The Cincinnati Bengals enter week two of training camp on the fields adjacent to Paycor Stadium. The team has seen consistent contributions thus far from all eight draft picks from their 2023 class. The development and evaluation process will continue for the rookies throughout the preseason slate as well. The Bengals should be encouraged by what they have seen in hopes that these players can supplement an already deep roster. Let’s see how Cincinnati’s freshman group has faired in training camp before the first test of the 2023 season against the Green Bay Packers.
Cincinnati Bengals Training Camp Rookie Watch
Myles Murphy (EDGE)
The Bengals first-round pick has been running with the second-team defense and has a tall task in front of him to see the field this season. He is currently listed as third on the depth chart behind Sam Hubbard and Cam Sample at left defensive end. Even though this may be a developmental year for Murphy, it must be noted, he’s the youngest player on the roster at 21 years old. Look for Murphy to continue to learn the intricacies of the NFL game, and how to vary his hand placement and rush moves to be successful.
DJ Turner (CB)
The player turning the most heads in the Bengals rookie class is cornerback DJ Turner. He has been all over the field covering some of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Turner has a blend of speed and agility coupled with very good instincts.
#Bengals second round draft pick DJ Turner continues his playmaking camp with an interception today. pic.twitter.com/vcmRafWaRO
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) August 6, 2023
Turner also isn’t afraid to hit, and these traits should serve him well in defending the boundary when the bullets start flying.
Jordan Battle (S)
Safety Jordan Battle out of Alabama was high on the Bengals draft board as a cerebral player and leader they couldn’t pass on at pick 95. Battle has been gaining steam on the production front as he notched his first interception of camp at the 8/7 practice against the tight end group. The Bengals may rotate Battle with Nick Scott and Dax Hill in the regular season if he keeps on progressing the way they hope.
Charlie Jones (WR)
Charlie Jones was drafted to be Tyler Boyd’s replacement at slot wide receiver potentially in 2024. The early returns from Jones have been strong, as he’s shown great hands and quickness in space. He did miss a couple of practices after tweaking his shoulder last week and bounced back nicely by returning on Monday to show the toughness necessary to play wide receiver in the league. The Bengals have also tried Jones on special teams as a punt returner with mixed results. With Boyd in a contract year, Jones may redshirt this season unless the Bengals number three wide receiver gets injured.
Chase Brown (RB)
Another high-character player the Bengals took a chance on is Illinois running back Chase Brown. The Canadian product has been working with the second and third teams and has flashed at times. Brown will get plenty of playing time in the preseason to show he deserves a spot over Chris Evans as Cincinnati’s third running back. Brown has been solid in pass protection with good burst and elusiveness to round out his profile.
Andrei Iosivas (WR)
The Bengals only Ivy League representative is Princeton alum Andrei Iosivas. Cincinnati was drawn to Iosivas based on his elite RAS score that put him 14 out of 3048 wide receivers ever tested from 1987 until the present.
Andrei Iosivas is a WR prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 9.96 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 14 out of 3048 WR from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/X6YqWnv4u7 pic.twitter.com/H6HY22ZS9h
— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 15, 2023
Iosivas has been a jump ball machine like his more famous counterpart Tee Higgins and had some stellar moments in camp. Look for Iosivas to land on the inactive gameday roster like Jones to start the 2023 season.
Brad Robbins (P)
The Bengals badly needed to try something different when it comes to the punter position after Kevin Huber retired and Drue Chrisman struggled last season. Enter, Brad Robbins from Michigan. The former Wolverine has been as advertised and is booming punts in training camp.
Brad Robbins is getting actual cheers for his punting at training camp. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/yYITDmSqSX
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) August 7, 2023
Robbins can make this roster after final cuts and should edge out Chrisman as the Bengals punter moving forward.
DJ Ivey (CB)
The saying in NFL circles is you can never have enough cover corners. Well, DJ Ivey fits that bill nicely, and the seventh-rounder has been the surprise of camp for Cincinnati. Ivey has been thrown into the fire from the jump and has made several plays against Ja’Marr Chase.
DJ Ivey makes play on Ja'Marr Chase in end zone Monday at Bengals pic.twitter.com/xONVt2mb2X
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) August 7, 2023
The last pick of the Bengals draft class has good size at 6’1″ and has shown to close quickly on the ball when defending faster players. If Ivey continues his torrid play, he may make the team and even see playing time if corner depth gets thin as the season progresses.
Main Photo: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK
