2021 NFL Draft

[membengal]

 

[membengal]

 

[membengal]

 

[membengal]

 

[membengal]

 

[TJJackson]

so near as I can tell, Mem is either in love with Chase or is Goodberry's publicist :-)

or both

you never know :-)

[membengal]

def on first and I would on the second if given a shot. Goodberry is so good at this. 

Also, choose your fighter. Devonta Smith on left, Justin Jefferson in middle, Chase on right - does this pic make anyone do a double take on the Smith-is-too-small take? Justin Jefferson and Smith look a LOT alike in build.

Also, Ja'Marr Chase looks effin' built for the AFC North...

 

[membengal]

If it were possible to marry a mock, this is my betrothed...

https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-mock-draft-atlanta-falcons-trade-up-for-qb-justin-fields-denver-broncos-acquire-deshaun-watson

5. CINCINNATI BENGALS: WR JA’MARR CHASE, LSU
The city of Cincinnati — the home of PFF HQ — and I have some strong disagreements about taking Penei Sewell with the fifth overall pick no matter what. It's not because I don’t think that Penei Sewell will have success at the next level, but rather because I think that Chase's ceiling is significantly more valuable than that of an offensive tackle. The Bengals have a clear path to fix their offensive line in free agency, and this would reunite one of the best QB-WR connections in college football history.

The former LSU receiver opted out of the 2020 season but was dominant alongside Burrow and Justin Jefferson in 2019. Chase and Burrow teamed up for more deep catches (24) and touchdowns (14) than any other QB-WR connection in the PFF College era in their championship run in 2019. Chase still ranked second among all college wide receivers over the last two seasons in total explosive receptions of 15-plus yards against single coverage despite not even playing this year. He was that good.

Chase’s physicality and release package are NFL-ready, and those two strengths equated to massive success against press coverage. Since 2019, Chase ranks first in total receiving yards against press coverage, with 1,048. Again, he did not play a down this season. He easily has the potential to become one of the best wide receivers in the game.

38. CINCINNATI BENGALS: T TEVEN JENKINS, OKLAHOMA STATE
The ideal scenario for the Bengals’ offensive line this offseason would be the following: 1) Bring guard Joe Thuney back home in free agency, 2) sign a low-cost right tackle in free agency, such as Matt Feiler or Kelvin Beachum, to a one- or two-year deal and 3) draft a right tackle with the 38th overall pick. Burrow will be protected and prospering when he returns from injury if Cincy obliges.

Jenkins was a mainstay on the Pokes’ offensive line over the past three years and performed at a high level in each campaign. The lack of true pass sets Oklahoma State tasked him with is a bit of a concern. Just 128 of his 946 snaps in the past three years were a true pass set. That said, Jenkins posted an elite 90.0 pass-blocking grade on those snaps, which would have been the best at the position had he played enough snaps to qualify.

On top of that, Jenkins also posted the second-best run-block grade among right tackles over the course of that span. He has the upper-body strength to handle NFL edge rushers. The only concern is Jenkins' shorter arm length, which — as PFF lead draft analyst Mike Renner detailed in his tackle rankings — could move him inside at the next level. Either way, the Bengals could use a guy like Jenkins.

[TJJackson]

The bigger question is this: How did someone manage to get those three together and to pose for that picture?  

I kinda get it if thats a alma mater get together but those three didnt all attend the same school

I'm counting on CoB to find an appropriate take on it

also, the new Mrs Membengal has Sewell falling to 11 and, uhm, Mac FuckingJones at 8.  Gonna say it again, Mac Fucking Jones at 8.  And Smith taken ahead of your best man at the wedding (Chase).  I get that you sleep with her every night and all, but man, dude, c'mon, she has a few screws loose.

[membengal]

I think that pic was from May last year, maybe. 

 

Also, I am all for injecting as much helium into Mac Jones as is possible. Only benefits Cincy. 

Regardless, Chase and Jenkins in first two rounds would be absolutely ideal. 

[COB]

I want Sewell (assuming we don’t address o-line in FA), and we should make an attempt to get Micah Parsons.  He’s incredible, and seems to have been somehow forgotten.  As was stated about Chase, dude is built for the AFC North.

[TJJackson]

a mostly gawdawful mock from Matt Miller/SBNation

https://www.cincyjungle.com/2021/2/22/22291230/bengals-7-round-mock-draft-penei-sewell-amari-rodgers

[membengal]

 

[membengal]

Another take on Chase and a really interesting comp...

 

[Wraith]

I am still at fine if we draft any of the following three.  

In order of preference:

Sewell

Chase

Pitts

Anyone else and I will start throwing things at the TV.

Btw. Starting to see folks mocking my dream draft which is Sewell in rd. 1 Dickerson in rd. 2 and any combination of Elijah Moore, Terence Marshall, or Dyami Brown in rd. 3.  My official 2021 draft philosophy is "f*ck the defense we are going to build this thing around Burrow" all-offense unless someone spectacular falls to us.

[TJJackson]

Dickerson wasn't even a name I'd heard in round 2 (or even 3) til today

Gonna have to do some research.  edit:  did some research, not a deep dive, but half dozen sources read.  Seems like a HUGE injury risk.  Most seem to have him rated in the 3rd/4th round, and given the health concerns, I'd actually want to wait til even later to take him despite clearly evident talent.  I do wanna ask tho, Wraith: do you see him as a OG or a OC?

I'm not all-offense, personally - I am all New Guy. 

theres a difference. 

I want him pass protected #1, and with wide open targets and/or a great running game #2.

in the unlikely event that we gain immediate success, yeah, that kinda sorta looks the same as being all-offense

[TJJackson]

After reading about Dickerson, I decided to read about some of the other OLs I didn't know much about

so.....Jackson Carman

I had no idea that he is from Cincinnati....specifically Fairfield, which for those of you not in Cincy is a suburb on the northern edge of Cincinnati and not 3 miles from where I lived as a teen

Seems like a pretty darn good OG (tho he played OLT at Clemson) prospect in round 3 or later

[Wraith]

Starting as a guard.  6'6" 325, absolutely mauls in the running game, he was so respected by Alabama's coaches and players that they brought him on to play the final down of the nat'l championship.  Team captain, student of the game...graded out better than 91 by PFF last year playing against a ton of NFL caliber players.  Is an injury risk but his ACL should be healed by training camp.

An offensive line of Sewell at LT, Thuney at LG, Hopkins at C, Dickerson at RG, and Jonah at RT would be incredible and would set us up with a spectacular line for the entirety of Burrows rookie contract.

As for waiting DJ and PFF have Dickerson rated in their top 50.  I haven't run a mock sim with Dickerson landing to our selection in the 3rd in a month and have recently been seeing him occasionally landing in the late first.  Without the ACL he would be the first IOL off the board.

Here is a good write-up by Dane Brugler.

https://theathletic.com/2378777/2021/02/11/nfl-mock-draft-zach-wilson-justin-fields-trey-lance?source=user-shared-article

[TJJackson]

it appears to be paywalled

76th rated on CBSSports: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospect-rankings/  

yeah, I am sure that the current injury is factored into that, and he's a much better player than that ranking if uninjured 

I personally tend to not want guys who are currently injured taken before round 4 or 5 regardless of talent level - the best ability being availability as Lap sometimes says.

[membengal]

10 hours ago, TJJackson said:

After reading about Dickerson, I decided to read about some of the other OLs I didn't know much about

so.....Jackson Carman

I had no idea that he is from Cincinnati....specifically Fairfield, which for those of you not in Cincy is a suburb on the northern edge of Cincinnati and not 3 miles from where I lived as a teen

Seems like a pretty darn good OG (tho he played OLT at Clemson) prospect in round 3 or later

You should read the profiles of the top 10 at T and G. There are  a TON of good prospects. This is a deep draft at those positions. 

[TJJackson]

l'll freely admit that I have been far more focused on replacing Booby Fucking worthless ass Hart offensive right tackles than guards

However, I've already started researching the Guards....a little late to the game, but still

Reading up on Trey Smith right now

[AMPHAR]

As the evaluations continue and the smoke screens progress.  The Bengals obvious need for OL help is what is holding Sewell or in the rare case Slater in the top 5, IMO.  

My A+++ draft with some assumptions.

Pitts or Chase at 5.   IMO,  Chase will be off the board.   So that leave Pitts.   Once the Bengals address OL with FA then I think that will settle Sewell in the mocks out of the top 5 somewhere lower in the top 10.

Then I would love a selection of Marshall in the 2nd.    Of course if it flips Pitts is taken before 5 then Chase would be excellent.

A Pitts/Marshall combo added with Higgins/Boyd/Sample give Burrow various targets.   An adequate line would excel with these mismatches along with Gio and Mixon. 

Marshall at 37 is a pipe dream probably.

 

[Wraith]

I don't think Marshall at 37 is a pipe dream....right now on most boards Terrence Marshall, JR is the seventh or eight WR behind Chase, Waddle, Smith, Rondale Moore, Rashad Bateman, Elijah Moore, and Kadarius Toney.  I would be shocked if seven WRs go before our selection in the second round.  In the last 5 drafts, only once has there been more than 6 WRs go before #37 (last year).  If someone does grab Marshall early there is like one of the previous 7 available or someone like Dyami Brown from UNC who would fit the Bengals nicely.

you could still grab good linemen in the 3rd or 4th of this years draft.

I love James Hudson from UC and there is a fair chance he is available to us in the 3rd.  Quinn Meinerz from UW-Whitewater really impressed at the senior bowl and might be there at our pick in the 4th, Trey Smith from Tennesee might also still be available.  It is possible to get starter quality oline in the 3rd or the 4th rounds.  I have said it before, if I am running the Bengals I have a multiple hour meeting with Burrow and Taylor and map all the strategies out with their input.  This draft makes or breaks our ability to compete during Burrow's rookie contract and so it is more important than ever to get this right and make sure we are in lockstep.  also given that Burrow played with or against alot of these players his insight here would be incredibly valuable.

Really, after Hudson the starting caliber tackles are gone.....PFF has him at #77 but the 13th Tackle on the board.  IMHO there is no way 13 tackles go off the board before our pick in the third and whether it is Mayfield from Michigan or Eichenberg from Notre Dame, or the Fairfield kid from Clemson (Carman), or even Alex Leatherwood from Alabama (who appears to be dropping on draft boards) they are all great options.  If you go hard after skill players in the first two rounds to ensure Joey has all the weapons he needs you then absolutely need to make sure your third round pick is one of the tackles because all the starters will very likely be gone by the time we pick in the fourth.

I believe we need to walk out of this draft with a starting caliber tackle AND a starting caliber Right Guard.  That said both positions are very deep.  All the way down to Tommy Kraemer from Notre Dame who right now is #194 on PFF's draft board carry potentially starting caliber grades.  Also with Guards and Centers, fewer will go in the first three rounds so it will probably be easier for one of those guys to slip to us in the fourth.

Whether it is Sewell and Davis in the first two rounds or Hudson and Trey Smith in rounds 3 and 4, serious draft capital needs to be spent on this draft to make sure we do not repeat last year's disaster.  

[TJJackson]

New Guy must be protected

M U S T

FA might cover 2 years

Drafted players get you 4 years.

New Guy must be protected in years 3 and 4 same as years 1 and 2

Yes, we do need a receiver.....but IMO we need the blockers right now much more than we need receivers.  its not even close.

[membengal]

There is FA in a few years too, btw.