NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks has released his mock draft 3.0 and the former player and NFL scout has the Bengals continuing to make Joe Burrow a very happy man.
With pick No. 28 in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Brooks has Cincinnati selecting Utah TE Dalton Kincaid. “Kincaid is a slick route-runner with sticky hands and superb ball skills,” Brooks writes.
The 23-year-old had 70 catches for 890 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022, and alongside the Bengals’ trio of receivers, he could be a dangerous weapon in Cincinnati. The Bengals signed free-agent TE Irv Smith Jr. to a one-year deal late Monday night.
But that move shouldn’t stop Cincinnati from adding to its tight end room after losing TE Hayden Hurst in free agency.
Smith Jr. has also struggled to stay healthy, playing in just eight games in 2022 and missing all of the 2021 season.
The selection does come as a little bit of a surprise, however, as Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer seemed to be the favorite for a while, but Kincaid may have surpassed him. Kincaid ranks as Pro Football Focus’ No. 17 overall prospect on its big board, ahead of Mayer who comes in at No. 28.
The Bengals can’t really go wrong with either of the two as this year’s draft class seems to be very deep with talent at the position. If Cincinnati does go tight end, Burrow will likely be smiling from ear to ear after night one.
