One unfortunate draft trend the Bengals must fix in 2023
The Cincinnati Bengals' efficiency in the draft has been a major contributing factor to the team’s meteoric rise into a perennial Super Bowl contender. That being said, the Bengals have one definitive weakness that must be fixed in the 2023 NFL Draft. Players like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Jessie Bates and Joe Mixon […]
The Cincinnati Bengals' efficiency in the draft has been a major contributing factor to the team’s meteoric rise into a perennial Super Bowl contender. That being said, the Bengals have one definitive weakness that must be fixed in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Players like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Jessie Bates and Joe Mixon are just a few of the gems Cincinnati has uncovered in the draft process over the last few years. The one thing they all have in common is that they were all drafted within the first two days of the NFL’s annual event.
While it’s fantastic to find elite talent early in the draft, the Bengals have struggled in Day Three. The hit rate for rounds 5-7 isn’t nearly as high as it is for the first three rounds, but Cincinnati has had almost zero success following the third round over the last decade.
In fact, there have only been two Bengals drafted on Day Three that have been awarded second contracts since 2012. Those players are TE C.J. Uzomah, who currently plays for the New York Jets, and S George Iloka.
The Bengals shouldn’t be faulted for striking gold at the top of the draft. However, in order to take full advantage of the salary cap, Cincinnati must start hitting in the late rounds, finding impact players on rookie deals to maximize their championship window.
Featured image via Kareem Elgazzar / THE ENQUIRER / USA TODAY NETWORK
