DJ Ivey 3rd 2023 DB drafted by Cincinnati Bengals in 7th round

DJ Ivey was the third defensive back selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 246th pick overall in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Cincinnati selected Michigan CB D.J. Turner with the 60th overall pick in the second round on Friday. Alabama safety Jordan Battle went to Cincinnati with the 95th pick overall.

DJ Ivey had 127 tackles, four TFLs, one sack, five interceptions, 11 pass breakups and two forced fumbles and fumble recoveries during his Miami career. Cincinnati drafting Ivey was a pleasant surprise. Ivey ran a 4.43 40-yard dash, had a 39-inch vertical jump and a 10’6″ broad jump at Miami Pro Day last month.

Ivey visited the Bengals earlier this month during the evaluation process. Players visit multiple teams and that doesn’t guarantee a prospect being drafted by that team. Draftees often do not visit the teams who select them. NFL Scouts like Ivey’s length at 6’1 and 195 pounds. The Cincinnati secondary had attrition in the offseason.

Cincinnati lost CBs Eli Apple and Tre Flowers in free agency. The Bengals’ top CB Chidobe Awuzie is recovering from a torn ACL in October and is expected to return near the beginning of the 2023 NFL Season. CBS Sports criticized Ivey as an “inconsistent tackler and too often gave up big plays against lesser competition.”

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CBS Sports expects Ivey to compete for a role on special teams to begin his career. Cincinnati has been remaking its secondary in the last two NFL Drafts including 2023. The Bengals selected Cam Taylor-Britt with the 60th pick overall in the second round and safety Tycen Anderson 166th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.

With Awuzie returning from the torn ACL Cincinnati could elect to take a deeper roster at CB in 2023. Apple led Cincinnati playing 87.64 of the snaps at CB in 2022. Awuzie and Taylor-Britt are the projected starting Bengals’ CBs in 2023. Mike Hilton is the primary backup with Turner listed fourth.