Core of 2023 draft class remains intact as Bengals navigate roster changes
The Cincinnati Bengals are confronting an active offseason marked by notable departures and arrivals, yet one nucleus of players has stayed largely whole: the club's 2023 draft class. Safety Jordan Battle told the "Bengals Booth Podcast" that the group has maintained close bonds that extend beyond practice, a factor coaches and fans view as central to team cohesion.
Battle, a third-round selection in 2023, emphasized the depth of the group's relationship both inside Paycor Stadium and in daily life around Cincinnati. He described teammates socializing off the field and keeping close at their lockers, signaling continuity at a time when roster makeup can shift rapidly.
"I feel like this is probably the most together class I've seen since I've been here,"
The 2023 class originally included eight picks. According to team records, seven of those players remain on the roster; only punter Brad Robbins has departed. The draft selections were:
- Myles Murphy — Round 1 (Pick 28), DE, Clemson
- DJ Turner II — Round 2 (Pick 60), CB, Michigan
- Jordan Battle — Round 3 (Pick 95), S, Alabama
- Charlie Jones — Round 4 (Pick 131), WR, Purdue
- Chase Brown — Round 5 (Pick 163), RB, Illinois
- Andrei Iosivas — Round 6 (Pick 206), WR, Princeton
- Brad Robbins — Round 6 (Pick 217), P, Michigan (departed)
- D.J. Ivey — Round 7 (Pick 246), CB, Miami
The retention of seven draft picks from a single class is notable in an NFL era defined by frequent trades, free-agent movement and short careers. For Cincinnati and Hamilton County, roster stability can have several practical effects: it helps coaching staffs accelerate playbook installation, supports sustained marketing and community outreach efforts, and keeps familiar faces in the stands and at public events.
Why group cohesion matters for the Bengals and the region
Team chemistry is difficult to quantify but widely regarded as a competitive advantage. A draft class that remains intact allows younger players to develop together while veteran leadership shapes expectations. For a franchise that plays home games at downtown Paycor Stadium, continuity of recognizable players also bolsters local engagement and revenue tied to ticket sales, sponsorships and game-day spending.
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| 2023 draft picks retained | 7 of 8 |
| Departed from class | Brad Robbins, P |
Battle's comments reflect an internal view that the class' social ties translate to on-field synchronization. Whether that translates into sustained success will depend on health, coaching decisions and new personnel moves across the league — all variables that also make the Bengals' offseason a focal point for local media and fans.
As Cincinnati heads toward training camp and the regular season, the persistence of the 2023 core provides a baseline of continuity amid change. For supporters across the region, that stability offers a clearer sense of identity around a group of players who have grown up in the same system and continue to represent the franchise on and off the field.
