ArmyBengal

I would rather Hurst as well, but I just think our Hurst is in the draft.

Give me Kancey in that situation.

Just jumped into my head and I have no idea how close they were, but Jonah Williams and Irv Smith Jr. played together while at Alabama for two seasons (2017-2018). In this scenario, if everything goes according to coach Zac's plan, the two could end up playing next to each other if Jonah pulls his head out of his ass and competes for the RT spot.

No I have no issue with these guys signing here. Cornerback is a position where I could see the Bengals signing to a long term deal if they have a good season, but I don't really see that for the TE spot. Why sign a guy like Hurst to a long term deal when he's only going to get the 5th amount of targets his way in this offense? There's not enough production from that spot to warrant that kind of deal. As an example, lets say the Bengals feel the best approach is to take a TE at #28 this year in comparison to the deal Hurst just got from the Panthers. Hurst got a 3 year deal for 21.7 million and 13 million of that guaranteed. The #28 pick will get slightly more than the #28 pick from 2022, which was Devonte Wyatt of the Packers. His rookie wage scale contract nets him a 4 year deal with 12.8 million, which was guaranteed. You also can't forget they can pick up his 5th year option as well. Now, don't get me wrong... I'm not suggesting a rookie is going to be Hayden Hurst in his rookie year, but I would bet that he won't be far off on his target share within this offense. Again, I could be wrong, but when looking at all the other big deals they have coming up, they won't be investing much outside of picks at the TE spot. The Panthers suck and they are lacking talent. They could afford to pay Hurst on that deal and will be taking a QB #1 overall and build around him like we did with Burrow.

Him and Jones both in on one year deals and have had injury problems. Would be really nice if both had stellar seasons. If that gets us back to the Super Bowl, that would be awesome, but it would also probably mean they leave in 2024. Like I have read to the point, these signing still don't keep the team from addressing both CB and TE early in the draft. I'm good with that.

Hard to believe he’s only 24 years old. I think I first had him mistaken for someone else. There’s another TE that has made rounds from one team to another but can’t think of his name. Anyway, another get healthy and we are good guy. Edit: I went looking because it was annoying me. OJ Howard is who I was thinking of.

So welcome Irv Smith Jr. to the Bengals. https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/28/bengals-sign-tight-end-irv-smith/

The Colts being that pathetic is hilarious !!

Well there’s that COB…

First, I love that Jackson is now requesting a trade from Baltimore. He's a dumbass and he's totally screwing the Ravens at this point in time. I love it all, please keep up what you guys are doing Baltimore !!! Sidney Jones... I remember that dude coming out of Washington and his projections were through the fucking roof. Loved the kid. and his injury, while bad, wouldn't have kept me from drafting him. Things haven't worked out that way for him, but I believe in what I've seen from guys like Apple, that he could make all of those projections become a reality in this defense with Lou as a coach. This is his best shot at regaining what he's lost. I really like this signing.

You know, his level of suckage at RT might be even more pronounced than at LT. He might end up getting benched for some lesser name on the roster and free agency takes a huge shit on his bank account in 2024. I have always said his best approach would be to play the year out of RT and give it all he has while playing on a Super Bowl contender. Walk that shit into free agency and now he's a "versatile" player that can fill in at either of the OT spots in a pinch. To be honest, I don't give a shit about this dude at this point. He's an annoying inconvenience at this point.

That's my thoughts on trading draft spots when moving Jonah. I wouldn't have concern with Banks at #24 at all, depending on who else was on the board. I don't agree that CB is the "top" need of the Bengals either. RT is or a top end DT pass rusher. It's right there and why I wouldn't complain, but I would rather one of the other two if I'm picking. Hell, tight end might be more of a need than CB. I have no issues with Smith from Michigan, as I mentioned needs above. Don't think he's there in the 2nd. The IOL was nothing more than a typo, as that might be dumbest thing I've seen suggested to this point. Again, who else was on the board? As mentioned, I agree with the thought of LaPorta being gone, but that would be a pretty solid 1-3. Too bad they don't have more picks in the first three rounds. I really like the looks of this draft class overall.

There’s a lot to like about these tight ends in the draft. Big, fast, good hands, etc… I can’t help but wonder the impact of Burrow for a rookie TE. Meaning, he demands the best of players and knows how to get the ball to them. Remember when Peyton Manning got in guys no one heard of and they were really good in their offense? That’s how I see Burrow. Get him a young TE and let him turn him into something special. I still like Kincaid a lot. Something about that dude. Mud graves is another I could see doing really well here.

Or Chris Evans if given more than preseason snaps.

That conversation could go a multitude of ways. Far be it from me to take a guess. Either party could walk away muttering "FUCK" under their breath. However, if I'm the Bengals, it's a conversation that's worth having.

Looking into the future, I’m hoping Carolina continues their suckage and Terrace Marshall walks away in free agency. Not only would he be great fit with Burrow and Chase from their LSU days together, but he would be a nice slot receiver with deep speed from that spot. Still a couple seasons off but I’m calling it now.

The PFF mock draft site now costs to use for anything more than 2 rounds without trades. Bag of suck…

The Bengals never do this type of thing as loyalty rules the day, so I fully expect Mixon to be here at nearly 13 million for 2023. I’ve been wasting my time talking about to be honest. Oh well…

Reduce it more ?? Sure, why not. I wouldn’t expect him to come off of the money. That being said he would have to ask himself how much another team would pay for a middle of the road RB? Does he know their system? Are they Super Bowl contenders? IF he were agreeable, yeah 2 maybe even a 3rd year tacked on. I’m still drafting his replacement.

Option 4: Have a discussion with Mixon and his agent. Tell them we are suggesting not a restructure but a straight deduction in his pay for 2023 to 7-8 million dollar, with incentives up to 10 million. If they refuse that deal, cut Mixon with a post June 1st release. Then they bring in Elliott for the same deal they offered Mixon AND draft a RB. Even though I’ve been saying “restructure” the above scenario is what I’m suggesting.

Ekeler had 13 rushing TD’s last year and averaged 4.5 ypg. He had 722 yards receiving with another 5 TD’s. Mixon’s numbers don’t hold a candle to any of Ekeler’s above. That being said, I’ve never said I don’t want Mixon, but he’s not worth 13 million. I get there are reasons he will probably stick around. However anyone making an attempt to justify Mixon being the 2nd highest paid RB in the league is beyond a shadow of a doubt… delusional.

Only so much you can do in one draft. Could always trade down for more picks.

I like Darnell Wright at OT in the first. He's a true RT and probably better than any option currently on the roster. Quentin Johnson going in the 2nd round is hilarious !! CB Tyrique Stevenson over RB Jahmyr Gibbs would have to be viewed as a reach, but could be worse. I would prefer Gibbs in that scenario. GIve me the #2 RB over the #6 CB. I'm a fan of TE Zack Kuntz. That wouldn't bother me either. Instead of S Brandon Hill in the 4th, give me WR A.T. Perry out of Wake Forest if Higgins doesn't come back. So my turn out in this scenario would look like: 1. Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee 2. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama 3. Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion 4. A.T. Perry, WR, Wake Forest Nope, wouldn't blink an eye.

Remember that year Leon Hall was due 10 million despite getting to a point he wasn't worth 4 million and they kept him anyway? He went on to start a whopping 4 games that year and left the next season. That should have been a lesson learned right there. If teams are paying players to be top 3 at their position and they aren't even in the top half, that's a problem. Hence, Mixon's contract is a problem.

Let me ask this question... Does anyone think Joe Mixon should be the 2nd highest paid RB in the league for 2023? You already know my answer. Dalvin Cook is the highest paid RB in 2023, about 1.3 more than Mixon.