The Cincinnati Bengals made it back to the AFC Championship Game for the second consecutive season, but this time lost to the Chiefs in Kansas City. This is one of the best teams in the NFL and with one strong draft class, they could be right back in the Super Bowl behind QB Joe Burrow.
Burrow, by the way, could be in line for the next NFL quarterback megadeal after the Eagles signed Jalen Hurts this week.
The Bengals own the No. 28 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, which starts April 27. But which position might they target in Round 1? And who could be on the board that would help get this team over the hump?
BetOhio.com – your source for Ohio sports betting sites - has hypothetical odds for which position Cincinnati will select at No. 28 during the 2023 NFL Draft.
BetOhio.com also has the best Bengals sportsbook promo codes.
Position Bengals Most Likely to Address
Can the Bengals Land a Tight End?
One of the biggest needs for the Bengals going into the NFL Draft is tight end. Hayden Hurst left this offseason, signing a three-year deal with the Carolina Panthers. The Bengals brought in veteran Irv Smith Jr., but he is more of an H-back than a traditional tight end. The good news is that the 2023 NFL Draft is loaded with tight end talent and the Bengals will be in a great position to address that need at No. 28.
The best fit for the Bengals would be Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer as he is the most well-rounded tight end in this class. However, he seems unlikely to fall to them that far in the first round. Instead, Utah TE Dalton Kincaid could be the target as he is the best pure receiving tight end in the class. He is nearly unstoppable in man coverage and would give the Bengals another dynamic weapon in the middle of the field. The need and value line up here at tight end, so don’t be surprised if this is the direction the Bengals ultimately go in Round 1.
However, the Bengals could also go in several other directions, including offensive line. They addressed the offensive line this offseason, adding Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. But the Bengals still need help at right tackle and could use an upgrade at left guard.
Steve Avila (TCU) would make a ton of sense for the Bengals at the end of Round 1, considering he started at four different positions in college. He could start at left guard on Day 1 and eventually move over to right tackle if needed. Darnell Wright (Tennessee) is another name to consider at No. 28 as he is the best right tackle in this class.
The Bengals also could add to their defensive line as they need more depth at defensive tackle. Bryan Bresee (Clemson) is one of the most talented players in this draft and would be an ideal rotational player early in his career. He is a former five-star recruit who battled some injuries throughout his career but could be a Chris Jones type of player in the NFL. He certainly feels like someone who will be on the radar for the Bengals.
The Bengals will be in the hunt again this season, judging by Ohio sports betting apps.
Bet365 Ohio Sportsbook sees the Bengals (+850) as the fifth choice early in the offseason, behind the Chiefs (+550), San Francisco 49ers (+700), Buffalo Bills and Eagles (both +800).
Cincinnati has one of the best overall rosters in the league, so expect them to just take the best player on the board at No. 28 rather than reaching for a need. It’s how they’ve built their roster to date and it’s why they are among the favorites to get back to the Super Bowl again this season.
