room that looks much different than it did in January. 

He'll be an instant contributor on special teams and could give Anarumo a box safety that can play Vonn Bell's old role when needed. 

Special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons is a huge fan of what Battle is going to bring to the team:

“There are a couple guys when I sit in all these interviews at the combine—(where) you come out of there when you get done talking with those guys, with a feeling (where) you’re like, ‘Man, if there’s any way we can get that guy on our team, we want that guy on our team.' Just from a 15-minute conversation. And that (Battle) was one of the guys I put a big red star on."

It might've surprised some people, but the coaching staff and front office were ecstatic to add a pick and land Battle in round three.

Grade: B+

Round 4, Pick 131: Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue

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This is one of my favorite picks in this draft class. 

Jones is a perfect fit with Joe Burrow. He's a fast, quick wide receiver with good length for his size and a great route runner. 

He had 110 receptions for 1,361 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. 

Jones should be an instant contributor on punt returns and has a chance to win the fourth wide receiver job behind Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. 

His 4.43 speed should compliment the other wide receivers well and he has a chance to contribute on offense as a rookie.

Grade: A

Round 5, Pick 163: Chase Brown, RB, Illinois

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The Bengals needed a running back and they landed one of the most productive backs in the class with Brown. 

The fifth rounder is capable of carrying a heavy workload and should push to be the second running back on the team as a rookie. 

He averaged 5.3 yards-per-carry, has good hands and tested like an elite athlete during the pre-draft process. Landing a talented player like him, that should contribute right away makes this a great pick at this point in the draft. 

Grade: A

Round 6, Pick 206: Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton

© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

At this point in the draft, it's all about finding a player that has high-end traits or high-end production. You want one of the two. 

Iosivas has both, he just played against inferior competition in the Ivy League. 

He ran a 4.43 40-yard dash 6-2, 205 pounds. He's got great length, quickness and agility. He just needs to learn an NFL route tree and prepare for what cornerbacks are going to try to do to him at this level. 

This is a perfect prospect to gamble on at this point in the draft. 

Grade: B+

Round 6, Pick 217: Brad Robbins, P, Michigan

© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals have had a punter problem over the past two seasons. They get a guy in Robbins who should be able to solve the issue. 

He's a good player that impressed Simmons during the pre-draft process. He'll compete with Drue Chrisman for the starting job, but should be considered the favorite going into training camp.

Grade: C

Round 7, Pick 246: DJ Ivey, CB, Miami

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Some will see the "C" grade on Robbins and Ivey and think they're bad picks, but they aren't. The Bengals added an experienced corner with good length and size. 

Ivey had 127 tackles and six career interceptions in 58 career games. There's no reason why he can't compete for a roster spot or certainly a place on the practice squad in training camp. 

Grade: C

Final Thoughts

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The Bengals did a lot of good things in the 2023 NFL Draft. They got faster and more athletic in the secondary, on their defensive line, at wide receiver and running back. 

They also addressed the punter issue that plagued them in recent years. 

They deserve credit for sticking to their board and not reaching throughout the draft. This isn't the best draft they've had, but most of these guys should contribute as rookies. 

Overall Grade For Bengals' 2023 Draft Class: B+

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