02-22-2018, 02:48 PM
The Combine is next week and I didn't want to change up my previous mock until after the Combine, but I did decide to do a mock that tries to imitate some trends the Bengals have exhibited in the past even though they say things will change. Plus, the Bengals have already started their excuses for why they can't be spenders in outside FA due to Atkins, Dunlap, and Dennard entering the final year of their contracts and money will be needed to extend them before the season starts.
*Disclaimer - Some of these picks do match my most recent mock. I request that the focus should be more on which round each position is addressed, as that's more what I consider as being "Bengal-esque".
With that said, I present to you...THAT'S SO BENGALS!
Re-sign:
Andre Smith, OT - Bengals love the comfort of players they know. I think the team pushes to bring him back and gives him low-end starter money due to the uncertainty of Fisher.
Kevin Huber, P - Bengals love to retain their K/P/LS. I expect this to happen as long as Huber is wanting the same.
Russell Bodine, C - The Bengals have stated they would like Bodine to return because he's been their reliable (albeit poor performing) starter for four years. It gives insurance.
Chris Smith, DE - Depth DE that showed promise early in the year and will help keep experience after MJ likely leaves after this year. Should be rather cheap to retain.
FA:
Bobby Hart, OT NYG (already brought in) - veteran that will compete for OT depth.
Matt Moore, QB MIA - veteran who was backup QB while Lazor was OC for Miami. Expected to be cheap and knows the system.
Greg Robinson, OT DET - Former #2 overall pick for the Rams who had fantastic measurables and potential but hasn't panned out to date with either the Rams or Lions. Classic Mike Brown redemption project to compete with Ogbuehi at LT. This is who the Bengals will tout as the "difference maker" outside FA acquisition.
Draft:
12) Josh Jackson or Denzel Ward, CB - The more I think about it, the more I could see Bengals taking CB here like they have done every even-numbered year since 2012. Adam Jones' option isn't likely to be picked up, Dennard is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and DK will also hit FA after four years. Not sure though at this time which CB out of Ward and Jackson the Bengals would have higher. Jackson has better size whereas Ward might be more suited for slot due to his twitch.
46) Isaiah Wynn, OT/OG Georgia - In true Bengals fashion, they go BPA in Round 1 with a player that they don't view as needing to start (or even play much at all) in Year 1, then they take more of an immediate need in Round 2. Hopefully Wynn is still available, as he's one of the best overall OL in the draft and has position versatility.
77) Mike Gesicki, TE Penn St - The Bengals likely let Eifert walk and will look for a TE that can catch and get separation from inline and the slot like Eifert did. However, I do think they'll wait until Day 2 because of the weaker TE class compared to last year.
3 comp) Micah Kiser, LB Virginia - Hobson now has indicated the Bengals likely won't go LB at 12 and instead go later. I think they go the same way as they did with Nick Vigil...find a mid-round LB to compete with current LBs on the roster. Given that the Bengals need help in run support and don't have a LB that is a good fit for SAM, I think they could be looking at a guy like Micah Kiser to fill that role. Kiser has instincts and tackle production, which the Bengals have always favored. He struggles in pass coverage but makes up for it against the run. I can see the Bengals bringing him in to plug at SAM while playing Vigil at either MIKE or WILL and Burfict in the other spot. Evans and Rey back them up.
108) Mason Cole, C/OT Michigan - As frustrating as we'll all be, I expect the Bengals to continue the same trend they always have and look to grab a C prospect in Round 3/4. Cole would compete with TJ Johnson and potentially Bodine too if the team really is set on bringing Bodine back like they said.
142) Godwin Igwebuike, S Northwestern - Even though there are some fans that want the Bengals to get an elite ball hawking FS, I can see them continuing their behavior of taking a versatile-yet-unspectacular S on Day 3 to compete for a depth spot with Wilson and Fej while Williams and Iloka continue to start.
5 comp for Whit) Jaleel Scott, WR New Mexico St - I fully expect the Bengals to continue their trend of drafting some late-round sleeper WR to groom and compete for a final roster spot. He has the size the Bengals seem to prefer.
173) Bruce Hector, DT USF - Sleeper backup 3T to compete for one of the final DL spots.
204) Daniel Carlson, K Auburn - Competition for Bullock.
224 trade with NE for Flowers) Darrel Williams, RB LSU - Competition for Hill and Carson.
*Disclaimer - Some of these picks do match my most recent mock. I request that the focus should be more on which round each position is addressed, as that's more what I consider as being "Bengal-esque".
With that said, I present to you...THAT'S SO BENGALS!
Re-sign:
Andre Smith, OT - Bengals love the comfort of players they know. I think the team pushes to bring him back and gives him low-end starter money due to the uncertainty of Fisher.
Kevin Huber, P - Bengals love to retain their K/P/LS. I expect this to happen as long as Huber is wanting the same.
Russell Bodine, C - The Bengals have stated they would like Bodine to return because he's been their reliable (albeit poor performing) starter for four years. It gives insurance.
Chris Smith, DE - Depth DE that showed promise early in the year and will help keep experience after MJ likely leaves after this year. Should be rather cheap to retain.
FA:
Bobby Hart, OT NYG (already brought in) - veteran that will compete for OT depth.
Matt Moore, QB MIA - veteran who was backup QB while Lazor was OC for Miami. Expected to be cheap and knows the system.
Greg Robinson, OT DET - Former #2 overall pick for the Rams who had fantastic measurables and potential but hasn't panned out to date with either the Rams or Lions. Classic Mike Brown redemption project to compete with Ogbuehi at LT. This is who the Bengals will tout as the "difference maker" outside FA acquisition.
Draft:
12) Josh Jackson or Denzel Ward, CB - The more I think about it, the more I could see Bengals taking CB here like they have done every even-numbered year since 2012. Adam Jones' option isn't likely to be picked up, Dennard is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and DK will also hit FA after four years. Not sure though at this time which CB out of Ward and Jackson the Bengals would have higher. Jackson has better size whereas Ward might be more suited for slot due to his twitch.
46) Isaiah Wynn, OT/OG Georgia - In true Bengals fashion, they go BPA in Round 1 with a player that they don't view as needing to start (or even play much at all) in Year 1, then they take more of an immediate need in Round 2. Hopefully Wynn is still available, as he's one of the best overall OL in the draft and has position versatility.
77) Mike Gesicki, TE Penn St - The Bengals likely let Eifert walk and will look for a TE that can catch and get separation from inline and the slot like Eifert did. However, I do think they'll wait until Day 2 because of the weaker TE class compared to last year.
3 comp) Micah Kiser, LB Virginia - Hobson now has indicated the Bengals likely won't go LB at 12 and instead go later. I think they go the same way as they did with Nick Vigil...find a mid-round LB to compete with current LBs on the roster. Given that the Bengals need help in run support and don't have a LB that is a good fit for SAM, I think they could be looking at a guy like Micah Kiser to fill that role. Kiser has instincts and tackle production, which the Bengals have always favored. He struggles in pass coverage but makes up for it against the run. I can see the Bengals bringing him in to plug at SAM while playing Vigil at either MIKE or WILL and Burfict in the other spot. Evans and Rey back them up.
108) Mason Cole, C/OT Michigan - As frustrating as we'll all be, I expect the Bengals to continue the same trend they always have and look to grab a C prospect in Round 3/4. Cole would compete with TJ Johnson and potentially Bodine too if the team really is set on bringing Bodine back like they said.
142) Godwin Igwebuike, S Northwestern - Even though there are some fans that want the Bengals to get an elite ball hawking FS, I can see them continuing their behavior of taking a versatile-yet-unspectacular S on Day 3 to compete for a depth spot with Wilson and Fej while Williams and Iloka continue to start.
5 comp for Whit) Jaleel Scott, WR New Mexico St - I fully expect the Bengals to continue their trend of drafting some late-round sleeper WR to groom and compete for a final roster spot. He has the size the Bengals seem to prefer.
173) Bruce Hector, DT USF - Sleeper backup 3T to compete for one of the final DL spots.
204) Daniel Carlson, K Auburn - Competition for Bullock.
224 trade with NE for Flowers) Darrel Williams, RB LSU - Competition for Hill and Carson.
Zac Taylor 2019-2020: 6 total wins
Zac Taylor 2021-2022: Double-digit wins each season, plus 5 postseason wins
Zac Taylor 2023: 9 wins despite losing Burrow half the season
Zac Taylor 2024: Started 1-4. If he can turn this into a playoff appearance, it will be impressive.
Sorry for Party Rocking!
![[Image: 4CV0TeR.png]](https://i.imgur.com/4CV0TeR.png)
Zac Taylor 2021-2022: Double-digit wins each season, plus 5 postseason wins
Zac Taylor 2023: 9 wins despite losing Burrow half the season
Zac Taylor 2024: Started 1-4. If he can turn this into a playoff appearance, it will be impressive.
Sorry for Party Rocking!
![[Image: Mx7IB2.png]](http://i.cubeupload.com/Mx7IB2.png)
