02-18-2023, 04:59 PM
(02-15-2023, 12:31 AM)007BengalsFan Wrote: You dont take a TE with the first round draft pick. Its too valuable. The Bengals #29 pick will have a cap hit of about 2.4 milllion for 2023. At 2.4 million you could sign a decent free agent TE that would fill the need and be cheap. However, if you draft a good interior lineman or DE or CB you are getting a great deal because you cant find too many good ones for 2.4 million in free agency. Its much better for the team to lock up a good pass rusher for 4 years at 2 - 3 million than getting a TE for that price.
There is something you aren't considering. Tee Higgins contract.
If the Bengals draft a stud TE, then the Bengals have the option of rolling with Chase/TE in 2024 and they don't necessarily need to spend over $20mm a year resigning Tee. The Bengals could still tag and trade Tee, getting a valuable pick--- and also using that $20mm plus allocated for Tee, to use elsewhere on the roster. Imagine the TE they draft is solid-- then the Bengals can use $20mm they would have used on Tee and use it on the OL and I think they are in better shape. I also for one don't feel it's smart for the Bengals to spend big on both Chase and Tee. Just on 1 of them.
Not to mention, don't underestimate the value of a good TE for a QB. There is a reason the Chiefs traded Tyreke Hill-- they still had Kelce. I'm sure it's a coincidence, but of the final 4 teams, Bengals, Chiefs, Eagles and Niners--- there was Kelce, Goedert and Kittles. 3 of the best 5 or 6 TE's out there.
I still don't believe the Bengals need to draft a TE early, as they can a solid one in round 2,3 or even 4. But it's not the worst thing in the world if they think they are able to get a future Pro-Bowl TE in the 1st round. A Pro-Bowl level TE is very valuable.
