The Bengals and Browns should target these Buckeyes in the 2023 NFL Draft

NFL Week Five stats: CJ Stroud betters Dak Prescott streak to set new passing record as a rookie | NFL News | Sky Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals should attempt to trade up for C.J. Stroud and trade Joe Burrow before he signs a record-breaking contract extension. Do I have your attention? Good, let’s talk 2023 NFL Draft and possible landing spots for now-former Buckeyes… Although, once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye, am I right?

For the record, there is no validity or truth to the statement/opinion above. I am a Bengals fan and would be elated if “Joe Cool” is the team’s franchise quarterback for 15 years. Hell, make it 20, as I’ll gladly sign up for the Tom Brady experience right here and now.

Also, as great as I believe Stroud will eventually be, NFL teams are very hesitant to swap a proven commodity for a complete unknown. And QB seems to be the one position where money is not an object, provided said QB is elite.

But both the Bengals and Cleveland Browns do have team needs, many of which they will look to address by acquiring cheap, young talent in the upcoming draft. In all likelihood, Stroud, Jaxson Smith-Njigba, and Paris Johnson Jr. will be off the board before either Ohio team is on the clock, but that still leaves a handful of Scarlet and Gray draftees to choose from, beginning (presumably) with Cincinnati’s pick at No. 28 overall.

Remember, Cleveland traded their 2023 first-round pick – and organizational dignity – in the Deshaun Watson deal. They then traded their second-round pick for a slot receiver who failed to reach 500 yards (in 16 games) last season, but that’s too good a deal to pass up, right?

Joe Burrow looks great in first practice clips since bye week

Not every Buckeye fills an immediate need for either of these professional teams, nor would they be a realistic option at certain points throughout the draft. Dawand Jones, for example, projects as a right tackle. The Browns have two-time All-Pro Jack Conklin at that position, on a recently signed $60 million dollar contract. Even if Jones were available when the team finally picks at No. 74 overall, “Big Thanos” does not make a ton sense. Let’s see who does, and where.