Bengals Beat: Corey Kiner, Luke Kandra and the prospects for third-day hopefuls in the NFL Draft, Mock 2.0

CINCINNATI — Part of the enjoyable process of the days and weeks leading up to the NFL Draft is watching some of the lesser-known national prospects work the process to impress scouts and personnel executives around the NFL.

This is particularly interesting when local players are involved because it gives friends and family of the player one more chance to watch their favorite player reach to make their NFL dreams come true.

Running back Corey Kiner and right guard Luke Kandra were among the 45 invited by the Bengals this week to go through a mild workout inside the IEL Structure (which incredibly wasn’t damaged by the flood waters of the Ohio River).

Both are projected sixth or seventh round selections at best and more likely possibilities for the rookie free agent frenzy that begins once Mr. Irrelevant (final NFL draft selection) is announced in Green Bay. But both would be logical fits in the Bengals offense.

Kiner didn’t go through the workout but participated in the other portions of the introductory exercise that each team is permitted in hosting either players that play collegiately locally or played high school football in the Greater Cincinnati area.

Kiner figures to be the one of the most likely prospects as a bell-cow back capable of running through tackles and durable enough to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Bearcats in 2023 and 2024. Chase Brown is the lead back and figures to have a very prominent role in the 2025 offense. Trusted veteran Samaje Perine was brought back to Cincinnati on a one-year deal because of his knowledge of the system. Zack Moss is coming off a neck injury but could fill a role if he’s healthy. But after that, Kiner is intriguing because of his production in the Bearcats offense.

Kiner, rated 27th by Dane Brugler of The Athletic, averaged 5.5 yards in 396 carries over his final two years with UC. Those numbers in the Big 12 should not be ignored. He was durable. ran for 2,200 yards in his final two seasons, starting all 24 games. Without working out, what can Kiner demonstrate to the Bengals and other NFL teams?

“Just a willingness to learn,” Kiner told me. “I didn’t work out, but I came out and asked questions and learned. I tried to turn to other guys and ask questions.”

Indeed, while others were going through stretches in the north end zone of the structure, Kiner was chatting up running backs coach Justin Hill. When he wasn’t working out with UC, he spent some time working out with some of the Bengals.

“So I’ll pick up a lot. I get to work out with some of the players at the gyms around the city, and I see their work ethic, how they carry themselves off the field in the community, because I see them out regular clothing. So to see how they how they demonstrate their leadership off the field, just is great for me, because I pick up what it’s like to be a professional.”

The Roger Bacon product, who finished as the state’s 10th all-time leading rusher, still considers himself a Cincinnati and that was a big reason he left LSU after one season and came home in 2022.

“It means a lot because I always want to put my best forward for the city and help (represent) the city,” Kiner added.

Then there’s Kandra. Again, he plays right guard, a position the Bengals will certainly be looking to fill this season with the departure of Alex Cappa. While that job is likely to come down to the likes of Cody Ford or Lucas Patrick, the Bengals are always on the lookout for high quality linemen who have a proven track record in college.

Cincinnati high school football fans may remember Kandra and his twin brother Collin from Elder High School. After transferring to Cincinnati from Louisville (following head coach Scott Satterfield), Kandra proved valuable on the interior offensive line, earning back-to-back second team All-American honors and first team All-Big 12 this past season. Like Kiner, Kandra started all 24 games in his final two seasons with the Bearcats.

“Just growing up and being a huge sports fan, being a huge football fan, and hearing your name called, that’s what I’ve dreamed of,” Kandra said.

Kandra spoke of the commitment it took to play Division I at Louisville and Cincinnati. He knows that commitment will only grow at the next level.

“A lot bigger commitment,” Kandra said. “College is a big commitment, too. And you know, just that extra step, just like the next level is called the next one for a reason, you got to take that extra commitment in order to be the best you can be, to perfect your craft.

“It’s a little of everything. You want to get better on the field, in the training room. Anything you can do to be your best when the time matters the most.”

He’s rated the 16th best offensive guard by The Athletic.

Edge (Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M) :

The Bengals did lose Hubbard to retirement, as his production had already been slipping because of nagging injuries the last two seasons. The Bengals need production from at least two to three additional edge rushers, whether that’s Murphy, Ossai, Sample or Johnson, or a draft pick or two to make an immediate impact. There is so much to choose from in the first round the natural inclination is to think the Bengals will get swept up in the rush on defensive ends and grab one at 17.

If the Bengals don’t trade Hendrickson and – best case scenario – bring him back on an extension, the Bengals would seem to be in a good spot in terms of bodies and depth. The issue is whether those numbers will result in increased production. If they do trade Hendrickson, at the very least you would think they’re adding a pick in the first two days this year and another in 2026 and a projected starter who could come in and immediately contribute on the edge.

Defensive tackle (Derrick Harmon, Oregon):

Assuming Mason Graham of Michigan is gone, Derrick Harmon of Oregon could be enticing here. If Graham slips, this becomes a very, very interesting call, even with the signing of TJ Slaton and the return of BJ Hill, Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson.

Safety (Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina):

Reports indicate that safety Nick Emmanwori of South Carolina has already visited with the Bengals. If he’s on the board and available, do the Bengals take him at 17 to bolster a safety group that is still trying to find its way with Geno Stone, Jordan Battle, Daijahn Anthony and Tycen Anderson?

The Bengals haven’t added a safety or edge rusher in free agency while adding a pair of linebackers that figure to be special teams contributors or role players.

Linebacker (Jihaad Campbell, Alabama):

Let’s not overlook the need to upgrade the linebacker room. Logan Wilson is returning. Germaine Pratt has demanded a trade. Both struggled at times last year. They have brought in a pair of linebackers who appear to be simply depth pieces in Oren Burks and Joe Giles-Harris. Adding a piece like Jihaad Campbell from Alabama would immediately upgrade the unit. Maema Njongmeta is a special teams player who got some run at linebacker late in the season and made some good contributions but doesn’t figure to step up to a bigger role, at least not to start the season.

Offensive guard (Tyler Booker, Alabama):

Could Booker offer the same immediate impact that Amarius Mims did at right tackle? If he’s there, one has to wonder how high Bengals scouts have him graded and whether they think he could come in and fill the shoes of Alex Cappa at right guard. Kelvin Banks of Texas could be available also.

While free agency doesn’t guarantee fixing every shortfall, relying on players to make significant jumps or draft picks to make immediate impacts is an even bigger gamble.

Free agency is just a piece of the offseason roster-building exercise that every team goes through. And signing your own free agents shouldn’t be discounted as critical parts of the equation, just take a look at the Bengals and their approach to extending star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, tight end Mike Gesicki and defensive tackle BJ Hill.

Of course, the answer to this is that the Bengals have addressed the most critical parts of their offense, giving Joe Burrow the weapons he needs (and wants) in bringing back Tee Higgins and extending Ja’Marr Chase. They’ve re-signed tight end Mike Gesicki and they’ve signed a back-up offensive guard in Lucas Patrick from New Orleans.

MOCK 2.0:

1 (17 overall) – Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
2 (49 overall) – Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
3 (81 overall) – Miles Frazier OG, LSU
4 (119 overall) – Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State
5 (153 overall) – Kobe King, LB, Penn State
6 (193 overall) – Dont’e Thornton Jr., WR, Tennessee