Solid Starter
Jordan Battle, S, Alabama – Round 3 
The Bengals lost a valuable starter in Jesse Bates to free agency, and that opened up a significant hole in their secondary. Dax Hill and Nick Scott are the projected starters entering the season, but in a year or two, it would not surprise me if Battle ends up working his way into the starting lineup alongside Hill. Battle was a solid player during his college career and could adapt quickly to the NFL.
The 6-foot-1, 209-pound Battle has good size for the NFL and is versatile. He shows the ability to cover slot receivers, serve as the eighth man in the box, and provide fluid zone coverage downfield. Once Battle develops his feel for deep coverage in the NFL, he could play some free safety as well. He already showed improved ability to cover downfield as a senior. Batle could end up being a versatile NFL defensive back who flips between strong safety, free safety and slot corner. That would make him valuable for confusing quarterbacks about where he will move to cover post-snap.
With Bates leaving in free agency, Battle only has Scott standing in his way to be a starter for Cincinnati. After some developmental time, it would not surprise me at all if Battle emerges as a solid starter for the Bengals.
2022: Zachary Carter, DE
2021: Jackson Carman, G
2020: Tee Higgins, WR
2019: Jonah Williams, OT
2018: Sam Hubbard, DE
2017: John Ross, WR
2016: William Jackson, CB
2015: Paul Dawson, LB
2014: Darqueze Dennard, CB
2013: Tyler Eifert, TE
Most Likely To Bust
D.J. Turner II, CB, Michigan – Round 2 
For the second straight season, the Bengals added a cornerback in the second round, and both times I saw some flaws in that selection. Some other teams had Turner graded lower than Round 2, and he definitely had some detractors. Turner is a lightning-fast defender who plays tough, but he is extremely undersized for the NFL. At 5-foot-11, 178 pounds, Turner is very thin and and could get pushed around and boxed out by pro receivers. While Turner should be helpful to run with speed receivers, his lack of size is going to be problematic on contested catches and 50-50 balls. Thus of Cincinnati’s early-round picks, Turner has the most bust potential.
2022: Cam Taylor-Britt, CB
2021: Joseph Ossai, LB
2020: Logan Wilson, LB
2019: Drew Sample, TE
2018: Malik Jefferson, LB
2017: Carl Lawson, LB
2016: Nick Vigil, LB
2015: Tyler Kroft, TE
2014: Russell Bodine, C
2013: Shawn Williams, S
Potential Boom Pick
Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson – Round 1 
The Bengals have a strong, deep and talented roster, so they were able to take the best-player-available approach in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Murphy definitely upgrade the talent on their defensive front, and he will be afforded some development time thanks to the team having Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson in place as the starters. However in a year or two when one of those veterans ages out or gets too expensive for their level of performance, Murphy has the physical talent to be an excellent defensive end for Cincinnati.
For the NFL, Murphy (6-5, 275) has the ability to be an impactful defensive end and double-digit sacker. He is a dangerous pass rusher with a dynamic skill set that makes him a skilled quarterback hunter. Murphy is fast and athletic off the edge, showing the pure speed to dart past offensive tackles and get upfield. Murphy also has active hands that he can use at the same time as his feet. He uses speed around the corner, and his power to bull rush through tackles. With his strength and size, Murphy has shown the ability utterly manhandle tight ends and dominate them at the point of attack. Murphy has natural speed to power that makes him very difficult to single block when he gets going. If Murphy plays hard and determined, he could be a double-digit sacker in the NFL.
Murphy is a stout run defender as well. At the point of attack, he sets the edge and uses his strength to maintain his gap. Murphy holds his ground well and doesn’t get pushed off the ball with downhill runs coming at him. Thanks to his strength and active hands, Murphy is adept at shedding blocks, and he flies to the ball to get in on tackles. Murphy also can blast his way into the backfield to notch a tackle for a loss or blow the play up. As a pro edge defender, Murphy should be a good contributor in the ground game.
The problem with Murphy is inconsistent drive. As one source said, sometimes you have to poke the bear to get him going. Thus, Murphy would respond better to a coach that motivates and pushes his players with infectious energy. Cincinnati has a coaching staff and veteran players who are capable of pushing Murphy to play at a high level. It would not surprise me if Murphy ends up being a boom pick and turns into a really good starting defensive end for Cincinnati.
2022: Daxton Hill, CB/S
2021: Ja’Marr Chase, WR
2020: Joe Burrow, QB
2019: Germaine Pratt, LB
2018: Billy Price, C
2017: Joe Mixon, RB
2016: Tyler Boyd, WR
2015: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT
2014: Jeremy Hill, RB
2013: Giovani Bernard, RB
Future Depth Player
Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue – Round 4 
The Bengals are set with their top-three receivers of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. However, Cincinnati added two wideouts on Day 3 of the draft to provide some depth, and Jones could be a very good No. 4 receiver. Jones may not develop into a starter, but over time, he might become the replacement for Boyd as the slot receiver. If the starters suffer injuries, I think Jones could be a nice depth player who contributes well when pressed into action. Jones has quickness and shifty route running, and he could be a good rotational contributor as a pro for Cincinnati.
2022: Cordell Volson, G
2021: Tyler Shelvin, DT
2020: Akeen Davis-Gaither, LB
2019: Ryan Finley, QB
2018: Mark Walton, RB
2017: Ryan Glasgow, DT
2016: Andrew Billings, DT
2015: Josh Shaw, CB
2014: A.J. McCarron, QB
2013: Margus Hunt, DE
Walt’s 2023 NFL Draft Grades:
28. Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson – B+ Grade
The Bengals really wanted Lukas Van Ness, but Myles Murphy is a similar athlete. Rushing the quarterback is essential for the Bengals, who are going to be competing with the Chiefs and Bills in the playoffs every year. Murphy is a fine choice, though passing on Nolan Smith and Michael Mayer is questionable.
60. D.J. Turner, CB, Michigan – A- Grade
I had this pick slotted to the Bengals, who love drafting players from big-time schools who played in huge games. D.J. Turner, who obviously qualifies, ran the fastest 40 at the combine. He has huge upside, which the Bengals need when they’re battling all the elite passing offenses in the AFC.
95. Jordan Battle, S, Alabama – C+ Grade
Jordan Battle is an average prospect who didn’t make too many splash plays at Alabama. However, he’s a smart safety who could fight for a starting job in the near future. I would have taken him a bit later.
131. Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue – A Grade
The Bengals add yet another receiver for the future when they’ll have to trade either Tee Higgins or Tyler Boyd. I like Charlie Jones quite a bit; he’s a shifty route runner with reliable hands. I thought he could have gone in the third round.
163. Chase Brown, RB, Illinois – B+ Grade
The Bengals needed a running back with Joe Mixon declining and Samaje Perine gone. Chase Brown is a quality power back with plus receiving ability. I had him in the fourth round, so I’m a fan of this value.
206. Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton – A Grade
Andrei Iosivas has an impressive combination of size and speed. I had him in the fourth round, so I love this value for the Bengals. Again, Cincinnati may lose some receivers soon, so perhaps Iosivas can compete for a job in the future.
217. Brad Robbins, P, Michigan – B Grade
The Bengals needed a punter, so they got one in the sixth round, which is fine. It was nice that they waited this long.
246. D.J. Ivey, CB, Miami – B+ Grade
D.J. Ivey is a solid late-round cornerback prospect with nice size. He has some speed concerns, but nothing major. He could have gone a round or two earlier.
2023 NFL Draft Team Grade: B+. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
Cincinnati Bengals Season Preview
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
