Post-Draft Whinging & Moaning Thread

[AMPHAR]

I don't think Burton or Jones are unquestionable locks for the roster.    Different reasons.   Jones is small and has trouble staying healthy.  Burton is a knucklehead.

Talent wise, I think Burton will be tough to beat out.   Now if he is still falling asleep in meetings etc.  Different story.

 

[ArmyBengal]

I see what you did there...

However, Burden is a complete idiot that I hope got some sense knocked into him during the offseason.
Seriously, I would have like to have heard a story how TJ Houshmandzadeh went full ape shit crazy kicking the shit out of him in the middle of the road outside of PayCor stadium one night.  One of those where every time he kicks or hits him, he says another word.

"Don't-you-ever-do-some-shit-like-that-and-embarrass-me-again-you-punk-ass-mother-fucker"

Him and Jones are exactly the reason I would have had no issue with drafting a WR this year.
Bengals front office just lulling everyone to sleep this year for when they take a 1st round WR next year and shock the world.

[HoosierCat]

By all reports, Burton has been in the building regularly during the offseason. It seems that he's realized his million-dollar meal ticket is in jeopardy if he doesn't at least pretend to do the bare minimum. To what extent this represents a real change in attitude, who knows? I'm not counting on anything, but we'll see.

[ArmyBengal]

36 minutes ago, HoosierCat said:

By all reports, Burton has been in the building regularly during the offseason. 

What's the over/under for how many bitches he choked out before coming to the building regularly?
I'm putting it at 4.

[WelshBengal]

On 4/27/2025 at 4:56 PM, HoosierCat said:

Twitter says we picked this guy off the udfa pile. One for the UK Bengals fans.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nfl/article-14610335/amp/Dante-Barnett-football-escape-tragedy-2025-draft-brink-NFL.html

Will be the IPP player for the Bengals this year.  I doubt he sees the field, possibly pre season to see what they have in him. 

I found this on him for his pro day.

The Bengals exited the 2025 draft without selecting a defensive tackle. Howard Cross III and Eric Gregory are joining the fray as fellow UDFAs along with Barnett, but there are snaps to be had at the position throughout OTAs and training camp. 

Barnett himself is also an exceptional athlete. During USF's pro day back in March, he was clocked running a 4.69 40-yard dash at 6-1 and 275 pounds according to Dane Brugler's "The Beast" NFL Draft guide for The Athletic.

He's athletically gifted hence why the Bengals picked him up.  I will be keeping my eye on this dude in camp.

[AMPHAR]

The Bengals dropped  1 spot to 12th on the Power Rankings post draft.    Basically leaped by the Broncos.  So they are in tight 4th or 5th in pecking order in the AFC.   Opinions on this Power Ranking have Ravens as AFC Favorites,  Chief, Bills, Broncos, and Bengals.

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but the Bengals can't be forgotten as one of the more talented outfits out there.

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it felt more like an indirect statement on what happened in 2024, which was a cavalcade of drama, disputes and unrealized expectations in what became a more chaotic situation in Cincinnati.

 

[AMPHAR]

The only thing I'll say about draft grades nationally.   For example Chad Reuter from NFL.com.    Gave Bengals a B day 1.  OK.    However in his mock he had them picking an Edge (Mykel Williams) who was gone at 17 in the real draft.   Then had the Shemar Stewart going 19 in his mock.   

If those were your beliefs pre-draft then the grade of "B" sounds a little weak.      By virtue of your own mock there wasn't much separation of Williams and Stewart and the Bengals hit the need you identified. 

[HoosierCat]

McShay and Muench liked the draft.

https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/allbengals-insiders-plus/one-of-my-favorite-players-in-the-draft-todd-mcshay-praises-bengals-2025-selections-01jt10md3bcs

Their biggest complaint is that they thought a few of the picks were too early, but at the same time didn't think they would have been there in the next round for the Bengals. We hear that every year and it always strikes me as weak tea.

Bottom line, immediate post-draft grades are just empty content to kill time between now and the next NFL "event," the schedule reveal on the 15th. All the team sites have a countdown clock for that up now lol. By next week the draft will be forgotten as select games start to be "leaked" to build interest in the big reveal. Spain here we come? Stay tuned!

[ArmyBengal]

I don't buy most of the talk about why a player is or isn't taken.
With every year that goes by, I think the thing which matters most to them is simply which player is a person they like.
Maybe not because of the stats, not because they were a captain or an All American, but are they likeable.

It's like they hide behind "fit" when it's really "like". 
As simple as them all meeting the same guy and one coach says, "I didn't like him" or "I really liked him".
If they get more liked than didn't like, they take him.  If that means they take him early, who cares, they liked him.

Granted, I'm probably overstepping to a degree, but it really feels like that to me.
How many times have we said, "Boy that's someone you can really root for" ??  There it is.

[ArmyBengal]

I'm just not getting over Demetrius Knight instead of Tate Ratledge any time soon.

I simply don't know how you look at those two players and draft Knight.
This isn't a popularity contest on my part either.  I like Knight, think he will be at least what Pratt was and hope he does well.
I can like him, while simultaneously disliking the pick.

Follow up the Mims pick by having Ratledge right next to him and the right side is solid for the next 4-5 seasons.
It's like moving up to take Jackson Carman instead of Creed Humphrey all over again.
Ratledge going to the Lions sickens me.

[COB]

2 hours ago, ArmyBengal said:

 

Ratledge going to the Lions sickens me.

My past sickens me.

[HoosierCat]

Looking at the two linemen they did take, I think it's clear the Bengals were focused on the left guard spot in the draft and feel comfortable with their options at right guard. I assume it will be some combination of Patrick, Ford and Kirkland battling for the starting job there. My guess is it will be Patrick but I am rooting for Jaxson.

[ArmyBengal]

3 hours ago, HoosierCat said:

I think it's clear the Bengals feel comfortable with their options at right guard.

Maybe their definition of comfortable differs from mine because those options blow.

[COB]

Just watched Chris Simms talk about our two defensive picks, the edge and LB.  It was on Rapien’s podcast.  He was pretty convincing.  Thinks the picks were solid, particularly the edge.  

[ArmyBengal]

Apparently Luke Kuechly liked the pick of Stewart as well.
Talking about his flexibility to play inside and outside in the C gap like a true defensive end.
Also mentioned he thinks his ceiling is the highest of the DE's in the draft.

There was more, but outside of being from Cincinnati, he doesn't have a vested interest in the Bengals.
I liked hearing his perspective.

[HoosierCat]

As always, it’s a crapshoot. Just have to see how it goes.

[HoosierCat]

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This is a good read.

https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/article/bengals-moaning-season-is-upon-us-again/

Some nice bits:

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Stewart (aka The Menace) has been labeled a “boom or bust” prospect, but it’s hard to imagine him busting. His floor is likely a long if unspectacular career a la Denico Autry, now with Houston. The optimistic comparison is former Bengal Carlos Dunlap, with better character and a much higher motor. Dunlap affected the game in a variety of ways beyond merely rushing the passer, including swatting down passes and being a sturdy run defender. Stewart has that in him; what he won’t have that Dunlap did is Geno Atkins (or a reasonable facsimile) collapsing the pocket from within.

Also:

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Many fans were sick the Bengals didn’t take Fairchild’s teammate, Tate Ratledge, in the second round instead. I’m no UGa insider, but I live in Atlanta and am therefore bombarded 24/7 with Dawg news and insights. The consensus here was that all three Georgia interior lineman—Ratledge, Fairchild, and Jared Wilson—were considered basically equivalent prospects, and professional success would be, as it usually is, dependent on scheme-fit, coaching, and luck. It’s not like Ratledge is Max Montoya and Cincinnati settled for Jackson Carman. Indeed, UGa’s passing attack took a noticeable step forward when Fairchild entered the lineup.

 

[ArmyBengal]

In looking closer, I now agree with the concept of them looking strictly at a LG prospect, as opposed to RG.
It's debatable on whether or not that was the best approach, but I'm not really here for that debate.
The fact is that Fairchild took over 1300 snaps at LG and Ratledge took over 2100 snaps at RG.
If all else is equal (as is being said) then the Bengals clearly felt moving on from Volson was the best move.
So if that is true, we should anticipate an o-line from left to right looking like this:

Brown - Fairchild - Karras - Patrick - Mims

Is that markedly better than last year's line?  I don't know.  I think part of the issue last year was the absolute fall off the cliff season by Cappa.  Just complete garbage week in and week out.  So if that was his new norm, Patrick should present as a fairly large upgrade to the LG spot this season.  When considering Volson and his performance, Fairchild has the "ability" to present as an upgrade.  If you are inclined to believe PFF is the be all end all (I'm not but look) Fairchild's overall grade from last year would put him just outside the top 10 NFL guards from last year.  Granted, he wasn't in the NFL, so I am not expecting that.  However, it's at least intriguing to think about what the new o-line coach, Peters, can get out of him.

Here's where I think I'm comfortable landing now that we've had a week to consider our roster with our new rookies in the mix....

FACT:  Of the 8 losses last season, 7 were by a TD or less and 3 of those by a FG or less.
FACT:  In 4 of the 8 losses, the Bengals scored at least 33 points or more.
FACT:  Joe Burrow was one of the most sacked QB's in the league (4th worst).
FACT: Volson and Cappa were two of the worst starting guards in the league last year.
          I wasn't even aware Cappa was the triple crown winner being 1st in each sacks allowed, pressures allowed, and hurries allowed.

When considering the above, it's hard to say if the additional of Fairchild and Patrick will be the difference, but again, it's intriguing.
When considering the defensive woes, it's hard to say if Stewart and Knight will have a large impact or if this is the year for Murphy.
Will Turner and Hill come back from injuries strong this season?  Will the play of the safeties resemble the first or second half of last season?

Again, the amount of improvement needed could probably be minimal and still have a large positive impact.
Couple that with playing what appears to be a middle of the road strength of schedule and I think they get back to the playoffs.
With a couple surprises, we might even be competitive in the post season.  It's just as likely as not to consider them making a deep playoff run.

[AMPHAR]

I think Volson will get a shot at RG.  He's not going to be cut, IMO.  At worse he'll be depth. 

Joe also doesn't like under center.  Likes spread and 5 wide.  Doesn't really care about running the football.  Likes to extend plays and manipulate coverage with his movement.     Doesn't really throw it away.

Those factors also effect the pressure numbers.   The guy simply doesn't not care about being hit.  I'd say he only cares about it IF it stops a scoring opportunity.

 

[HoosierCat]

Good read from Dehner.

https://archive.ph/aJTOm

Not a whole we didn’t know or expect, but does make it crystal clear that Stewart, Knight and Barrett are Al’s picks 100% and he was locked in on taking them long before Cam Newton’s name got called. He believes they are what he needs to make his defense go.

Also sneaks in confirmation that the LBs will be running the show on the field, versus the safeties under Lou. Hopefully frees Stone up to just play ball.

[ArmyBengal]

28 minutes ago, HoosierCat said:

Not a whole we didn’t know or expect, but does make it crystal clear that Stewart, Knight and Barrett are Al’s picks 100% and he was locked in on taking them long before Cam Newton’s name got called. He believes they are what he needs to make his defense go.

Also sneaks in confirmation that the LBs will be running the show on the field, versus the safeties under Lou. Hopefully frees Stone up to just play ball.

To start, I wanted Lou gone and am happy that's the case.  I was also in support of bringing Golden back into the mix to replace Lou.
That being the case and hearing these are the guys he wanted to run his style of defense, I'm just going to let it happen and let the chips fall.
No more bashing or questioning, just going to have faith that Golden can do what I think he can do.

It's Stewart, Knight and Carter.  That's what we are rolling with and I'm happy Al got what he wanted.  I'm on board.
Go get this defense to the middle of the road in the league and it's game on.

Additionally, I didn't get the impression they would be moving on from Pratt.  He's one of Golden's picks from his time previously and I'm sure fits what he's looking for in a linebacker.  Maybe Golden's presence will help get Pratt back into what we had in 2022 and not what we got last year.  Guess we will see.

Also, nothing would surprise me more than seeing another defensive draft through the early rounds next year.
Pratt, Stone, Hendrickson, Ossai, CTB and more are all unrestricted free agents in 2026.

[HoosierCat]

Yeah, I was wondering about Pratt this morning. There was a little flurry of bookface posts last night about them getting ready to release him. Dehner at least seems to think it’s coming. I guess we will see.

[AMPHAR]

IF I read the Texas Aggie stats correctly the DL leader in sacks the past 3 years has been 3 sacks (team leader as well) , 6 sacks, and 5 sacks (team leader as well).  I don't know if its all the same coordinator or not but its clear that getting sacks from the DL wasn't a priority.

 

[ArmyBengal]

I love how everyone (podcasts, analysts, so on) blasted the Bengals for their draft and now things are moving forward.
Now we are seeing how Stewart, while lacking sacks, is exactly the kind of guy every defensive line coach wants.
Fairchild is now the steal of the draft and the linebackers are going to really solidify that unit.

Basically, we are at the stage of this is what we have so lets look to what could be if things work out.

I've probably softened my stance on the draft results myself.
It's more about they really didn't need to do "too" much to improve this team overall.

I would have liked another DT, but not concerned either.
Thought safety was in play, but apparently not.  Maybe Dax comes back to that role since he's apparently now Golden's "Secret Weapon".
They really need to work something out with Trey however.  If he does hold out (I don't think so) that's going to be an issue for the defense.
The drama alone is an irritant I'd rather the team not have to deal with.

Anyway around, go Bengals jerseys !!!

[COB]

Just came across the amazing headline: “Justin Tucker Released.”