ArmyBengal

I like Nolen, but when looking at our 1-4 DT's, using the 17th pick seems like a bit of a reach. I really hope Banks is gone. I'm not a fan of his either. Stewart has exactly what you want from a DE, literally EXACTLY. Minus the production. Resolve that. Zabel in the first? Please God no. Volson has me soured on those guys at this point. Trades? Don't expect it, wouldn't mind it.

One of my favorite memories was when I would spend day and night on this board during the draft updating the threads back in the day. I then got deployed to Afghanistan and we had no phones and no internet. Then, like a miracle, we got a satellite link that year (2007) right before the draft and I stayed up posting on the board. The draft started at like 4:30am because of the time difference and I had a blast. Totally took my mind off of where the hell I was for a short period of time. CB, Leon Hall RB, Kenny Irons No 3rd rounder because we took LB, Ahmad Brooks in the 2006 Supplemental Draft S, Marvin White QB, Jeff Rowe DT, Matt Toeaina OG, Dan Santucci S, Chinedum Ndukwe (7th round comp pick)

Not much discussion today about the draft and only the same BS articles like, "The Bengals may target Trey Hendrickson's replacement at 17". No shit huh? That's quite the bold take there buddy. Can't believe you went so far out onto that limb. C'mon 8pm...

I don't disagree with much of the above. Stewart Campbell Booker Green Pearce None of those would surprise me in the least. Maybe not what I would "want", but certainly could fathom any of those picks. The only position I have softened on is DT. Slaton, Hill, Jenkins and McKinnley look like a solid 1-4 to me. I guess if they just loved someone that much, but I can't envision that being the priority. Look at not only the starter, but the depth. DE and LB have to be addressed. Safety is another one regardless of when, that needs help as well.

HAPPY DRAFT DAY everyone !!

His Bengals section is spot on.

I any of those names... Emmanwori, Harmon, or Green fall into the 2nd round, the chances of them falling to #49 are next to nothing. If so, that would be a gift from God that should see someone racing (I don't think they do that anymore) to the podium.

Like him, I think people aren't as concerned about the "maturity issues" with Walter Nolen as is being made. Honestly, an interior pass rush specialist like him is something I could see the Bengals going after if he were there. I'm not saying that would be my favorite way to go, but I'm expecting a DT at some point so you never know. Also, if Mason Graham were to fall to #13, I would hope like hell the Bengals were trying to move up. Mike Green? I don't think my concern, as mentioned, would be what Trey Hendrickson would think about the pick or if it were fair, whatever that really matters, but rather making sure the sexual assault charges aren't factual. There was one in high school which was quickly closed. Not sure why, but if it was quick, I'm not as concerned. The second one was in 2022 while at Virginia. That charge has never gone anywhere and he has never even been questioned about it. Of course he claims it was a total misrepresentation of him and he vehemently denies the allegations. If that's all worked through, he's a go at #17 without a doubt, but they better have done their research on him. He makes me nervous because of that and he doesn't typically fit what the Bengals look for. Biggest being him playing for Marshall against lower competition. The two hardest games they had were against VT and Ohio State. He had 2 sacks against VT and another 1 against Ohio State for what it's worth. Looking at who else was on the board, I noticed Nick Emmanwori wasn't in the first round. Ok, but if he actually falls to the top of the 2nd round, I would again hope the Bengals would be trying to move up and grab him. Coming away with Mike Green and Nick Emmanwori would be about as much as you could ask for.

Waiting too long for the draft to take place? I VIVIDLY recall 2014 when the first round didn't happen until May 8th. That sucked all kinds of ass !!

You're damned right !! Again, I'm not really advocating giving up on Trey, but it's what something like that allows for. There really are worse things we could do and with a new DC, who you know is going to get picks, that would work.

While adding and subtracting those players that come or go is a way to view it, obviously it doesn't end there. (This is not directed at any board member here, just chatting away into the internet universe) Meaning that while they started week 1 last year with 10 D-linemen, there's no guarantee they will do that this year. Additionally, there is constant churn at the bottom of the roster. If they take a DE in round 1 or 2 and they already have the 5 DE's they did to start last year on the roster, someone is toast. I'm not ever going to say, well we have "x" amount at this position, so we won't take anyone there. Minus a couple positions, I think damn near every position is up for a potential upgrade. I could make the argument that Logan "Wildside" at QB was camp fodder and won't be around. Couple that with Jake Browning being a free agent in 2026 and maybe the Bengals draft their future back up QB and carry 3 and go short somewhere else. Do I think that's going to happen? NOPE, but it wouldn't be out of the question if they thought the right guy was there when they went on the clock. It's no different than hearing people make the claim the Bengals "could" take a TE at #17. Could they? Sure. Are there TE's worthy of being taken at #17? Yes. Is that the smart thing for the Bengals to do? FUCK NO !!! That doesn't mean it won't happen.

Oh yeah... Slaton. I forgot about him. Good?

DT Rankins is now in Houston as well.

Ok, one last thing about trading Trey. There were reports about the Colts and Lou A. being interested in trading for Trey. Lets pretend for a minute we trade Trey to the Colts for their 2nd and 3rd round picks this year. That would be adding the #45 and #80 picks overall. Focus on the player, position, or whatever. A trade would look "something" like this... 19. Pearce, DE, Tennessee 45. Watts, S, Notre Dame 49. Ratledge, OG, Georgia 80. Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee 81. Burke, CB, Ohio State 119. Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma 153. Diggs, DE, Syracuse 193. Kiser, LB, Notre Dame That's one hell of a defensive rebuild right there with some really solid talent. Easy to double up at both DE and LB with all those picks and didn't miss a single defensive unit. Added players from high end programs that were both leaders and productive. Obviously, you could switch out one player for another, but I just wanted to paint the picture.

I'm staying on Trey for another post here. I've heard from damn near everyone evaluating this draft that you can find starters at Safety, Guard, and even Defensive End in the 2nd and maybe the 3rd round. If that's the case, having those additional picks allows for a true Best Player Available in the first round. All of a sudden, if Jeanty falls (even though I don't care for him) that's reasonable. If you want a linebacker (even with the shoulder) Campbell doesn't hurt feelings. You know the Bengals seemingly always draft a WR, now a 2nd or 3rd round stud doesn't offend you so much. Bottomline is it frees up the way the team approaches the draft, adds MORE talent, while simultaneously saving a shit ton in each of the next few seasons in not paying Trey. Ok, I think I'm done now...

I was thinking about the Hendrickson situation and while not advocating for a move, wondered if the Bengals are truly done there? While predicting a draft day trade is next to impossible and it happening is improbable, it makes sense. The Bengals reportedly wanted a first round pick for him and no one even considered that as an option. Again, with an overwhelming thought of how deep the draft is at some perceived needs, maybe taking a 2nd and 3rd for Trey isn't the worst idea in the long term. Bear with my random thought for a minute and lets flash back to last year. We took Jenkins in the 2nd and Burton in the 3rd. We have them BOTH over the next 4 years for a total of $13.6m. Not per season, not for each, but for both for the next 4 years. Trey's cap hit for 2024 is $18.6m and he wants more. If the Bengals feel there is a DE that has the potential to get the pressure (not specifically sacks) that Hendrickson gives you and maybe not even 100%. Maybe a guy that could get you 75% of that. Trey led the league not only in sacks, but in pressures as well with 54. A guy that you think can get you 75% is 40 pressures. Would you take that? If the answer is YES without looking, would it surprise you that there were defensive ends with 30 pressures that were in the pro bowl? Sacks are the same way. When looking at it through that specific lens and if you believe Golden can get his guy to give you something "close" to that, it's not out of the question in my opinion and would certainly help from a cap perspective. If if you minus the cost of the extra 2nd and 3rd round guys, that's huge cap savings over the next 3-4 years this team could use in free agency or extensions. I've long been against moving Trey, but I'm almost in support of it at this point.

Well the Bengals restructured Zack Moss’ contract and he will be back and expected to compete for the #2 RB spot. May or may not keep them from drafting a RB or at least early.

While I don't have access to that, it would be curious to see who else was on the board when he made those selections for the Bengals. Can't say as that draft would do much for me.

A trade down wouldn't surprise me in the least, but it's asking a bit much for us outsiders to make that determination. Part of me says, an extra 3rd this year would be great for us. Another part says, trading up and getting a player you really want for your defense would pay dividends as well. I prefer the trade down scenario, but still... I've made my thoughts on DE well known in that I don't think there's much difference in the prospects. They could go as early as the first and as late as the 3rd and get a starter. Same think on the safety front. Without knowing the inner workings of the scouts and how the team prepares, taking the best player out there (within reason) is still a really smart approach. You don't pass up a clearly better prospect and take a lesser quality need. At least you shouldn't. My point is, while DE is probably my #1 needed position, you don't take a guy that is the same quality of the guy you can get later and pass up what could be a linchpin somewhere else. Why take James Pearce, DE, Tennessee at #17 when you could get one of the top rated safeties or defensive tackles? You could say the same thing for any position in any round.

Really like all of the first 4 picks, but if they don't walk away from this draft with a DE, it's going to be a problem.

Now watch, they will get shutout for the next 3 games in a row...

I’m serious when I say the lack of difference between all of the DE’s could be the reason we see a 2nd round RB.

Man I can’t stand that dude. First they signed Rankins and I wasn’t happy about that. Then came the Trent Brown signing and now this. Garbage collectors…

The Draft Network has brought back their Mock Draft Machine. You can get a free account and do their mock drafts. Man I love this shit !! I think the rankings are off, but boy what a haul... 1st- Armand Membou, OT 2nd- James Pearce, DE 3rd- Tyleik Williams, DT 4th- Lathan Ransom, Safety 5th- Jaydon Blue, RB 6th- Smael Mondon, LB I'm pretty sure those are three first rounders and Mondon lasting until the 6th round would be insane. Please God make that shit happen !!!

I'm really hoping he lands with the Steelers. That drama would be so much fun to watch. Mostly because Rodgers sucks now. That dude was straight ass last year. So old.