Autumn Equinox Mock

[*ochocincos*]

Today is the Autumn Equinox a.k.a. the first day of Fall. Woohoo for it officially being Fall (even though it feels like Summer)!
This mock is indeed early. I'm aware that players will move up and down. This is based on some projected rounds I've seen.
This mock also factors in offseason cuts, re-signings, and acquisitions in FA.

Enjoy!

2018 Cap space = $18 mill

Cut:
Andy Dalton - Save $13.9 mill
Michael Johnson - Save $5 mill
Adam Jones - Save $6 mill (or remove Dennard's option and save $8.5 million)
Brandon LaFell - save $4 mill
---------------
+$29 mill
$18+29= $47 mill

Re-sign:
Huber - $3 mill
Harris - $1 mill
Chris Smith - $2 mill
---------------
$47-6 = $41 mill

Add:
Weston Richburg, C NYG - $9 mill
Nate Solder, LT NE - $14 mill (Or sign Andre Smith again if going cheap)
--------------------
$41-23 = $18 mill
+ ~$10 mill rollover from 2017 = $28 mill reserve for draft picks, extensions for Dunlap and Atkins, etc.

2018 draft:
EDIT - I predict the Bengals end up with 5-6 wins and pick in the 5-10 range.

1) Connor Williams, OT Texas (6'6", 320 lb) - Williams just suffered a MCL and PCL strain early this season, plus be suffered a meniscus tear that needed surgery, but the good news is he suffered no significant ligament damage and should be healthy well ahead of the draft.
Williams is a mauler and has the ability to play both OT spots. If the Bengals pick up Solder, Williams should be a very, very good plug-and-play RT. If the Bengals instead get a cheaper OT (maybe re-sign Andre Smith), Williams has all the tools to become a franchise LT. Unlike Ogbuehi, Williams is not all potential either. VOch Lombardi's film session on Williams and other OTs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZfpV6qjZHA

2) Luke Falk, QB Washington St (6'4", 225 lb) - If the Bengals miss out on Sam Darnold, I'm taking a QB with accuracy, poise, pocket awareness, and production. Falk is also a guy with great touch that has an underrated arm. He'll be skipped over for some bigger arm guys like Josh Allen or Mason Rudolph, and Lamar Jackson may also go ahead of him due to his rushing ability, but I believe Falk will be a better NFL QB than all of those QBs. He reminds me of Derek Carr. Watch this film session video by Voch Lombardi - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93lJ6wPMa3M
I'm also confident Falk could be available because there haven't been five QBs taken in the 1st round this millenium.

3) Troy Fumagalli, TE Wisconsin (6'6", 248 lb) - Fumagalli is a well-rounded TE that would fit well with the Bengals. He is an especially good blocker, which this Bengals team needs to succeed. A bonus is that Fumagalli also has experience being a lead blocker, so he could also make Hewitt expendable if the Bengals wanted/needed to save another $2 mill each season over 2018 and 2019.

3 comp for Zeitler) Josey Jewell, LB Iowa (6'2", 236 lb) - Modern day ILB that can do a little bit of everything. Coaches will like his over 300 total tackles, 17 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 4 INTs, and 17 PBUs to date. Between Burfict, Vigil, Rey, and Evans, Jewell wouldn't be forced into action right away.

4) Da'Shawn Hand, DL Alabama (6'4", 288 lb) - By cutting MJ to allow Willis to start and free up some cash, the Bengals could use another base DE. Hand has experience all over the DL and could play that Gilberry role of base DE and interior pass rusher. He could even potentially be groomed as Atkins' replacement if Atkins leaves in FA after 2018.

5) Godwin Igwebuike, S Northwestern (6'0", 212 lb) - Well-rounded, versatile safety that can tackle, stuff the run, and defend the pass. Might be a PS candidate in 2018 and promote in 2019 when Derron Smith hits FA.

5 comp for Whit) Deatrick Nichols, CB USF (5'10", 190 lb) - Depth CB to replace either Jones or Dennard on the roster, whichever is let go. Nichols is underrated due to his size and playing at USF, but he'd be a quality backup CB. He's had 4 INTs each seaason 2015-2016 and 49+ total tackles each of those seasons as well.

6) Daniel Carlson, K Auburn (6'4", 223 lb) - Carlson hasn't gotten off to a good start so far this year (5/8) but he's been consistently a very good K in his previous 3 years. He has the leg to hit mid-50's FGs and has never missed an XP. His college career FG% is 81.3%, just slightly under Zane Gonzalez's mark of 82.8%, and everyone wanted him over Elliott (77.9% college career).

7) LJ Scott, RB Michigan St (6'1", 230 lb) - The Bengals will need another bruiser to replace Jeremy Hill when he likely leaves in FA next year. Scott is a between-the-tackles runner who should be able to replace him adequately.