AMPHAR

Perine is a big upgrade in short yardage. They'll still need better blocking. There's a couple DEs I'd be more than comfortable taking at 17. However, DT/DE have positional depth AND its odd typing this, both those positions don't have a clear path to being active on game day much less snaps. Now if the guy is a standout and jolts to the top of the depth chart that's great. But with injuries last year they were keeping at least 1 DL inactive on gameday. A more healthy roster plus the vets they probably can find a similar graded player at 17 that has a bigger path to snaps. Safety, maybe. Obviously G which would be best to grab a OT and play them at G for a year or 2.

You tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curve ball? -

IMPACT? Well depends on what you personally judge as making an impact, but below are the DL/LB hybrid top guys from previous year with percent of snaps, and sacks. By and large the opinions of this year's crop as a whole has it a better and deeper vs. 2024. 1. Byron Murphy 11 - 40% snaps, .5 sack 2. Johnny Newton - 47% snaps, 2 sack 3. Braden Fiske - 60% snaps, 8.5 sacks 4. Dallas Turner - 26% snaps, 3 sacks 5. Jared Verse - 75% snaps, 4.5 sacks 6. Chop Robinson 53% snaps, 6 sacks 7. Kris Jenkins, 44% snaps, 3 sacks. Rams got the most out of their 2 front seven picks (Fiske and Verse). All these guys were mid 1st/2nd rounder types. Of course got to factor in scheme, injury, roster make up. With the Bengals, I think any pick in the first 4 rounds at DT or DE would mirror a 40% snap count 3-4 sacks at Best. That's with the assumption of Trey extension. They are going to have to fend off Trey, Ossai, Murphy, Sample at DE. DT - Hill, Jenkins, Slaton, Jackson. So there's a bigger potential of IMPACT at Safety. OT/G. (Assuming any OT would play inside first), IMO. I do feel like not getting 2 DL from this draft would be disappointing.

Vikings had $70m of dead cap when they did JJ deal. Mainly dealing with Kirk Cousins. That was about 27% or 28% of the cap. In that year. That forced them to push more cap in the back years with JJ. Which could present a problem for them in 2027/2028 Where as the Bengals got two WRs under contract and probably only have 1 problematic year with Chase (but also $40m of potential cap savings). That's the advantage of dead cap elimination. Rapien or whoever's rants are idiotic because 1st they need drama to get views 2nd you have to pay attention and reconcile numbers which they probably don't have the skills to do so to recognize multi year cap strategy. Finally the Bengals could sign a handful of FAs with the cap room they have now without cap gymnastics. Cap room isn't an issue. Its probably most likely the guys available are only going to become options as the price goes down OR they don't get the guys they wanted in the draft. Its a little clearer when you realize the the franchise is trying to win instead of buying into the cheap narrative.

They are idiots. Bengals don't have 20% of the cap used up in dead cap. Thus the Bengals don't need to push cash paid this year into future years. The trade off is having Chase/Higgins in reasonable situations in the outer years. For example: The Higgins deal will allow them to get out of the contract after 2 years. IF they don't Higgins is only a $32m cap hit in year 3 and $36 year 4. So you basically got a two year deal with a injury plagued player none of the cap hits are not unmanageable in his deal. If he has his two best years they can keep for a 3rd. If he's only 60% of snaps played they can move on from him. That's the trade off the Bengals can evaluate Higgins's roster spot more on merit vs. an unreasonable cap hit years 3/4. They are married to him for 2 years. This is not hard to figure out and I can say that because its exactly what I posted on here several times. The ideal contract for Higgins was something they could get out of after 2 years without major cap implications because he has had trouble staying on the field. Quit listening to uninformed agenda driven social media. They are never going to say the reality because it is boring and boring don't drive people out there to watch their videos.

Vet. Nothing exciting. But I'd rather go cheap at G vs. cheap on pass rush. So hopefully this a coupled with a Trey return. PFF grades pass the smell test. Although I think those are highly overrated. Don't like that he's coming from low tier QB troubled offenses that aren't know high level passing attacks. Because that's what the Bengals are and that's what he'll be in IF he signs up for duty.

I think Trey will end up back in Cincinnati and I think the only alternative would be some sort of decent trade package if he isn't.

OT - Mims, Brown, Cochran, ? G - Ford, Volson, ?,? C - Karras, Lee So realistic 3 spots open. There's 4 guys on the roster that are no names right now. So I think you'll get some additions before the draft. I think.

Didn't watch the first one. I will probably watch this one. Maybe it helps Burrow get that Arbys endorsement? Or Jimmy Johns.

They were probably the best team in the 2nd half of 2022. Losing 3 starters on the o-line was enough to sway that AFC Champ game. The secondary reboot simply has not taken hold. There's a bunch of premium picks on that defense. IF they all end up striking out, then that is what will be the window closer for Burrow/Chase era. I think all remain with the team except for Zac Carter. It can even be argued the potential FA adds instead of Higgins would not have mattered its all about getting those picks performing.

I meant Grant.

damn it. I was hoping for a Miami trip.

Caught an interview with Al wasn't sure if this was pre or post Chase/Higgins news. He'll run a 4-2 nickel as base. Of course, gave some sound bites about being unpredictable/flexible in alignment. Certainly sounded like he was planning on having Trey. Also IF he thinks the secondary sucks, well you might not want to play poker with him because he sounds confident in what they are going to do. One key point was getting bigger in the middle DL. That way you could attempt to defend the run with a light box more often. So maybe this cuts down on BJ Hill snaps? Gets him back to more pass rush? Maybe puts Mason Graham on the radar at 17 which I thought he was more NT vs. 3-Tech pass rusher?

The agent admitted the Garrett deal had no impact. They were pretty much at the number in January. In reality the Crosby and Garrett deals were bringing them up to the market Justin Jefferson and Cee Dee set in the summer. With Garrett's funny money on the end and Chase's reported AAV. Get kinda of nervous that these two (Tee/Chase) will be back in contract talks in 2 or 3 years.

Garrett's deal is a functional 4yr $125m deal. $80m in the last two years bringing total length and value to 6yr $204m. None of it equals $40m a year. He may have gotten new years and money that equaled $40m a year but seems like creative accounting. Reported AAVs are agent serving. Just something to keep in mind when thinking about the potential Chase and Tee cap hits.

By the way the hot take that the Bengals cost themselves money doesn't appear to be the case. Justin Jefferson contract pays him more actual money in the first 4 years than Myles Garrett. $126m vs. $125m Garrett's AAV is pumped up by the last 2 years which highly likely he never sees. We'll see what Chase collects his first 4 years and how its structured but there was no drastic price increase in terms of real money. If the Bengals pay drastically more in the first 4 years its was because they are nice people. Unless the hacks locally and nationally recognize this, don't pay attention to their newer hot takes.

FA after the first days always slows down. I would question why cut Cappa so soon IF they don't make an offer to a replacement? So I hope something is a brewing.

The CTB interception vs. the Chiefs is an example of his potential. I thought he played a solid game and was hopeful something big was on the horizon. Then again there were too many times he was beat in split seconds off the line. Carolina was a bad bad game for him. Dax Hill, I have always thought had Pro Bowl potential. I think he's a guy you can put in several spots in the secondary and really hopeful he can establish himself.

The ole Marvin saying "I see better than I hear" or whatever. I tend to blame Lou. There was just too much up and down, benchings, communication blaming etc. Not saying they are All-Pros but there's either massive draft misses or a world of potential in the secondary room. We'll see,I guess, have no idea what to expect from the group because they certainly didn't develop into anything last year.

Pac has always had a way with words.

Murphy is a bust, IMO. It didn't appear he entered last year's TC ready to go. He was running with the scrubs early in TC and the only reason he made it out was due to injury. Then as the season went along after he returned from injury he started making a few plays, no sacks. He needs a sharp turn around.

With the assumption Trey stays. That gives them what 8 DL? I think they got a spot at DT and DE open. The prospects in this draft are rated high. They need to at least get 1 if not 2 in the first 4 rounds.

There's plenty. Nick Wright has commented against it. Unsportsmanlike has as well. That's fine. I think it is a legit points. However, when they were calling the Bengals "cheap" that point of view was muffled or absolutely not brought up at all. There were plenty of reasons not to sign Higgins and commit cap dollars to him. Yet when they tagged him it was "cheap". They were shamed nationally. Joe Burrow should ask for a trade etc. Tee Higgins can't repeat that past two years, IMO, for this to work at the highest level. Which has been about getting Joe a second bite at a Superbowl.

Trey comes off to be All about his sacks. But there's a bunch of defensive players publically hoping he comes back. I'm hoping it happens.

Defense of course but on a higher level its finishing games. For example they were in control a bunch in Baltimore then Chase Brown fumbles, they let a dude dash down a sideline for a TD, bad calls or no calls etc. That story repeats itself a bunch the past two seasons and its realistic because the margin they've missed the playoffs has been so slim.