Grade Our Draft

[COB]

I know it’s early.  But let’s just hear it.

i give it an A minus.

 The Bengals went off their script and took a couple guys based on potential.  Mims obviously needs to stay healthy (and even if he does, endurance is going to be an issue, I think he’ll about collapse like week 12 or whatever).  But his upside if things go right - home fucking run.

Same with Burton.  Dude has to overcome his mercurial nature.  But if he does, he could be a very good receiver.  
 

Neither of those picks are guys we’d have taken in the last few years.  Jenkins is the prototype.  Has played a lot, big program, super solid character.  He’ll play, he’ll be a contributor.  And this is not a knock on our normal methodology, but this dude just has a ceiling.  
 

I’m very excited to watch these draftees develop, and I love this draft.  
 

Why the A minus and not a straight A?  Because I’m fore and again hard.  I’m not trifling out here.

[TJJackson]

F

[Stripes]

I’m fine with it. I do not object to the strategy of gambling on risky players with high upside.

I think they picked the right positions in the rounds where that makes any difference (about 1-4).

Rounds 5-7 may produce some practice squad candidates, which is what they always do. I am completely okay with all of them maybe other than the safety (and he may not necessarily even play safety).

There’s no single pick that particularly activates my sex. I’m not getting randy. But I don’t have ED either. I’m, as ever expected, whelmed. I trust this staff for the most part.

I guess that’s a B.

A ranking of how much I liked each pick…

Matt Lee > Erick All > Amarius Mims > Jermaine Burton > Kris Jenkins > McKinley Jackson > Josh Newton > Cedric Johnson > Tanner McLachlan > Daijahn Anthony

[HoosierCat]

I’ll give it A, for whatever grades the day after the draft are worth.

Mims will be first off the bench at either tackle spot, and heir apparent to Trent Brown.

Jenkins and Jackson will both be immediate contributors on a d line that could not stop the run to save its life last season.

Burton is an immediate upgrade in the slot.

All is the second-best TE in this draft when healthy and McLaughlin’s hands are made of glue.

And they may have stolen their center of the future in the seventh.

The rest all have great upside.

Yup, good freakin’ draft.

[ArmyBengal]

This is going to be one of my longer posts for sure, because I don't recall being so disappointed in a draft in many years.

#18. Amarius Mims, OT- I get the concerns, but love this pick still.  He's not expected to start week 1 and has time to heal, learn and god forbid get stronger than he already is.  I've mentioned this before, the only true alternative to this pick was Brian Thomas Jr., who few really wanted at all.  With Zac now actually saying Dax is a part of the CB group, there is no room for CB and I had already ruled that out long ago, as we knew how the story ended. Maybe an edge guy, but that would have made me more irritated than almost any position regardless of the need for pass rushers.  I didn't like Verse, hated Fautanu (see Guard) and no one else was rated that highly.

#49. Kris Jenkins, DT- Here's where things went off the track for me.  LISTEN THOUGH.  It has NOTHING to do with Jenkins.  I think he's a fine player that will probably do well here.  It has everything to do with the Bengals have 9 more picks to make at this point, knowing most of them probably weren't going to make an impact.  Coleman, NEWTON, Polk, SWEAT, Fiske, DeJean, McKinstry, and one of my favorites, Center Jackson-Powers, were all there with Jackson-Powers getting within FIVE FUCKING picks of us.  2nd round people.  Now, make the damned move up and get ANY of those guys.  Now CB, WR, and certainly a 1st round talent like Jackson-Powers should have been made a priority.  Just get it fucking done.  I don't hate the player, I hate their stupid philosophy of thinking "patience pays off".  In this instance I think they were clearly wrong and fucked up.  I would easily give up three of the players we got for Jackson-Powers.  Anyone here that wouldn't have done that?

#80. Jermaine Burton, WR- I have no issue with the position or the player picked.  Actually really like Burton, but he has come real behavior issues going on.  Like he needs a shrink issues for real.  Watch his highlights.  You can see it.  Kicking people, the taunting at every given chance, the fighting.  Just calm the fuck down already and let your talent do the speaking.  However, this was yet another example of "Who else was on the board".  Coleman and Beebe would have been nice additions at the OG position when considering Volson still needs development and Cappa is going to be a free agent.  Not as egregious as round two and happy to have Burton's talent.

#97. Mckinnley Jackson, DT- Thought they might double up the position and don't really have concerns with Jackson to be honest.  I liked Puni as an OG and really like Elijah Jones the CB out of Boston College right there.  For me, this is about the time DE would have been on my radar and I like Jalyx Hunt here as well.  Again, no real issue with Jackson.

#115. Erick All, TE- I don't care.  I didn't like this pick very much at all.  Two season ending injuries in the last two years.  If this was going to be the first tight end they selected I would have MUCH preferred Cade Stover, who was still on the board.  Routing for him, like all the others, but wasn't pleased with this pick.  Hope he's a sleeper that actually makes his way to stardom.  We could use some of that.  TJ Tampa still being on the board at this point really made this pick irritating to me. 8th rated CB, but instead we take an 11th ranked injury prone TE.  UGH !!

149. Josh Newton, CB- ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? I mean, the entire kitchen counter appliance, sugar, flour and a mixed variety or bowls and glasses were almost thrown through the house.  You pass on TJ Tampa and then take a CB who is ranked the 25th CB in the draft.  Just unreal to me.  It's not the pick, IT'S THE KID.  OH MY GOD STILL PISSED. Trade up a handful of picks and get Cam Hart for Christ's sake.

194. Tanner McClachlan, TE- Ok, I can get behind this one.  I like him MUCH more than the ALL kid taken two rounds earlier.  Really one of my happier moments over the course of the draft.  Big kid who can run, catch and block.  Really surprised he was there in the 6th round.

214. Cedric Johnson, EDGE- No real issue with this young man either. Love his backstory and how hard of a worker he is.  Hope he continues that at the pro level.  Would have preferred Jalyx Hunt earlier though or even the center out of Arkansas, Limmer who went a few picks later.

224. Daijahn Anthony, S-  Guess we needed to add another safety to an already jammed back position group.  Zac said he was a safety with us.  I liked other players that were available better and didn't think we needed a safety in the least.

237. Matt Lee, C-  No issue with the kid or the position at the end of the 7th round.  He will probably be the backup center, but that could have been filled by a player that was rated MUCH higher and if needed to come in due to injury would not have given my many concerns.  
 

OVERALL GRADE - "C"

In now order, I liked the players Mims, Jenkins, Burton, McClachlan and Lee.  I hammered them for the All, Newton and Anthony picks.
Again, while liking some, I have not been this disappointed in a draft in more than 5 years and probably longer.
That's hard for someone like me who watches a ton of college football and looks forward to adding players to my favorite team.

 

 

 

[HoosierCat]

Here’s pff…

Quote

CINCINNATI BENGALS: B+

1 (18): T Amarius Mims, Georgia

2 (49): DI Kris Jenkins, Michigan

3 (80): WR Jermaine Burton, Alabama

3 (96): DI McKinnley Jackson, Texas A&M

4 (115): TE Erick All, Iowa

5 (149): CB Josh Newton, TCU

6 (194): TE Tanner McLachlan, Arizona

6 (214): EDGE Cedric Johnson, Ole Miss

7 (224): S Daijahn Anthony, Ole Miss

7 (237): C Matt Lee, Miami Fl. 

Mims — Cincinnati beefs up its pass protection in front of Joe Burrow by adding the massive Mims. He’s a fantastic athlete for his size but struggled with injuries at Georgia. Regardless, he allowed just six quarterback pressures across 402 career pass-blocking snaps and should start very soon, as Trent Brown is only a short-term solution at right tackle.

Jenkins — Jenkins is arguably the pound-for-pound strongest player in the draft. His 87.2 run-defense grade since 2022 ranked fifth among Power Five interior defenders, while his 82.7 PFF grade in 2023 ranked third among Big Ten interior defenders. Jenkins lacks length and an ideal pass-rush package, but his power alone will have him on the field on Sundays.

Burton — Despite sliding a bit due to some off-field concerns, Burton has a three-level skill set with great explosiveness and impressive ball skills. He didn’t drop any of his 57 targets this past season and could be a solid complement to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins from Day 1 due to his downfield playmaking ability.

Jackson — Jackson projects as a nose or three-technique in a 4-3 defensive scheme because he excels as a one-gap penetrator. He’s limited by a lack of length, but that didn’t stop him from racking up 34 run stops since 2022 (third-most in the SEC) with 14 of them for no gain or loss (fifth in the SEC). He’ll need to learn to hold up to double team blocks and develop a pass-rush repertoire, but he can be successful in a rotation.

All — The Bengals find a potential long-term starter in the fourth round, with All ranking as the third-best tight end on the PFF big board. His 2.62 yards per route in 2023 ranked second among draft-eligible tight ends.

Newton — Ranking 12th among Big-12 cornerbacks, Newton earned an 87.7 PFF grade combined over the past two seasons. Across 413 coverage snaps last year, he allowed just one touchdown.

McLachlan — The Bengals doubled up on tight ends by adding the safe-handed McLachlan. He didn’t drop a single pass from 45 catchable targets in 2023. His 530 receiving yards and four touchdowns were both career highs.

Johnson — Johnson has a solid size-speed combination for an edge defender this late in the draft and offered solid production in his final season in college. From 850 pass-rushing snaps over the past three seasons, he racked up 107 quarterback pressures, including 13 sacks.

Anthony — Anthony allowed just one touchdown across 394 coverage snaps in 2023. Opposing quarterbacks managed a passer rating of just 54.7 when targeting him in coverage.

Lee — Lee was exceptional in 2023 with the Hurricanes, ranking 10th among FBS centers in PFF grade (79.1). He didn’t allow a single sack on 414 pass-blocking snaps, and his 89.1 PFF pass-blocking grade ranked third among FBS centers. Lee is well worth a swing here for the Bengals, a team that continues to find value late in the draft.

 

[Stripes]

I'm glad they took All over Stover. All has a higher chance of being a bust given his injuries, but I think he also has a considerably better chance of being a difference maker. Stover is the definition of "just a guy" to me.

[COB]

That PFF write up mskes be want to really investigate the center from Miami.  3rd in pass blocking among college centers?  Damn.

[volcom69]

I can agree with PFF a solid B or even an A depending. This was a boom or bust draft for sure, there are a bunch of guys that can be a strong starters down the road. Just hopefully the guys stay healthy, and don’t act up and i think it will be a good draft. Like every draft you just never know

[ArmyBengal]

This draft sucks my ass

[TJJackson]

2 hours ago, ArmyBengal said:

This draft sucks my ass

Mine as well, Army

[Stripes]

It’s also perfectly legal to dislike the draft. We’re all guessing anyway.

[GapControl]

Except for DT, Bengals do seem to have swung for the fences in this draft.  I like it , fuck it , why not us ?  

[ArmyBengal]

I get it, it’s the ebb and flow of the draft. I had anticipated them being more aggressive and they were not. Maybe I should have tempered my expectation, but I couldn’t envision them adding 10 more guys to the roster knowing many would make next to zero impact.

I don’t like it, I’m not going to change that perspective, but I do get it. As always, wishing those players and the team luck in 2024.

Moving on…

[Stripes]

I would have also preferred a trade up. It'd be nice to know what they tried to do, because obviously any draft trade requires a partner. They might have made the attempt. And, it's fair that some trades that reach into next year (e.g., dumping a 2025 2nd rounder to move up in the 3rd round) is a lot to swallow.

[ArmyBengal]

I get needing a partner for sure. That isn’t lost on me at all. However there were an absolute assload of trades before they went in the clock in the 2nd and the prices were far from what I considered steep. I view that as a missed opportunity. 

Honestly, that’s my biggest knock on this draft. For a team so close, quality over quantity should have been the recurring theme.

[HoosierCat]

50 minutes ago, Stripes said:

I would have also preferred a trade up. It'd be nice to know what they tried to do, because obviously any draft trade requires a partner. They might have made the attempt. And, it's fair that some trades that reach into next year (e.g., dumping a 2025 2nd rounder to move up in the 3rd round) is a lot to swallow.

From Hobson’s reporting on the .com, which for once is pretty revealing, a couple things are clear.

One, they were dialed in on DT in the second, and their board with Murphy gone was 2. Newton 3. Jenkins. Or at the very least Jenkins was the last DT they were willing to grab at 49.

Two, they were not willing to trade up if it cost them one of the thirds.

So if they tried to find a partner, it does not seem like they tried very hard. Personally I don’t think they tried at all. I would have been more aggressive, we will just have to see how it goes.

[COB]

Reasonable minds can differ on these matters.  One thing we can all agree on - that FA punter needs to come through.  The guy from Michigan sucked last year.  
 

We should have grabbed punt god once he paid off all his victims and was cleared.  
 

Instead we got semi-mortal punt demigod or whatever this kid is from tech.  Hopefully he comes through or Robbins somehow finds it in the off season.

My draft shirt arrived today.

[AMPHAR]

Put this draft as a C+.

1. Don't like the first pick and it has nothing to do with the prospect.  Its the fact he was the 5th tackle taken.  So I doubt he was their prime OT candidate and it seems like they took the best of what was left.   I don't like "Boom or Bust" being associated with any Bengal first rounder.   I hate even more dealing with OL because they have taken safer picks and still got "bust".    It feels like they've gone opposite what they've done in past years, usually taking safer picks in the 1st round.    The last time I think they went out on a limb was Ross.  Ced and Fisher weren't "Boom or Bust" they were deemed safe picks and they got big fat nothing out of each that pretty much shut the window on the Dalton/Green/Lewis era.   With the pick of Mims, they are cutting 2 tackles they drafted or could find a way to play or moving them to guard.   Didn't even get to a 4th season.   Then you got Billy Price, Jordan that couldn't get to a 4th season or less.  Its been pitiful.

2. Love the 2nd day entirely or I'd have this a "D" draft.   Jenkins perfect.  Glad they got him.  Sure I would have loved Newton more.    Burton and Jackson, I think are great picks and I think all 3 could earn snaps early portion of the season.   I doubt any start without bad news.

3. The rest - Have no idea.  Very interested in how the TE group shakes out.  I imagine there's a pup designation in play or practice squad.   The later picks are probably practice squad deals.   Not sure they can beat out any secondary or bottom DL right now.

 

As with any draft they get "Boom" with Mims and this is A+ all the way. 

 

[ArmyBengal]

Thinking through this a little more...

I think they are going to have a great season once it gets started.
I just don't care what happens until they get there, as long as everyone is healthy.

They blew an opportunity in my opinion.  I typically give them a pretty large cushion when it comes to drafting and I don't feel that this year.

If Mims doesn't start a single game this season because Trent Brown has been great and remained healthy, that will be fine with me.
I expect to see Jenkins get many snaps and I expect him to be a solid contributor.
I think Burton is going to have the same shot as anyone else on the roster for snaps and will be fun to watch if he doesn't implode.
Jackson should be a part of the rotation as well and I won't complain about that.

I have zero expectations for picks in rounds 4-7 this year, but am realistically hopeful for both McClachlan and Lee.
Newton can go hang on some nuts.  Haven't hated a pick as much as that one in some time.  Don't care that it was a 5th rounder.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!

[ArmyBengal]

So, in a way too early thought of what the 2025 draft priorities will be:

Karras and Hill are both free agents and Karras will be 32 going on 33.  Our 7th rounder this year will be it.
Hendrickson and Gunter will both be free agents and we better see something more from Murphy this season or this will be the #1 priority.
I think Dax will take over the nickel CB spot with Hilton becoming a free agent and getting older, but CB is always a need.
4 DT's will be free agents with BJ Hill leading that group.  We drafted two, but could use more here.
We should have looked at a OG at some point in this draft as 3 will be free agents.
Depending on how they look at Ossai, linebackers could be in line for picks with 4 free agents there.
We have two RB with Chris Evans and Trayveon Williams both up for free agency.
The OT group is losing 3, WR's are losing 5 with Higgins and Trenton leading the way and then both Giesicki and Hudson both free agents.

Call it:
C, DE, and OT as the top three to consider for the 2025 draft.
Honorable mention is CB.

[HoosierCat]

Hendrickson is signed through 2025. That’s what he’s beefing about now.

[ArmyBengal]

Yep, forgot about that.

[AMPHAR]

Don't get me wrong, I would have loved Newton.    But I like the total package of Jenkins, Burton and Jackson better.     Pass rushing DT will be a high priority unless Jenkins show some skill because right now he's a run specialist.    

Also keep in mind this is based on Lou's scheme.   So is Lou staying put?  He works in a true NT along with a 3 tech pass rusher.  He has a lot of mixture of 3-4 and 4-3 fronts.

 

 

[TJJackson]

Id be willing to drive up to Kent to get Hendrickson a half pound beef and cheddar if that'd help

Ill deliver one to Vijay Singh as well while I am up there