NFL.com 1st round Mock

[CarolinaBengalFanGuy]

NFL.com Mock Draft

https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jeremiah-2023-nfl-mock-draft-1-0-texans-ravens-among-four-teams-selecting


Darnell Washington, TE
School: Georgia
Year: Junior


Washington can function as a sixth offensive lineman in the run game, regularly using his massive frame (6-7, 270) to dominate at the point of attack. The two-time national champion is still growing and developing in the passing game, though.

Also has Bijon Robinson going to the Bills 2 picks later for any of the fans on the bandwagon of dumping Mixon and potentially picking him.

I wouldn't hate either of those picks pending the potential offensive line options. To be fair I don't think we need a LT, LG, C, RG only a new RT and I can't lie assuming everyone else stayed healthy I'm not uncomfortable letting Adeniji hold down the fort at RT, but we definitely need to bring in some vet depth or mid round draft talent.

[*Synric*]

Darnell Washington is the player every team needs but fans hate it when they are drafted. Washington is a weapon as a blocker he can do it inline blocking Defensive Ends or out in space against Defensive Backs. Alot of the screens and end arounds you see for Georgia's other star TE Brock Bowsers are open and have a lane because Washongton is the lead blocker.

Washington is also a solid receiver don't expect many seam or corner routes but short routes where he can use his size length and body control to catch and get that big body moving. He can also be a dangerous red zone guy at 6'7.

Washington has a chance to rise or fall during the draft process. If he comes out and has a draft process like 6`7 270lb Jelani Woods from last offseason I can see him sneaking into the first but if he tests poorly like a 4.85 forty 7.4 3 cone I can see him falling to late day 2 early day 3.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

Washington is a terrible option as a first round pick. He could not even start for Georgia AND plays a position with low positional value that we don't utilize much (or well) on offense. Plus, we can snag a TE later if we need to.

I get that the depth chart looks thin ATM, but hell no. In this mock draft, I'd much prefer ANY of these available players:

Bijan Robinson RB, Texas
Jackson Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Brian Bresee, DT, Clemson
Siaki Ika, NT, Baylor
Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame
Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Clark Phillips, CB, Utah
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A& M

Hell, I'd rather reach for an OT (Harrison) than a TE.

[*Synric*]

Wow I finally got a chance to read the mock Lukas Van Ness at 8... 3 Tight Ends in the first round. Tyrique Stevenson in the first highest I've seen him is 3rd round.

[CarolinaBengalFanGuy]

(01-21-2023, 01:30 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Washington is a terrible option as a first round pick. He could not even start for Georgia AND plays a position with low positional value that we don't utilize much (or well) on offense. Plus, we can snag a TE later if we need to.

I get that the depth chart looks thin ATM, but hell no. In this mock draft, I'd much prefer ANY of these available players:

Bijan Robinson RB, Texas
Jackson Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Brian Bresee, DT, Clemson
Siaki Ika, NT, Baylor
Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame
Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Clark Phillips, CB, Utah
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A& M

Hell, I'd rather reach for an OT (Harrison) than a TE.

To be fair to Washington the best TE in college football starts over him.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(01-22-2023, 02:27 AM)CarolinaBengalFanGuy Wrote: To be fair to Washington the best TE in college football starts over him.

Did not know Mayer played for Georgia, but a fair point. 

But the whole mock is absurd, as otgers have pointed out. Van Ness 8th? Stevenson in the 1st ahead of Ringo, Phillips, AND Smith? Delusional. 

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

Brooks at NFL.com also has us taking Washington, though with less on the table we could use. Still, Phillips, Forbes, Foskey, Ika, Van Ness, & Johnson.

https://www.nfl.com/news/bucky-brooks-2023-nfl-mock-draft-1-0-bills-giants-land-wide-receivers-in-round-1

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

A quick glance at post-Divisiinal round mocks. It seems most are herding into the idea of us taking a non-Mayer TE (which I do not really like).

Kiper, ESPN: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah (#28).

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/35514084/2023-nfl-mock-draft-mel-kiper-first-round-predictions-31-picks-best-team-fits-top-prospects

Brooks, NFL.com: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia (#28)

https://www.nfl.com/news/bucky-brooks-2023-nfl-mock-draft-1-0-bills-giants-land-wide-receivers-in-round-1

Jeremiah, NFL.com: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia (#28)

https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jeremiah-2023-nfl-mock-draft-1-0-texans-ravens-among-four-teams-selecting

Wilson, CBS Sports: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia (#28)

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-mock-draft-raiders-trade-with-bears-to-pick-c-j-stroud-seahawks-use-both-firsts-to-bolster-d-line/

The other CBS mocks, from last week, which have us picking #27 or #26, are also listed:

Trapasso, CBS Sports: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State (#27)
Edwards, CBS Sports: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia (#26)
Stackpole, CBS Sports: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon (#26)

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock-draft/

[*Synric*]

(01-26-2023, 01:41 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: A quick glance at post-Divisiinal round mocks. It seems most are herding into the idea of us taking a non-Mayer TE (which I do not really like).

Kiper, ESPN: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah (#28).

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/35514084/2023-nfl-mock-draft-mel-kiper-first-round-predictions-31-picks-best-team-fits-top-prospects

Brooks, NFL.com: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia (#28)

https://www.nfl.com/news/bucky-brooks-2023-nfl-mock-draft-1-0-bills-giants-land-wide-receivers-in-round-1

Jeremiah, NFL.com: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia (#28)

https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jeremiah-2023-nfl-mock-draft-1-0-texans-ravens-among-four-teams-selecting

Wilson, CBS Sports: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia (#28)

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-mock-draft-raiders-trade-with-bears-to-pick-c-j-stroud-seahawks-use-both-firsts-to-bolster-d-line/

The other CBS mocks, from last week, which have us picking #27 or #26, are also listed:

Trapasso, CBS Sports: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State (#27)
Edwards, CBS Sports: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia (#26)
Stackpole, CBS Sports: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon (#26)

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock-draft/

I think that means we need to get a Tight End position group break down thread up quickly!

[WhoDeyK]

Interesting that the consensus is Tight End. I would honestly be shocked if Hurst is not here next year. He seems like the type that will take lesser money to stay in Cincinnati.

Either way, I do not see a huge difference between Kincaid and the other tight ends that will go in the 2-4 round range so I think that would be a reach barring a trade down. Washington though is a very unique prospect. I think end of the first very beginning of the 2nd is where he’ll likely go. I could see him being a fit here but it depends who else is available because I think we’ll take the top talent on the board approach again

[CarolinaBengalFanGuy]

(01-26-2023, 01:41 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: A quick glance at post-Divisiinal round mocks. It seems most are herding into the idea of us taking a non-Mayer TE (which I do not really like).

Kiper, ESPN: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah (#28).

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/35514084/2023-nfl-mock-draft-mel-kiper-first-round-predictions-31-picks-best-team-fits-top-prospects

Brooks, NFL.com: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia (#28)

https://www.nfl.com/news/bucky-brooks-2023-nfl-mock-draft-1-0-bills-giants-land-wide-receivers-in-round-1

Jeremiah, NFL.com: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia (#28)

https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jeremiah-2023-nfl-mock-draft-1-0-texans-ravens-among-four-teams-selecting

Wilson, CBS Sports: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia (#28)

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-mock-draft-raiders-trade-with-bears-to-pick-c-j-stroud-seahawks-use-both-firsts-to-bolster-d-line/

The other CBS mocks, from last week, which have us picking #27 or #26, are also listed:

Trapasso, CBS Sports: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State (#27)
Edwards, CBS Sports: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia (#26)
Stackpole, CBS Sports: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon (#26)

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock-draft/

It has since been updated after I originally posted it, but people keep saying how we aren't as disrespected yet we were #26th until we beat the Bills and they can't even keep us out of 28th (Dead last) of the teams left in the race.

[CKwi88]

(01-26-2023, 04:01 PM)CarolinaBengalFanGuy Wrote: It has since been updated after I originally posted it, but people keep saying how we aren't as disrespected yet we were #26th until we beat the Bills and they can't even keep us out of 28th (Dead last) of the teams left in the race.

Might have to do with Cincy having 12 wins. SF is at 29th with 13 wins. Not sure about how they determined KC/PHI order.

[XenoMorph]

(01-26-2023, 04:01 PM)CarolinaBengalFanGuy Wrote: It has since been updated after I originally posted it, but people keep saying how we aren't as disrespected yet we were #26th until we beat the Bills and they can't even keep us out of 28th (Dead last) of the teams left in the race.

well Record Determines draft order and we have the least wins of teams remaining.

Not everything is meant as an insult

[bk42]

Interesting to see the TE's showing up in mocks. Knowing how many key free agents are coming up for the Bengals at positions that are typically highly paid, I'm guessing the Bengals look at other positions early in this draft. And I really like Hurst and hope he's back next year.

If I'm guessing for need, its CB or OT early but I wouldn't be surprised to see a DT, DE, WR or RB given the remaining contracts of Reader/Hendrickson/Boyd/Higgins/Mixon. I so enjoy watching all of these guys

[*ochocincos*]

(01-26-2023, 01:41 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: A quick glance at post-Divisiinal round mocks. It seems most are herding into the idea of us taking a non-Mayer TE (which I do not really like).

Kiper, ESPN: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah (#28).

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2023/insider/story/_/id/35514084/2023-nfl-mock-draft-mel-kiper-first-round-predictions-31-picks-best-team-fits-top-prospects

Brooks, NFL.com: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia (#28)

https://www.nfl.com/news/bucky-brooks-2023-nfl-mock-draft-1-0-bills-giants-land-wide-receivers-in-round-1

Jeremiah, NFL.com: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia (#28)

https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jeremiah-2023-nfl-mock-draft-1-0-texans-ravens-among-four-teams-selecting

Wilson, CBS Sports: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia (#28)

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-mock-draft-raiders-trade-with-bears-to-pick-c-j-stroud-seahawks-use-both-firsts-to-bolster-d-line/

The other CBS mocks, from last week, which have us picking #27 or #26, are also listed:

Trapasso, CBS Sports: Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State (#27)
Edwards, CBS Sports: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia (#26)
Stackpole, CBS Sports: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon (#26)

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock-draft/

Washington is 100% the style TE that the Bengals prefer, not Kincaid.
I would hope it wouldn't require a 1st rounder to get Washington, but he's a well-rounded TE who can impact all parts of the offense, so it's not a bad pick if it happens.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(01-21-2023, 07:05 AM)Synric Wrote: Darnell Washington is the player every team needs but fans hate it when they are drafted. Washington is a weapon as a blocker he can do it inline blocking Defensive Ends  or out in space against Defensive Backs. Alot of the screens and end arounds you see for Georgia's other star TE Brock Bowsers are open and have a lane because Washongton is the lead blocker.

Washington is also a solid receiver don't expect many seam or corner routes but short routes where he can use his size length and body control to catch and get that big body moving. He can also be a dangerous red zone guy at 6'7.

Washington has a chance to rise or fall during the draft process. If he comes out and has a draft process like 6`7 270lb Jelani Woods from last offseason I can see him sneaking into the first but if he tests poorly like a 4.85 forty 7.4 3 cone I can see him falling to late day 2 early day 3.

Hate it when they are drafted in the first two rounds. You want a big road grading TE in the 4th or 6th who can do some dirty work? Hell yeah, more power to you. I've been banging the table every year for the Bengals to draft a true FB for like a decade, so I don't hate the unflashy-but-important picks. Not for the 1st round, though.

Chasing guys solely for height and assuming that'll make you good in the red zone just never works. The Colts had a 6'3 WR, 6'4 WR, 6'5 TE, and 6'7 TE and were 29th in Red Zone TD%. Tyler Boyd has actually turned a tiny % more of his targets into TDs in his career than Calvin Johnson and Travis Kelce. There's great red zone targets that were tall, but I think that's more that they were just great. I just remember talk about Auden Tate being potentially uncoverable in the red zone because he was 6'5.

Jelani Woods was a 3rd round pick. If the Bengals take Darnell Washington with the 32nd pick of the 3rd round, I wouldn't hate that.

- - - - - - - - -

If Mayer is there, take him, and if he slips to the low 20s, consider trading up for him. Otherwise I would take someone like RB Zach Charbonnet, OT Ryan Hayes, or LB Jack Campbell as way-too-early possibilities.

[*Synric*]

(01-26-2023, 09:11 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Hate it when they are drafted in the first two rounds. You want a big road grading TE in the 4th or 6th who can do some dirty work? Hell yeah, more power to you. I've been banging the table every year for the Bengals to draft a true FB for like a decade, so I don't hate the unflashy-but-important picks. Not for the 1st round, though.

Chasing guys solely for height and assuming that'll make you good in the red zone just never works. The Colts had a 6'3 WR, 6'4 WR, 6'5 TE, and 6'7 TE and were 29th in Red Zone TD%. Tyler Boyd has actually turned a tiny % more of his targets into TDs in his career than Calvin Johnson and Travis Kelce. There's great red zone targets that were tall, but I think that's more that they were just great. I just remember talk about Auden Tate being potentially uncoverable in the red zone because he was 6'5.

Jelani Woods was a 3rd round pick. If the Bengals take Darnell Washington with the 32nd pick of the 3rd round, I wouldn't hate that.

- - - - - - - - -

If Mayer is there, take him, and if he slips to the low 20s, consider trading up for him. Otherwise I would take someone like RB Zach Charbonnet, OT Ryan Hayes, or LB Jack Campbell as way-too-early possibilities.

It's not just a height thing its size and physicality. It's how they run routes how they create seperation with their body and length.


Darnell Washington is a top 50 prospect it doesnt matter if you value blocking TEs or not.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(01-26-2023, 11:06 PM)Synric Wrote: It's not just a height thing its size and physicality. It's how they run routes how they create seperation with their body and length.


Darnell Washington is a top 50 prospect it doesnt matter if you value blocking TEs or not.

I guess I just don't really trust high prospects that don't have college production that line up with where you're expected to draft them. I wouldn't feel good using a 1st on a guy expecting him to be a red zone monster when he only had 3 career TDs in 27 college games. That's just me, though.

Feels extra weird when you're a team that needs an OT (or 2) to get a part-time position blocker instead of a full-time position blocker.

[*Synric*]

(01-26-2023, 11:35 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: I guess I just don't really trust high prospects that don't have college production that line up with where you're expected to draft them. I wouldn't feel good using a 1st on a guy expecting him to be a red zone monster when he only had 3 career TDs in 27 college games. That's just me, though.

Feels extra weird when you're a team that needs an OT (or 2) to get a part-time position blocker instead of a full-time position blocker.

Washington is surprisingly fun to watch if you get a chance.

 I'm not on the Washington to Cincy train though. I like Tucker Kraft the FCS kid from South Dakota State. Very talented but raw but what makes him so intriguing is he is great with the ball in his hands and that's alot more rare for a Tight End. I would like to see Krat maybe develop with Hurst and Wilcox if they are resigned to short cheap deals.

[basballguy]

(01-21-2023, 01:30 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Washington is a terrible option as a first round pick. He could not even start for Georgia AND plays a position with low positional value that we don't utilize much (or well) on offense. Plus, we can snag a TE later if we need to.

I get that the depth chart looks thin ATM, but hell no. In this mock draft, I'd much prefer ANY of these available players:

Bijan Robinson  RB, Texas
Jackson Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Brian Bresee, DT, Clemson
Siaki Ika, NT, Baylor
Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame
Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Clark Phillips, CB, Utah
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A& M

Hell, I'd rather reach for an OT (Harrison) than a TE.

Ringo is my ideal pick for us but I doubt he falls to us.