04-27-2019, 06:55 PM
2009 was the draft that has defined the Bengals' draft philosophy for a decade (in my opinion). We took Rey Maualuga and Michael Johnson, two big-name players that fell for one reason or another. It paid off, both became starters and produced at a high level quickly. In the following drafts, we would take the likes of Dunlap, Brandon Ghee, Dontay Moch, Robert Sands, Devon Still, Brandon Thompson, Marvin Jones, Shawn Willians, Shaun Porter, Will Clarke, AJ McCarron, Paul Dawson, Josh Shaw... the list goes on. All these guys were some of the bigger names, often from big schools, who slipped down the board on the day. Many of us at the time were stoked to see these names drop to the Bengals. As you can see some paid off, more less so.
For the first time in a while this draft feels like a slight change in mindset. While I think Tobin still holds the reigns, the fingerprints of Taylor are evident. The Sample pick is something the FO would not have done during the last decade of Lewis. The Finley and two RB picks late also feel like a new approach. It's slightly less pure BPA and a bit more of a focus on improving an area of the team.
I never like snap grades, but, we all do it anyway. I don't think this can be higher than a B- just because I think LB is such a weakness and needed a premier talent to fill Burficts shoes. I am not suggesting that the Williams pick was bad, I really like it, nor do I think giving up picks to move and ensure one of the Devin's was secured would have been right either. It's unfortunate that this class was particularly poor for top end LB quality.
Overall this feels like a B-. It was one of the deepest defensive drafts in a while and we went totally and different route, gearing up to rejuvinate the offence and pound the rock. I don't hate that tactic, Taylor was brought in as an offensive mind, that said, I personally would have preferred to see FO ship more of the back-end picks and make more 3rd round defensive moves.
For the first time in a while this draft feels like a slight change in mindset. While I think Tobin still holds the reigns, the fingerprints of Taylor are evident. The Sample pick is something the FO would not have done during the last decade of Lewis. The Finley and two RB picks late also feel like a new approach. It's slightly less pure BPA and a bit more of a focus on improving an area of the team.
I never like snap grades, but, we all do it anyway. I don't think this can be higher than a B- just because I think LB is such a weakness and needed a premier talent to fill Burficts shoes. I am not suggesting that the Williams pick was bad, I really like it, nor do I think giving up picks to move and ensure one of the Devin's was secured would have been right either. It's unfortunate that this class was particularly poor for top end LB quality.
Overall this feels like a B-. It was one of the deepest defensive drafts in a while and we went totally and different route, gearing up to rejuvinate the offence and pound the rock. I don't hate that tactic, Taylor was brought in as an offensive mind, that said, I personally would have preferred to see FO ship more of the back-end picks and make more 3rd round defensive moves.
