Bengals get big wins and a fan favorite in Mel Kiper’s new mock draft

It’s always interesting to see what a draft expert such as Mel Kiper Jr. expects the Cincinnati Bengals to do during the big event.

And in his newest two-round, 2023 NFL mock draft at ESPN, Kiper has the Bengals addressing both sides of the ball in the opening rounds. In the first, it’s Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Bresee:

We’ve focused a lot on the Bengals’ need at tight end, but what if they think they filled it with often-injured veteran Irv Smith Jr.? This is the direction they could go if that’s the case. Cincinnati ranked 29th in sacks last season (30), and it needs to get more of an interior push on late downs. Bresee could provide that. At 6-foot-5, 298 pounds, he tested extremely well at the combine. He’s powerful at the point of attack and is instinctual after the snap. This is another team without many holes, so it can afford to select a player who might not start immediately.

The Bengals don’t historically take defensive linemen early, in part because they’re so good at finding value later. But fans shouldn’t be stunned if the team goes this route with a Bresee-like prospect to boost the rotational depth.

In the second round, the Bengals grab UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet — a fan favorite constantly mocked to the team.

Charbonnet is an every-down prospect who rushed for 1,359 yards and 14 scores last year while averaging a gaudy seven yards per carry. He’s one of the few prospects who could start right away and would likely force the team’s hand with Joe Mixon.

Which is to say Charbonnet would be a great value and fit, earning the team immediate great grades and likely good returns on the field.