As a result, it is officially the offseason in Cincinnati and a second straight season without a postseason appearance. The silver lining is the Bengals will pick near the middle of the draft as a result. The Bengals will pick one spot higher than they did in the last draft.

Brian Callahan and the Tennessee Titans secured the top pick with a 3-14 record. The New England Patriots held that spot prior to their regular-season finale, but a win over the Buffalo Bills dropped them to No. 4 at 4-13. The Cleveland Browns (3-14) finished with the No. 2 pick and the New York Giants (3-14) were slotted No. 3.

With so much on the line, our Broncos vs. Bengals predictions expect a tighter game than this spread suggests when Denver and Cincinnati meet on Saturday, December 28.

Part of that offseason is the always-exciting NFL draft, which this year takes place in Green Bay, WI on April 24-26. With the season over, mock drafts will be flying off the shelves. Let’s start here with a three-round mock, using the Pro Football Focus simulator.

Joe Burrow almost had enough magic in his right arm to help the Cincinnati Bengals make the playoffs after their sluggish start. Cincinnati came up short in the end but their late-season run proved they are only a clever offseason move or two away from crashing next season's postseason party.

Anarumo was once seen as a rising star in the coaching ranks after the Bengals made their surprise run to the Super Bowl in 2022. But the seasons since haven't been good ones for