HoosierCat

Well sh*t, now I guess the Bengals are going to have to get UC to hire Hendrickson for their front office now or something... https://emueagles.com/news/2025/4/14/maxx-crosby-named-assistant-general-manager-for-emu-football.aspx

Didn't get around to throwing this up yesterday but La Canfora had a bit on Trey in his column yesterday. Nothing much we didn't already know or hadn't guessed, really. Nut grafs: Translation: "interested" teams aren't offering anything more than trash picks, but someone might get desperate and pony up some decent comp on draft day.

Imho, the strongest argument for cashing in a premium pick on a running back is that the best way to protect Burrow is a top-tier running game. Having a guy who can just take a handoff and rip off 10-20 yards every time they try to come after Joe would do wonders for his sack numbers. And the best way to make sure guys like Volson and Ford don't choke in pass protection is to not ask them to pass protect as much, just plow the road. Of course, that raises the question of why you need to pay a combined $500 million for a franchise QB and two No. 1 wideouts, but hey, water under the bridge, right? To be clear, I don't really think this is something they are considering. Maybe there's a verrrrrrrrrry slim chance that they take the plunge if Jeanty slips to 17. Otherwise I think round 4 is the earliest we go RB. But it's fun to think about.

Interesting three-rounder here from Chris Roling. His theory going into the mock: I'd say that's true, though I'd add that many if not most teams follow the same pattern. He has them selecting Emmanwori at 17 ("a captain, from a huge program, had incredible testing and can move all over the field, among other things") and Tenn DT Omarr Norman-Lott in the third. I doubt those picks would draw many gripes, but his second-round pick is certainly different. So, yeah, RB in the second. I continue to think they will take a back at some point -- they've certainly been bringing enough of them in for visits -- but a round 2 RB is bound to be controversial (by which I mean TJ will need a new. brick-free TV). Dunno much about Judkins (fwiw Zierlein's player comp is Joe Mixon!) but I'm sure Army can help with that.

Time for Army’s favorite subject, linebacker talk. Hobs interviewed the new LB coach and a couple things jumped out at me. First this: Notice who isn’t mentioned? Well, maybe they can get something for him during the draft, but it appears Pratt is not in their plans. Then there was his take on LBs in the draft. So he isn’t seeing a deep class this year. I get the impression here that they will be sorting through the UDFA pile at LB post draft.

DJ Turner says he's 100% so a bit of good news on the injury front. https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/cincinnati-bengals-dj-turner-health-update-offseason-workouts-looming

On the OL front, Savaiinaea coming for a top 30 visit. https://www.cincyjungle.com/2025/4/11/24403862/jonah-savaiinaea-arizona-bengals-draft-visits

Well, I think we all expected they would draft a DT at some point. The only thing bringing a lot of them in suggests to me is that they would prefer to make that selection later (meaning round 2 onward) versus at 17. Not that they wouldn't take, say, Mason Graham if he somehow fell to 17, but it's a pretty deep DT class and I think they are just getting a read on exactly how deep it is. They are also bringing in a boatload of RBs, so don't be surprised if one gets picked in rounds 4-6.

Sad thing is he might be the best QB on their roster right now...

The Bengals and Hamilton County finally agree on something: the state needs to pony up $350 million for the stadium. https://www.fox19.com/2025/04/10/bengals-hamilton-county-seeking-350-million-ohio-stadium-renovations/ Man, 350 for Mike, 600 for Jimmy up in Clown Town, if you ever wondered how billionaire nfl owners stay billionaires, there’s your sign!

Per Breech over at cbs sports, the sked will be announced somewhere around the 13-15th of next month.

The Bengals today signed free agent LB Joe Giles-Harris to a one-year contract for the 2025 season. Originally a college free agent signee of Jacksonville in 2019, Giles-Harris (6-2, 234) was on Cincinnati's practice squad for one game late last season. He also has spent time on the practice squads and rosters of the Jaguars ('19-20 and '24), the Buffalo Bills ('21 and '22) and the New England Patriots (2023 and '24). He has played in 22 total NFL games with three starts and recorded 20 tackles and one sack on defense, as well as 10 tackles on special teams. He will be classified as a second-year player in 2025. https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-sign-lb-joe-giles-harris-bengals-roster-update

Joe is down with Banks. https://youtu.be/jqvdVeYj--s?si=6O7aT3tWjkjKIwst

Katie was asked about playing this year in Spain vs. the Fins, said she doesn’t know. Did note that the Bengals will be the home team for an overseas game in 2027, where/when tbd.

I can dig it.