The board is still king for the Cincinnati Bengals. After adding DE Myles Murphy, CB DJ Turner II, and S Jordan Battle with top-100 picks, the Bengals have loaded up their defense with high character athletes. It fits their MO if nothing else.

For as much talk was centered around running back and tight end, the Bengals opted to make those positions a problem for another day, potentially a problem for today. They have five picks left, and every single one could be an offense player. 

As it is for most years, this class will mainly be defined by the first three rounds, and the ramifications that follow. A heavy focus on defense is great for the long-term future of the unit despite sacrificing immediate impact on the other side of the ball. Who came out as winners and losers? Let's take a look. 

Winners after Bengals’ first three rounds

DC Lou Anarumo

These past two drafts have focused on adding young and extremely athletic pieces to Anarumo’s defense. It’s clear they’re loading up that side of the ball to prepare for an exodus of veteran starters in the near future. Cincinnati’s defense remains without an absolute star, but they’re dangerously deep at all levels now.  

RB Joe Mixon

With running back being pushed to Day 3, Mixon’s chances of staying with the team are essentially 100%. Things would’ve been more up in the air had they gotten a Jahmyr Gibbs or Zach Charbonnet, but now it’s fully about finding a complement for Mixon in 2023. 

TE Irv Smith Jr.

There’s no doubt anymore about Smith’s starting role at tight end. The Bengals are still likely to draft one in this deep class, but a Day 3 pick won’t be starting out of the gate. He might not even ben ahead of a healthy Drew Sample on the depth chart. Smith is in line to fully take advantage of his one-year prove-it deal.

DT Zach Carter

Going heavy on defense impacted a lot of players, but not Carter. No defensive tackles taken yet keeps him as the next 3-technique up behind B.J. Hill. Last year’s third-round pick started coming along towards the end of the regular season and will be expected to take a jump as a pass-rusher this year.

WR Tee Higgins

A bit projecting here, but the Bengals had chances to draft an outside receiver on Day 2 and passed twice. There’s no guarantee they draft a receiver at all this year, which would make it two straight receiver-less drafts for a historically receiver-hungry franchise. That bodes well for how they feel about Higgins sticking around long term.

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Losers after Bengals’ first three rounds

DE Tarell Basham & CB Sidney Jones

We’ll combine a couple of these for convenience. Basham and Jones were signed to one-year deals with essentially no guaranteed money, making them easy to release during final cuts. The team drafting an edge defender and cornerback in the first two rounds will make it harder for Basham and Jones to stick around for the year.  

S Dax Hill & Nick Scott

We thought we knew what the Bengals were doing at safety, but the Battle pick leaves things up in the air for both Hill and Scott. Battle is a collegiate safety with plenty of starting experience at a major program, while Hill will make the full transition to the position this year. Something to watch this Summer.

OC Brian Callahan

No one is scoffing at the offense’s starting skill players. The depth behind them is becoming worrisome, which impacts Callahan’s job should injuries arise. The Bengals have gone without a top-100 pick on offense in each of the last two years. A lot of pressure has been put on Callahan’s starters to stay healthy.

QB Joe Burrow

The above applies to the quarterback. Everyone is confident in Burrow’s ability to maximize the talent around him, and there is quite a bit. Right now, the running back room is still a downgrade from last year, and the receiving corps hasn’t changed at all. Drafting some pass-catchers is needed to ensure Burrow won’t be left hanging. 

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