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[*ochocincos*]

(01-30-2017, 04:40 PM)Au165 Wrote: I think Thomas gives us production year 1, but don't think he fits the mold of our DE. The only Caveat there is he can kick inside and outside so they make a concession there ala Wallace Gillberry.

I think Charlton is better than stats may show. He did get 5.5 sacks his junior year while only playing in 10 games instead of 13. I like him if we are going for our "mold", but I can see him not being more than a pass rush specialist year one and eventually replacing Johnson the following year.

I'm with you. Solomon Thomas doesn't fit the Bengals mold of drafted DEs, but he fits the mold of Wallace Gilberry. Thomas could be used as a base DE and moved inside next to Atkins on third down.

I wouldn't be opposed to Thomas in the first and a more "traditional" Bengals 4-3 DE in the middle rounds (e.g. Daeshon Hall, Deatrich Wise, or even Kpassagnon if he's available in 4th).
Malik McDowell may also be in consideration, as he's got the size of a Bengals 4-3 DE, but has played more DT in college.

I don't think a DE should be the selection at 9 though unless one of Garret, Allen, or Thomas is there. If a different DE is selected in the first round, I hope it's because the Bengals were able to trade back to the 15-20 range.