10-15-2017, 09:34 AM
I know this is going to shock some people.... The Bengals are talented and deep and have been for many seasons. A first round pick, or any draft pick for that matter, is rarely going to come in and just oust the incumbent unless it's at a position that is awful and/or old. The Bengals aren't awful anywhere where they are old. And they are too young where they are awful. The Bengals aren't scrapping two year old draft picks for 1 year old draft picks. It makes no sense.
Show me 1st rounders who have come in and made an immediate impact on talented teams their first season. It's rare. The Bengals grossly underachieved last season, and picked high. That doesn't mean there isn't great talent. People can bash LaFell, but he's been productive and knows a lot more than a rookie coming in. Nobody from college is going to come in and immediately knock him off.
If AJ Green had been drafted by the Bengals in 2006, he wouldn't have had a big impact his rookie season. I'm sorry, but he just wouldn't have gotten more targets or been in enough plays over Chad & TJ or Chirs Henry. In fact, AJ Green is very similar to Chris Henry in terms of skill set and they probably wouldn't have even looked at him in 2006 because, why draft a 4th WR option with THAT roster already there?
Same thing with CBs. What guy coming out of college is going to immediately replace Jones or Kirkpatrick? Nobody.
Jackson the III is super impressive to me because, even after missing playing time last season, he's looking great for a young CB. Like, unbelievable potential. When he was picked people were saying "WTF???". But he looks like a great long term pick.
I didn't love with the Ross pick at first, but it makes perfect sense given the Bengals roster and THIS particular draft class that came out. I am hopeful that the team will look at the O-line in a big way in the 2018 draft. Those guys can come in and play right away. The 2017 had too many gambles and was probably the worst draft ever for O-line. I don't blame them for passing for super talented guys like Lawson, Willis, Ross, etc.
Show me 1st rounders who have come in and made an immediate impact on talented teams their first season. It's rare. The Bengals grossly underachieved last season, and picked high. That doesn't mean there isn't great talent. People can bash LaFell, but he's been productive and knows a lot more than a rookie coming in. Nobody from college is going to come in and immediately knock him off.
If AJ Green had been drafted by the Bengals in 2006, he wouldn't have had a big impact his rookie season. I'm sorry, but he just wouldn't have gotten more targets or been in enough plays over Chad & TJ or Chirs Henry. In fact, AJ Green is very similar to Chris Henry in terms of skill set and they probably wouldn't have even looked at him in 2006 because, why draft a 4th WR option with THAT roster already there?
Same thing with CBs. What guy coming out of college is going to immediately replace Jones or Kirkpatrick? Nobody.
Jackson the III is super impressive to me because, even after missing playing time last season, he's looking great for a young CB. Like, unbelievable potential. When he was picked people were saying "WTF???". But he looks like a great long term pick.
I didn't love with the Ross pick at first, but it makes perfect sense given the Bengals roster and THIS particular draft class that came out. I am hopeful that the team will look at the O-line in a big way in the 2018 draft. Those guys can come in and play right away. The 2017 had too many gambles and was probably the worst draft ever for O-line. I don't blame them for passing for super talented guys like Lawson, Willis, Ross, etc.
