2023 NFL Combine

[*ochocincos*]

(03-06-2023, 05:12 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: True, but last year, we had all the starters locked & healthy heading into the draft. Draft was April 28th. We signed:  Cappa 3/14, BJ Hill 3/15, Karras 3/17, Hurst 3/17, Apple 3/19, and Collins 3/20. 

It is a lot easier to draft quality safety at #27 than a starting LT. RT is damn tough. I think we'll favor a FA stopgap + guys we have first. And I think if there is a guy available who we think makes us better right now, we take that guy. 

I mean, we COULD do it, but I think it is doubtful. 

#1) We cannot need a starter anywhere heading into the draft. S, TE, LB all have a starter quality guy in hand. 
#2) There isn't a playmaker (O or D) available that we think has good value at that spot. 
#3) We really have to LOVE the prospect. Cannot be doubtful on him. Wright may qialify. I doubt Harrison or D. Jones does. 

Now, talk to me in late March/April and I may change my mind. But we also have impending FA issues at WR, RB, CB, NT in addition to tackle. And pickung where we are picking, it is easier to get help at those spots than gamble/reach for an LT at #28. 

From the way the Bengals make it sound, they expect 4 of the 5 to be healthy by Training Camp. The only outlier is Collins.
And Pollack expects Carman to be "in the mix" to fill in while Collins is out.
So its definitely possible they aren't looking for an immediate starter in Rd 1 (or any round) of the draft and just looking for long-term depth players and/or future starters.
While I think a cheaper vet stopgap could make sense for the immediate season, you've got Williams in a contract year and both Collins and Carman end their contracts after 2024 season, so just 2 years remaining. They need more guys in the wings to be ready to take over once these guys start departing.