Take this draft in a heartbeat

[CrashDavisSports]

Just for @CrashDavisSports:

View attachment 395167

That's a good one!!!

 

[Cincyfan78]

Made 2 trades in round 1. Moved back from 17 to 24 picking up an additional 3rd. Moved back from 24 to 28 picking up another 3rd.

Still landed Nolen, Savaiinaea, and then Swinson to shore up DT, IOL, and DE. Was able to add LB and a true slot guy for the offense with the additional picks.

Got solid depth at CB and S in rounds 4 and 5. Only other options may have been to add a RB if one was there at either spot...but I think picks 1-5 pretty much do a solid job of raising the floor of this team overall, while adding 2 immediate impact players in rounds 1 and 2, plus potential starting guys with LB and slot WR.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Question....There has been a ton of speculation about the Bengals taking a DT in the 1st or 2nd round of this draft, and the latest one I saw was with the Bengals selecting Harmon from Oregon as an inside pass rush who is good at defending the run.

We just signed BJ Hill to a 3 year contract. We signed Slayton to a 2 year contract. We drafted DT's in the 2nd and 3rd round last year.

If we drafted a guy #1 at DT, what does that mean for the rest of the players at this position, or for that player we just drafted #1?

Latest Mock I saw had the Bengals drafting:

#1 - DT Derrick Harmon
#2 - DE Landon Jackson
#3 - OG Tate Ratledge
#4 - RB Cam Skattebo
#5 - CB Zy Alexander
#6 - S R.J Mickens

 

[Cincyfan78]

Question....There has been a ton of speculation about the Bengals taking a DT in the 1st or 2nd round of this draft, and the latest one I saw was with the Bengals selecting Harmon from Oregon as an inside pass rush who is good at defending the run.

We just signed BJ Hill to a 3 year contract. We signed Slayton to a 2 year contract. We drafted DT's in the 2nd and 3rd round last year.

If we drafted a guy #1 at DT, what does that mean for the rest of the players at this position, or for that player we just drafted #1?

Latest Mock I saw had the Bengals drafting:

#1 - DT Derrick Harmon
#2 - DE Landon Jackson
#3 - OG Tate Ratledge
#4 - RB Cam Skattebo
#5 - CB Zy Alexander
#6 - S R.J Mickens

Think of it this way: Currently the team has 2 NT types in Slaton and Jackson. They have two 3-tech guys in Jenkins and Hill. Hill, however, is 30 years old. Chances of him seeing all 3 years is probably slim, at best. Also, as a rush DT, his best days are likely behind him. Adding another young, high upside, DT who can defend the run and also rush the passer would be a huge addition to this team. Not just for this years' depth and pass-rush, but it solidifies the position long-term.

I've seen a lot of recent mocks with Harmon and Nolen as being the top targets, and I do think it makes some sense. If you are planning on Trey being around, even if only for this year, the more angles you can get a pass-rush from, the better off everyone is along the line. If you can get end of season Ossai, Hendrickson, and then Jenkins rounds into form (remember, had an injury last year) and you add a guy like Nolen or Harmon - suddenly you have 4 positions on pure pass-rush downs in which can bring pressure. This gives a lot of flexibility to AG in terms of mixing his defense up. Can still bring a 5th defender, or drop 7 (like Lou did)...but the backbone of the defensive issues have started along the DL and the lack of pressure overall from anyone not named Trey.

So, while I agree - at first glance, it seems like an odd position to target, I think if you start walking through everything, you find it makes a lot of sense. From a depth perspective, a youth perspective (long-term), and from a pass-rush/upgrade ... it kind of all "clicks".

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Think of it this way: Currently the team has 2 NT types in Slaton and Jackson. They have two 3-tech guys in Jenkins and Hill. Hill, however, is 30 years old. Chances of him seeing all 3 years is probably slim, at best. Also, as a rush DT, his best days are likely behind him. Adding another young, high upside, DT who can defend the run and also rush the passer would be a huge addition to this team. Not just for this years' depth and pass-rush, but it solidifies the position long-term.

I've seen a lot of recent mocks with Harmon and Nolen as being the top targets, and I do think it makes some sense. If you are planning on Trey being around, even if only for this year, the more angles you can get a pass-rush from, the better off everyone is along the line. If you can get end of season Ossai, Hendrickson, and then Jenkins rounds into form (remember, had an injury last year) and you add a guy like Nolen or Harmon - suddenly you have 4 positions on pure pass-rush downs in which can bring pressure. This gives a lot of flexibility to AG in terms of mixing his defense up. Can still bring a 5th defender, or drop 7 (like Lou did)...but the backbone of the defensive issues have started along the DL and the lack of pressure overall from anyone not named Trey.

So, while I agree - at first glance, it seems like an odd position to target, I think if you start walking through everything, you find it makes a lot of sense. From a depth perspective, a youth perspective (long-term), and from a pass-rush/upgrade ... it kind of all "clicks".

Why give Hill a 3 year contract then at age 30 then? Just saying.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Why give Hill a 3 year contract then at age 30 then? Just saying.

Assurance.

I think that happened before they got the NT, and before you vetted guys like Harmon and Nolen. At the time, you had only 2 DT's on the roster: MJ and Jenkins. If you don't sign Hill, and then you end up not getting the NT, or if the DT vetting process doesn't go well...you are in dire straights.

The years are likely so that they could pay him an upfront bonus and spread the amount out over 3 years...I'm guessing, he'll be here this year, and next...and end up being a 2027 cap casualty/cut.

According to overthecap - there is a 1 year "out" after this year. Would have a 7M dead money, but would still save over 4M in cap space. After that, if they cut him in 2027, 3M dead money and $8M cap savings. This is where, IMO, the cut comes. Of course, they could decide to move on next year and still find another DL to draft - as Slaton will be going into his last year - unless they decide to extend him.

 

[Cincyfan78]

To add - there's also no guarantee that either DT would be there at 17...if you put your eggs in that basket, and then both are gone...and you don't sign Hill...you have 2 NT's, and only one 3-tech on the roster. Not great.