Bengals Combine Meeting Tracker

[BurrowDeep2Chase]

• C Jonah Monheim, USC (source)
• C Jared Wilson, Georgia (source)
• CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss (source)
• CB Will Johnson, Michigan (source)
• DE Mike Green, Marshall (source)
• DE Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State (source)
• DE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee (source)
• DE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M (source)
• DE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M (source)
• DE Mykel Williams, Georgia (source)
• DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
• DT Deone Walker, Kentucky (source)
• G Tate Ratlegde, Georgia (source)
• G Jackson Slater, Sacramento State (source)
• LB Barrett Carter, Clemson (source)
• OT Logan Brown, Kansas (source)
• OT Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, Florida (source)
• OT Hollin Pierce, Rutgers (source)
• OT Jalen Travis, Iowa State (source)
• OT John Williams, Cincinnati (source)
• RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
• RB Corey Kiner, Cincinnati (source)
• RB Kyle Monangai, Rutgers (source)
• S RJ Mickens, Clemson (source)
• S Malaki Starks, Georgia (source)
• S Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State (source)
• TE Gunnar Helm, Texas (source)
• TE Colston Loveland, Michigan (source)
• TE Mason Taylor, LSU (source)
• TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
• WR Beaux Collins, Notre Dame (source)
• WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State (source)
• WR Matthew Golden, Texas (source)
• WR Nick Nash, San Jose State (source)
• WR Pat Bryant, Illinois (source)

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Ultimately, I think Shemar Stewart is our pick if he is on the board at 17. I know he didn't have a ton of production in college as far as sacks, but I think with the right coaching staff and a DL that takes pressure off him to perform, he could be a beast, and I think the Bengals are going to see that right. Raw but untapped with all the tools you desire, just like we did with Mims. I am also a little more confident with Hendrickson returning with latest reports saying Bengals and him have closed the gap.

 

[Cincyfan78]

View attachment 392256

Ultimately, I think Shemar Stewart is our pick if he is on the board at 17. I know he didn't have a ton of production in college as far as sacks, but I think with the right coaching staff and a DL that takes pressure off him to perform, he could be a beast, and I think the Bengals are going to see that right. Raw but untapped with all the tools you desire, just like we did with Mims. I am also a little more confident with Hendrickson returning with latest reports saying Bengals and him have closed the gap.

Starting to see a scenario where the Bengals would like to trade back, maybe. Some of the guys that were originally thought to be targets have some serious red flags (Pearce, Nolen, Green) and I'm not sure they would want to take a S in round 1...but I guess I wouldn't rule it out, though there could be a couple in that back half if they drop.

Same could be said for DT, or even taking a OL...I could also still see them wanting another big body on that DL - as the new guy is only on a 2 year deal, and Hill is >30...do they want another DT that can add pressure on passing downs? Would dropping 4-5 spots make it worth the swing on Nolen at that point (several red flags)? Would Grant fall that far?

I also think they get Trey done - which would obviously play a factor in how early the feel they'll need to target another DE - they'll want one..but with Oassai and Sample returning along with Murphy .....

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Starting to see a scenario where the Bengals would like to trade back, maybe. Some of the guys that were originally thought to be targets have some serious red flags (Pearce, Nolen, Green) and I'm not sure they would want to take a S in round 1...but I guess I wouldn't rule it out, though there could be a couple in that back half if they drop.

Same could be said for DT, or even taking a OL...I could also still see them wanting another big body on that DL - as the new guy is only on a 2 year deal, and Hill is >30...do they want another DT that can add pressure on passing downs? Would dropping 4-5 spots make it worth the swing on Nolen at that point (several red flags)? Would Grant fall that far?

I also think they get Trey done - which would obviously play a factor in how early the feel they'll need to target another DE - they'll want one..but with Oassai and Sample returning along with Murphy .....

The only reason I can see it, if Starks drops to 17, it is a position of need. I am not overly impressed with Battle, he is competent, Stone has been f'n terrible and has one year left. Fill holes the year before kind of mentality. This draft is so damn deep in defensive line it isn't even funny. It seems like damn near 30+ percent of the top 100 are DL/Edge players. What the top 100 is lacking, is true play makers on the boundary. I think ideally, the Bengals will want Stewart, but if he is not there and Starks drops, it may be a case of...take the best player available, in a position we are going to need next year and take our chances in round two with the abundance of DL/Edge.

 

[Cincyfan78]

The only reason I can see it, if Starks drops to 17, it is a position of need. I am not overly impressed with Battle, he is competent, Stone has been f'n terrible and has one year left. Fill holes the year before kind of mentality. This draft is so damn deep in defensive line it isn't even funny. It seems like damn near 30+ percent of the top 100 are DL/Edge players. What the top 100 is lacking, is true play makers on the boundary. I think ideally, the Bengals will want Stewart, but if he is not there and Starks drops, it may be a case of...take the best player available, in a position we are going to need next year and take our chances in round two with the abundance of DL/Edge.

I really like Battle. Was top graded S in his rookie year. I think his last year play was more due to the fact that they brought in Bell and just gave him the starting nod over Battle - which kind of disengaged him quite a bit. His back half of the year play resembled more of the 1st year, than early last year.

I also can see where they might take a look at CTB at S, since he played there in college and does have some issues at CB. If he can't seem to work those out, I could see where they give him a look. He can clearly play the ball in the air, and has good skills there. It's his man coverage that suddenly went MIA at some point...

I think if they target a guy like OL or even S here...they can likely make a move back, grab an additional pick, and still grab a position. Starks, while good, might be available a few picks later, and if not - the kid from SC has shot up the boards...I was a big fan of him on a lot of my original mocks in the 3rd and then 2nd rounds. Many have him moving up to late 1st round, which I would be OK with as well.

Don't forget, though - while S could fill a void (and be ahead of the game) IOL is a need right now, even if they do sign 1 veteran at some point - these veterans are going to be bottom barrel and there is a massive need to upgrade this OL in the worst way at LG/RG, and even signing 1 veteran may not be enough with 1 draft pick - I could see them hitting IOL twice within 4 rounds.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I really like Battle. Was top graded S in his rookie year. I think his last year play was more due to the fact that they brought in Bell and just gave him the starting nod over Battle - which kind of disengaged him quite a bit. His back half of the year play resembled more of the 1st year, than early last year.

I also can see where they might take a look at CTB at S, since he played there in college and does have some issues at CB. If he can't seem to work those out, I could see where they give him a look. He can clearly play the ball in the air, and has good skills there. It's his man coverage that suddenly went MIA at some point...

I think if they target a guy like OL or even S here...they can likely make a move back, grab an additional pick, and still grab a position. Starks, while good, might be available a few picks later, and if not - the kid from SC has shot up the boards...I was a big fan of him on a lot of my original mocks in the 3rd and then 2nd rounds. Many have him moving up to late 1st round, which I would be OK with as well.

Don't forget, though - while S could fill a void (and be ahead of the game) IOL is a need right now, even if they do sign 1 veteran at some point - these veterans are going to be bottom barrel and there is a massive need to upgrade this OL in the worst way at LG/RG, and even signing 1 veteran may not be enough with 1 draft pick - I could see them hitting IOL twice within 4 rounds.

Yeah, Booker, the guard from Bama could be a choice here too if their picks start falling off the board ahead of them. #1 guard in college football, got the size and talent to solidify one of those guard positions for the next 5 years. I would not be shocked to see him picked either after spending as much money on the skill players as they did. Need someone talented and affordable for the next 4 to 5 years, and I think that is where Mims and Booker would come into play.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Yeah, Booker, the guard from Bama could be a choice here too if their picks start falling off the board ahead of them. #1 guard in college football, got the size and talent to solidify one of those guard positions for the next 5 years. I would not be shocked to see him picked either after spending as much money on the skill players as they did. Need someone talented and affordable for the next 4 to 5 years, and I think that is where Mims and Booker would come into play.

Oddly - not a big fan here.

Most highly drafted IOL played OT in college. The list of those who ONLY played IOL/G (or 1 position) is relatively small. His RAS score is also...not good. If I had a run-heavy team, I think I would be more adept to look at him in the late 1st round, but if I'm going OL in round 1/late round 1 I'm going to lean on guys that are better athletes, good RAS score, and likely played OT at a solid level - but likely project to IOL. In the case of Banks if he had more adequate arm length, he would likely be getting more discussion as a RT...but he has good enough length to take all of that versatility and likely be a really good IOL - and with as much as this team is going to pass, give me guys that can move and block in space if needed, but also have good size to be good enough at IOL.

Going to be really interesting to see how this breaks out.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Oddly - not a big fan here.

Most highly drafted IOL played OT in college. The list of those who ONLY played IOL/G (or 1 position) is relatively small. His RAS score is also...not good. If I had a run-heavy team, I think I would be more adept to look at him in the late 1st round, but if I'm going OL in round 1/late round 1 I'm going to lean on guys that are better athletes, good RAS score, and likely played OT at a solid level - but likely project to IOL. In the case of Banks if he had more adequate arm length, he would likely be getting more discussion as a RT...but he has good enough length to take all of that versatility and likely be a really good IOL - and with as much as this team is going to pass, give me guys that can move and block in space if needed, but also have good size to be good enough at IOL.

Going to be really interesting to see how this breaks out.

I see what you are saying, but in a way I disagree because one thing that NFL execs get caught doing too much is projecting like you are. They want all the measurements and athletic ability to move around a push from a position of premium value to a less valuable position, like OT to OG.

I say, if a guy is a damn good guard, and he doesn't have the ability to move around much, you leave the damn guy alone and you draft him for that position and that position alone. He has mastered that position enough to become a first round graded OG. Let the poor guy stay there and don't fuck with him, like Jackson Carmen.

 

[Cincyfan78]

I see what you are saying, but in a way I disagree because one thing that NFL execs get caught doing too much is projecting like you are. They want all the measurements and athletic ability to move around a push from a position of premium value to a less valuable position, like OT to OG.

I say, if a guy is a damn good guard, and he doesn't have the ability to move around much, you leave the damn guy alone and you draft him for that position and that position alone. He has mastered that position enough to become a first round graded OG. Let the poor guy stay there and don't fuck with him, like Jackson Carmen.

I'm not just doing the tests...but also going off history. The vast majority of IOL who only played 1 position in college that get drafted high do not pan out in the NFL as above average starters.

FWIW - I do think he could be a bit of an exception - but again, this isn't just a testing thing for me, but also a historical thing. Joe Goodberry did a nice little bit on this.

If he's there in round 2....I'd consider - but even Goodberry said he's prefer Ratledge at that point over him...so, everyone is going to have different evalutaions.

I wouldn't hate the pick - but I would have some deep concerns. If the Bengals were more run oriented, I could see a better fit...but...and as much as I really like Chase at RB...with Chase, Higgins and Gesicki all signed for the next 3+ years, and of course Burrow - this offense, for better or worse, is going to be airing it out. I would want to be sure whoever it is they pick at OL (Be it a OT, IOL, or C) has the ability to pass-pro at a high leve.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I'm not just doing the tests...but also going off history. The vast majority of IOL who only played 1 position in college that get drafted high do not pan out in the NFL as above average starters.

FWIW - I do think he could be a bit of an exception - but again, this isn't just a testing thing for me, but also a historical thing. Joe Goodberry did a nice little bit on this.

If he's there in round 2....I'd consider - but even Goodberry said he's prefer Ratledge at that point over him...so, everyone is going to have different evalutaions.

I wouldn't hate the pick - but I would have some deep concerns. If the Bengals were more run oriented, I could see a better fit...but...and as much as I really like Chase at RB...with Chase, Higgins and Gesicki all signed for the next 3+ years, and of course Burrow - this offense, for better or worse, is going to be airing it out. I would want to be sure whoever it is they pick at OL (Be it a OT, IOL, or C) has the ability to pass-pro at a high leve.

I could see Booker in the first and Ratledge in the 3rd, maybe even second. But once again, you just added to the offense and didn't do a thing in the first two rounds for a bottom 5 defense.

 

[cincygrad]

I would love to trade back and get more picks. I think if we are going to add some players in the trenches we need a few times at the plate to make sure we get a hit. My understanding of this draft is that many of the players that are late first, second and third round picks are not as far apart as they have been in other drafts. I'm not sure how to evaluate that because I am no longer an internet draft expert, but if that is the case, I'd rather have multiple picks. Also, assuming we re-sign Trey (which I feel pretty good about), I think we have our veteran core and we really need to lean into sorting out which young players are going to be contributors and ultimately core guys in the future. Again, more picks gives us more probability of success.