AMPHAR

Media got burnt hyping the Bengals pre-2024 and them not making the playoffs. Bengals aren't going to get objective "hot takes". The reality is this team was hyped as good going into 2024. Lost 4 games by 1 score or less (?) to teams that were in the division round/Conference, or Superbowl. Then finished 5-0. I like what I've read about the draft class. I didn't grade it high because its not what I wanted to see pre-draft. I think Golden is going to improve the defense and think the Bengals are sitting on one of the best rosters in the league. Meanwhile in Rapien World they've wanted to add 5-7 new starters from Free Agency to be happy. There's a lot of clown media that would be clapping like sheep IF they took the coveted "guard" round 1. Same people that threw out As when Billy Price was taken with Lamar Jackson was on the board and all they had was Andy. Nobody knows but anytime the Bengals get praise, don't meet those expectations people aren't going to rush out on a limb following that to praise them. They'll go with the crowd for the most part.

My guess is they are attempting to trade Pratt but will dump him soon. He's not at voluntaries, I doubt he's apart of TC.

Sorry to see him go. He was a time bomb with DK and a questionable QB situation getting close to contract time.

Might as well get this started now: Hopefully the biggest TC watch will only be Right Guard and Secondary. Hopefully no surprise stories. With that said: Lucas Patrick opened up as the starter for RG at voluntaries.

IF I read the Texas Aggie stats correctly the DL leader in sacks the past 3 years has been 3 sacks (team leader as well) , 6 sacks, and 5 sacks (team leader as well). I don't know if its all the same coordinator or not but its clear that getting sacks from the DL wasn't a priority.

Trey last chance at leverage was pre draft. Thus the media noise and playing the game. Now there's "good vibes" as he he'll try to grab a raise for this year.

I hope they start the season off with the two toughest road games. If they are going to use the first two weeks as preseason then get the hard road games that are likely to be losses out of the way. @Clev @Balt.

I think Volson will get a shot at RG. He's not going to be cut, IMO. At worse he'll be depth. Joe also doesn't like under center. Likes spread and 5 wide. Doesn't really care about running the football. Likes to extend plays and manipulate coverage with his movement. Doesn't really throw it away. Those factors also effect the pressure numbers. The guy simply doesn't not care about being hit. I'd say he only cares about it IF it stops a scoring opportunity.

The only thing I'll say about draft grades nationally. For example Chad Reuter from NFL.com. Gave Bengals a B day 1. OK. However in his mock he had them picking an Edge (Mykel Williams) who was gone at 17 in the real draft. Then had the Shemar Stewart going 19 in his mock. If those were your beliefs pre-draft then the grade of "B" sounds a little weak. By virtue of your own mock there wasn't much separation of Williams and Stewart and the Bengals hit the need you identified.

The Bengals dropped 1 spot to 12th on the Power Rankings post draft. Basically leaped by the Broncos. So they are in tight 4th or 5th in pecking order in the AFC. Opinions on this Power Ranking have Ravens as AFC Favorites, Chief, Bills, Broncos, and Bengals.

I hope they try Dax back at Safety and not have the coverage safety limitations Lou required. I think he has the range and ball hawk abilities to be a factor there. But we'll see.

I think Myles Murphy has been out of shape entering TC the last 2 years. He was running with the scrubs early in TC and would have never made it back in the rotation (prior to injury) if Sample and Hubbard didn't lose time. Then he loses time to injury. Now he's cut out cereal and dropped fat. If that isn't the magic pill, I would put him on the path of being cut. I think Ossasi and Sample get first crack at Opposite DE snaps. D-line draft picks were an oddity this year. Top need but not a clear path to immediate playing time. I do hope there is more of a D-line rotation than what we've seen recently.

The lack of development of previous defensive drafted guys certainly plays in the criticism of this pick. Fans wanted more a sure thing. They got well IF you "film nerd stuff" this is a great pick. Nobody recently drafted on defense has morphed into a player that is a building piece on defense. They can try to sell Dax but unfortunately they shelved him his rookie season, threw him under the bus 2nd season, change position then injured.

I don't think Burton or Jones are unquestionable locks for the roster. Different reasons. Jones is small and has trouble staying healthy. Burton is a knucklehead. Talent wise, I think Burton will be tough to beat out. Now if he is still falling asleep in meetings etc. Different story.

I guess the Bengals haven't officially picked up Dax's 5th year option. Spotrac is just showing the cap hit IF it were to happen, I guess. If they don't that leaves them with potential two starting CBs hitting FA in the same off season. They have til May 1st.

I wonder if they attempt a Dax Hill extension this early. They've picked up the 5th year for 2026 but wondering if they would try. They've already proclaimed him as their best CB in 2024. Cam Taylor Britt. Wonder if they would try an extension as well this early. I would think they'd make him prove it this year.

I'd put the draft at a C+. It was an "off the beaten path" type draft so the grades are going to be low. If they keep positions the same and flip some of the names more fans would be excited throwing As around. For me, there's too much "selling" after the selection to give a high grade in the moment. Too much PFF types and film types to get sold on a pick. I admit there have been several interviews heard on radio with draft gurus, and articles that paint this draft class with an encouraging outlook. The top pick left the Senior bowl stamped as the best prospect and typically those guys do well in the league. There was guy on the radio, draft guru talking up the South Carolina LB, with all the trouble tackling it sounds like he'll be a welcomed addition. Then same dude said he thought Guard from Georgia would be day 1 starter. At the end of the day the Golden and Peters have to get young guys in a position to produce which was always going to be the case IF they extend Burrow, Chase, Higgins. It will be this way going forward in the immediate short term young players in spot needing to produce. See what happens.

A draft expert fellow was on the radio this weekend. Supposedly this guy is trained in the O-line martial arts that the new O-line teaches. He thought Dylan would be a day 1 starter at LG. Suggested this was the new O-line's top pick or something to that effect.

If they are making that admission this early then they targeted the Georgia Guard and were gambling to get him. Volson probably gets a shot at RG. Dalton Risner is probably hoping the stock market recovers because his NFL paycheck days might be over.

Fairchild did not allow a sack in two years. Great. Reread the analysis of the first round pick. College game is making it hard to produce sacks.

I would give this draft so far a solid D. They've hit the positions but too much having to read a bunch film nerd crap to understand it. Classic off the beaten path draft which will get bad reviews but sometimes works out.

I've considered changing my screen name to "guard" so I can get blown by this board all year long. Not a whole lot of reaction so far but it will come so to speak

ALL SEC draft so far.

More D. Hopefully a 2nd DL.

Golden's draft. He loves the pick. I guess that's all that matters until its gets proven one way or the other on the field. Wasn't on my radar so I'll read up a little.