Round 2 (41): Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M

[HoosierCat]

Second round on deck.

[HoosierCat]

Mel’s top 10 left:

1. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington (21)
2. Zion Young, Edge, Missouri (22)
3. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia (28)
4. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (29)
5. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo (33)
6. Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon (34)
7. R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma (36)
8. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State (37)
9. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech (38)
10. Christen Miller, DT, Georgia (39)

He also mentions Hood, Stukes and Bisontis as guys who could go quick.

Still hoping they trade down.

[ArmyBengal]

Boy the more I look at this, the more torn I am.  I want quality and quantity.
Trade up?  Sit tight?  Trade down?  Who knows?

The Bengals should have a better read than us regarding McCoy. 
If they feel confident enough in his knee, he's actually a no brainer in the 2nd round.

One thing I have learned over the years is once you get out of the first round, it's less and less predictable.
They might pull a name out of their ass that no one even had on the radar at #41.

Players I'm still really high on at #41:
CB McCoy-  If the Bengals are comfortable with his knee.
CB Hood-  Can't believe he's not in Mel's top 10 remaining.  He's a first round talent.
CB Keionte Scott-  If both of the above are gone, he's a nice option and a true nickel CB.
LB Jacob Rodriguez-  Still think this kid is one of the better overall LB's in the draft.
OG Chase Bisontis-  Would love this pick for the O-line.  Gets to learn for a year and can fill in if needed.
OG Emmanuel Pregnon-  Would love this pick as well.  Gets to learn for a year and can fill in if needed.
S AJ Haulcy-  I just added him because.  I don't think the Bengals are considering safety.  Maybe if he goes in the 3rd...

If any of the above are there (minus Haulcy) I think they should make the pick with an above average player and move on.
There are others that are fringe for me, but I think it's at that point I would move toward the trade down scenario.

[HoosierCat]

I really don’t have a feeling about which way the Bengals will jump.

Lot of talent at corner here but it’s a deep class and they do have two legit starters on the outside and options in the slot.

Linebacker? Is another rookie really the answer? There will be more vet LBs cut loose before September. A signing there makes more sense to me.

Guard makes the most sense to me given who is on the board, but that’s a pick for the future you hope doesn’t have to start this season.

Good options at edge it seems, but how many snaps is the no. 4 guy going to see?

the good thing is they can take just about any position but QB. That’s also the bad thing.

[ArmyBengal]

Good points Hoosier, makes me want to take a look at the depth chart...

QB-  Burrow, Flacco and others would be a solid NO.
RB-  Brown, Perine, Brooks and another could get an upgrade and Perine is an UFA in 2027.
WR-  Chase, Tee and Yoshi are a nice 1-3, but Tinsley, Jones and Williams would all be upgraded.
TE-  Gesicki, All, Sample and Hudson are probably set, but finding a late round guy wouldn't surprise.
LT-  Brown, Foster and Coker screams upgrade in getting depth with starter potential.
LG-  Fairchild and Rivers would probably be considered good.
C-  Karras and Bayer makes me wonder who the hell Bayer is and please draft a Center
RG-  Risner and Rivers would be considered good, but Risner is a UFA in 2027, so yes draft someone.
RT-  Mims and Cody Ford are probably good in the eyes of coaches, but depth wouldn't bother me there either.

LDE-  Mafe, Stewart and Johnson are probably not getting competition added.
LDT-  Lawrence, Slaton and Jackson are set and maybe they even trade Slaton.
RDT-  Hill, Allen and Jenkins are set.
RDE-  Murphy, Foskey and some guy screams upgrade to me as well.  Not sold on any of them.
LB-  Knight, Carter, Burks and 3 dudes says they can at least upgrade depth and is Burks still really on the team?
CB-  Hill, Turner, Ivey, Newton Davis and Taylor does not excite me from a depth perspective and long term consideration.
S-  Cook, Battle, Dugger, Jules, and Anthony could get a look with Dugger on a 1 year deal and Battle is an UFA in 2027.

In looking at that through my eyes, I would be inclined over the next three picks to address OG, OC and DE.
A strong case could be made of OT and then CB and/or S.

This is where things can go off track.  If they strictly draft for need, they may lose a better talent.
Seeing as how we probably don't expect any of these guys to start, give me BPA within reason.
 

[ArmyBengal]

Also, when considering CB and what makes it a stronger possibility is the fact that BOTH Dax and Turner will be UFA's in 2027.
Regardless of how I feel about them individually, they are going to get paid.  
Are they getting Stingley type money?  Probably not, but the market is what the market is.
It only takes one team to offer them more and there are enough CB holes across the league to know that's happening.

When pairing the $$ amount for one of them, let alone both AND the current lack of quality depth, CB has to be high on the list.
I think that's why  guys like McCoy if they trust the knee, Hood and Cisse are viable options at #41.
Hell, they could take the risk on McCoy here and still double up the position later.

[Stripes]

CB or LB seem much more likely than anything else here.

[Stripes]

I think they’d be very open to a trade down too.

[Stripes]

“I just received the call. I’ve been drafted. I’m really going to be in the league. My dream is finally a reality.

I absolutely cannot wait to share a warm and tender embrace lasting an entire minute with Roger Goodell.”

[HoosierCat]

Parker or Hood would have been fine. Oh well.

[Stripes]

CJ Allen please.

[Stripes]

Just noting. Commercial break at #39.

If there’s another at #41, we know it’s on purpose.

[HoosierCat]

Mel will like it.

[Stripes]

500 good players available. Don’t go rogue, idiots.

[HoosierCat]

Zierlein:

Overview

Bendy edge rusher with standout sack totals. Burst and elusiveness are on Howell’s rush menu and he pairs it with a refreshing inside spin counter. Though threatening, his rush could use more cohesive sequencing and better hand work to fully unlock its potential. As a run defender he’s frequently knocked around at the point and struggles to consistently execute tasks asked of an NFL edge-setter. Howell might not be a three-down player right away, but his ability to create pressure sets him up for a role as a designated rusher, at minimum.

Strengths

Three straight seasons of impressive pressure and sack totals.

Can bend, corner and flatten into pockets.

Creates smart rush distance, avoiding punch by long tackles.

Already working with a series of go-to moves in his bag.

A wicked inside spin counter can defeat tackles.

Long hop helps gain positioning advantage on vertical rush.

Major problem for quarterbacks with undisciplined drop depth.

Trigger quickness to knife into B-gap and blow up play design.

Above-average change direction and pursuit burst from the back side.

Weaknesses

Not enough sand in his pants to hold his ground at the point.

Requires better technique for competent edge-setting.

Drops eyes and ducks his helmet into first contact.

Displays occasional indecisiveness in attacking run blocks.

Pass rush lacks speed variance and diversified setup.

Hands need more schooling to unlock NFL rush potential.

[Stripes]

I’m whelmed.

Go Cashius Howell. Can’t have too much pass rush.

[volcom69]

This pick is pretty awesome damn he can rush the passer, not great against the run, but at this point just play the guy and let him rush.

So guess this means they are pretty much a 3-4 defense. 

[HoosierCat]

1 minute ago, volcom69 said:

This pick is pretty awesome damn he can rush the passer, not great against the run, but at this point just play the guy and let him rush.

So guess this means they are pretty much a 3-4 defense. 

Looks like it.

[volcom69]

Yea this rusher is not like the rest they have drafted, he looks like he could be really fun to watch. 

[HoosierCat]

Ravens grab Zion Young.

[volcom69]

1 minute ago, HoosierCat said:

Ravens grab Zion Young.

Some seemed high on him but guys like Goodberry was not as high, so guess will see on him 

[ArmyBengal]

I wasn’t high on him either but they had to add to the DE group so not a real surprise.

It must not mean much that Rodriguez was not only awarded as the best linebacker in the nation last year but also the best overall defensive player.

A linebacker.

[volcom69]

10 minutes ago, ArmyBengal said:

I wasn’t high on him either but they had to add to the DE group so not a real surprise.

It must not mean much that Rodriguez was not only awarded as the best linebacker in the nation last year but also the best overall defensive player.

A linebacker.

Was reading how he would miss a lot of tackles, I liked him as well, but maybe Bengals saw that not sure. I however love this Howell pick who I think will end up being a LB and pass rush specialist. Can’t wait to see him 

[ArmyBengal]

When you average more than 125 tackles over two seasons and miss some tackles shouldn’t it make people wonder how that’s possible? Was he the only guy tackling on defense or is it because he is always moving toward the ball and putting himself in a position to make a play?

Again I won’t bash the Howell pick because I am intrigued by the fact he’s not their normal DE pick and why I never considered him.  I think he can supplant what either Murphy and possibly Stewart bring to the table.

[Stripes]

Mafe, Stewart, Murphy, Howell

Lawrence, [Slaton?], Jackson

Hill, Allen, Jenkins

This should be a hell of a front. Stewart and Murphy being useless harshes the vibe, but we'll see. Murphy's continued ascension is vital.