After using the first two rounds to take care of what appeared to be their two biggest priorities in this draft, the Bengals kept attacking defense when they traded back three spots in the third round of Friday night's draft to take Alabama safety Jordan Battle.
The Bengals came in looking to add depth on the defensive line and cornerback and ended up doing it in the first two rounds with Clemson edge Myles Murphy and Michigan cornerback DJ Turner. Then when they traded with the Chiefs at No. 95 to pick up a late sixth-rounder, they bolstered the safety spot with the three-year starter Battle, an all-SEC selection this past season.
The Bengals added Rams safety Nick Scott in free agency last month in the wake of the departures of Jessie Bates III and Von Bell. The 6-1, 215-pound Battle is seen as an instant contributor on defense and special teams with high character and an excellent football IQ.
See the best photos of S Jordan Battle, the Bengals third pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) rushes up to tackle Mississippi State wide receiver Christian Ford (24) after a short yardage pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Alabama won 49-9. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Alabama defensive backs DeMarcco Hellams (2) and Jordan Battle (9) react after a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle participates in the bench press at the NFL football Combine on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Images for the NFL)
Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) celebrates his interception of a Mississippi State pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Florida running back Dameon Pierce (27) rushes for a 17-yard touchdown in front of Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) tackles Mississippi State wide receiver Christian Ford (24) after a short yardage pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Alabama won 49-9. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
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