Two rookies from the Bengals’ 2023 NFL Draft class have earned first-team reps however they might not be who you suppose.
According to reports, CB DJ Turner II, Cincinnati’s second-round decide, and S Jordan Battle, the workforce’s third-round decide, have lined up with the first-team protection.
It could come as a shock that first-round decide Myles Murphy hasn’t gotten the prospect but however his path to a beginning position appears way more tough behind established edge rushers Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard.
Not to say Murphy will not see any enjoying time in 2023, however the paths for Turner II and Battle to see motion as rookies feels extra sensible because the Bengals have handled their fair proportion of accidents to the secondary.
Cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie, Cam Taylor-Britt and Mike Hilton all handled accidents final season. If one thing related occurs this 12 months, Turner II affords an ideal insurance coverage coverage with a 4.26 40-yard dash pace.
Cincinnati can also be heading into 2023 with two new starters at security in second-year S Dax Hill and veteran S Nick Scott. If both struggles or cope with accidents of their very own, Battle might slide into the beginning lineup.
Scott added that he has already been impressed by Battle in OTAs.
“His ability to pick up the playbook and understand concepts and everything like that, that’s a great sign,” Scott told reporters. “I’m excited about him. I think he’s a guy that will be able to help this team in a lot of different ways.”
It continues to be too early to inform, however the Bengals’ 2023 draft class could also be what lastly helps them recover from the hump after making back-to-back AFC title video games and a Super Bowl look the previous two years.
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