ArmyBengal

I had an interesting (see good) problem come up in a recent mock. The Bengals went on the clock at #17 and faced a top three rated players consisting of: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia Tyler Booker, LG, Alabama Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia In this situation, I want all three VERY MUCH and think any of them would impact the team greatly. I don't think there's a wrong answer among this bunch and could make a strong argument for either.

Always will root for Dalton. Him and his wife are really good people that do great things in their communities. Happy for him, while simultaneously acknowledging that I don't want him anywhere near my football team.

Well use some of that money and go get RG Trey Smith since the Chiefs aren't going to tag him and will hit free agency. I wanted that guy in the draft and he has literally started every single game, including playoffs, since being drafted in 2021.

Wow an extension prior to free agency and the draft? Hope he continues with the year he just had. That was nice after the last clown.

As with all Reds seasons for quite some time, we will see what happens. I go into it being hopeful. What’s the over/under for how many games into the season before they eliminated from playoff contention ??

Shit, the Ravens put up with a murderer, so 16 sexual abuse accusers is next to nothing. The Ravens are probably like, that's all you got bitches ??

I couldn't agree more. I jump on and search Bengals news and apparently, we are trading every current player on our roster for someone better. I didn't know that was possible, but ok.

That whole risk reward thing. Risks should be taken later more often than not. Mixon was a risk and they heard shit for drafting him in the second round.

Agree COB and it's like he wants to be Johnny Manziel or something. Don't put effort into practicing, don't read the playbook (Burrow's point), but hey put me in coach. Million dollar talent, two cent head.

Housh made the comment after a “LOOOOOONG” meeting with Burton that he needed to decide if he wanted to play football or not. That was November of last year. Burton strikes me as the kid who wants to play but not put in the work to actually do that. Pull your head out of your ass Jermaine. You are fucking up your one opportunity. Baffles me how they can’t see the forest. Damn trees…

I cannot recall an entire post made by a person here I disagreed with more emphatically. Not mad at you, but boy that's an interesting perspective you hold there.

Set in stone? No, not at all. Part of a plan (one which could change)? YES. There's no refuting the fact everyone knew how this was going to play out. Well, anyone that knows how this has played out previously. I can recall making comments on this board earlier than that, that if Tee were to keep being a factor for this offense (which he still is even a reduced role) there would be no way for them to keep him, Chase and Burrow. Why? Because the market dictates what these players are worth, not the fans. I would love him to take a Pittman style deal, but why do that when one of these teams with money to burn will back up the truck to your doorstep? Unless playing with the buddies he has made here and being a contender is more valuable, then I still see him leaving. As always for all players... how much does winning really mean to you? EDIT: We hear all the time they just want to be able to take care of their families. I'm still not sure what the hell that means, because he has made nearly $32 million over the course of being in the NFL since 2020. Over that same course of time, I haven't made a million, but take care of mine and other families like a madman. Maybe we have different definitions of what that means.

Of course some team is going to give Tee big money. It's what I've been saying. Why? Because some teams are bad enough and have money to burn they will give him the coin in the hopes he's a true number one WR. They will take their shot and spend the money. It won't hurt some teams because they don't currently have anyone else who's play requires a top of the market contract. Think having a top end QB on his rookie deal. Things are easier to navigate until that bill comes due. Granted, I don't think Tee is either a true #1 WR and don't think he's worth $30m per season. However, what I think or even know is completely irrelevant to what some team will surely do. They won't be thinking about him not being what they thought and cutting him 2-3 later because the team still sucks. AJ Green tells the cautionary tale of leaving an above average QB. Honestly, if Tee were really smart, he'd take a fair deal here to keep things together. They are going to follow the money of course, but as I've heard my whole life, "all money is not good money".

That's because you make the assumption he will play on the tag. I'm not even close to being convinced that would happen. No issue because I'm not totally against the idea. To dismiss the risk seems silly though.

I’ve seen some movement of players across the boards.

Maybe, but that player (whoever that is) isn’t part of our equation. Tee is our concern and someone willing to pay him now is of little consequence to what may or may not happen to him years down the road. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve never advocated they pay Higgins top of the market. I would love a Pittman style deal, and always thought he was the odd man out. I can argue both sides of the coin for keeping him vs. not, but just want a quick resolution. The longer it plays out with him, the more problems build. I think it will be fine either way as long as we aren’t the ones over paying.

It very well may but I don’t see him doing it. He could sit out to force the Bengals hand and even he just sits, that in and of itself will be a problem when trying to figure out how to start fast. That shit will linger with the team whose leader has been so vocal. It cuts both ways.

Yep, Bell got tagged twice and he simply never reported and never returned to the team. He didn't play that year, the Steelers let him become a free agent the following year and he walked. Pretty much the worst scenario unfolded there. On one hand, I can see why they would want to tag Tee again to keep him off the market initially, but there are a couple different outcomes that would be horrendous for the Bengals. Him not playing in 2025 only to have him do what Bell did and then walk away in 2026 is just shit and delays whatever compensation the team could see sooner. If something could be done with a tag and trade scenario, I'd be all for it. Does the front office even know what that means? Any confidence in them pulling that off? Again, we may not feel Tee is worth $26m per year, but I damn well guarantee some other team will pay him that without batting an eye. Some teams have money to burn.

Just going to keep throwing up the ones I liked the outcome of... #17. Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia #49. Jahdae Barron, S, Texas #81. Jack Sawyer, DE, Ohio State #118. Howard Cross, DT, Notre Dame #154. Clay Webb, OG, Jacksonville State #195. Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State Love that Barron fell, as I think he's a first round talent. Love the big name schools that were contenders. I think Howard Cross is underrated and Golden should have good insight. Clay Webb was a 5 star recruit that went to Georgia before transferring. He's my dark horse pick. Cody Simon was a bonus to add to the linebacking corps I was talking about. A CB could have been in there as well, but no one I was thrilled with was on the board. Again, not saying this is going to happen, it's just fun to see how they play out.

Minus Wilson, it's been a long time since I could say how much I loved our linebacking corps. There may be a few here and there, but this unit has not been the strength of the defense in some time. Before pointing out that at times they run 2 LB sets periodically, think about it. How hard is it to find 2 above average linebackers? If you have that, why does the depth get forgotten? This isn't a be all, end all thing for me and I'm not pissed about it, but I want to see more attention there. Always have.

Funny you said that Hoosier, I just did another one and took Jalon Walker from Georgia at #17. Still ended up with a DE and DT that I would love to have in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

I agree, I get potential starters into the 4th round even.

It seemed like Pratt wasn't there at times last season despite it being one of his most productive. He set a new career mark with 143 total tackles and his second best season in passes defended. He's had two INT's each season for the past 3 and got to the QB more last season than any before. My biggest concern with Pratt leaving is, who replaces him? THIS is what I've been talking about for a while. It's not that our LB's aren't good, it's that we have no depth and if one gets hurt or leaves, then what? It makes linebacker a need in free agency and/or the draft.

The way I see it is, this draft seems to be deep at some of our positions of need. I like the DT, DE, and safety classes a lot. I think it's another good WR class and the RB's and CB's aren't bad either.

I would have zero issues with Booker at #17, but yes, the unwillingness to extend interior linemen that are above average is less than appealing. However, with a 1st round pick and the ability to tag after a 5th year option, that's 6 years and not unreasonable either. The only WR I want before round 4 is T-Mac and there's a better chance of my approving a personal vacation with hookers and blow then him falling to #17. If Higgins comes back, I wouldn't have much concern for a slot WR. If he has speed and maybe some return ability, all the better. A tight end? I'm hoping Gesicki returns and then with All being out for 2025, another will be needed. Granted they also drafted McLachlan last year and I liked him as well. Guess we will see, but don't want one until after other defensive positions are drafted. Booker, a DE and DT in the first three rounds would be fine by me. Maybe a safety if someone falls?