Okeana's Bengals Big Board - 2019 - Top 40

[Okeana]

** I will not be giving a full breakdown of each player, but I'm willing to discuss each and why I placed them where I did.  This was a last min thing for me and I wish I had more time this year to make it more detailed.

HOW I MADE MY SELECTIONS

- Positional Need 
-  Scheme Fit / Flexibility
- Statistical Grading
- Athletic Testing
- Tape Review 
- Eye Test 
- Interviews

TOP POSITIONS OF NEED

1.  LINEBACKER 
2.  OFFENSIVE LINE
3.  QUARTERBACK
4.  DEFENSIVE END
5.  TIGHT END
6.  DEFENSIVE TACKLE
7.  WIDE RECEIVER
8.  CORNERBACK
9.  SAFETY
10.  KICKER
11.  RUNNING BACK


* I packaged all offensive lineman into one package because honestly the whole unit is subpar and our best player on the line is on the last year of his contract and getting old.


**  If you want to debate the need list I can give you my reasoning in the comments

THE LIST

**THIS LIST WILL NOT INCLUDE ALL PLAYERS FOR A MULTITUDE OF REASONS, BUT MOST HAVE TO DO WITH SCHEME FIT.  PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK ABOUT ANY SPECIFIC PLAYER AND I WILL EXPLAIN MY REASONING WHY THEY DID NOT MAKE THE LIST.  THIS LIST ONLY INCLUDES MY TOP 40 AND DOESN'T GO INTO THE LATER PICKS.  IF I HAVE TIME I WILL GO BACK AND HIGHLIGHT SOME GUYS LATER IN THE DRAFT THAT IM HIGH ON OUTSIDE OF THE LIST.

1.  DT QUINNEN WILLIAMS,  ALABAMA 


Maybe the best player I have ever scouted regardless of position.  Generational prospect.


2.  DE NICK BOSA, OHIO STATE - 


Safest and best 4-3 pass rusher in the draft.  Bloodline.

3.  LB DEVIN WHITE, LSU 


This was a hard pick because I almost value Devin Bush more at this point because of Positional IQ at this point.  That said Devin White has the upside of potentially being a middle linebacker down the line and I love everything about him from a defensive captain perspective.  Teammates love him, coaches love him, and he rides a horse.  I will caution that he may never develop into a high IQ linebacker and could be a bust from a developmental perspective.


4.  QB DWAYNE HASKINS, OHIO STATE


Reminds me of several Quarterbacks.  Big Ben Body and Tom Brady arm and style of play, but he will need to develop to reach potential.  What I like most about Haskins is that he takes what you give him and seems to have great reads on defenses.  Still has work to do and only placed him this high because of positional importance/need. 

5.  TE T.J. HOCKENSON, IOWA


If I removed all positional need and importance on a team Hock would be my #2 in this entire draft.  You simply cannot watch his tape without seeing the insane potential this kid has and he may be my favorite tight end prospect I've seen... ever.  All pro potential.  Great Blocker in run and pass.  Some of the best hands in the draft regardless of position its almost like he has glue on his gloves.  Great personality and Athlete.  Extremely high character and work ethic.  Yes, I totally have a man crush.

6.  LB DEVIN BUSH, MICHIGAN


OLB with elite speed and nastiness.  Great leader.  Has the Bloodline.  Out of the two Devin's I believe that Bush has the higher chance of being a perennial pro-bowler.  He's basically Devin White with a lifetime of linebacker knowledge and a father who played the position in the NFL. 

7.  DT ED OLIVER, HOUSTON


Best 3-tech in the draft.  The best first step of all defensive lineman in the draft.  The only downside is we didn't consistently see it in college because of him playing out of position.  Atkin's is getting old and he's a perfect future replacement.


8.  DEXTER LAWRENCE, CLEMSON 


I love Dexter Lawrence; He's big, he's nasty, and most athletic nose tackle I've ever seen coming out of college.  He's basically more athletic version of Haloti Ngata which is kind of insane.  I love his diversity to be a true nose or play 1-tech.  Has the ability to collapse the pocket and the length to bring down quarterbacks without losing to the run.  Dexter Lawrence is the perfect player to draw attention off of Atkins freeing him up for 1on1 situations.  Athletically he ran as fast as Ndamukong Suh while being 40 pounds heavier and having a higher bench.  [url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/N/NgatHa20.htm#all_combine][/url]

9.  OT JONAH WILLIAMS, ALABAMA


Jonah Williams is the most diverse lineman in this draft offering the most positional value across the offensive line.  What he lacks athletically he makes up for being the most technically sound lineman in the draft.  He can cover any holes we may have this season while offering us flexibility in future drafts.

10.  DEFENSIVE END BRIAN BURNS, FLORIDA STATE


My second best pass rusher in this year's draft he probably has the best balance of all the prospects.  Great spin mode, decent hands, and a great first step.  With all that said Brian Burns is one of the few guys on my list that is a pure projection.  He lacked consistency at the college level and most of what we saw on tape was him playing much lighter than he will at the NFL level.  With all that said he does have the frame to carry the weight and he has a natural balance which could make him one of the best pass rushers in the NFL if he reaches his potential.

11.  OT CODY FORD, OKLAHOMA


Cody Ford played RT on the best offensive line in college football this year and has probably the highest ceiling of all the Tackles in this year's draft.  Big, Nasty, and Athletic; he has all the traits you want in a starting right tackle in the NFL with ideal Height, Weight, and Length.  If he doesn't pan out then you kick him inside to guard and lose little to no value.  
  
12.  OT DALTON RISNER, KANSAS STATE


I really like Dalton Risner because of his versatility he's basically Jonah Williams 2.0, but nastier and more physicality to his game.  The guy is a total stud offensive lineman.  Maybe he should be my #2 OL heck maybe he should be my #1.  Do not be surprised when the Patriots select him and he becomes a hall of fame offensive lineman.

13.  CB BYRON MURPHY, WASHINGTON



I value good corners in the NFL and Murphy is one of the best in the draft.  Doesn't have ideal long speed, but is great against the run and has that quick burst speed.  He can play man, but is an ideal fit for zone coverage with the upside of versatility.


14.  OT JAWAAN TAYLOR, FLORIDA

15.  DT CHRISTIAN WILKINS, CLEMSON

16.  G CHRIS LINDSTROM, BOSTON COLLEGE


If I'm drafting a pure guard in this year's draft Lindstrom is my guy.  

17.  C GARRETT BRADBURY, NC STATE

18.  WR J.J. ARCEGA-WHITESIDE, STANFORD


Ideal WR #2 for the team with ideal measurables.  Tested great at his pro day while having some of the best tapes considering the team he played on.  I like guys who can catch everything thrown their way and he reminds me a lot of Housh in that way.

19.  CB GREEDY WILLIAMS, LSU


Scheme fit is semi-questionable because he's primarily a man cover corner, but he can play zone as well.  You just can't find guys with his measurables and athletic traits every day so he's my corner #2.  LSU produces quality corner's but I question his mental toughness.

20.  DT JEFFERY SIMMONS, MISSISSIPPI STATE


Full disclaimer I like Simmons a lot higher than this ranking would lead you to believe.  I think he's every bit a top 10 talent in this year's draft, but he has an injury coming into his rookie season and you know how that usually ends up for the Bengals.  Simmons is probably the most versatile defensive tackle on this list because he can possibly play in any formation anywhere along the line and still be productive.

21.  QB DREW LOCK, MISSOURI


The highest ceiling of any quarterback in this year's draft, but that boom or bust factor pushes him down my list.  He doesn't show up in big games and just doesn't seem like a winner.  If it wasn't for positional value and his ceiling he wouldn't even be on the list.

22.  CB ROCK YA-SIN, TEMPLE


I really like Rock as a man corner at the next level.  Depending on our schemes next year he may be a guy to look at in the second round.

23.  S DARNELL SAVAGE, MARYLAND


My favorite safety in the draft and a position we don't have a ton of depth at.  Williams is getting older and Savage is an upgrade at every level for SS.  Fits perfectly within a 4-2-5 scheme.  He's also really fast and hits really hard... yeah I like those guys.

24.  DT JERRY TILLERY, NOTRE DAME

25.  CB DEANDRE BAKER, GEORGIA

26.  G HJALTE FROHOLDT, ARKANSAS

27.  EDGE CHASE WINOVICH, MICHIGAN


I cannot explain why I like Chase so much, but I really do.  I think he's athletic enough you could play him standing up at OLB and he has an insane work ethic.  Just to put this into perspective he played at the same position as Rashan Gary who may be one of the most athletic guys ever drafted and consistently outperformed him.  I like his tape a lot and I like him as a person even more.

28.  S JOHNATHAN ABRAM, MISSISSIPPI STATE


Darnell Savage but larger.  These guys are really really close on my board.

29.  ANDRE DILLARD, WASHINGTON STATE


What can I say about Dillard... I don't like him.  The only reason I have him on my board at all is athletically he is gifted and he had great college stats, but I think of all the top offensive tackles in this year's draft he has the biggest bust potential.  I am going against my own principals by even putting him on this list, but he has just enough physical traits and production at LT that I would draft him late in the second round.

30.  LB BLAKE CASHMAN, MINNESOTA

31.  WR ANDY ISABELLA, MASSACHUSETTS

32.  RB DAVID MONTGOMERY, IOWA STATE

33.  OT MAX SCHARPING, NORTHERN ILLINOIS

34.  OT TYTUS HOWARD, ALABAMA STATE

35.  S NASIR ADDERLEY, DELAWARE

36.  S JUAN THORNHILL, VIRGINIA

37.  EDGE MONTEZ SWEAT, MISSISSIPPI STATE

38.  EDGE RASHAN GARY, MICHIGAN

39.  TE NOAH FANT, IOWA

40.  EDGE L.J. COLLIER, TCU

PLAYERS OFF THE LIST

KYLER MURRAY - As you can see I did not include Kyler Murray on this list because under no circumstance would I draft him.  First I don't think Murray would be a safe pick because of his status with baseball and the Bengals being a small market team;  I highly doubt that he would continue playing football for our team after a couple losing seasons and would pursue a career in Baseball.  The more important factor is that I have a bad gut feeling about him throughout the entire process leading up to the draft and I don't think he has the personality to be a leader.

JOSH ALLEN - I don't project him as highly going into the draft as nearly anyone, but my main reason for not listing him is he doesn't remotely fit a 4-3 defense and is truly a 3-4 OLB by my projection.  I also feel that his college career will be much better than his NFL career and I wasn't necessarily impressed by the 2018 schedule and the offensive lineman he lined up against consistently.  



To be continued...

PLAYERS WHO I HAVE RANKED REALLY LOW

MONTEZ SWEAT - This is a tough one for me because based on his physical traits alone he screams a more athletic Julius Peppers to me.  The reason I have him falling is because of his tape which lacks technique and his medical concerns.  I want him to be better with his hands and I want him to have a bend, but it doesn't show up on tape.  He reminds me a lot of Michael Johnson in body type and you're hoping that his frame can fill out at a faster pace than MJ while retaining that speed.  I just don't like any player with major medical concerns coming to the Bengals because we have such terrible luck with these players.  The last thing I will mention is that while he was very productive in college he also played on the best defense in college football last year so a lot of his stats after review were the result of other players on the team.


RASHAN GARY -  His tape is so ugly I'm considering dropping him from the list altogether.  If it wasn't for his absolute freakish athleticism he would be a 6th round pick.  I would take him in the 3rd round at most.









To be continued...

STANDOUT PLAYERS

To be continued...

[Au165]

Deandre Baker and Dillard are criminally low in my mind. I agree that Gary is a big time faller, I had him out of the 1st in my 32 team mock. I would add Jaylon Ferguson to the board over Collier and Winovich. Winovich to me is Sam Hubbard, a high motor try hard guy that in terms of having one on your team is great, but I'm not sure I want a second. In terms of WR I think N'keal Harry better than any WR you have on your board, but I am also a sucker for Isabella in the 3rd.

Overall the board has talent, I think there are guys I'd consider higher some lower and maybe a couple missing but it makes logical sense. We disagree on Murray, but it's not worth a rehash here haha.

[NKURyan]

I think it's interesting to see where you have Sweat... people seem to have him all over the place. Would you say this is primarily due to his heart issue, or is it purely a reflection of his ability?

[Okeana]

(04-24-2019, 11:33 AM)Au165 Wrote: Deandre Baker and Dillard are criminally low in my mind. I agree that Gary is a big time faller, I had him out of the 1st in my 32 team mock. I would add Jaylon Ferguson to the board over Collier and Winovich. Winovich to me is Sam Hubbard, a high motor try hard guy that in terms of having one on your team is great, but I'm not sure I want a second.  In terms of WR I think N'keal Harry better than any WR you have on your board, but I am also a sucker for Isabella in the 3rd.

Overall the board has talent, I think there are guys I'd consider higher some lower and maybe a couple missing but it makes logical sense. We disagree on Murray, but it's not worth a rehash here haha.

Baker, I don't feel is a great scheme fit, but ultimately he made the board and I think he's a good player.  Dillard, I just don't like regardless of what draft pundits say.  I would rather have Risner any day of the week than Dillard.  

I think Winovich is more athletic than Sam Hubbard and other than being white they aren't very similar at all.  Sam Hubbard ran a 4.89 while Chase ran a 4.51.  Sam is almost 6'6 while Chase is 6'3.  Sam doesn't have bend while Chase has better pass rushing skills and decent bend.  Athletically Chase could play OLB in the NFL while Sam is more of a LDE.  I'm actually really surprised you would compare these two on any level.

I'm a Fan of Harry, but with he doesn't offer much in the way of improvement for the team as a slot receiver which is what I view him as which is why I didn't have him on the list.  

Ferg would be on my list if it was longer along with Joe Jackson

[Okeana]

(04-24-2019, 11:53 AM)NKURyan Wrote: I think it's interesting to see where you have Sweat... people seem to have him all over the place. Would you say this is primarily due to his heart issue, or is it purely a reflection of his ability?

I like him as a player, but I just don't feel like historically people with his body type do well at RDE.  If he had better bend and a little more mass I would like him a lot better.  That and the Bengals are cursed so if we draft him he would probably have a heart attack on the field.

[Au165]

(04-24-2019, 12:02 PM)Okeana Wrote: Baker, I don't feel is a great scheme fit, but ultimately he made the board and I think he's a good player.  Dillard, I just don't like regardless of what draft pundits say.  I would rather have Risner any day of the week than Dillard.  

I think Winovich is more athletic than Sam Hubbard and other than being white they aren't very similar at all.  Sam Hubbard ran a 4.89 while Chase ran a 4.51.  Sam is almost 6'6 while Chase is 6'3.  Sam doesn't have bend while Chase has better pass rushing skills and decent bend.  Athletically Chase could play OLB in the NFL while Sam is more of a LDE.  I'm actually really surprised you would compare these two on any level.

I'm a Fan of Harry, but with he doesn't offer much in the way of improvement for the team as a slot receiver which is what I view him as which is why I didn't have him on the list.  

Ferg would be on my list if it was longer along with Joe Jackson

I agree, I like Risner above all. His tape against Sweat was really good and he showed all year he is a stud. 

They both rely on motor to win, I'm not even looking at measurables. The tape is full of them being relentless and not neccessarily winning with superior technique but not giving up on plays. A lot of run downs from behind and a lot of sacks because they keep coming. I think both could stand up in the NFL, but I don't think either is a star in the NFL just solid 10 year players. 

Harry is an outside receiver, not a slot. To me he is Dez Bryant, a deep ball specialist who is going to make his living on contested jump balls not really on explosive route running. I look at him as AJ insurance, he isn't AJ, but he can full fill the contested jump ball role in the event AJ leaves or continues to be injured. In my mind it allows us to more readily move Boyd into the slot on 3 wide sets, but let Boyd continue to be outside on two receiver sets early on.

[Bengalpool]

Was Josh Allen not added due to scheme I take it? It'd be hard to pass on him if he somehow fell to 11.

Great top 40 either way.

[Okeana]

(04-24-2019, 12:20 PM)Takedown Wrote: Was Josh Allen not added due to scheme I take it? It'd be hard to pass on him if he somehow fell to 11.

Great top 40 either way.

Yeah, I'm still working on some of the guys i left off the list and why, basically, Josh Allen doesn't translate into our scheme on any level IMO.  I view him as a 3-4 OLB only but I still think he's a great football player.  If they transition to a 3-4 then I would happily redo the list, but i think his college career will be better than his pro career either way and I don't view him in the same league as a guy like Williams or even Bosa.

[Bengalpool]

(04-24-2019, 12:24 PM)Okeana Wrote: Yeah, I'm still working on some of the guys i left off the list and why, basically, Josh Allen doesn't translate into our scheme on any level IMO.  I view him as a 3-4 OLB only but I still think he's a great football player.  If they transition to a 3-4 then I would happily redo the list, but i think his college career will be better than his pro career either way and I don't view him in the same league as a guy like Williams or even Bosa.

Fair observation. I think he'll do well as a 3-4 OLB too, but maybe not a great one. In my last mock I had Arizona trading down to #6 so the Giants could get Murray at #1 and Allen was taken by AZ at #6. He's one of the players I'm not too sure about, but I would admittedly probably be yelling for us to take him if he fell lol. Thanks.

[Goalpost]

Irv Smith seems underrated to me. Not that your board is much different than where most rank him. Has good stats on a team that likes to spread the wealth. Game doesn't seem to big for him. He runs routes everywhere. Blocks well too.

[Okeana]

(04-24-2019, 12:32 PM)Goalpost Wrote: Irv Smith seems underrated to me.  Not that your board is much different than where most rank him.  Has good stats on a team that likes to spread the wealth.  Game doesn't seem to big for him.  He runs routes everywhere. Blocks well too.

Yeah, that's nothing against him but positionally he just didn't make top 40.  I'm even considering dropping Fant off big board because nothing is worse than a receiving TE that can't catch lmao

[BengalFanInNJ]

Great stuff. Appreciate the hard work you did for this.

[Benton]

(04-24-2019, 12:20 PM)Takedown Wrote: Was Josh Allen not added due to scheme I take it? It'd be hard to pass on him if he somehow fell to 11.

Great top 40 either way.

Yeah, appreciate the thread's insight into a few guys and the work that went into it, but... rank ingAllen outside the top 10, let alone outside the first round worth of guys?

[Okeana]

(04-24-2019, 02:31 PM)Benton Wrote: Yeah, appreciate the thread's insight into a few guys and the work that went into it, but... rank ingAllen outside the top 10, let alone outside the first round worth of guys?

he doesn't fit this team

[Au165]

(04-24-2019, 02:41 PM)Okeana Wrote: he doesn't fit this team

He can play with his hand down as a DE and still be a top 3 DE in this class. People think he is a small guy but he is 6'5 260 with a solid frame. His best value is standing up, but a good DC will move him around. We worked him out so the idea "he doesn't fit this team" may be a stretch. 

[*Synric*]

I dont think Ed Oliver will be as high on Bengals Big Board compared to other teams because of Geno Atkins. His first few years of his rookie contract he will be the backup 3 tech playing around 40% of the snaps.

[Au165]

(04-24-2019, 02:53 PM)Synric Wrote: I dont think Ed Oliver will be as high on Bengals Big Board compared to other teams because of Geno Atkins. His first few years of his rookie contract he will be the backup 3 tech playing around 40% of the snaps.

I think Oliver can play DE in base similar then kick inside on pass rushing downs similar to Michael Bennett in Seattle.

[*Synric*]

(04-24-2019, 02:55 PM)Au165 Wrote: I think Oliver can play DE in base similar then kick inside on pass rushing downs similar to Michael Bennett in Seattle.

I dont think he can Oliver is a penetrating defensive tackle I dont think he will be able to hold up on first and second down as a run defender. Michael Bennett has size and length to stack and shed blockers in the run game.

It's one of the reasons I'm higher on Montez Sweat I think he could be Michael Bennett type dangerous on the outside but can move inside as a rusher.

[Au165]

(04-24-2019, 03:02 PM)Synric Wrote: I dont think he can Oliver is a penetrating defensive tackle I dont think he will be able to hold up on first and second down as a run defender. Michael Bennett has size and length to stack and shed blockers in the run game.

It's one of the reasons I'm higher on Montez Sweat I think he could be Michael Bennett type dangerous on the outside but can move inside as a rusher.

Disagree. Houston played him as a NT at times in base downs. He is so athletic though some teams had him work out as a 3-4 MLB and he actually did well. I think the guy is possibly the best chess piece in the draft.

[*ochocincos*]

(04-24-2019, 12:11 PM)Au165 Wrote: I agree, I like Risner above all. His tape against Sweat was really good and he showed all year he is a stud. 

They both rely on motor to win, I'm not even looking at measurables. The tape is full of them being relentless and not neccessarily winning with superior technique but not giving up on plays. A lot of run downs from behind and a lot of sacks because they keep coming. I think both could stand up in the NFL, but I don't think either is a star in the NFL just solid 10 year players. 

Harry is an outside receiver, not a slot. To me he is Dez Bryant, a deep ball specialist who is going to make his living on contested jump balls not really on explosive route running. I look at him as AJ insurance, he isn't AJ, but he can full fill the contested jump ball role in the event AJ leaves or continues to be injured. In my mind it allows us to more readily move Boyd into the slot on 3 wide sets, but let Boyd continue to be outside on two receiver sets early on.

This was my comparison for Harry too.