2025 Draft Talking Points

[COB]

10 hours ago, AMPHAR said:

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.

 

 

I’m really surprised guard is suddenly in play in the top 3.  Defense seemed to have earned the premium picks this year with their shit show performance last fall.  

[HoosierCat]

It’s one pick out of three. Since 2021 they’ve used 9 top 3 picks on defense, that would make it 11. So they’ve literally drafted a whole new defense, not even counting FAs. If we want the d to be better, the key will be if Golden can get more out of all that alleged talent. If one of this year’s picks turns out to be a gem, that’s icing on the cake.

[AMPHAR]

15 hours ago, COB said:

I’m really surprised guard is suddenly in play in the top 3.  Defense seemed to have earned the premium picks this year with their shit show performance last fall.  

Just a guess.   My guess is one or more of the tackles is on their target list at 17.   Brown has 2 years, entering his 30s, and has had injury issues popping up.  They've had OT injuries just about every year.

A OT draft pick could do the following: Improve guard (play OT draftee there immediately), add to OT depth,  plan for future.

Maybe that's why they've halted guard FA search.  Signing a starter at guard takes a spot this OT prospect could use.   Then you are looking at drafting a guy that doesn't get on the field at 17.

I'd say Safety is another spot in which a first rounder has an opportunity to get on the field.

DL- its a mucher tougher battle. 

Then in the later rounds they could look for a pure guard.  But there's only  1 spot among the OL group right now open maybe 2.  

 

 

 

[COB]

12 hours ago, AMPHAR said:

Just a guess.   My guess is one or more of the tackles is on their target list at 17.   Brown has 2 years, entering his 30s, and has had injury issues popping up.  They've had OT injuries just about every year.

A OT draft pick could do the following: Improve guard (play OT draftee there immediately), add to OT depth,  plan for future.

Maybe that's why they've halted guard FA search.  

 

 

 

I can see them doing this.  They’re putting a ton of pressure on Golden.  

[AMPHAR]

Guard is a need for sure.  But they have over 100 NFL starts between the top 3 today.   IF you get Mims/Brown performing up to a level expected/hoped for then hiding low quality starting guards is quite doable.

But they could line up today with what they have and with who they are throwing to, you can expect a top 10 offense.

Its really more about optimization and getting rid of the handful of negative plays that have plagued this offense for what seems like an eternity.    

An equal problem all these years is average to bad tackle play as well.  Jonah Williams? Brown Jr. while he hasn't been that much of an upgrade and Right Tackle has been a parade of hoping they get at least average.

If there's a high quality tackle at 17 just given the history.   They have to consider it.

[ArmyBengal]

Yeah I’m pretty much thinking anything on the o-line and any defensive position is up for consideration at #17.

Although I could probably say that’s the case through all the rounds.

[HoosierCat]

I can dig it.

 

[COB]

Supposedly the most nfl-ready edge in the draft.  Won the college award whatever it’s called.  I can see them doing this, giving Trey a raise for this season only.  Seems like something they’d do.

[HoosierCat]

Joe is down with Banks.

https://youtu.be/jqvdVeYj--s?si=6O7aT3tWjkjKIwst

 

[ArmyBengal]

Two weeks from tomorrow and I really don't think there's much clarity to which direction they could go.

Since we are only left to guess, I would put #17 at something like...

DE
OT/OG
Safety
Linebacker
CB
DT

I don't think QB, WR, TE or RB should even be a consideration within the first 3 rounds unless someone extraordinary falls to them they simply thought had no shot of falling into their laps.

 

[TJJackson]

They are bringing a LOT of defensive tackles for 30 visits

suggests they arent as high on Jenkins and Mount McKinley as some have suggested

[ArmyBengal]

Well they did lose/dump Tufele and Rankins and then added Slaton. BJ Hill was brought back back doesn’t count in the add/subtract equation. That being the case they need to add another DT for depth if nothing else.

Not sure drafting a DT indicates much about their current roster. Personally I’d rather then wait until the 4th round and take a guy like Rylie Mills, the DT from Notre Dame. Not just because of Golden but because I think he’s a solid player that is flying under the radar.

[TJJackson]

they keep 5 DTs

Jenkins, Mount McKInley, Hill, Slaton, and my dead gramma

anyone know if Sample (the DL, not Crazylegs) is coming back?

[COB]

6 hours ago, TJJackson said:

 

anyone know if Sample (the DL, not Crazylegs) is coming back?

Cameron Sample - missed all of ‘24 with a torn Achilles.  That was the final year of his rookie deal.  He is going to give it a try this year on a one year, 1.2 million dollar deal he signed in March.  
 

Hopefully things work out for him but that’s a tough injury to overcome.  

[COB]

Is the draft ever going to get here?  JFC, from the season’s end to the time the draft rolls around you could give birth, raise the kid, let him play high school and college football, and actually get him drafted.  

[ArmyBengal]

7 hours ago, TJJackson said:

they keep 5 DTs

Yeah, injuries and all play into that as well and will have to see how it plays out.

Last year they opened 2024 with 10 D-linemen, 4 DE's and 6 DT's.
It also helps when 1-2 of them are capable of taking snaps at both positions.
5 sounds about right, but depth will be needed.  Another reason I would prefer a DT later in the draft process.

[HoosierCat]

Well, I think we all expected they would draft a DT at some point. The only thing bringing a lot of them in suggests to me is that they would prefer to make that selection later (meaning round 2 onward) versus at 17. Not that they wouldn't take, say, Mason Graham if he somehow fell to 17, but it's a pretty deep DT class and I think they are just getting a read on exactly how deep it is.

They are also bringing in a boatload of RBs, so don't be surprised if one gets picked in rounds 4-6.

[HoosierCat]

On the OL front, Savaiinaea coming for a top 30 visit.

https://www.cincyjungle.com/2025/4/11/24403862/jonah-savaiinaea-arizona-bengals-draft-visits

[ArmyBengal]

I really like Savaiinaea and would love to see him be the pick in the 2nd.  Absolutely no issue there.
However, when listening to the coaches speak it's seems like they want an OT that can move inside for a couple of years.
If that's what they are really looking for and the 2nd round is the target, a guy like Aireontae Ersery makes sense.

I don't have a read one way or another just considering what's been said to this point.

[HoosierCat]

Had another go-round with the PFN simulator over lunch. I think I'd be pretty happy with this draft. I did indulge the AI's trade hyperactivity but just once and only slightly, sliding down from 17 to 20 in the first in return for swapping 81 for 51.

20 Malaki Starks. was planning on taking him at 17 anyway.

49 Carson Schwesinger. Considered my usual Landon Jackson pick here but decided to go a little different and see how things rolled.

51. Jonah Savaiinaea. This could have been Jackson or Ersery, too, if you like. But if you go Jackson you will be kicking yourself...

119. Jack Sawyer. No way in hell this happens, but wow that would be a nice top 4 picks, imo.

153. Rylie Mills, DT, Notre Dame. DT with a knack for getting after the QB (7.5 sacks last year) and one of Al's guys. Did miss the last three games of 2024 with a knee injury.

193. Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame. Sticking with the ND theme here. Something of a poor man's Tyler Eifert, complete with Eifert-like struggles to stay healthy. I could have had my pick of project DTs and CBs, or fumble-prone RBs, here, if you prefer any of those.

[ArmyBengal]

It's always different from one mock draft simulation to the next, as they never rank the players the same.
However, I did one on PFT this morning and came up with something I could see happening.

I went the route of taking a trade offer from Denver and moved down from #17 to #20 and picked up #85.

#20- Nick Emmanwori, Safety (still my favorite prospect)
#49- Aireontae Ersery, OT (would start at OG and give flexibility for OT in the future)
#81- Omarr Norman-Lott, DT (not my favorite, but a solid pass rusher)
#85- Jordan Burch, DE (still don't see much difference between the guys in the 1st vs the 2nd and 3rd)
#119- Danny Stutsman, LB (don't know how this guy keeps getting overlooked, might be my favorite pick)
#153- Luke Kandra, OG (depth works for me)
#193- Caleb Ransaw, CB (one of the more athletic players remaining)

Again, this could go much differently and I still wouldn't be upset.
CB earlier, maybe a RB, possibly a WR but doubt it.

[ArmyBengal]

The Draft Network has brought back their Mock Draft Machine.
You can get a free account and do their mock drafts.  Man I love this shit !!
I think the rankings are off, but boy what a haul...

1st- Armand Membou, OT
2nd- James Pearce, DE
3rd- Tyleik Williams, DT
4th- Lathan Ransom, Safety
5th- Jaydon Blue, RB
6th- Smael Mondon, LB

I'm pretty sure those are three first rounders and Mondon lasting until the 6th round would be insane.
Please God make that shit happen !!!

[TJJackson]

You got Membou at 17

F U C K I N G  M E M B O U

naw man naw.  He gone by 10 at the latest

Pearce in r2 is a near-equal impossibility

[TJJackson]

also gimme another OL instead of a rb

[HoosierCat]

I’ve seen Pearce fall to the second in multiple mocks. Brugler gave him a second round grade. Honestly I want no part of him.