Take this draft in a heartbeat

[CrashDavisSports]

Oh, and I agree on Trey. Either it gets done, or he plays. At 30, going on 31 this season, he simply cannot afford to sit out, IMO. Just not worth it. He'll want to show that he's worth every dollar he's going to request in F/A and it's going to be needed because teams are going to be wary if he sits out 6-8-10 games, comes back and only has a so-so showing...then you are looking at a guy who is 31 going on 32 in the first year of that new contract, and suddenly you start to wonder if those 17.5 seasons in 2023 and 2024 may have been the peak of his playing hill, and you are now paying for past production on a player who is going downhill in his career.

The only team that could possibly value future years off past production are the Bengals. If he drops off a bit in a new contract, they can just chalk the bargain up they got for him the least 4 years as makeup pay a little. The Bengals are not known as a team that is willing to do that, but that scenario would only ease their burden, not any of the other 31 teams looking to sign him. He is worth more to the Bengals, then anyone else, whether t hat means more pay from us or another team, his value is worth more to us versus anyone else.

 

[Cincyfan78]

A little different look today - would be a concern with no edge guy in this draft, so it would be highly dependent on where they felt they were with Trey OR it would mean maybe taking Sawyer in round 2 (who was available for this pick on my mock) instead of Watts. But, if you get Trey, and you get Watts, and you take the pick in round 1...suddenly the defense looks a lot better....a lot.

In reality - I don't see the round 1 pick falling, and I don't think that either Watts or Ratledge will be there in rounds 2/3 when the Bengals pick...so, likely an edge in round 1 regardless (or trade back), and then Ratledge would likely have to go in round 2, IMO.

Still don't think PFF has their algorithms correct where some of these guys are going to land - especially in rounds 2/3.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

A little different look today - would be a concern with no edge guy in this draft, so it would be highly dependent on where they felt they were with Trey OR it would mean maybe taking Sawyer in round 2 (who was available for this pick on my mock) instead of Watts. But, if you get Trey, and you get Watts, and you take the pick in round 1...suddenly the defense looks a lot better....a lot.

In reality - I don't see the round 1 pick falling, and I don't think that either Watts or Ratledge will be there in rounds 2/3 when the Bengals pick...so, likely an edge in round 1 regardless (or trade back), and then Ratledge would likely have to go in round 2, IMO.

Still don't think PFF has their algorithms correct where some of these guys are going to land - especially in rounds 2/3.

View attachment 393480

Not bad.

Here is my latest line of thinking. Now granted, I still very very badly want Emmanwori, so I lead this with, if Emmanwori gets taken ahead of us, I am all for trading down a little bit in the first. Because I am worried Ratledge will get taken before pick 49, this is just an example of what I would like to see:

Trade down to pick 25, Houston.

Cincinnati Trades:
1st Rounder (17th Pick) (Value = 950 points)
3rd Round Pick (81st Pick) (Value = 185 points)
4th Round Pick (119th Pick) (Value = 56 Points)
Total Pick Value = 1191 points

Houston Trades:
1st Round Pick (25th Pick) (Value = 720 points)
2nd Round Pick (58th Pick) (Value = 320 points)
3rd Round Pick (89 Pick) (Value = 145 points)
Total Pick Value = 1185 points

Then:

Cincinnati Trades:
2nd Round Pick (49th Pick) (Value = 410)
2nd Round Pick (58th Pick) (Value = 320)
6th Round Pick (193rd Pick) (Value = 13.8)
Total Pick Value = 743.8 points

Chicago Trades:
2nd Round Pick (39th Pick) (Value = 510)
3rd Round Pick (72nd Pick) (Value = 230)
7th Round Pick (233nd Pick) (Value = 1)
7th Round Pick (240th Pick) (Value = 1)
Total Pick Value = 742 points

Cincinnati's Draft Picks:
1st Round (Pick 25): DE Mykel Williams, Georgia
2nd Round (Pick 39): OG Tate Ratledge, Georgia
3rd Round (Pick 72): S Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
3rd Round (Pick 89): CB Bilhal Kone, Western Michigan
5th Round (Pick 153): RB Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
7th Round (Pick 233): OL Hollin Pierce, Rutgers
7th Round (Pick 240): LB Jalen McLeod, Auburn

 

[Cincyfan78]

Not bad.

Here is my latest line of thinking. Now granted, I still very very badly want Emmanwori, so I lead this with, if Emmanwori gets taken ahead of us, I am all for trading down a little bit in the first. Because I am worried Ratledge will get taken before pick 49, this is just an example of what I would like to see:

Trade down to pick 25, Houston.

Cincinnati Trades:
1st Rounder (17th Pick) (Value = 950 points)
3rd Round Pick (81st Pick) (Value = 185 points)
4th Round Pick (119th Pick) (Value = 56 Points)
Total Pick Value = 1191 points

Houston Trades:
1st Round Pick (25th Pick) (Value = 720 points)
2nd Round Pick (58th Pick) (Value = 320 points)
3rd Round Pick (89 Pick) (Value = 145 points)
Total Pick Value = 1185 points

Then:

Cincinnati Trades:
2nd Round Pick (49th Pick) (Value = 410)
2nd Round Pick (58th Pick) (Value = 320)
6th Round Pick (193rd Pick) (Value = 13.8)
Total Pick Value = 743.8 points

Chicago Trades:
2nd Round Pick (39th Pick) (Value = 510)
3rd Round Pick (72nd Pick) (Value = 230)
7th Round Pick (233nd Pick) (Value = 1)
7th Round Pick (240th Pick) (Value = 1)
Total Pick Value = 742 points

Cincinnati's Draft Picks:
1st Round (Pick 25): DE Mykel Williams, Georgia
2nd Round (Pick 39): OG Tate Ratledge, Georgia
3rd Round (Pick 72): S Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
3rd Round (Pick 89): CB Bilhal Kone, Western Michigan
5th Round (Pick 153): RB Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
7th Round (Pick 233): OL Hollin Pierce, Rutgers
7th Round (Pick 240): LB Jalen McLeod, Auburn

A lot of moves for a team that doesn't trade, but I like your thought process...and I agree...but there are other options for IOL, even if not Ratledge. The kid from Arizona is in the late 2nd to 3rd, he was an OT, but as a freshman he was an all-american at guard...he translates back to IOL at this level, but his calling is his pass-pro, which would be a very nice get. Typically getting him in round 3 of the PFF, so I think if there is a run on OL, you may miss Ratledge, but could get this kid...