04-03-2021, 08:29 PM
(04-03-2021, 07:43 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: Man I really wish we would've just signed Golladay or another solid lineman...that would've made it an open and shut case for everyone.
As it stands, I don't think separation with our WRs is as big a problem as the talent deficiency up front. That's not to say it isn't an issue at all.
Again, I'll go back to "there aren't enough footballs to go around". We had 3 WRs with 100+ targets last year, but that was largely out of necessity because Mixon was hurt. If you have Chase, Higgins, Boyd and a healthy Mixon...somebody is going to get the squeeze. Probably Boyd if we have a balanced offense.
Boyd has a cap hit of $9.8 million this year. If he sees his targets cut from 110 to say...70, he is no longer worth that figure. These are things you have to consider if you're on board with drafting Chase.
A quick recap of positives vs negatives:
Draft Sewell
Positives: The OL will almost certainly be MASSIVELY improved with Pollack, Sewell and Reiff in the fold. No good player is going to get "squeezed". The need for WR is speed specific, not really about production, so it'll be easier to find that type of player later than "stud lineman".
Negatives: Apparently, WR isn't as deep as OL in this draft. Someone will have to shift inside. Some see this as a positive because the interior is getting a good player (probably Reiff), but some will view this as a negative.
Draft Chase
Positives: Man would that WR core be stacked. If we find some quality IOL later, this offense could be a great show to watch. We'd have a WR that teams would have to plan for.
Negatives: We're gambling with - objectively - our biggest need, which is on the line. Hoping a good IOL falls to us isn't a strat that has worked much for us in the last decade. Boyd (or Mixon) will get squeezed a bit from the offense, and they're 2 of our highest paid players. Maybe we could trade Boyd and fill his spot with a Golden Tate on the cheap?
If we keep everyone and want to keep Boyd involved, Burrow will have to continue throwing 40+ times per game behind a Sewell-less o-line. Doesn't seem smart to me seeing the results from last season.
Good, well thought out post brother, with some very valid pro and cons.
I'll say this...if I were the Bengals and were going to stay a 5...the only way I don't go Sewell is if the Falcons don't take Pitts. I'm a big Chase fan and think he would be a tremendous addition and won't be pissed at all if he's the pick...but IMO, if you decide to pass on Sewell, is has to be for the guy that can do a variety of things - TE, WR, outside, inside, vertical threat, red zone threat, etc. He's a guy that's going to be difficult to cover and game plan for, and would be a great multi-use weapon for Burrow.
In a pure Sewell vs Chase decision, I would lean Sewell and if he's the choice I would try to grab a couple of receivers. I mentioned guys like Brown (who could be the vertical threat) or Darden (who could wreak havoc underneath or gadget type plays). I would also look at a guy like Josh BB, who has all the talent you want in a WR, but still needs some development.
If they do take Chase or Pitts, I really like a guy like Eichenberg, who should be there at 38. He can start day 1 at RT or at G, and will be solid as hell. Guys like Leatherwood and Radunz could also be very good possibilities. There's also guys like Carman and Davis, and the C's as well. Basically, I just think this is a very good year to have options for the o-line and receivers. I think they can improve the line and the receiving corps, regardless of who goes first.
