OT or the Field?

[CJD]

(01-16-2024, 12:42 PM)Whatever Wrote: I think it will be offense in the 1sr.  Our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd the last two drafts have all been defense.  However, I can see it being WR, OT, or Bowers(if he somehow makes it). On paper, I would prefer a T, but you never know who will be there.  

My preference is T, especially since the board lines up with that need perfectly. I wouldn't be opposed to WR either. The idea of Rome Odunze, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on the field at the same time is tantalizing.

I doubt Bowers is there, but he'd obviously be great too.

But the reason that I am tempted to go OT first is because we, as the Bengals, are absolutely HORRENDOUS at selecting offensive linemen in the draft.

2022: Cordell Volson
2021: Jackson Carman, D'Ante Smith, Trey Hill
2020: Hakeem Adeniji
2019: Jonah Williams, Michael Jordan
2018: Billy Price, Rod Taylor
2017: JJ Dielman
2016: Christian Westerman
2015: Cedric Ogbuehi, Jake Fisher
2014: Russell Bodine

Only 1 of those players has performed up to their draft selection, imo (Jonah). You could make an argument for Volson, but he has yet to turn into a good starter. He is just the only option at LG at the moment.

In that same time frame, we've drafted Tyler Boyd, Auden Tate, Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase, Charlie Jones and Andrei Iosivas, all of whom have played up to their draft position or have shown the potential to.

The only major miss at WR in the last 10 years has been John Ross.

For that reason, I would much prefer to go OT - WR, rather than WR - OT. Let's get our hands on the best OT prospect we can and wait on WR until the 2nd or maybe 3rd round, as we know how to actually develop that position, whereas with OT we kind of need a finished product coming out of college haha.