Trailing only the San Francisco 49ers -- who didn’t have a pick in the first two rounds to sign -- the Cincinnati Bengals are the second team in the NFL this month to announce the signing of their entire rookie class. All this despite only having signed one pick coming into Friday and announcing the second before noon earlier in the day.
Having already agreed to rookie deals with first-round defensive end Myles Murphy and fifth-round running back Chase Brown, the team’s announcement covered the signing of six other draft picks.
Cincinnati double-dipped on outside playmakers on both sides of the ball in this year’s draft. They used their second-round pick to select Michigan cornerback DJ Turner and their seventh-round pick on Miami cornerback DJ Ivey. Turner provides some immediate starting ability on both the perimeter and at nickel. Ivey may not project as an immediate starter, but has an ideal frame and should be able to contribute if given enough opportunity. Also in the secondary, third-round safety Jordan Battle should be able to compete with Daxton Hill for a starting spot alongside Nick Scott in the defensive backfield.
The Bengals doubled-up on wide receivers, as well, selecting Purdue’s Charlie Jones in the fourth round and Princeton’s Andrei Iosivas in the sixth. The Bengals are pretty set in terms of their starting wideouts with Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, but Jones and Iosivas provide strong backup options. Jones, a former walk-on at Iowa who led the country in receptions last year at Purdue, should have a strong path to a roster spot as a backup receiver and returner. He should be able to challenge Trent Taylor and Trayveon Williams for return duties on both punts and kicks, while Iosivas provides the Cincinnati offense with yet another tall, lengthy receiving option on the outside.
In the sixth round, the Bengals also went after Michigan punter Brad Robbins. The team relied on practice squad punter Drue Chrisman last season after moving on from long-time punter Kevin Huber. Robbins should provide strong competition for Chrisman's starting punter duties. Here is Cincinnati’s 2023 draft class:
Round 1, No. 28: Myles Murphy, DE (Clemson) (signed)
Round 2, No. 60: DJ Turner, CB (Michigan) (signed)
Round 3, No. 95 (from Chiefs): Jordan Battle, S (Alabama) (signed)
Round 4, No. 131: Charlie Jones, WR (Purdue) (signed)
Round 5, No. 163: Chase Brown, RB (Illinois) (signed)
Round 6, No. 206: Andrei Iosivas, WR (Princeton) (signed)
Round 6, No. 217 (from Chiefs): Brad Robbins, P (Michigan) (signed)
Round 7, No. 246: DJ Ivey, CB (Miami) (signed)
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