05-18-2019, 09:09 AM
(05-17-2019, 08:19 PM)BengalChris Wrote: I think you are missing my point a little. If you replace a departing player with a less productive player then the team declines. If you replace them with a more productive player then the team improves.
The Bengals have to turn over a certain portion of their starters each year and since they won't go out get top flight starters in free agency those guys have to come from the draft.
"Could be", "potential", "might become", "maybe will be the next ____" are meaningless descriptions really. We have to see if these guys improve the team or not.
I too believe Williams was a safe pick and believe he'll be the best OT on the team by mid-season, if not before. That would be one upgrade though. Still need two more out of this draft and I'm just not seeing who two upgrades are just yet, which isn't odd given that they haven't played a season yet.
Guess what? You have the same situation when acquiring free agents. Because I player was productive in one scheme does not mean he is productive in another scheme and that seems to be lost upon many of the "we have to get bigger free agents" group. For every difference making free agent signing I believe you could easily find 3 complete bust free agent signings.
Williams - No brainer
Sample - Best blocking TE we have had since Reggie Kelly already and should immediately be on the field.
Pratt - Should instantly be the WLB for this team and be an upgrade in coverage.
No different than if you had 3 free agents coming from other teams. Because until the chips are down you do not know how those free agents are going to adapt to your team.
