ArmyBengal

I have long been in the Jer'zahn Newtown camp for #18 and really haven't changed my "want". However, I don't see many OT options in free agency. Some of those have expressed a desire to resign back with their team and others have injury concerns. While I don't think the odds of a free agent OT are good, I'm certainly NOT opposed to it. When looking at the draft, there are at least a few RT prospects which may be there at #18. As we get closer to the draft, they may climb above our slot, but that remains to be seen. I would rather not look at it as a "This or That" option though. I given the choice, I would look to add OT help in both free agency AND the draft. Can't forget on top of Williams this year, Jackson Carmen and D'Ante Smith are free agents in 2025. I would rather have a solid vet to start, build the rookie up, while kicking Carmen out the door.

There are in fact many WR's ranked pretty high year in and year out. I wasn't aware of that comment being made at the Senior Bowl, but thanks for the insight. That being said, I went and took a look at the 2022 WR draft class. There were 21 drafted in the top 150, but there may have been 4-5 that I wanted in stripes. In 2021 there were 20 taken in the top 150, but there were only 3 that I wanted in stripes. In 2020 there were 17 taken in the top 150, but there were only 5 that I wanted in stripes. There were only 4 that I wanted in stripes in last year's draft. When looking at this year's WR draft class, there are about 10-11, maybe more I would take. I guess I'm looking at it as the "World according to ArmyBengal"... lol

Oh, I agree. Whomever they decide to bring in, I will believe it's because they feel they will make an impact. That's simply because, as you said Hoosier, more hits than misses. If they feel Carl Lawson is going to come back and be impactful, I would tend to agree. Not because I can't live without Lawson in stripes, but rather the coaches and what they have built over the years. NO, I DON'T THINK LAWSON IS COMING BACK...

Also, weren't the Bengals one of the teams to put in a claim for DT Teair Tart, who ended up with the Titans? Well, he's a free agent as well this year. Wonder if there's any interest remaining there?

I would be more curious about a guy like the Patriots Mike Onwenu. He can play both RT and OG positions and has done well over the past years in New England. I could see a guy like him and a new rookie to help the line.

Yes loved Becton. However, he has been injury plagued from what I have seen, likes to spew shit (maybe deserved), and does not want to play RT. Not sure he's a good fit for what Coach Taylor seemingly wants in a football player. Had a great rookie year, 2 missed seasons due to problematic knee injuries and then a sub-par 2023 where he gave up 12 sacks a ton of penalties and rated horribly. I will pass on him at this point, but giving the slightest of maybe's, that a change of scenery may help.

That was a long video on Joe's part, but I like how that was his first reaction to Latham and hadn't seen those clips previously. I will see if he gets to Mims this week and would like to hear his take on Fuaga, who I am warming up to as well.

I don't recall a draft, at least in some time, that was as deep at the WR position as this one appears to be.

For what it's worth, even if they keep Higgins, I probably wouldn't take much issue with draft Brian Thomas in the first. That dude really looks the part of what Higgins brings to the offense.

Not sure why I haven't seen things through the lens of restarting things with a rookie deal more often. That being said, I pay attention to the Justin Fields situation in Chicago pretty closely. A big part of that conversation isn't really that Williams is or isn't better than Fields, but that even if it's close, starting that clock over again with Williams on a rookie deal is very valuable. It being a first round they can control for the next 5 years is even more so. In Higgins case, getting a first round pick for Higgins would have to be considered a fairly big win for the Bengals. Not saying that would or wouldn't happen, but there's the starting the clock over, having the extra season of control and then looking at the WR class to make an attempt at replacing Higgins with. Guys like Keon Coleman and Brian Thomas, both 6'4 and thought to go later in the first would be targets I could live with in that scenario. Even a Xavier Worthy or Troy Franklin 6'2 and 6'3 respectively are at least options worth considering. Still don't think they move him regardless...

I have felt the same way about Higgins. If they are thinking they are competing for the Super Bowl in 2024, tagging him is a no brainer. I think they will be... I would take winning the Super Bowl with Tee and getting a 3rd round comp pick when he leaves. Tag and trade would certainly net more than a 3rd round comp pick, but trying to predict the outcome of that compensation is challenging at best. Ok, so they get picks or maybe a combination of a player and pick(s). There's no guarantee any of those work out in the future. WR is already a certainty in the draft. Tee leaving almost guarantees a 1st or 2nd rounder being used to replace him. I wasn't able to find much about tag and trade deals, but much like a premier player leaving in free agency, the team they leave typically feels it. Hell, look at the Bengals losing Jessie Bates. Despite a first round pick and an emerging rookie last year, our safety play has declined since the days of Bates and Bell roaming the secondary. FWIW, I just don't think there's any way in hell Tee doesn't get tagged. I also don't think there will be much effort to trade him either. Some team would have to blow them away with an offer.

I heard a good argument recently (sorry I forgot where) but won't say it's an absolute. If we think Joe Burrow is an elite QB talent (We do and he is) why does he need and why should the Bengals pay for two elite WR's? I'm more of the "More is better" and there are certainly examples of what happens to a team when there isn't enough talent. That being said, the Chiefs just won the Super Bowl with 12 WR's on their depth chart and not one that would be better than a #4 here. Again, not saying I'm all in with that argument, but there's some truth to it as well.

Everyone is super human in camp. Hard pressed to ever find someone saying a bad word about players at that point. Not that the coaches aren't saying it, but the reporters sure as hell aren't. Then I think it's just wanting to be hopeful the selected or returning players actually improve. For example, I'm sure regardless of what some rankings or coaches may or may not say about Volson, fans simply hope like hell he keeps improving because the team doesn't appear likely to move on from him. I would also think most fans believe (right or wrong) that Volson is the weak link. That being said, fans will be begging for a report about how much stronger he appears in camp. Oddly, even if it's not true, they will probably get it. Not like season tickets sell themselves if they start calling out how shitty the players look !!!

Chase appears to be waiting for other WR’s (See Jefferson) to sign first. Honestly, I don’t think it matters. When he sees the contract something tells me he won’t care. Then when the next big WR signs, his contract will be less than the next anyway. In a few years he won’t even be in the top 5 WR money.

Yes to Higgins being tagged. While I think most here have acknowledged that, it’s getting press now. It’s really a no brainer. There’s next to zero chance they sign him long term. Not even thinking they should at this point. Just get the man a ring in 2024 !!

I really like Fuaga as well, but he’s getting so much talk, he keeps moving up the rankings.

It didn’t help Fields that the o-line in Chicago has been absolute shit. 2023 was probably his best line and they were still in the bottom third. I also don’t think drafting Caleb Williams helps that o-line any, but it does reset that rookie pay for a QB. Yeah, no to Fields in Pittsburgh…

Yeah, sign me up for that…

I'm all in on TE regardless of Higgins. Just my thoughts. I'm sick of the one year deals and would rather Burrow have some stability in a position that can have great impact. A team can never have enough weapons, so upgrade if you can. Now, I don't care when that is. It doesn't have to be #18. Cade Stover from Ohio State on day 2 would make me equally happy. Also, even if they do tag Higgins and draft a TE, they still need to draft another WR. Historically, if they tag Higgins he's gone in 2025. Draft his replacement now. This also doesn't have to be at #18, but that also wouldn't shock me. Honestly, very little would shock me. We will see how free agency shakes out.

Agree. I can only think of how much more Zimmer will probably get out of a guy like Micah Parsons. An aggressive coach with an aggressive player. I like the way that sounds for them. I hate the Cowboys.

I take a look at the PFF simulator from time to time, but agree that it's pretty useless. There are a few that I look at on a daily frequency, as is well known, I REALLY enjoy the draft. At this point however, the variance in rankings is all over the place. The Pro Football Network simulator is fun, as it allows for trades for free, but it can get crazy. I have a history of clamoring on about linebackers, but have cooled off in recent years. Mostly due to those on this board that helped me chill the fuck out. That being the case... I really like Cedric Gray out of North Carolina.

Nearly a year later and the over the top aggressive pissed-core music is still at the top of what I listen to. Aren't we suppose to start chilling out as we age? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmsCSBWDAmA COB, what say you ??

Pitchers and catchers report today. The main site also has an article about the projected roster, which is interesting. I still can’t get over the amount of young talent this team has and the plethora of infielders capable of playing multiple positions. I’m looking forward to spring and baseball being back !!

I’m still in the same relative space. DT, OT, TE as my top three with WR, CB and maybe LB or RB sprinkled in.

I’m happy for Zim. Even happier that Rex Ryan now has to shut the fuck up about it all.