The Bengals have spent a high number of recent draft picks on the offensive side of the ball, but they invested their 2023 first-round pick on defense. Cincinnati has selected Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy with the No. 28 pick. 
Murphy is the first Bengals first-round defensive lineman since Justin Smith back in 2001. While he is thus a rarity in that regard, he should be counted on as a productive contributor for the AFC North champions in both the short- and long-term future.
The Tigers experienced a general regression across their defensive front in 2022, and Murphy took a step back in terms of production. After an impressive 2021 campaign in which he posted eight sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss, the 6-4, 268-pounder saw those respective figures fall to 6.5 and 11 last year. He was still able to show flashes of his ability to effect both the run and pass game, though, keeping him in the first-round conversation leading up to the draft.
Murphy coupled his size and frame with a combination of speed and power to make him one of the more balanced edge players in this year’s impressive class, and give himself a wide range of potential NFL landing spots. In Cincinnati, he should be able to find a role for himself early on.
The Bengals have Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard in place atop their edge rushing depth chart. They ranked 29th in the league with only 30 sacks last year, however, illustrating a lack of established backup options at the position. Cincinnati added Joseph Ossai in the third round of the 2021 draft, and Murphy will join him as a young, developmental option. If he can regain his form from 2021, the latter could prove to be a very worthwhile addition.