01-08-2019, 02:08 PM
At the end of each season I usually like to do a season review and at the very beginning of the draft season I like to do an "Out of the Box" Mock Draft but this upcoming offseason is special. Marvin Lewis and the Bengals have parted ways so the future of the team is up in the air. Since draft season started early for me this year I decided to combine my review and mock so...
Break News: Mike Brown retires and the Cincinnati Bengals hire Synric as their General Manager.
First I have to decided on a direction I would like the Bengals to take and that starts with the Head Coach. At first I leaned toward Zac Taylor and his WCO but after an interview with Todd Monken I am buying into his Coryell/Air Raid offense with his Mesh Concepts, bunch formations, pick plays, crossers all which makes life easier on a QB. Next I need a defensive coorinator, I like the defensive personnel and so I bring in a guy that fits. Vance Joseph runs a man coverage 34/43 hybrid defense with single gap concepts up front.
Head Coach: Todd Monken
Offensive Coordinator: Bill Lazor
Defensive Coordinator: Vance Joseph
That brings us to the offseason starting with Free Agency and the Bengals have 53 million in cap space. (-10 million for draft picks. 43 million):
Darqueze Dennard resigned (8mil): In the NFL when teams are running more 11 personnel than anything else a slot corner that is solid in coverage and great against the run is a must.
Preston Brown resigned (4mil): Brown was hurt early and didnt look great on the year but alot of that was to do with Austin. The Bengals need linebackers.million.
Andre Smith resigned (4.5mil): Dre hasnt been good in recent years and is getting older but the Bengals have no tackles outside of Glenn going into the draft.
C.J. Uzomah resigned (3mil): Uzo played alot of snaps this year but never really stood out blocking or receiving, but he is solid depth at a position that doesnt have any.
Trey Hopkins resigned (2.5mil): Hopkins is the backup Guard/Center with experience.
Before looking at outside free agents lets trim some fat...
Vontaze Burfict released (6.8 mil savings): Burfict is having serious concussion issues and it will keep him out of alot of ball games. Its time to cut our loses.
Giovani Bernard released (3.8 mil savings): I like Gio he is a good 3rd down back. That said the Bengals dont need a 3rd down back to pair with BJGE anymore. They dont need to take Mixon off the field just because its 3rd down. The Bengals need a Running back that can spell Mixon and carry the load if he gets injured. I would like to trade Gio for a 6th round pick but decided to leave trades out of this mock.
Outside Free Agents:
Daryl Williams RT Carolina Panthers signed (11mil): Daryl Williams struggled in 2016 in pass protection but was a stellar run blocker. In 2017 Williams took a step forward and cleaned up his pass protection and finished as one of the better right tackles in the NFL. 2018 was not kind to Williams with 2 conconsecutive Knee injuries through training camp into week 1. Even with the injury Williams will command a 9 to 10 million a year contract Im leaning closer to 9 but for the sake of the post lets say his 2019 cap hit is 11 million.
Max Williams TE Baltimore Ravens signed (4mil): Williams has fought through alot of injuries in his short career but was actually healthy and looking good in 2018 but the Ravens had already taken 2 new TEs in the 2018 draft so Williams was a healthy scratch at points during the year. Max is a motion TE or H-back with good speed and hands he has also improved his run blocking.
After free agency I still have 16.6 Million in cap space.
2019 NFL DRAFT DAY HAS ARRIVED!! (Remember "Out of the Box" lol)
Devin White makes alot of sense in the first round because the Bengals need talent at linebacker and they play in the run oriented AFC North BUT Devin White is gone...
1. AJ Brown WR, Ole MIss: I know I know "A Wide Receiver?!?!" Brown is a playmaker can play inside or outside hes got strong hands is a smooth route runner and is dangerous with the ball in his hands. Brown could very well be BPA and I think he would thrive in Monkens air raid system.
2. TJ Hockenson TE, Iowa: Hockenson is one of my favorite players Ive watched this year. TJ is an outstanding inline blocker he can go 1 on 1 with a 4-3 End and pick up 3-4 OLBs. TJ is great at getting to the second level blocking linebackers and safeties in space. He also runs smooth routes and is a good reciever. He is really fun to watch coming off the line on playaction. Hockenson reminds me of a guy Bengals fans still have nightmares about...I can still hear crowd roaring heath...Heath...HEATH.
3. Germaine Pratt LB, North Carolina State: Pratt is a long rangy ILB/OLB. He is a converted safety so he can really fly around and has that backround in coverage.
4. Dennis Daley OT, South Carolina: Daley is a massive SEC tackle that has played against some tough competition. Hes a plus run blocker and solid pass protector but because hes a JUCO transfer he needs to work on alot of technique.
5. David Montgomery RB, Iowa State: Montgomery is a tough runner that is hard to bring down while he isnt flashy he is a solid back with good hands.
6. Easton Stick QB, North Dakota State: Stick has as much talent at QB as all the QBs in this draft but he has alot of work to do with eye discipline and mental aspects of the game. Give Stick to Monken Lazor and Van Pelt and see what they can do with him.
7. Lester Cotton G, Alabama: Can never go wrong with SEC linemen. Cotton hasnt lived up to his 4 star raiting but is still a good run blocker and could surprise.
(Comp) Trevon Wesco FB/TE, West Virginia: My one WVU guy lol. Wesco is a good run blocker that can get open and catch balls as a FB or H-Back. He also is tough to bring down averaging the most yards after contact at TE in the big 12.
Break News: Mike Brown retires and the Cincinnati Bengals hire Synric as their General Manager.
First I have to decided on a direction I would like the Bengals to take and that starts with the Head Coach. At first I leaned toward Zac Taylor and his WCO but after an interview with Todd Monken I am buying into his Coryell/Air Raid offense with his Mesh Concepts, bunch formations, pick plays, crossers all which makes life easier on a QB. Next I need a defensive coorinator, I like the defensive personnel and so I bring in a guy that fits. Vance Joseph runs a man coverage 34/43 hybrid defense with single gap concepts up front.
Head Coach: Todd Monken
Offensive Coordinator: Bill Lazor
Defensive Coordinator: Vance Joseph
That brings us to the offseason starting with Free Agency and the Bengals have 53 million in cap space. (-10 million for draft picks. 43 million):
Darqueze Dennard resigned (8mil): In the NFL when teams are running more 11 personnel than anything else a slot corner that is solid in coverage and great against the run is a must.
Preston Brown resigned (4mil): Brown was hurt early and didnt look great on the year but alot of that was to do with Austin. The Bengals need linebackers.million.
Andre Smith resigned (4.5mil): Dre hasnt been good in recent years and is getting older but the Bengals have no tackles outside of Glenn going into the draft.
C.J. Uzomah resigned (3mil): Uzo played alot of snaps this year but never really stood out blocking or receiving, but he is solid depth at a position that doesnt have any.
Trey Hopkins resigned (2.5mil): Hopkins is the backup Guard/Center with experience.
Before looking at outside free agents lets trim some fat...
Vontaze Burfict released (6.8 mil savings): Burfict is having serious concussion issues and it will keep him out of alot of ball games. Its time to cut our loses.
Giovani Bernard released (3.8 mil savings): I like Gio he is a good 3rd down back. That said the Bengals dont need a 3rd down back to pair with BJGE anymore. They dont need to take Mixon off the field just because its 3rd down. The Bengals need a Running back that can spell Mixon and carry the load if he gets injured. I would like to trade Gio for a 6th round pick but decided to leave trades out of this mock.
Outside Free Agents:
Daryl Williams RT Carolina Panthers signed (11mil): Daryl Williams struggled in 2016 in pass protection but was a stellar run blocker. In 2017 Williams took a step forward and cleaned up his pass protection and finished as one of the better right tackles in the NFL. 2018 was not kind to Williams with 2 conconsecutive Knee injuries through training camp into week 1. Even with the injury Williams will command a 9 to 10 million a year contract Im leaning closer to 9 but for the sake of the post lets say his 2019 cap hit is 11 million.
Max Williams TE Baltimore Ravens signed (4mil): Williams has fought through alot of injuries in his short career but was actually healthy and looking good in 2018 but the Ravens had already taken 2 new TEs in the 2018 draft so Williams was a healthy scratch at points during the year. Max is a motion TE or H-back with good speed and hands he has also improved his run blocking.
After free agency I still have 16.6 Million in cap space.
2019 NFL DRAFT DAY HAS ARRIVED!! (Remember "Out of the Box" lol)
Devin White makes alot of sense in the first round because the Bengals need talent at linebacker and they play in the run oriented AFC North BUT Devin White is gone...
1. AJ Brown WR, Ole MIss: I know I know "A Wide Receiver?!?!" Brown is a playmaker can play inside or outside hes got strong hands is a smooth route runner and is dangerous with the ball in his hands. Brown could very well be BPA and I think he would thrive in Monkens air raid system.
2. TJ Hockenson TE, Iowa: Hockenson is one of my favorite players Ive watched this year. TJ is an outstanding inline blocker he can go 1 on 1 with a 4-3 End and pick up 3-4 OLBs. TJ is great at getting to the second level blocking linebackers and safeties in space. He also runs smooth routes and is a good reciever. He is really fun to watch coming off the line on playaction. Hockenson reminds me of a guy Bengals fans still have nightmares about...I can still hear crowd roaring heath...Heath...HEATH.
3. Germaine Pratt LB, North Carolina State: Pratt is a long rangy ILB/OLB. He is a converted safety so he can really fly around and has that backround in coverage.
4. Dennis Daley OT, South Carolina: Daley is a massive SEC tackle that has played against some tough competition. Hes a plus run blocker and solid pass protector but because hes a JUCO transfer he needs to work on alot of technique.
5. David Montgomery RB, Iowa State: Montgomery is a tough runner that is hard to bring down while he isnt flashy he is a solid back with good hands.
6. Easton Stick QB, North Dakota State: Stick has as much talent at QB as all the QBs in this draft but he has alot of work to do with eye discipline and mental aspects of the game. Give Stick to Monken Lazor and Van Pelt and see what they can do with him.
7. Lester Cotton G, Alabama: Can never go wrong with SEC linemen. Cotton hasnt lived up to his 4 star raiting but is still a good run blocker and could surprise.
(Comp) Trevon Wesco FB/TE, West Virginia: My one WVU guy lol. Wesco is a good run blocker that can get open and catch balls as a FB or H-Back. He also is tough to bring down averaging the most yards after contact at TE in the big 12.
I have the Heart of a Lion! I also have a massive fine and a lifetime ban from the Pittsburgh Zoo...
![[Image: 4CV0TeR.png]](https://i.imgur.com/4CV0TeR.png)
