Cincy Jungle - Cincinnati Bengals in the 2023 NFL Draft: Everything to knowWho Deyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48495/cincyjungle_fave.png2023-07-18T21:26:07-04:00http://www.cincyjungle.com/rss/stream/233525472023-07-18T21:26:07-04:002023-07-18T21:26:07-04:00Assessing the value Cincinnati got in Andrei Iosivas
<figure>
<img alt="Syndication: The Enquirer" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/h3XH0PmsOHIdye82Hrg1upVDFcY=/0x0:4481x2987/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72463977/usa_today_20649311.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The former Princeton Tiger is now rocking Bengal stripes.</p> <p id="txcddu">Coming into the 2023 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>, wide receiver was about the last position you’d have thought the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> would spend two picks on.</p>
<p id="xmu362">But after landing Purdue’s Charlie Jones in Round 4, the Bengals struck again in Round 6 with the 206th overall pick, selecting Princeton wide receiver <a href="https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/football/roster/andrei-iosivas/20036">Andrei Iosivas</a>.</p>
<p id="bhQSqx">The 6-foor-3, 205-pounder speedster hauled in 66 passes for 943 yards and seven touchdowns in just 10 games, earning him FCS All-American honors.</p>
<p id="lLj12q">In addition to shining on the gridiron, Iosivas was also a star on the track, as he turned in the <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/andrei-iosivas-nfl-draft-wr-princeton-track/xxyerh7e8ftdswglpqk6qvqe">fastest-ever 60-meter run (6.71 seconds) at last year’s NCAA Indoor Championships</a>. Though he was projected to go somewhere on Day 3, Iosivas was still regarded as one of the best overall athletes in this entire draft <a href="https://twitter.com/MathBomb/status/1652416878680186881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1652416878680186881%7Ctwgr%5Ef26c57d1a363e600372dff6d26f998c69db9e5ef%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2023%2F4%2F29%2F23704687%2Fbengals-andrei-iosivas-cincinnati-draft-picks-2023-princeton">via relative athletic score (RAS)</a>.</p>
<ul>
<li id="XnekIo">
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F4387692%2F2023%2F04%2F10%2Fnfl-draft-mock-the-beast-dane-brugler%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2023%2F7%2F18%2F23764598%2Fandrei-iosivas-bengals-draft-picks-2023" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Athletic’s Dane Brugler</a> didn’t have Jones in the top 200 prospects but did give him a Round 5 projection. </li>
<li id="3JjJR4">
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/34633986/2023-nfl-draft-rankings-mel-kiper-big-board-top-prospects-every-position">ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.</a> ranked Jones 23rd among wide receivers in this draft (was not among Kiper’s top 150 prospects).</li>
<li id="1Q3Ox7">
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnews%2Fdraft-2023-nfl-draft-board-big-board&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2023%2F7%2F18%2F23764598%2Fandrei-iosivas-bengals-draft-picks-2023" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Pro Football Focus big board</a> did not have Iosivas among their top 200 prospects.</li>
<li id="ohV5yH">
<a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospect-rankings/">CBS Sports’ rankings</a> had Jones coming in at 119th overall.</li>
<li id="U2rRto">
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/34719673/2023-nfl-draft-rankings-todd-mcshay-top-prospects-class-best-every-position">ESPN’s Todd McShay</a> had Jones ranked 216th overall.</li>
<li id="UUFxal">
<a href="https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/big-boards/2023/consensus-big-board-2023">The 2023 NFL Draft Consensus Big Board</a> ranked Jones 141st overall.</li>
</ul>
<p id="EUEv9g">Entering his rookie year, Iosivas will need to impress to lock up his roster spot with guys like Trenton Irwin, Stanley Morgan, and Trent Taylor looking to keep their jobs. It’s possible the Bengals waive Iosivas in hopes of getting him onto the practice squad.</p>
<p id="ojNcBl">Ideally, Iosivas will impress in the preseason and earn his spot on the 53-man roster, then develop into a meaningful contributor in the coming years with the Bengals.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2023/7/18/23764598/andrei-iosivas-bengals-draft-picks-2023Jason Marcum2023-07-17T18:50:49-04:002023-07-17T18:50:49-04:00Assessing the value Cincinnati got in Chase Brown
<figure>
<img alt="Syndication: The Enquirer" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kj5pB9Mj0VcTlpIu70zbtKv-lf0=/0x0:8271x5514/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72460508/usa_today_20883400.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Future RB1?</p> <p id="sz4C4n">One of the biggest offseason storylines for the 2023 <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> has been the status of the running back position.</p>
<p id="iGApIm">With incumbent starter Joe Mixon having a so-so 2022 campaign and <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/36236490/bengals-rb-joe-mixon-pleads-not-guilty-menacing-charge">now facing legal troubles</a>, Cincinnati was expected to either sign a potential starter in free agency or spend a high draft pick on one.</p>
<p id="UBTJZt">Neither of those happened, and <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/2023/7/15/23796136/joe-mixon-contract-bengals-2023-cap">Mixon is now locked into his spot on the roster following a contract restructure</a>.</p>
<p id="uJBeua">However, the Bengals still got a potential starting-caliber running back in this year’s draft via Chase Brown, who was selected with the 163rd-overall pick in Round 5 of the 2023 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>.</p>
<p id="r3WR2u">Originally a class of 2018 signee with Western Michigan, Brown eventually made his way to Illinois, where he became one of the biggest workhorse backs in the sport this past season with 1,643 yards and 10 touchdowns on 328 carries (5.0 avg).</p>
<p id="ty6kmt">That was the second-most carries any player had in the FBS ranks, trailing only Brad Roberts (348) of Air Force. Brown also hauled in 27 passes for 240 yards (8.89 avg) and three more scores.</p>
<p id="YqSzUD">Going into the draft, Brown was a hard player to project, as some experts believed he could sneak into the back end of Day 2, but the prevailing thought was he’d go somewhere in Day 3.</p>
<ul>
<li id="JUNVFY">
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnews%2Fdraft-2023-nfl-draft-board-big-board&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2023%2F7%2F17%2F23764597%2Fchase-brown-draft-value-bengals-rb" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Pro Football Focus big board</a> ranked Brown 106th overall.</li>
<li id="d02k1f">
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/34633986/2023-nfl-draft-rankings-mel-kiper-big-board-top-prospects-every-position">ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.</a> ranked Brown 140th overall.</li>
<li id="ANYRBD">
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F4387692%2F2023%2F04%2F10%2Fnfl-draft-mock-the-beast-dane-brugler%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2023%2F7%2F17%2F23764597%2Fchase-brown-draft-value-bengals-rb" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Athletic draft guru Dane Brugler</a> didn’t have Brown in the top 200 prospects but gave him a Round 4 projection.</li>
<li id="fA3n2u">
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/34719673/2023-nfl-draft-rankings-todd-mcshay-top-prospects-class-best-every-position">ESPN’s Todd McShay</a> ranked Brown 156th overall.</li>
<li id="4MGBoE">
<a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospect-rankings/">CBS Sports’ rankings</a> had Brown coming in at 253rd overall.</li>
<li id="vZteD5">Finally, <a href="https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/big-boards/2023/consensus-big-board-2023">the 2023 NFL Draft Consensus Big Board</a> had Brown ranked 120th overall.</li>
</ul>
<p id="tV2db7">Looking ahead, as long as Mixon is on the roster, he figures to be the Bengals’ top back, while Brown will likely fill the role vacated by Samaje Perine leaving for Denver.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2023/7/17/23764597/chase-brown-draft-value-bengals-rbJason Marcum2023-07-07T06:00:00-04:002023-07-07T06:00:00-04:00Assessing the value Cincinnati got in Charlie Jones
<figure>
<img alt="Syndication: The Enquirer" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kyfIDw8BhfWrkvy3TqjdV1oBUXY=/0x0:5623x3749/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72432158/usa_today_20567004.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Is Jones the Bengals’ future slot receiver?</p> <p id="5dt3rR">One could argue the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>’ biggest strength currently is at wide receiver, featuring arguably the NFL’s best pass-catching duo in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.</p>
<p id="cbb9Ls">However, we can’t forget the importance of Tyler Boyd, one of the NFL’s best slot receivers, and a mismatch nightmare with Chase and Higgins on the boundary. We saw the Bengals offense struggle in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/afc-championship-game">AFC Championship</a> after Boyd went out early due to injury, and he’s slated to become a free agent in 2024.</p>
<p id="Hp4NOp">That’s why the Bengals made sure to get a potential future replacement for Boyd in Purdue wideout Charlie Jones, who was selected with the 131st pick in the 2023 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>.</p>
<p id="fmcx3M">The 5-foot-11, 175-pounJones was one of the best stories of the 2022 college football season. He was originally a class of 2017 recruit who struggled to make an impact at Buffalo and then Iowa, though he did become a solid returner for the Hawkeyes in 2021.</p>
<p id="txT2AL">For his final year, Jones opted to transfer to Purdue, where he became one of the best offensive players in America. In 13 games, Jones caught an FBS-leading 110 balls for 1,361 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also finished his career with 72 punt returns for 622 yards (8.1 avg) and one score, as well as 45 kickoff returns for 1,002 yards (22.3 avg) and one touchdown.</p>
<p id="cULwkx">Despite that magical 2022 season, Jones was widely viewed as a Day 3 prospect heading into this year’s draft, mostly due to his age (turns 25 this October) and having just one year of offensive production.</p>
<ul>
<li id="LLHJGK">
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F4387692%2F2023%2F04%2F10%2Fnfl-draft-mock-the-beast-dane-brugler%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2023%2F7%2F7%2F23764594%2F2023-nfl-draft-picks-charlie-jones-bengals" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Athletic’s Dane Brugler</a> didn’t have Jones in the top 200 prospects but did give him a Round 4-5 projection</li>
<li id="3Jmw88">
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/34633986/2023-nfl-draft-rankings-mel-kiper-big-board-top-prospects-every-position">ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.</a> ranked Jones 105th overall.</li>
<li id="Hs1o58">
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnews%2Fdraft-2023-nfl-draft-board-big-board&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2023%2F7%2F7%2F23764594%2F2023-nfl-draft-picks-charlie-jones-bengals" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Pro Football Focus big board</a> had Jones 159th overall.</li>
<li id="IWj129">
<a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospect-rankings/">CBS Sports’ rankings</a> had Jones coming in at 276th overall.</li>
<li id="eT1FdA">
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/34719673/2023-nfl-draft-rankings-todd-mcshay-top-prospects-class-best-every-position">ESPN’s Todd McShay</a> had Jones ranked 101st overall.</li>
<li id="KKI329">
<a href="https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/big-boards/2023/consensus-big-board-2023">The 2023 NFL Draft Consensus Big Board</a> ranked Jones 152nd overall.</li>
</ul>
<p id="b5XZue">As a rookie, Jones won’t have a big role on offense as long as Higgins, Boyd, and Chase are healthy, but he’ll be in the mix for a big role on special teams as a return man.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2023/7/7/23764594/2023-nfl-draft-picks-charlie-jones-bengalsJason Marcum2023-07-06T06:00:00-04:002023-07-06T06:00:00-04:00Assessing the value Cincinnati got in Jordan Battle
<figure>
<img alt="NFL: Cincinnati Bengals Rookie Minicamp" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oI-pMbdcLeb8XpqWeDqaDBes0j4=/0x0:7008x4672/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72429105/usa_today_20650928.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The Cincinnati Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Battle has a chance to earn a major role in Year 1 for a Bengals defense that lost both starting safeties.</p> <p id="Mf8knM">The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>’ safety room will look dramatically different next season. The team lost Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell in free agency, then added former <a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a> starter Nick Scott to pair with 2022 first-round pick Daxton Hill.</p>
<p id="rz5tsc">Another new face was added to the mix with the 95th overall pick in the 2023 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>, where the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> landed former <a href="https://www.rollbamaroll.com/">Alabama Crimson Tide</a> safety <a href="https://rolltide.com/sports/football/roster/jordan-battle/8052">Jordan Battle</a>.</p>
<p id="5mV9om">This selection was part of a trade with the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a>, as Cincinnati originally held the 92nd pick, then traded it to Kansas City to move down three spots and acquired the 217th pick in Round 6, which was used to take <a href="https://www.maizenbrew.com">Michigan Wolverines</a> punter Brad Robbins.</p>
<p id="88yzV5">The 6-foot-1, 209-pound Battle was a two-time All-American and a team captain who recorded 71 tackles, two pass deflections, and one interception across 13 games during the 2022 season.</p>
<p id="IUycxT">For his career, Battle racked up 252 total tackles, six interceptions, 6.5 tackles for loss, one sack, 10 pass deflections, and three defensive scores.</p>
<p id="kKdj6T">Entering this year’s draft, Battle was projected to go in the Round 2-4 range, <a href="https://www.bengals.com/news/murphy-turner-battle-put-defense-on-fast-track">and the Bengals were very excited to get him where they did</a>.</p>
<ul>
<li id="vxsqhv">
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F4387692%2F2023%2F04%2F10%2Fnfl-draft-mock-the-beast-dane-brugler%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2023%2F7%2F6%2F23764592%2Fbengals-draft-2023-jordan-battle-value-alabama-db" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Athletic draft expert Dane Brugler</a> had Battle ranked 89th overall.</li>
<li id="Ppd8Y2">
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/34633986/2023-nfl-draft-rankings-mel-kiper-big-board-top-prospects-every-position">ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.</a> ranked Battle 121st overall.</li>
<li id="4FVe4o">
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnews%2Fdraft-2023-nfl-draft-board-big-board&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2023%2F7%2F6%2F23764592%2Fbengals-draft-2023-jordan-battle-value-alabama-db" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Pro Football Focus big board</a> ranked Battle 82nd overall.</li>
<li id="BT3bDN">
<a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospect-rankings/">CBS Sports’ rankings</a> had Battle coming in at 95th overall.</li>
<li id="PBr4OC">
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/34719673/2023-nfl-draft-rankings-todd-mcshay-top-prospects-class-best-every-position">ESPN’s Todd McShay</a> had Battle ranked 87th overall.</li>
<li id="dJZsvd">
<a href="https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/big-boards/2023/consensus-big-board-2023">The 2023 NFL Draft Consensus Big Board</a> ranked Battle 74th overall.</li>
</ul>
<p id="ArqZd3">Looking ahead to this fall, Battle has a good shot at becoming the first safety off the bench behind Hill and Scott. However, don’t be surprised if the rookie eventually fights his way into the starting lineup.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2023/7/6/23764592/bengals-draft-2023-jordan-battle-value-alabama-dbJason Marcum2023-06-30T20:05:47-04:002023-06-30T20:05:47-04:00Will all of the Bengals’ 2023 draft picks make the 53-man roster?
<figure>
<img alt="Big Ten Championship - Purdue v Michigan" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NIDEI9hTIcMrdatIaLb5Nt-4mMU=/0x0:3310x2207/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72417914/1245489741.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Bengals made 8 Draft picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, now they have to figure out if they can all make the team</p> <p id="CHEH8U">The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> have a problem. It’s not a bad one, though. </p>
<p id="MTjMx3">The issue is they have too few roster spots for all the talented players. They can only keep 53 guys, and with some great veteran leadership, it could mean they have to cut one or more of the rookies selected in the 2023 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>. Let’s take a look at some possible candidates.</p>
<p id="FtoYv7">The first five picks seem to be locks. Teams rarely cut players selected on Days 1-2 of the draft, which would make Myles Murphy, DJ Turner, and Jordan Battle safe. </p>
<p id="GSk86B">Charlie Jones was the team’s fourth-round pick, and he could be a replacement for Tyler Boyd in 2024, so he’s likely not going anywhere. </p>
<p id="gbS2DJ">Then you have Chase Brown, who was selected in the fifth round. The rookie running back out of Illinois happens to play one of the positions on the team without a ton of depth, which probably makes him safe as well.</p>
<p id="kSt75y">That leaves the last three picks from rounds six and seven.</p>
<h3 id="v7gTCL"><strong>Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton</strong></h3>
<p id="p7Rzmb">Wide receiver is a tough position to pin down. The top three are very strong, ranked as one of the best receiving corps in the NFL, and, as mentioned above, fourth-round pick Jones is likely a lock to make the roster. Where does that leave Iosivas? He will probably have to show he can contribute on special teams to make the roster, but with his size and speed, he has a good shot.</p>
<h2 id="HkZSUe"><strong>Brad Robbins, P, Michigan</strong></h2>
<p id="yaO2oM">The Bengals clearly weren’t happy with Drue Chrisman’s performance down the stretch last season. One would think that using a draft pick on a punter would mean he’s automatically going to make the team, but you can ask Jake Elliot about that. Robbins is likely going to be the punter in 2023, but it can’t be guaranteed. </p>
<h2 id="yDU2b6"><strong>D.J. Ivey, CB, Miami</strong></h2>
<p id="xs1usf">Ivey was the team’s seventh-round pick at one of the most crowded positions on the roster, and he likely he has an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster. With Chidobe Awuzie looking healthy, and Cam Taylor-Britt, Mike Hilton, Jalen Davis, and Allan George returning, as well as the additions of Sidney Jones and DJ Turner, it will be a tough position group for Ivey to crack. However, with a good camp, and if he shows a proficiency for special teams, Ivey could secure a spot and push somebody else out.</p>
<p id="LaJbgS">Which rookie, if any, do you think will be cut?</p>
<div id="YvZ68b"><div data-anthem-component="poll:11943191"></div></div>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2023/6/30/23770061/bengals-2023-draft-picks-53-man-rosterLB3PTMAN2023-06-29T06:00:00-04:002023-06-29T06:00:00-04:00Assessing the value Cincinnati got in DJ Turner
<figure>
<img alt="Syndication: USA TODAY" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XStyAHUHGyYYSV5a1FOI9Y4PM1k=/0x0:4608x3072/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72411729/usa_today_20672245.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kareem Elgazzar / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Another solid value pick for the Bengals.</p> <p id="jgeRvr">Going into the 2023 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>, cornerback was one of the more popular mock draft choices for the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>. They didn’t go that route in Round 1, but they still ended up getting one of the better cornerbacks in this draft class with their Round 2 selection.</p>
<p id="BEY44i">With the 60th overall pick, the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> went with <a href="https://www.maizenbrew.com/">Michigan Wolverines</a> cornerback <a href="https://mgoblue.com/sports/football/roster/dj-turner/23119">DJ Turner</a>. The 5-foot-11, 178-pound Turner was one of the fastest players in the entire 2023 draft class with a 4.26 40-yard dash time at the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-combine">NFL Combine</a>. <a href="https://www.nfl.com/prospects/dj-turner-ii/32005455-5228-3151-d0bf-492aa1a59230">His 97 athleticism score at NFL.com</a> was the second-best of any cornerback in this draft.</p>
<p id="fJKgdU">This past season at Michigan, Turner earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors after registering 36 tackles, 10 pass deflections, one interception, and one fumble recovery for a touchdown across 14 games for a Wolverines team that finished 13-1 and made it to the College Football Playoff, largely on the strength of their defense.</p>
<p id="KCxfg6">In terms of value, Turner was easily one of the best picks in Round 2. There were actually mock drafts that had the Bengals taking him in Round 1, but their patience paid off in a big way to get him late in Round 2.</p>
<ul>
<li id="EEgabP">
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F4387692%2F2023%2F04%2F10%2Fnfl-draft-mock-the-beast-dane-brugler%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2023%2F6%2F29%2F23764587%2Fbengals-draft-picks-2023-dj-turner-cincinnati" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Athletic draft guru Dane Brugler</a> had Turner ranked 42nd overall.</li>
<li id="uUGJ6c">
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/34633986/2023-nfl-draft-rankings-mel-kiper-big-board-top-prospects-every-position">ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.</a> ranked Turner 55th overall.</li>
<li id="hi2pbs">
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnews%2Fdraft-2023-nfl-draft-board-big-board&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2023%2F6%2F29%2F23764587%2Fbengals-draft-picks-2023-dj-turner-cincinnati" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Pro Football Focus big board</a> ranked Turner 46th overall.</li>
<li id="Owlgks">
<a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospect-rankings/">CBS Sports’ rankings</a> had Turner coming in at 64th overall.</li>
<li id="JNfwid">
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/34719673/2023-nfl-draft-rankings-todd-mcshay-top-prospects-class-best-every-position">ESPN’s Todd McShay</a> had Turner ranked 56th overall.</li>
<li id="wpmtZD">
<a href="https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/big-boards/2023/consensus-big-board-2023">The 2023 NFL Draft Consensus Big Board</a> ranked Turner 51st overall.</li>
</ul>
<p id="O7Wg1n">As for his rookie season, Turner may not have a significant role with Chidobe Awuzie, Mike Hilton, and Cam Taylor-Britt holding down the top three spots.</p>
<p id="XECSrl">However, Awuzie is coming off an ACL tear suffered last October, so he’ll likely be eased back into the lineup in training camp and the preseason. That could give Turner a chance to earn more reps and potentially earn a significant role this season.</p>
<p id="Dq4HME">Even if that doesn’t happen, Turner could end up taking that starting boundary spot since Awuzie is slated to become a free agent in 2024.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2023/6/29/23764587/bengals-draft-picks-2023-dj-turner-cincinnatiJason Marcum2023-06-27T06:00:00-04:002023-06-27T06:00:00-04:00Assessing the value Cincinnati got in Myles Murphy
<figure>
<img alt="NFL Combine - Portraits" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sk7MCd8mZ_bM5ACoMhRw1wcDoQ0=/0x132:7834x5355/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72405105/1485291767.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Bengals got a nice steal toward the end of Round 1.</p> <p id="ERWBCr">When the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> first went on the clock in this year’s <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>, many thought they would go tight end or cornerback in Round 1.</p>
<p id="SciVnB">However, they were surprised to see that <a href="https://www.shakinthesouthland.com">Clemson Tigers</a> defensive end Myles Murphy was still on the board, and the Bengals wasted no time in making him the 28th-overall selection.</p>
<p id="a4nWgx">Coming into the draft, defensive end was a position in this class that had some great top-end prospects but dropped off after the first 2-3 rounds, making this an even easier selection for a Bengals pass rush that finished with the <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team/_/view/defense/stat/passing/table/passing/sort/sacks/dir/desc">fourth-fewest sacks</a> last season.</p>
<p id="t7vBoz">“If your team is looking for an edge defender, you should hope it addresses the position within the first 75 picks because the depth will start to diminish after that point in the draft,” <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-nfl-draft-strongest-position-group-weakest">said NFL Draft guru Lance Zierlein of this year’s edge defender class</a>.</p>
<div id="8pTaYd">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Who Dey Nation, just know we're going to get after it this season"<a href="https://twitter.com/BigMurphy_25?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BigMurphy_25</a> is ready to put on a show. <a href="https://t.co/FNCDZMne3u">pic.twitter.com/FNCDZMne3u</a></p>— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bengals/status/1655970680846909440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2023</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="02ER8l">In terms of value, Murphy was one of the better value picks in Round 1.</p>
<ul>
<li id="Jmf9vd">
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/34633986/2023-nfl-draft-rankings-mel-kiper-big-board-top-prospects-every-position">ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.</a> ranked Murphy 25th overall.</li>
<li id="BCHR5o">
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F4387692%2F2023%2F04%2F10%2Fnfl-draft-mock-the-beast-dane-brugler%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2023%2F6%2F27%2F23764585%2Fbengals-draft-2023-myles-murphy-value" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Athletic draft guru Dane Brugler</a> had Murphy ranked 21st overall.</li>
<li id="0lgVZ6">
<a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/34719673/2023-nfl-draft-rankings-todd-mcshay-top-prospects-class-best-every-position">ESPN’s Todd McShay</a> ranked Murphy 24th overall.</li>
<li id="qcnVJ2">
<a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospect-rankings/">CBS Sports’ rankings</a> had Murphy coming in at 20th overall.</li>
<li id="jDqlzO">
<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641763&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnews%2Fdraft-2023-nfl-draft-board-big-board&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincyjungle.com%2F2023%2F6%2F27%2F23764585%2Fbengals-draft-2023-myles-murphy-value" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">The Pro Football Focus big board</a> ranked Murphy 17th overall.</li>
<li id="d7CyLO">Finally, <a href="https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/big-boards/2023/consensus-big-board-2023">the 2023 NFL Draft Consensus Big Board</a> also ranked Murphy 17th overall.</li>
</ul>
<p id="IfH6BI">Looking ahead, Murphy has a good shot of being the Bengals’ first edge defender off the bench with Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson starting. Hendrickson (through 2024) and Hubbard (through 2025) are both under contract for the next two seasons, so it might be a while until Murphy earns a starting job, but you can never have too many good edge guys in today’s pass-happy NFL, so he should have a significant role early and often within the Bengals defense.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2023/6/27/23764585/bengals-draft-2023-myles-murphy-valueJason Marcum2023-06-17T18:51:00-04:002023-06-17T18:51:00-04:00How a phone call can change your life
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bt_OHta0a7roYJkuvFGinTLdS3Y=/0x20:480x340/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72380111/05F635B2_50B4_4229_B0AA_AEA03B3DE0EC.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>RB Chase Brown receives phone call from Bengals’ Zac Taylor upon being drafted.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A deep dive into how one simple phone call can change a prospect’s life…in a good way.</p> <p id="RxlUPd">It’s amazing to me how one simple phone call can change a young football player’s life forever. </p>
<p id="zsdFsx">One of my favorite parts of the draft is to see the pure emotion on the players’ faces when they pick up their phones to have their first conversation with their new coach or GM. Forget about the money for a second. They just made it. Most of the time, these players have been dreaming about this moment since they were a little kid playing in their local pee wee leagues. </p>
<p id="GX1TNO">Sometimes, they didn’t touch the pigskin until they were in high school. Other times, they already have an amazing story, and they were lucky enough to work their way onto their college team as a walk-on and earn a scholarship. All of these routes have the same goal, to make it to the NFL…and they finally have.</p>
<p id="QaG71X">Whether you were an elite, top prospect coming into the draft and just got selected in the first round and you are about to get a nice payday or…..</p>
<div id="0uX4GY">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The moment <a href="https://twitter.com/BigMurphy_25?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BigMurphy_25</a> heard his name called <a href="https://twitter.com/Bengals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Bengals</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLDraft?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLDraft</a> <a href="https://t.co/vGpKTGc3Bs">pic.twitter.com/vGpKTGc3Bs</a></p>— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClemsonFB/status/1651796518037233664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2023</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="rAKtqD">….you’re getting a phone call in a later round. There’s a common theme here. The player and their family’s reaction. Their dreams are coming true.</p>
<div id="3NuiY6">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Charlie Jones reaction to being a Bengal <a href="https://t.co/xQ3YrczEeE">pic.twitter.com/xQ3YrczEeE</a></p>— DJ Reader enthusiast (@UnoHommy) <a href="https://twitter.com/UnoHommy/status/1652427666429997057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2023</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="U3wnAq">There’s a possibility the player is going to go in and make an immediate impact on their new team. They are a breakout star, or they were an underrated player in the draft that’s about to make a huge splash and make a name for themselves on Day 1 of training camp and jump right into a starting role.</p>
<div id="dKyhsO">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/illini?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#illini</a> RB Chase Brown sees his name come on screen <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLDraft?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFLDraft</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengals</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhoDey?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhoDey</a> <a href="https://t.co/1laxobMsSK">pic.twitter.com/1laxobMsSK</a></p>— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) <a href="https://twitter.com/JWerner247/status/1652386305609793536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2023</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="go1H1a">One of the best reactions is when your team doesn’t exactly draft who you had your eyes glued to for months, but when they make the selection, your eyes get big, and all you can say is, okay, I actually really like that pick.</p>
<p id="pcFnj5">It’s natural. Fans are like little kids. They see the next bright, shiny new toy, and they want it. But when your parents buy you the toy you never even noticed, it ends up being your favorite toy. </p>
<p id="AjKRUh">It’s time to sit and wait for fans’ Christmas morning to come when training camp begins, and see if they have a new favorite player to cheer for all season to help lead the orange and black to another <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> contention.</p>
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2023/6/17/23718734/how-a-phone-call-can-change-your-life-bengals-draftAndrew Hines