The Cincinnati Bengals approach the draft process this year with plenty of needs, many of them based on the departure of potential free agents.
One of those notable areas this year is cornerback, where Eli Apple and Tre Flowers are notable free agents with Chidobe Awuzie still working his way back from injury.
That’s surely a big part of the reason the Bengals stick at No. 28 in the first round of a new 2023 NFL mock draft from Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling, opting for Georgia’s Kelee Ringo.
The Draft Network provided a fun writeup on Ringo while comparing him to Xavier Rhodes:
“He can operate with match concepts and be a matchup-specific CB in man coverage. If he can begin to get his head around quicker, I can see his pass break-ups and ball production improving. Ringo looks to be a day-one starter that can protect deep thirds and funnel routes underneath and to the strength of the coverage. Only a two-year starter, he can improve the technical aspects of his game.”
What’s interesting about Ringo is he could potentially move to safety, or at least provide the option. The Bengals drafted a similarly versatile guy last year with Dax Hill as they get ready to likely lose Jessie Bates in free agency.
Drafting a defensive back in the first would mean passing on needs like offensive line, tight end and pass-rush, but the team has free agency to tackle problems, too.
