Identifying Best Approach For Bengals in First Round of 2023 NFL Draft

Cincinnati has seven picks, including the 28th overall selection in this year's draft.

CINCINNATI — The 2023 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away and one thing is absolutely certain about the Bengals' approach with the 28th overall pick: They have to take the best player available. 

There has been plenty of talk about positional value, the need for a long-term answer at right tackle, how important it would be to bolster the pass rush, etc. 

In a vacuum, most of the pre-draft topics are accurate. 

Taking a running back or tight end in the first round isn't necessarily the best use of resources. 

From Eric Ebron to Hayden Hurst and Noah Fant—there are s plenty of first round tight ends that haven't lived up to expectations. The same can be said for running back, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Rashad Penny and Sony Michel being recent examples of first rounders being overdrafted. 

Using that history to completely rule out those positions would be foolish for the Bengals. 

Why? 

They aren't in an advantageous spot. They don’t control the draft the way they did in 2020. They don’t have the fifth overall pick like they did in 2021. 

They experienced this in last year’s draft. Drafting at the end of each round can be brutal. It's why they traded up twice to secure Cam Taylor-Britt in round two and Tycen Anderson in round five. 

With the 28th pick this year, the Bengals have to take the top player on their board. 

Maybe it'll be a cornerback or defensive lineman. Offensive line is certainly in play. They would love to land a future star right tackle in the first round.

And despite all of the discourse, tight end and running back will both be considered, depending on which players make it to 28. 

That is the correct approach. Recent history hasn't been kind to the 28th pick. Why would anyone want the Bengals to box themselves into a corner?  

Check out every 28th pick since 2010: 

Pick 28 since 2010

22 Devonte Wyatt DT
21 Payton Turner DE
20 Patrick Queen LB
19 Jerry Tillery DT
18 Terrell Edmunds S
17 Taco Charlton DE
16 Josh Garnett G
15 Laken Tomlinson G
14 Kelvin Benjamin WR
13 Sylvester Williams DT
12 Nick Perry DE
11 Mark Ingram RB
10 Jared Odrick DE…

— GameOn513 (@gameonjmoney) April 13, 2023

It's an interesting list. It also shows that the Bengals can't focus on one position. 

If Texas running back Bijan Robinson is there, he's going to be the best player available. Don't hesitate because he's a running back—sprint to the podium and laugh at the rest of the league for letting him fall to the end of the first round. 

If they believe Michael Mayer, Dalton Kincaid or Darnell Washington can make their offense better and one of those guys is at the top of their board, no one should criticize them for taking one of the top tight ends in this class.

It's hard enough to pick the right guy at 28. Past history proves it. 

Being loyal to the draft board is they key. 

If Kincaid is the 15th player on their board and Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Bresee is 25th, should the Bengals take the defensive lineman? There's a reason they have Kincaid ranked 10 spots higher. 

That's purely a hypothetical, but it's a potential dilemma they could face on draft night. 

If the Bengals want to nail the 28th pick, they'll take the best player available, just like they did a year ago when they picked Dax Hill.  

That guy could be Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. Maybe it will be Bresee or Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey. 

Cincinnati has needs, but they shouldn't reach at 28. Instead, use the same approach that helped them pick Ja'Marr Chase with the fifth pick in 2021 and Hill last year. 

Taking the best player available has worked for the Bengals in the past and it should work again on draft night. 

For more on the Bengals, watch the video below and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Make sure you bookmark All Bengals for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

You May Also Like:

Bengals Address Weaknesses, Double Dip at Two Spots in Mock Draft 2.0

Look: Joe Burrow, Sam Hubbard, NFL Stars Attend UFC 287

Bengals Met With Ole Miss Defensive Lineman Tavius Robinson Ahead of 2023 NFL Draft

2023 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 10 Running Backs

Report: Bengals Met With East Carolina Running Back Keaton Mitchell

Look: Tyler Boyd Makes Bold Claim About Bengals’ Offense

PFF Projects Joe Burrow's Contract Extension

Report: 'Process Is Underway' On Joe Burrow's Contract Extension

Bengals Sign Edge Rusher Tarell Basham

Cincinnati Earns Second-Highest AFC Free Agency Grade From Sports Illustrated

Look: LSU's Alexis Morris Pays Tribute To Joe Burrow After National Championship Win

Hippo Loses 'Top Cincinnatian' Title To Joe Burrow After Multi-Year Reign

Bengals Officially a Destination: Irv Smith Jr. Picked Cincinnati Over Miami

Report: Space Opens For Bengals Permanent Indoor Practice Facility

Look: Bengals Tied At Top Of NFL Win Total Projections

Prospect Breakdown: Is Michael Mayer Perfect Fit For Cincinnati Bengals?

Grading The Deal: Bengals Deserve High Praise For Landing Orlando Brown Jr.

PFF Names Joe Burrow Top Quarterback Prospect In NFL Draft Since 2020

-----

Be sure to keep it locked on All Bengals all the time!

Subscribe to the All Bengals YouTube channel

Follow AllBengals on Twitter: @AllBengals

Like Our Facebook Page

Subscribe and follow the ONLY Daily Bengals Podcast

Follow on TikTok