The Cincinnati Bengals traded down in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft with the Kansas City Chiefs and at No. 95 selected Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle.
Battle, 6’1″ and 209 pounds, projects as a potential quick starter and ranked near the top five safeties in most rankings, making him likely the top player on Cincinnati’s board after the trade down.
The pick comes on the heels of the Bengals adding defensive end Myles Murphy in the first round on Thursday night, then cornerback DJ Turner out of Michigan in the second round to start things off on Friday night.
Battle is a surprise, but the trade down beforehand shows what the team thought about the board.
Cincinnati picked up pick No. 217 in the trade down with the Chiefs.
