02-29-2024, 02:18 AM
(02-28-2024, 11:15 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Next December last I checked, we need a NT by Training Camp at the latest. Hopefully we get one in Free Agency.
Where do you get December from?
I do think you are right about needing a NT at camp. But we can always bring Tupou back. Davis & Maxwell are both under contract. Tufele is signed and can play some nose.
To be frank, I think he'll be back well before December. Last time, he tore his quad on 10/11/20. Week 5. He played 48 snaps week 1 in 2021, 9/12. That's 11 months. He was in camp, practicing in August. 10 months. He played in the first pre-season game.
https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/reader-expects-to-play-in-bengals-preseason-opener/7KHVJG4TUVFSRH73NHYR5B4NXA/
This time, he said it is going easier. I'd put 10 months at the outside. He got hurt 12/16. 10 months would be 10/16. That is week 6. Likely sooner. I think opening day is probably fanciful, mid to late September? Early October? I think that is not only doable, but probable.
Of course, he has a long way to go, but he is 3 months out of surgery and into rehab. We'll have a decent feel for it. If there was gonna be a major issue, I think we'd have seen it already. But he will miss some time.
Even so, we won't pay big $$$ for a NT in FA. One, because other than DJ, there are not any out there worth the $$$. Two, because if we land a good DT in FA (Williams, Rankins, etc) or draft one, we can scrape by with that + Tupou/Day 3 pick until DJ gets back. Ideal? Certainly not.
And IF Reader is back, and it sure sounded that way from Duke & ZT talking, we won't spend a high pick on a NT type with all the other holes/needs: RT, DT, WR, TE, CB, S, and P would all be above NT at that point. Maybe IOL too.
I get the concern, but NT2 is a ways down on my list. Starting NT, high priority.
1. WR2: Higgins, check.
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2. NT: Reader
3. RT: Most likely #18 but would pursue Smith & Onwenu in FA.
4. DT-3T disruptor: pursue elite & near elite FAs (Jones, Wilkins, Williams). #18 only if OT solved in FA. Rd2 or Rd3 certainly in play.
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5. WR3. Solution could be on team already. Boyd for value in play. Or any cheap FA. Most likely Rd2-Rd3 pick. Deep WR class.
6. DB help. CB4 or S help. Or both. Depending on space after Reader and what happens at DT/OT in FA, I'd swing for fences here in FA (Johnson, Sneed, Winfield). Success very unlikely. Lot of good S guys in FA, would allow Hill to CB. Chido for value in play for me.
7. TE1. I bring Sample & Hudson back. Wilcox probably too, at least to camp. I don't like the FA class, and overpaying for Schultz scares me since he is head & shoulders above the rest. Likely Rd2-Rd4 pick.
That is 7 spots counting CB & S. If big swings connect, I figure we could sign Reader + $20 mil guy (Wilkins, Winfield, Johnson types) + $15 mil guy (Onwenu, Williams types). More if we do some restructuring/creative cap hit stuff.
Then the top 4 picks write themselves.
Heck, I'd rather spend big on an IOL FA (VOlson upgrade) or Townsend at P before NT2.
I've run a ton of mocks. The only times I take a NT high & end up liking it have been:
1) We trade back from #18 to early 20s because Fuaga & Latham are gone to take Guyton or Mims (and it works) & get an extra 2nd or 3rd & I get Sweat or Jackson.
2) I assume a goldilocks FA scenario where DT is off the board. Along with RT or multiple other slots (Schultz + Chido, Chido & Boyd, Bell & Chido, etc).
Or both.
It is not out of the question. I do like Sweat a lot. But him being there at #49 is unlikely and I certainly do not let DJ walk on the chance he will be. Once I make the decision to bring DJ back, then a high NT pick feels like overkill.
