Who did the Bengals draft? How NFL experts grade Cincinnati's Day 3 selections

The Cincinnati Bengals opened the final day of the NFL draft by addressing the tight end spot with the selection of Iowa's Erick All, a Fairfield High School graduate. All is a high-risk, high reward pick for the Bengals after he needed spinal surgery in 2022 and tore his ACL last season with the Hawkeyes.

The Bengals addressed their secondary in the fifth round, picking TCU corner Josh Newton, who spent the last two seasons with the Horned Frogs after four seasons at Louisiana Monroe. Newton had 33 tackles and an interception last season.

Cincinnati picked its second tight end of the final day of the draft in sixth-round selection Tanner McLahlan, from Arizona. Twenty picks later, Cincinnati added depth at edge with the selection of Ole Miss' edge rusher Cedric Johnson. Johnson's teammate, Ole Miss safety Daijahn Anthony, was the Bengals' first pick of the seventh round. Cincinnati ended its draft with the selection of Miami center Matt Lee.

Here's how NFL draft experts are grading the Bengals picks.

Erick All NFL draft expert grades

USA Today: C+

Bleacher Report: C

CBS Sports: B

Walter Football: B+

Grade breakdown: Iowa tight ends have a great track record in the NFL and pundits are high on All's ability as a three-down tight end with above-average blocking and route-running ability. It all depends on All's health after playing in only 10 games over the past two seasons at Iowa and Michigan. If All can stay healthy, draft experts believe the Bengals could have a fourth-round steal.

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Josh Newton NFL draft expert grades

USA Today: B

Bleacher Report: C

CBS Sports: C

Walter Football: A

Grade breakdown: Mixed reviews from this pick across the league as the Bengals add depth into a youthful secondary. Most agree that Newton looked like an early-round pick after the 2022 season when he was a first-team all-conference selection, but hurt his draft stock with up-and-down play last season. Newton is at is best in zone coverage as he lacks the speed to keep up with receivers down the field.

More:Josh Newton to Bengals in NFL draft: Instant grade, analysis, stats for 149th pick

Tanner McLachlan NFL draft expert grades

USA Today: C+

Bleacher Report: B

CBS Sports: B+

Walter Football: A

Grade breakdown: Some pundits questioned the pick with four tight ends already on the roster with All joining Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample and Tanner Hudson. But McLachlan has upside as a tight end with high production after the catch and the Bengals couldn't pass on a prospect who was projected to go earlier. McLachlan had 79 catches for 984 yards and six touchdowns over the past two seasons at Arizona.

Cedric Johnson NFL draft expert grades

USA Today: A-

Bleacher Report: C

CBS Sports: A

Walter Football: A

Grade breakdown: Johnson nearly got a 4.0 from pundits, however Bleacher Report suggests the Ole Miss edge rusher doesn't provide much early-down upside. However, other experts agree that a prospect with Johnson's athletic ability typically doesn't fall this far in the draft. A lot of upside with Johnson's pass-rush ability as a potential piece to replace Trey Hendrickson down the road.

Daijahn Anthony NFL draft expert grades

USA Today: C

Bleacher Report: C

CBS Sports: A-

Walter Football: B

Grade breakdown: The Bengals drafted depth by picking Anthony, who pundits view as a long-term backup and contributor on special teams. Anthony is a hard-hitter coming up in the run game, but is lacking in coverage.

Matt Lee NFL draft expert grades

USA Today: B-

Bleacher Report: B

CBS Sports: A-

Walter Football: A

Grade breakdown: Pundits like the value in this pick as the Bengals bookend their draft on the offensive line. Lee was a second-team All-ACC selection at Miami and started the year on the preseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy, given annually to the nation's top center and named after Dave Rimington, the Bengals' first-round pick in 1983. Experts like his mobility and pass protection. If he can get stronger, Lee has the chance to replace Ted Karras as Cincinnati's starting center down the road.