The Cincinnati Bengals doubled up on the wideout position in the 2023 NFL draft by taking Princeton’s Andrei Iosivas in the sixth round.
A superb pick in that spot given Iosivas’s stunning testing numbers, the Ivy League standout had a strong final season in college before the wow-worthy testing that put him on the radar of teams like the Bengals.
Iosivas is the latest sign Bengals coaches wanted to make sure that if they need to call upon depth behind their star wideouts, they have quick-twitch athletes who can create separation from defenders long before the pass-rusher can get to Joe Burrow.
Here’s a look at reactions to the pick.
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) April 29, 2023
Iosivas is a fun player, especially in the 6th.
I'm really starting to dig what the Bengals are putting together with this class, even without addressing IDL or TE to this point.
TONS of athleticism, value and forward-thinking. Really nice weekend for Cincinnati.
— Anthony Cosenza (@CJAnthonyCUI) April 29, 2023
Congratulations to @AndreiIosivas and the #Bengals for getting a major steal at No. 206. One of my Senior Bowl standouts with high upside. #RuleTheJungle @zimwhodey @NewStripeCity pic.twitter.com/jl7URWNw4j
— Michael Gartman (@_MichaelGartman) April 29, 2023
Iosivas is the first Princeton player drafted since 2016, and the first WR ever selected out of that Ivy League school.
Averaged 17.1 yards per catch in 2021 and 14.3 last year.
In The Beast, Dane Brugler wrote: pic.twitter.com/FiCLkFDBrn
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) April 29, 2023
WR Andrei Iosivas had a 3rd round grade for us.
▫️99th percentile athlete
▫️2.71 Yards/Route Run (91st percentile)
▫️0.25 Missed Tackles Forced/Catch (99th percentile)
▫️4.5% Drop Rate (88th percentile)The kind of pick we’ve been begging for on Day 3.#RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/Df4yVqx9mI
— Gridiron Grading (@GridironGrading) April 29, 2023
LOVE THE PICK
— Ace Boogie (@NewStripeCity) April 29, 2023
The #Bengals pick #Princeton WR @AndreiIosivas at No. 206 overall in the #NFLDraft.
🎥 Hawai’i native is the first Princeton #Tiger drafted since 2016. pic.twitter.com/pQy3DRKYoM
— Luke Winstel (@lukewinstel) April 29, 2023
I have no problem with another receiver. They had little quality depth last year. Get more help. Iosivas has questions about his level of competition, but he tested crazy.
— Vance Meek (@vancemeek) April 29, 2023
A Hawaii native, Iosivas is 6-3, 200 pounds and was first team Ivy League in football and the Ivy League MVP in track, setting the NCAA meet record in the 60 meter dash (6.71). He ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the Combine.
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) April 29, 2023
Thought Iosivas was going to go in the 4th round.
Getting him in the 6th is nice work by Duke, Mike Potts, and staff.
Bengals double-dip at WR with Charlie Jones and Andrei Iosivas who is an elite athlete.
They have the best and deepest WR room in the League by far. https://t.co/yQ86nMGmh9
— Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) April 29, 2023
"Hey siri… what is RAS and how is @AndreiIosivas so good!?" -admin https://t.co/W59GJCaazc
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) April 29, 2023
With their first sixth-round pick (206) the #Bengals select Princeton WR Andrei Iosivas (6-3, 205, 4.43). #Bengals had him in town for two days on a top 30. Obviously, had a ton of interest. Back of the WR room gets the double-up.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) April 29, 2023
Bengals take Princeton's WR Andrei Iosivas. He was No. 15 on the Freaks List. At 6-3, 205, he ran the fastest 60 in NCAA heptathlon history (6.71). Strong and explosive with terrific work ethic. https://t.co/ra7bLu7ANZ
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) April 29, 2023
Bengals go WR again on Day 3.
This time, it's Andrei Iosivas, former Princeton track star heptathlete turned WR.
He's 6-3 and 200 pouds.
Based off Mel Kiper's reaction, he believes this it a WR4/5 pick for Cincinnati
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) April 29, 2023
Bengals take Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton.
86.3 receiving grade on @PFF. Was 144th on the consensus board. Cincinnati takes him at 206. pic.twitter.com/BxSU5n3eiP
— Fav (@FavOnFootball) April 29, 2023
