Bengals draft picks 2022: Who did Cincinnati take? Full list of NFL Draft selections

Edward Sutelan

Bengals draft picks 2022: Who did Cincinnati take? Full list of NFL Draft selections image

The Bengals are a perfect example of the difference a few good drafts can make.

Back in 2020, Cincinnati took Joe Burrow with the first overall pick and Tee Higgins with its second-round selection. In 2021, the Bengals added wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase fifth overall and took kicker Evan McPherson in the fifth round of the draft. 

Those players, combined with some successful free-agent signings, led Cincinnati to Super Bowl 56, stunning the NFL world in one of the quickest turnarounds from a team that lost 11 games in 2020 to the top of the AFC in 2021.

Now, Cincinnati will turn to the draft again in an effort to continue to improve the offensive line protecting Joe Burrow and add more impact defensive talents as it tries to stay ahead of an increasingly more stacked AFC.

Here's a look at the Bengals picks in the 2022 NFL Draft:

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Bengals draft picks 2022: Who did Cincinnati take?

  • Round 1, Pick No. 31: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
  • Round 2, Pick No. 60: Cam Taylor-Britt, CB, Nebraska
  • Round 3, Pick No. 95: Zach Carter, DT, Florida
  • Round 4, Pick No. 136: Cordell Volson, G, North Dakota State
  • Round 5, Pick No. 166: Tycen Anderson, S, Tulsa
  • Round 7, Pick No. 252: Jeffrey Gunter, EDGE, Coastal Carolina

Click here for live analysis and grades on every pick.

Bengals 2022 NFL Draft order

Round Pick
1 31
2 60 (from Bills)
3 95
4 136
5 174
7 226 (from Giants)
7 252

MORE: Compare latest mock drafts from Mel Kiper, Daniel Jeremiah, Todd McShay, other experts

Bengals NFL draft needs

  • Cornerback: After a few free agent signings on the offensive line, this is likely the most important position for Cincinnati to address in the draft. Mike Hilton and Chidobe Awuzie were standouts at corner last season and are under contract for at least the next two years. Eli Apple provided solid value for Cincinnati and will be back, but the team would benefit from him more in a depth position than as a starter.
  • Defensive tackle: Larry Ogunjobi impressed on a prove-it deal with the Bengals, but even after failing a physical with the Bears, it seems unlikely he'll re-sign with Cincinnati. B.J. Hill returns to the line alongside D.J. Reader, but Cincinnati could benefit from a pass-rushing defensive tackle to replace Ogunjobi.
  • Offensive guard: Cincinnati signed Alex Cappa, Ted Karras and La'el Collins to greatly improve the offensive line, which was a major problem for the team a season ago. But the Bengals could still use another interior lineman either at center or guard to improve the depth and further solidify the wall in front of Burrow.
  • Safety: Jessie Bates is playing the 2022 season on the franchise tag as extension talks continue and Vonn Bell is a free agent after this upcoming season. Cincinnati has a lot of big names coming up in contract talks soon, which means keeping both would be a challenge. Drafting a potential replacement would make their exit a bit easier.
  • Tight end: C.J. Uzomah left in free agency, and while the Bengals signed Hayden Hurst to fill the spot in 2022, they could look to add a more long-term solution and give Burrow another red-zone target.

Cincinnati Bengals mock draft 2022

Here are the latest 2022 NFL Draft projections for the Bengals, according to Vinnie Iyer's second-round mock draft:

Round Pick Player Position College
1 31 Trey McBride TE Colorado State
2 63 Drake Jackson EDGE USC
3 95 John Ridgeway DT Arkansas
4 136 Kalia Davis DT UCF
5 174 Matt Araiza P San Diego State
6 209 Velus Jones Jr. WR Tennessee
7 226 Luke Wattenberg C Washington
7 252 Cobie Durant CB South Carolina State

Edward Sutelan

Edward Sutelan Photo

Edward Sutelan joined The Sporting News in 2021 after covering high school sports for PennLive. Edward graduated from The Ohio State University in 2019, where he gained experience covering the baseball, football and basketball teams. Edward also spent time working for The Columbus Dispatch and Cape Cod Times.