Bengals trade up for Joe Mixon's replacement in latest mock draft

The Bengals could go several different ways with their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but Pro Football Focus has them moving up to land maybe the best playmaker in the entire draft class.

PFF believes Cincinnati will trade pick Nos. 28 and 163 to the Giants for pick No. 25 to select Texas RB Bijan Robinson.

Robinson ranks as PFF's No. 8 overall prospect and the top-ranked running back on its big board. The 21-year-old has 3,316 yards and 36 touchdowns from 2021-22.

The move may come as a surprise to some as the Bengals already have RB Joe Mixon on their roster. However, Mixon, who will turn 27 in July, has made the headlines twice this offseason.

In March, a home associated with Mixon became part of a crime scene after a late-night shooting. 

In January, Mixon also faced a misdemeanor menacing charge for allegedly pointing a gun at a woman. The charge was dropped in early February, but it could be refiled, per the Cincinnati Enquirer.

General manager Duke Tobin was non-committal on Mixon's future with the team at the NFL Scouting Combine and Cincinnati can save $7.26M against the cap by cutting Mixon.

If the Bengals are ready to part ways with the six-year veteran, adding Robinson could certainly make it for a smooth transition.

"This would allow Cincinnati to cut Joe Mixon and build out one of the NFL's most exciting offenses for the 2023 season," PFF writes.