Now that the Cincinnati Bengals season is over with a 9-8 record, they have some very important decisions to make this offseason. Injuries forced the team to start several rookies at significant positions in 2023. The results were a mixed bag as some have played at a higher level than others as the season progressed. Let’s see how the Bengals recent draft class has faired since our initial report card was issued in November.
Cincinnati Bengals Final Rookie Report Card
Myles Murphy – EDGE / Grade: B+
The Bengals first overall pick in their 2023 draft class played in all 17 games and came on strong late in the season. Murphy gained valuable experience and reps in his freshman act as he ended the year with three sacks and 10 solo tackles. The bend and quickness off the edge that he was consistently showing is a good sign for 2024.
DJ Turner II – CB / Grade: B-
Turner started hot in his first season in stripes but fizzled out late in the year. The ball tracking and recovery skills that were evident early, were significantly lacking in the last quarter of 2023. Look for Turner to rebound nicely next season as he will likely be a starting outside cornerback for this Bengals team.
Jordan Battle – S / Grade: A
The player who made the biggest jump in performance from our initial rankings until now was Battle. He would take the bulk of the safety snaps over Nick Scott in Week 11 and would never look back.
Not only was he the Bengals' highest graded defender, Jordan Battle had PFF's 5th highest safety grade of any rookie in the last 10 years. pic.twitter.com/veKVT8oxoD
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) January 8, 2024
Battle is a very instinctive and physical player at the line of scrimmage. He would end his rookie campaign with 34 solo tackles, two sacks, and one interception. He is the future of the backend for Cincinnati along with second-year player Dax Hill.
Charlie Jones – WR/PR / Grade: C+
Jones was slightly demoted from our initial grade due to his limitations in the passing game in 2023. He was average as a punt returner with one touchdown but offered very little as a wide receiver this season. He should have a much bigger role for the Bengals in 2024 and could be the replacement in the slot if Tyler Boyd departs in free agency.
Chase Brown – RB / Grade: B
Another late bloomer in the Bengals rookie class was running back Chase Brown. In the second half of the season, Brown saw a more even distribution of snaps with veteran Joe Mixon. The duo made a solid one-two punch with Mixon being the power back and Brown bringing the speed and finesse. The aspect of Brown’s game that the Bengals can lean on next season is his explosiveness in the screen game. Brown played in 12 games and would finish with 44 carries for 179 yards for an average of 4.07.
Andrei Iosivas – WR / Grade: B+
The Bengals may have found something in former Princeton Tiger Andrei Iosivas. When Joe Burrow was healthy, Iosivas just seemed to have a knack for finding the end zone and was also excelling with off-script plays when Burrow would break the pocket. This trend continued with Jake Browning as the quarterback, and the route running for Iosivas seemed to improve with the more reps he received in Tee Higgins’s absence. Burrow should be able to unlock even more productivity next season for Iosivas.
#Bengals rookie WR Andre Iosivas with his 2nd TD!
— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) January 7, 2024
Brad Robbins P / Grade: F
Robbins had a dreadful rookie season, and that might be a generous statement. Going into the season finale against the Cleveland Browns, Robbins ranked 32nd in the NFL in punter EPA averaging only 41.2 yards per punt. Special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons knows there’s room for improvement and noted, “He still has a lot to learn and how to grow, punting in the NFL, it’s not about lining up back up there and swinging away and hitting the ball as high as far as you can. So much situational stuff that comes into play.” Don’t be surprised if the Bengals bring in a punter in training camp next season to challenge Robbins.
DJ Ivey – CB / Grade: Still Incomplete
Ivey was getting playing time at cornerback and as a gunner on special teams. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15 ending his season. Ivey was impressing the Bengals with his length and physicality. Cincinnati will ease him back into the lineup after monitoring his recovery from injury next season.
Main Photo: Sam Greene/The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK
