The 2023 NFL Draft concluded with the Bengals making 8 selections. The focus was entirely on the defence in the early rounds, with DE, CB, and S coming in on the first two days. With a number of new contracts set to be given out to guys like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and others, it seems like the Bengals are stockpiling the talent at premium positions, in anticipation of other starters potentially leaving in coming years. They double dipped at WR on day three, while also adding a RB to the skill group. A P and CB rounded out the class. Some surprise was sparked after the Bengals did not select an OL or TE in the draft, but they did make sure to add both when dipping into the UDFA market. The Bengals were able to add a number of intriguing UDFA’s, some of whom might be able to develop into impactful players. Let’s dive into this year’s crop. Additionally, I will be looking at 7th round pick DJ Ivey, as I did not have a pre-draft scouting report for him in my CB rankings.
CB, DJ Ivey (7th Rd Pick)
6’1”, 195 lbs
Ivey is an intriguing prospect, one that comes with a lot of upside, especially for a 7th round pick. From a traits perspective, he brings just about everything you could want. He has the speed and fluidity to blanket routes, but also has the size, length, and strength to match up against physical receivers. His length also shows up when reaching in to break up passes. Ivey plays the run well, showing the ability to get off blocks and make tackles. His flaws come with the mental and technical side of his game. Ivey can get too grabby at times, leading to penalties. As well, his anticipation and route recognition needs work. He bites on pump fakes, and double moves are a way to beat him deep. His play in zone is inconsistent. Given where the strengths to his game lie, I like him best in press coverage. He can also contribute on special teams.
G, Jaxson Kirkland
Kirkland is someone I touched on pre-draft. I had a 5th round grade on him, and he was my 8th ranked G in the draft. Below is my scouting report from that article.
WR, Shedrick Jackson
6’1”, 195 lbs
Jackson has a good blend of size and speed. He has the ability to take the top off, but at this point, makes more money picking up yards after the catch. Jackson is useful as a gadget player, as he is fluid enough to make people miss, and has the speed to accumulate yards. As a receiver, he lacks polish. His routes are bland, and he doesn’t often incorporate any kind of fakes or variety. As well, his breaks are rounded, and his route tree was very basic. While he has good speed, I don’t see the 4.25 speed that he reportedly ran at his pro day. Overall, Jackson is someone who brings nice traits to the table, but is raw and in need of significant development.
DT, Devonnsha Maxwell
6’1”, 299 lbs
The thing that consistently stood out with Maxwell was his hand technique, as both a pass rusher and run defender. When doing my scouting reports for the DL, something I found myself saying often was “needs to develop more rush moves” or “needs to diversify his rush attack” or something else along those lines. But Maxwell is on the other end of the spectrum. His hand technique is a lot more refined, compared to what you often see from rookies. He effectively uses a swipe move, swim, dip and rip, and spin move, among others, to get off of his block and either make a play against the run or get into the backfield to pursue the QB. I wouldn’t call him a stand out athlete, but Maxwell is smooth and quick enough to penetrate gaps quickly off the snap. He works well horizontally and can follow the play wide to make a stop. Size, length, and strength are the big issues here, and are probably why he went undrafted. Even against the weaker competition he faced, there were instances where he was just engulfed, and he lacked the length to work the leverage battle in his favour. His technique mitigated the issue quite often, but in the NFL, he will have a tougher time. In many games, his motor was also inconsistent, and he seemed to wear down as games progressed. At the next level, Maxwell’s technique and quickness give him a shot to succeed, but at his size, he would be more of an outlier. He will need some time in the weight room, but Maxwell has a good enough skill set and football IQ to outperform his expectations. Especially once he has a year or two in the system, Maxwell is someone who could continue to grow and gradually work his way up the depth chart. For the Bengals, DT is an open enough competition that with a great camp/preseason, there is a chance he squeaks onto the roster. If not, I like Maxwell a lot as someone they can develop on the practice squad.
LB, Shaka Heyward
6’3”, 235 lbs
Heyward has all of the tools that you could want from a LB prospect. With his blend of size and athleticism, he brings the upside of a 3 down player. He has sideline to sideline range, showing the ability to hunt down outside runs. But the ability to stuff the inside run is also there. Heyward has a big frame and good strength, so these backs aren’t easily powering through him. He has good speed and is a pretty smooth athlete. Heyward was used often in coverage, and the talent is evident. In zone, he shows a quick backpedal, and can cover a lot of ground. He has the burst to break on passes, giving him the chance to intercept, or at least, break up the pass. Heyward also has experience in man coverage, in some cases, being left alone on the boundary against a RB. Though he obviously won’t match up step for step against a RB down the field, he has the athleticism to do quite well in these situations, and his size and long reach gives him an advantage when looking to break up passes, especially when he might be a half step behind. The real issue with Heyward comes in the mental side of his game. Instincts and recognition skills are lacking at this point. This has caused his game to be full of peaks and valleys. Against the run, he can be late to react, especially when play action or read options are involved. This split second can be the difference between a tackle after a 1 yard gain, or the RB turning the corner and going up the sideline for a 15 yard gain. The issues are similar in coverage. He’ll bite on some occasions, and end up out of position, leaving his man open to make a catch. In zone coverage, his late reactions can prevent him from making a play, and leave him in damage control. The mental side of his game will certainly need development before he is ready to see meaningful snaps on defence. However, with his physical skill set, I am surprised that he did not get drafted as a developmental. The upside he brings is certainly worth at least a mid round pick, even when taking the risks into account. As well, he is someone who could probably contribute right away on special teams. Heyward, with a good camp/preseason, is someone who could crack the 53 man roster.
TE, Christian Trahan
6’2”, 248 lbs
Trahan isn’t the tallest player, but is well built for duties in the trenches. He was used often as a blocker, both from the in-line position and out of the backfield, and he generally did well doing either one. As a receiver, he does well to extend his arms beyond his frame, and he has plucky hands to make off-target catches. Athleticism is sub-par, he isn’t a good route runner, and he seems to have trouble beating man coverage and separating at the top of his routes. He does have some success against zone, when he is able to find the soft spot. However, his skill set as a receiver is limited, and his height for a TE is also sub-par. As well, his production was limited throughout his college career. At the next level, Trahan may be able to catch on as an H-Back/FB that can also catch passes, or maybe as a TE3 or TE4. His overall upside is limited, however, he does enough as a blocker, and has good enough hands, to possibly stick around as a back-end of the roster guy. But he’ll have his work cut out for him to make it that far, and his athletic testing works heavily against him.
LB, Jaylen Moody
6’2”, 225 lbs
Moody is a solid all around LB who can contribute in various ways. He is a decent enough athlete to make horizontal plays against the run. Having good instincts helps in these situations. Moody has enough burst to shoot gaps and stuff plays up the gut. In coverage, he is able to get some depth when in zone. That said, while he is a solid athlete, he may not be good enough to go without some valleys to go with the peaks. I don’t quite see the reactionary athleticism to make consistent plays in coverage, and when in man, there can be more trouble. At the next level, shallower coverages may be where he is at his best. There is enough speed to give him the ability to make plays against the outside run, but I wouldn’t say he is twitchy or fast enough to truly be a sideline to sideline guy. Moody has the instincts and enough speed to help defend the run, but he lacks size, and especially length, that can be crucial when looking to finish these plays. There were instances where he put himself in good position, but let the tackle slip out. The length to hang on to tough ball carrieres doesn’t seem to be there. Overall, Moody has a solid enough skill set to crack a roster, but it looks as though his measurables are lacking just enough to prevent him from becoming a full time starter. However, it would not surprise me to see him become a reliable depth option and good special teamer. He’ll have to compete early on, but he profiles as someone who might end up being a mainstay at the back of a roster, as long as he can just get himself established.
S, Larry Brooks
5’11”, 204 lbs
Brooks is at his best when playing down low. He has a sturdy frame that fits his downhill style. There seems to be good burst and straight line speed in his game, which allows him to get down towards the line of scrimmage quickly to help in run support. The strength is there to not get run over by the ball carrier, and his technique as a tackler is solid. I like how he looks to square his frame to his opponent, and then wrap up when making the tackle, rather than just going in recklessly. Brooks can handle some basic zone coverage duties, and his awareness helps in these situations. However, he is not a twitchy athlete, and lacks the range to truly be effective in coverage. He isn’t someone I see making much of an impact in man. As well, I wouldn’t feel comfortable having him as a single high safety. If used in coverage, it will have to be in a two high look where he is only responsible for a smaller portion of the field. And even then, there will be peaks and valleys. His limited agility is also evident when attempting to make plays horizontally, and he has a tough time redirecting when the ball carrier changes directions. Given the limitations, it will be an uphill battle for him to become a starter. If he does manage to find the field on defence, it will likely be as a strong safety, or maybe down low in the box, where he can play less in coverage, and help out more against the run. Brooks should be able to offer something on special teams, which will help his bid for a roster spot.
RB, Jacob Saylors
5’11”, 195 lbs
The Bengals seem to like him, as they gave him a $10,000 signing bonus. Saylors is a hard runner who is quick to hit the hole. He runs with a lot of power and good balance, showing the ability to bounce off tackles, and drag people with him when wrapped up. Stylistically, he is a one cut runner, and he has the instincts to know when to make that cut. Saylors is sharp when cutting, and can slip through running lanes before the defender can react to make the tackle. Saylors is a willing pass protector and has put some solid reps on tape. He displays good hands as a receiver, but lacks the twitch and route running ability to be a dynamic threat in this area. His lack of twitch also limits what he can do as a runner, from a creativity standpoint. Saylors won’t be juking people out in the open field, or creating many yards for himself when space is limited. Overall, he has the size, power, and vision to have success when the blocking is good in front of him. However, his limitations will likely make it difficult to crack a 53 man roster at a position that is highly replaceable. If he does make it, his skill set projects him into a two down power role, unless his pass blocking is enough for a coach to throw him out there on passing downs.
RB, Calvin Tyler
5’8”, 210 lbs
Tyler is undersized, but his frame is compactly built, which allows him to play with an element of power. In fact, he is actually at his best going north/south. Tyler is able to use his momentum to generate power, which he uses against tacklers as they try to bring him down. He is not afraid to lower his shoulder, and is able to pick up a couple of extra yards as he is going down. In shorter areas, I think he has more twitch than maybe given credit for. Between the tackles, he shows a little bit of wiggle to maneuver his way through traffic. That said, on a larger scale, he lacks dynamic athleticism. Tyler sometimes tries to bounce the play outside, but defenders are able to track him down on a lot of these, before he can turn the corner. As well, he is a one speed runner that lacks the ability to break away when he makes it into the open field. Tyler is twitchy enough in tight areas, but isn’t someone who will make people miss in the open field. As a receiver, his ability seems limited to the basics. As a pass protector, he shows some willingness, but poor technique and recognition has hurt him in this area. He is an overaged prospect, meaning that there isn’t likely much more room for development physically. Overall, Tyler shows some ability as a downhill runner. However, he lacks the athleticism to be a dynamic threat. The question for him at the next level may be if he can sustain his downhill style at his size.
LB, Tyler Murray
6’0”, 222 lbs
Murray is a good athlete with enough twitch to play in coverage. He matched up quite a bit in the slot against TE’s or RB’s, and has the fluidity to keep separation minimal in man coverage, and to make quick reactions in zone. His athleticism also works well in run defence, as he has the ability to hunt guys down in any direction. Unfortunately, even when he manages to track down the ball carrier, Murray lacks the ability to finish consistently. He seems to be lacking when it comes to length, and he often lets tackles slip out of his grasp. His deficiencies make him rely on hitting with his shoulder, as opposed to wrapping up, which can also leave him prone to whiffs. There are also some issues when he looks to disengage from blocks, which can again be traced back to lack of length and overall size. Murray’s ability to work in coverage will give him a shot to make it. But he seems unlikely to be a true 3 down LB if he does make it that far. His best bet will be as a sub package guy who plays in obvious passing situations. Special teams is also something he can contribute in, given his athleticism, and will be a key part of his quest for a roster spot.
DT, Tautala Pesefea
6’4”, 304 lbs
Pesefea is a big interior defender who is able to take up a lot of space in the middle. He is a solid run defender who has shown the ability to fall off his blocks and make a play on the ball carrier. His reach is quite long, which is ideal when going in to make a tackle. As a pass rusher, he goes in with no plan outside of rushing with power. But he doesn’t have the power to consistently overwhelm opponents. He also lacks the athleticism to penetrate gaps, so he is pretty limited as a pass rusher. His lack of production backs this up. Pesefea has the skill set to be a solid NT in the NFL, if he is able to clean up his technique a little bit. I’d also like to see him get stronger and become more forceful when he looks to push the pocket. His game is very limited, and if he makes it, Pasefea will probably be given a 2 down role as a run stuffer. But in this role, he has a chance to be a solid enough contributor. Still, he will have to really stand out over other players with a more rounded skill set, or beat out someone who plays a similar role.
WR, Malachi Carter
6’3”, 192 lbs
Carter has a big frame and a large catch radius. He displays good hands down the field, and does well in contested situations. Carter does well to elevate over defenders, but also has the body control that is often critical when looking to complete more acrobatic catches. His body control is also evident along the sideline, where he is able to adjust to errant passes, and still tap both feet in bounds. His deficiencies come as an athlete. Speed is below average and there isn’t a lot of twitch to his game. I wouldn’t say his route running is anything special, either. He will have trouble separating against man coverage at the next level. Improving his awareness against zone could help him out, but he seems like a contested catch receiver, if he is able to catch on at the NFL level.
WR, Mac Hippenhammer
5’11”, 174 lbs
Hippenhammer is on the smaller side, but plays the game with good quickness and compete. He was a useful gadget player in college, often being used on jet sweeps, and even some quick screens. His elusiveness and ability to make people miss in the open field allowed him to pick up yards after the catch in these situations. Despite not being the biggest guy, he shows no fear of going up in contested situations, and he was actually able to come down with some of them. He has good hands, and is able to snatch the ball away from his frame. Despite some of the success in contested situations in college, my expectations of him in this area are still tempered, as he transitions to the next level. The step up in competition should make contested situations more difficult on him. Hippenhammer has decent enough speed, but I don’t know if he has that second gear to really be a dynamic threat over the top. He seems quicker than fast. Taking this into account, along with his size, I would say that he projects best in the slot. But he will need to improve his route running in order to reach his full potential. With some work, Hippenhammer could end up as a backup slot receiver, or maybe a bit further down the depth chart as a WR 6 or 7, if he cracks a roster. Showing value in the return game would help his chances.
Though the Bengals didn’t make a lot of high profile UDFA signings, they still seem to have ended up with a nice haul. Shaka Heyward is my favourite of the bunch. He will need to improve his recognition ability at the next level, but his physical talent gives him the upside to be a quality starter. While the numbers game might make it tough for him to crack the roster, he is someone I’ll be rooting for. Jaxson Kirkland is a close second. He was the only one of the UDFA signings that I had watched pre-draft, and he is someone I thought was worth a mid round pick. Kirkland has some obvious things that he needs to work on, but like Heyward, he is someone that has starting potential, if developed properly.
Devonnsha Maxwell is an interesting one. Probably third on my list. His size and strength will naturally make it an uphill battle for him to make it. However, he has some natural ability as a pass rusher. While the Bengals have fine depth, they do seem to lack a dynamic pass rushing threat from the interior. The practice squad seems most likely, but with a great showing, there might just be a path for him to crack the roster.
The rest could potentially make it as situational guys or depth/special teamers. Murray, for example, has a limited skill set, but one that could be developed into a solid coverage specialist. Even Moody seems like your prototypical solid all around, but unspectacular UDFA that ends up carving out a long career as a depth player.
Given that they went undrafted, it goes without saying that each of them have an uphill battle in their quest for a roster spot. But the Bengals did manage to scoop up some talent. Training camp and preseason will be important in helping them to potentially secure a spot. The offseason battles will certainly be fun to watch.
