After a 2021 push to the Super Bowl that some considered a “Cinderella” run, the Cincinnati Bengals looked like bona fide Super Bowl contenders once again in 2022. Quarterback Joe Burrow is as legit as it comes and their contention window truly might be his whole career. However, the Bengals will need to take care of some retooling this offseason after several of their top players on both sides of the ball—particularly in their defensive secondary—hit free agency. Tight end Hayden Hurst is gone, and so are safeties Von Bell and Jessie Bates III. There’s also the looming possibility that wide receiver Tee Higgins bolts in free agency as the Bengals start planning extensions for Burrow and fellow receiver Ja’Marr Chase in the near future. For Cincinnati to keep their contention window open in 2023, this is what their draft could look like with all seven of their original picks.
Tulane
Mississippi
Georgia
Stanford
Florida State
West Virginia