Round 1 (17): Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M

[ArmyBengal]

HAPPY DRAFT DAY everyone !!

[HoosierCat]

Well, that seemed to be the perfect sentiment to kick off the first round thread with, Army!

Now, don't screw it up, Bengals!

(Oh, who am I kidding, of course they'll screw it up...)

[HoosierCat]

Final guesses from the talking heads:

Quote

Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

Kiper Jr.: "The Bengals spent big money this offseason to keep their offensive core around for the long term, and now it's time to turn the focus to the other side of the ball. What happens with Trey Hendrickson looms large. If he does end up getting traded after requesting a move, Cincinnati certainly has to look at the pass rushers on the board. I could see Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart fitting, but his lack of production might scare off teams this early.

I'm going to wait until we know more about Hendrickson's future and instead go with Campbell, who is a complete football player. Look at this stat line from 2024: 112 tackles, 5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, 16 pressures, 12 run stops, 1 interception, 4 pass breakups and 2 forced fumbles. And remember that Germaine Pratt, the Bengals' starting middle linebacker, also requested a trade this offseason."

Dane Brugler, The Athletic: OL Tyler Booker, Alabama

Brugler: "This pick has to be defense, right? Well .. it might be, but dropping Booker on this offensive line to stabilize the interior and protect Joe Burrow would have to be appealing for Cincinnati."

Peter Schrager, ESPN: EDGE Mike Green, Marshall

Schrager: "The pass rusher who led the FBS with 17 sacks last season could go even higher than this. The unfortunate truth is that whichever defender Cincinnati takes here will be pitted against veteran Trey Hendrickson, who hasn't been happy with contract negotiations and has requested a trade. It wouldn't be fair to Green, who is a great prospect and fit for the Bengals."

Todd McShay, The McShay Report: EDGE Mike Green, Marshall

McShay: "Green’s blend of burst and upper-body power makes him one of this class’s most decorated pass rushers. He led the FBS in sacks last year and was dominant at the Senior Bowl, easing any doubts regarding the level of competition he faced in college. If the Bengals can get Trey Hendrickson’s contract negotiation squared away, the Bengals would boast a fierce duo off the edges."

Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

Iyer: "The Bengals still might move Trey Hendrickson and already lost Sam Hubbard to retirement. Pearce would be a fine pass-rush piece for new defensive coordinator Al Golden."

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku

Jeremiah: "Ezeiruaku is a skilled pass rusher with some similarities to Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson, whose future with the team remains murky."

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/news/bengals-nfl-mock-drafts-2025-compare-final-predictions-mel-kiper-jr-dane-brugler-more/f3650b16d64d79a5c4095091

Hobson goes with Pearce: https://www.bengals.com/news/draft-day-final-media-mock-draft-of-2025

[ArmyBengal]

I don't disagree with much of the above.

Stewart
Campbell
Booker
Green
Pearce

None of those would surprise me in the least.
Maybe not what I would "want", but certainly could fathom any of those picks.

The only position I have softened on is DT.  Slaton, Hill, Jenkins and McKinnley look like a solid 1-4 to me.
I guess if they just loved someone that much, but I can't envision that being the priority.

Look at not only the starter, but the depth.
DE and LB have to be addressed.  Safety is another one regardless of when, that needs help as well.

[ArmyBengal]

Not much discussion today about the draft and only the same BS articles like, "The Bengals may target Trey Hendrickson's replacement at 17".

No shit huh?  That's quite the bold take there buddy.  Can't believe you went so far out onto that limb.

C'mon 8pm...

[HoosierCat]

Was going to try and estimate when the Bengals will pick but it turns out this guy has already done the work.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/heres-exact-time-approximately-team-093058213.html

so in the vicinity of 10:07 tonight.

[ArmyBengal]

One of my favorite memories was when I would spend day and night on this board during the draft updating the threads back in the day.  I then got deployed to Afghanistan and we had no phones and no internet.  Then, like a miracle, we got a satellite link that year (2007) right before the draft and I stayed up posting on the board.  The draft started at like 4:30am because of the time difference and I had a blast.  Totally took my mind off of where the hell I was for a short period of time. 

CB, Leon Hall
RB, Kenny Irons
No 3rd rounder because we took LB, Ahmad Brooks in the 2006 Supplemental Draft
S, Marvin White
QB, Jeff Rowe
DT, Matt Toeaina
OG, Dan Santucci
S, Chinedum Ndukwe (7th round comp pick)

[COB]

I remember that draft.  Ndukwe went to high school in Columbus, played with Brady Quinn.  they made it to the  state semi finals their junior year but lost.  

[HoosierCat]

(stolen from the Bengals subreddit)

[Stripes]

Whelm me, daddy.

[AMPHAR]

Marvin White was hard to understand.  Had that deep country accent. 

[HoosierCat]

Internet rumor mill seems pretty quiet. Little bit of chatter about them being set on Nolen if he's there.

Kelvin Banks is suddenly a hot ticket for multiple top 10-12 teams, definitely some kind of smoke being pumped out by someone(s).

Bengals twitter seems really down on the idea of picking Stewart. If the Bengals do, they're going to hear it.

Allegations they like Gray Zabel. I'm sure they do, but not at 17.

Lots of trade chatter but the only thing close to confirmed was Jerrah saying the pokes were working on a couple deals.

[ArmyBengal]

I like Nolen, but when looking at our 1-4 DT's, using the 17th pick seems like a bit of a reach.

I really hope Banks is gone.  I'm not a fan of his either.

Stewart has exactly what you want from a DE, literally EXACTLY.  Minus the production.  Resolve that.

Zabel in the first?  Please God no.  Volson has me soured on those guys at this point.

Trades?  Don't expect it, wouldn't mind it.

[AMPHAR]

Quote

Allegations they like Gray Zabel. I'm sure they do, but not at 17.

An unnamed fan will shit in the pro shop IF that happens.    My blood just starts to boil at the thought of another North Dakota State lineman and then that high.

 

[AMPHAR]

Supposedly there are some film gurus that dispute the main narrative of stats for Stewart.  Says he's actually very disruptive.    That said, I would love him in the 2nd not 1st.  Can't be have Myles Murphy 2nd chapter at this point.

 

[HoosierCat]

31 minutes ago, AMPHAR said:

Supposedly there are some film gurus that dispute the main narrative of stats for Stewart.  Says he's actually very disruptive.    That said, I would love him in the 2nd not 1st.  Can't be have Myles Murphy 2nd chapter at this point.

 

Pretty much where I’m at. Don’t want him at 17.

[HoosierCat]

Looks like the clowns are trading down to 5.

[HoosierCat]

Fuk the jags, just gave Cleveland a kings ransom.

[HoosierCat]

Clowns take Graham.

[COB]

Graham’s career is ruined before it even started.

[COB]

These player interviews are brutal.  

[COB]

The jets could have every pick in this draft and they’d still lose 12 games next year.

[TJJackson]

Its bad for us that Membou went much earlier than expected, it means other OTs will go earlier as well

So much for the dream of getting Banks at 17 :-(

[TJJackson]

Cleveland raped the jags

[HoosierCat]

McMillan to Carolina. That helps a bit.