Cincinnati Bengals Draft Prospects
Only 8 weeks into the season, the NFL draft prospects have already started to gain some attention. Everyone saw the way Cincinnati turned their season around in December of last year, so it is very uncertain where they will be picking. However, it is never too early to look at potential draft prospects for the Cincinnati Bengals.
It has become clear that there are many positions that the Bengals must hit on in this year’s draft. With that being said, here are my top 5 draft prospects for the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2023 NFL draft.
1. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama
Jahmyr Gibbs rushing for a touchdown against Tennessee.
AP photo/ Wade Payne
Gibbs has been absolutely electric this season for the Crimson Tide. The Bengals are clearly in need of an electric running back. Joe Mixon has not been getting it done this year and has looked flat out sluggish. Gibbs brings an electric factor to the team and can help power this offense. Gibbs could be an absolute steal in the second or third round of the 2023 NFL draft. Gibbs is comparable to Alvin Kamara; this is the type of player Cincinnati needs.
2. Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Kelee Ringo making an impressive interception.
Photo from Trevor Ruszkowski of USA Today.
With the current situation of the Cincinnati Bengals, it appears inevitable that they will be drafting a CB this year. This position has very poor depth for the Bengals this year and has been shown with all the injuries plaguing this team. Ringo has been one of the best CBs in all of college football, making him a perfect fit for the Cincinnati Bengals.
3. Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
photo from nusports.com
Skoronski has been by far the best lineman in all of college football this season. Cincinnati is very poor at the OT position, with their tackles ranking 29th in the league, while their interior guards rank 7th in the NFL. Skoronski could be a perfect fit for this team, as they once again try to fix their offensive line.
4. Jaylin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Jaylin Hyatt scoring one of 5 touchdowns against Alabama.
Photo from 991thesportsanimal.com
With Jamarr Chase being injured, it has been shown how weak Cincinnati is at Receiver depth. Hyatt has torn up the college football world this year and could be available in the later rounds of this year’s draft. Hyatt is similar to Gibbs in the electricity he brings to an offense. He has torn up almost every team he has faced this year, partially thanks to his Heisman leading QB, Hendon Hooker. Hyatt provides the depth the Bengals need and makes them a truly terrifying team.
5. Ivan Pace, LB, Cincinnati
Photo from Sports Illustrated.
Ivan Pace has played like the best linebacker in all of college football this season. Pace is a game changer, he is always there to make plays, and does not miss tackles. Cincinnati is fairly deep at linebacker; however, a fourth-round pick up of Ivan Pace would only improve their team. Rotating Pace with Wilson, Pratt, and Davis-Gaither would stop teams from running all over them like we have seen recently.
Many fans want the team to draft Michael Mayer, TE, from Notre Dame. However, the Bengals will be much better off resigning Hayden Hurst. Hurst has been a huge factor for this team, and will serve a much better purpose than a rookie tight end.
Cincinnati has some work to do in this year’s draft, in order to set them up for the long run. These five players all go a very long way towards building a championship team. Each of these players are special for their own reasons, and it is very realistic that all 5 of these players could end up as Bengals. Overall, Cincinnati must win this year’s draft, the city is tired of mediocrity, and this is the first step.