The 2023 NFL Draft is just a few weeks away and the Cincinnati Bengals can plug the few holes they have remaining on their roster. By doing so, other players on their roster will become expendable.
The Bengals need to continue finding depth on their offensive line, they need to look for a running back to help replace Samaje Perine, and even a position such as punter could be on their radar when draft weekend kicks off in Kansas City on April 27.
Let's take a look at five members of the Bengals who could get cut after the 2023 NFL Draft.
5. Drue Chrisman
Kevin Huber was the Bengals' punter when the season got underway but it became crystal clear that he was a liability whenever he'd take the field to punt the ball away. In came Drue Chrisman who was up and down during his time as the Bengals' punter.
Chrisman's bad punt in the AFC Championship Game helped set up the Chiefs' game-winning field goal and Zac Taylor himself said that the team wanted to find competition at the position. Maybe Cincinnati doesn't spend a draft pick on a punter but they will likely be adding one as an undrafted free agent.
4. Chris Evans
As much as Bengals fans wanted Chris Evans to be the rockstar of the offense, it doesn't look as though that's going to happen. If the organization drafts a running back on Day 2 or even early on Day 3 and doesn't end up cutting Joe Mixon, Evans' spot on the roster is not safe.
The former sixth-round pick out of Michigan was someone that fans were excited about when he initially was drafted but he hasn't been on the field much since then. With Mixon's future in Cincinnati uncertain and Samaje Perine off to Denver, there's a lot of question marks surrounding the running back position.
Trayveon Williams was re-signed in the offseason so he'll be on the team in 2023 more than likely. We can't say the same for Evans.
3. La'el Collins
This time last year, Bengals fans felt like the team had done what it needed to do on the offensive line with the final addition being La'el Collins. One year later, Bengals fans can understand why the Cowboys decided to part ways with Collins.
Not only did Collins not walk the walk after talking the talk but he was injured late in the regular season and went on to miss the final two regular season games and three playoff games. The team could have really used him during that time but his injury history carried over to his tenure in Cincinnati.
Collins is recovering from his ACL and MCL injuries and would also save the Bengals $7.7 million in 2023, according to Spotrac. If the Bengals draft a right tackle early on, it feels as though Collins won't be donning the stripes in 2023.
2. Hakeem Adeniji
If the Bengals add offensive line depth at any point during the draft, that's not going to be good news for Hakeem Adeniji. A former sixth-round pick out of Kansas in 2020, Adeniji was thrown into the deep end of the pool right away playing both tackle spots throughout the season due to various injuries occuring.
In 2021, Adeniji was injured for the first part of the season but then became the team's starting right guard through the Super Bowl. He didn't win a starting job in 2022 but ended up playing right tackle after La'el Collins got injured.
Adeniji has been able to step in and play on the o-line when called upon but he's more miss than hit. That's why he could end up being an easy cut for Cincinnati after the draft.
1. Joe Mixon
It's surprising that the Bengals haven't cut Joe Mixon yet to be honest but they didn't end up adding any running backs in free agency aside from re-signing Trayveon Williams. Cutting Mixon saves the Bengals $10 million, according to Spotrac, and the criminal charges that were refiled against him recently honestly make it easier to part ways with him.
Mixon also had a down year in 2022 as far as production goes. The Bengals could still add Ezekiel Elliott but if they spend a Day 2 pick in the draft on a running back, Mixon's time with the team could be coming to an end.