HoosierCat

Al, not AI.

Ah, here it is! The headline that TJ has been waiting for: Bengals attended Ashton Jeanty's pro day ahead of NFL draft

He has slipped down into the late teens/early 20s now so it's looking more and more likely he will be there. I would be very happy if he were the pick. Count me in on Savaiinaea as well. Gotta have that dude whose last name is impossible to spell! Same. Trade down, snag an extra top 100 pick, grab the best remaining T/G first and then give the other three second and third round picks to Al.

Re safety, Stone sucked for most of last year and is a FA after this season. (He'd gain the Bengals about $6.5 million in cap space if cut this year, too.) I like Battle, but I also don't think he's anything particularly special. So I don't have an issue with grabbing a Starks or an Emmanwori at 17 on a personnel level. The thing is, when I do a sim or look at mock drafts, DB is one of those positions where there usually seem to be quality guys still available in rounds 2-3. In fact that seems to be the case for virtually all defensive positions, which is why I would love, love, love to see them trade back and pick up another 2nd or 3rd rounder. And whenever I take a defender of any stripe at 17, I end up reaching for an OL at some point in the second or third round. In contrast, when I address OL at 17, I like the results a lot more. Now maybe the real thing doesn't play out this way, who knows. But as it stands, while I wouldn't object to safety, or really addressing any defensive need since we have them all over, in the first, my gut is telling me they should go OL there.

Latest contributor to the PayJoe (and I guess now PayChase and PayTee funds, with the PayTrey fund on deck): Miami University.

Dehner goes six rounds: More at the link. Can't say this would do a lot for me.

From my bookface group: Another update between the Bengals and Trey Hendrickson. This time from Jordan Schultz. Link for the video: https://x.com/Schultz_Report/status/1904648022874615848?t=o8WdiWwUoL318F8f-lidOg&s=19 TL;DR: The Bengals Ownership/Front Office want to move forward with negotiations for Trey. The trade idea is dead, and they want to keep him on the Roster. Only issue is finding a number both sides can agree on money-wise.

Chido signs with Baltimore.

Cam and Sanders will definitely go well before 17, and now Dart is flying up the boards. If he isn't gone before 17, middle of the first is about where I would expect the phone to start ringing with offers from some QB-needy team looking to jump up and grab him. But in any event I would say three QBs going ahead of us is the best-case scenario.

No real surprise, but it looks like the first pick is pretty much decided. Callahan gets another first overall QB to work with in Cam Ward. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44392310/qb-cam-ward-throws-miami-pro-day-told-titans-solidifying-top-pick

Anyhow, on to the other subject of excessive interest, Trey Hendrickson, the latest is news is that there's really no news. Just speculation built on random comments from various media types. Though the general bent is still towards the team and Hendrickson getting something done. https://www.cincyjungle.com/2025/3/24/24393007/trey-hendrickson-contract-talks-bengals-colts-trade-rumors-nfl

Yes, putting more money into the SB (like Jefferson) instead of option bonuses means more space in the early years, since you can amortize signing bonuses, but not option bonuses, over the lifetime of the deal. And yes that also means higher hits later on. For example, both Chase and Justin could be cut by their respective teams as soon as 2027, but the Vikings would only gain $10 million in cap space versus $20 million for Cincy. It's definitely the more conservative choice but it's not indefensible. The other thing to note is that they have just a skosh under $24 million in cap space now. Cap space continues to be not really an issue.

Assuming the VA still exists by the end of the year might be...optimistic. But best of luck!

For me, the bottom line is that the Bengals just spent a very un-Bengal-ish pile of money and I can't find it in my heart to get too upset about structure. (And by the same token, Shannon Sharpe can go fuck himself.)

I’m sure he’s fine. Was teaching in Nashville at last report.

I think that was Quinton Spain. They’re easily confused.

LB pr0n for Army: Jihaad Campbell. Joe is down with him at 17 if the injury issue isn’t serious. https://youtu.be/zizfAC-_-JQ?si=dTR6ZxnyXoCtDZ-o

Patrick allegedly had offers from NO and Seattle on the table and chose to take $2.1 million from Cincy. I think that tells you a lot about the guard market right now.

Great news Army you get to watch Trent Brown get hurt again in Houston. And they’re paying $3 million for the privilege!

Lucas Patrick signed. 1 year, $2 million.

So right now the Bengals have $20.5 million in cap space (and almost $19 million tied up in Trey’s last year).

Here’s Tee. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/47628/tee-higgins Same cap hit as the tag, $26 million. So re-signing both cost them a net $2 million in 2025 cap space.

Attn cap nerds! Chase contract details: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/72384/jamarr-chase $23.5 million cap hit this year, so about $2 million more than the fifth year option.

Killing time on PFN's draft simulator this morning...traded 17 for 34, 65 and 105. 34. Derrick Harmon DT Oregon 49. Wyatt Milum OG West Virginia 65. Landon Jackson EDGE Arkansas 81. Chris Paul Jr. LB Ole Miss 105. Gunnar Helm TE Texas 119. Savion Williams WR TCU 153. Tyler Shough QB Louisville 193. Marcus Tate OG Clemson I give me a B.

Oklahoma State LB Nick Martin visiting. Missed 24 with injuries, had 140 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 picks and a FF in 23.