Bengals roll with new QB in NFL re-draft exercise

The Cincinnati Bengals don’t usually fare well in the offseason exercise known as “re-draft” mock drafts.

Generally, re-drafts that are a fun way to shake up the league and fill some dull offseason space have the Bengals picking later in the first round — meaning another team swipes Joe Burrow very early.

Case in point, a seven-round re-draft effort from NFL.com’s Chad Reuter has Burrow going third overall to New England, while the Bengals pick 18th and settle for Kyler Murray:

Murray’s production has steadily decreased since his second year with the Cardinals, with the knee injury he suffered late in 2022 serving as the major culprit in the slowdown. The mock-world Bengals join the real-world Cardinals in hoping he stays healthy and consistent for a bounce-back season.

Murray still has some interesting upside as a franchise passer, but sitting 18th and getting the 16th quarterback off the board doesn’t do the Bengals any favors in this exercise — especially not when the team turns around and uses second and third-round picks on defenders.

As for Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals watch as he goes elsewhere in the AFC North, joining Baltimore via the 30th pick.