HoosierCat

Wilson’s post-Combine mock over at cbs goes with Loveland at 17. Talent is there but I’m not a huge fan of a first round TE this year. But I can see it if they don’t get Mike G back. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2025-nfl-mock-draft-giants-pass-on-quarterback-jets-replace-davante-adams-in-post-combine-edition/ Texans get Nolen so Army will be happy.

If they can’t get Tee extended I would entertain both scenarios.

Chase is going to get a giant SB. If you are the Bengals you are going to wait as long as possible before you give him that money because right now it’s sitting in your account earning interest. I doubt Chase is extended until August at the soonest.

Dehner predicts that Tee is extended by the 12th. https://www.cincyjungle.com/2025/3/2/24375520/bengals-insider-tee-higgins-contract-extension-nfl-free-agency

Joe plugs the DE and LB numbers into the spreadsheet. https://youtu.be/YBTmSglfP8c?si=QXCRvz7Ev1fMODN0

Add Jeanty.

Add local product Corey Kiner

RAS numbers starting to go up. https://ras.football Shemar Stewart scores a perfect 10.0 Jihaad Campbell second so far at 9.95

Add Emeka Egbuka.

Yeah, the food thing is basically an eyeroll. If I'm Mike, I'm like, oh, it sucks? Well, then, we can save a little more money to pay Chase by just shutting it down and players can door dash whatever they want. Jack Brennan, former Cincy sports reporter and Bengals PR guy, called bullshit on the grade today.

Interesting note from the Athletic’s Pats beat reporter:

Couple more… CB Trey Amos S Kevin Winston Jr.

I doubt Sample will have much of a market, so if they want to keep him they should be able to. Ossai seems like he's always just on the verge of breaking out...and yet never does. Personally I think it's time to move on but I don't really care much either way. His agent is Mulugheta, so that could toss a wrench into any new deal. I'd like to have Hill back. There's been some scattered talk of him moving to the Colts for obvious reasons, but I think that's most/totally fan/AI slop speculation.

That seals it, Arby's for lunch today it is!

Add Malaki Starks

Add TE Ty Warren

Yeah, when lunch on the first day of camp rolls around I’m sure he’ll see to it that all those burgers come with extra pubes.

Met with Nolen, who is at the combine but not doing drills.

Add Clemson LB Barrett Carter to the list. He could be an option in the third. The other backer, Oliver, is a late round/udfa type.

Time once again for everybody’s favorite subject, the annual NFLPA team report card!!! In top line news this year, the Bengals have moved up two spots to 24, meaning that a full quarter of the league’s teams suck worse than them in the eyes of the players. Progress! Overall, facilities and coaches are highly rated, and even Mike Brown gets a gentleman’s C. Dragging them down are the usual complaints: And the bottom of the barrel: Treatment of Families: F-

Bengals meeting reports: Have met with DEs Scourton, Pearce, Williams, Stewart, Green, LB Collin Oliver.

Here’s the athletics live blog if anyone is interested. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/nfl-combine-2025-live-updates-invites-players/4AJdnkjQ4fee/

Yeah, I got the impression they wanted to spend some FA dollars on defense as well. Also mentioned Hill as someone they would like to have back. Agree on the IOL. Powder being kept dry here but changes are coming. I think they would like to keep Mike G. but he's 30 and probably thinking this is his last chance for a big score, so he might price himself out of their range. Have to see what the TE market looks like. PFF lists him at 76 on their top 125 FA list, but also the No. 2 overall FA TE behind Juwan Johnson. So not a deep pool positionally.

Yeah, at this point it appears that the proverbial turd in the punch bowl is Tee. Zac, Duke and Burrow are all singing from the same hymnal. Chase is clearly going to get paid. Even Hendrickson is publicly defending the FO now. And then there's Higgins, who I suspect is butthurt about the incoming tag. While I get it, I also have a very hard time ginning up much sympathy for a guy whose worst-case scenario is a $26 million payday this year.

Joe a no on Williams at 17. https://youtu.be/vd0RYKwVOhE?si=oeoPNvQWyFd1CyTD