Why Do You Like This Draft!

[*ochocincos*]

(05-05-2022, 01:13 PM)Vas Deferens Wrote: Agree with the majority of what you said here.  Just want to give some insight I recently received around hayden.

Won't go in depth on the source here, but i had a long conversation with an individual high up in another nfl teams staff about our hayden pick up.  This individual has a knowledge about players and the team systems far beyond what 99.99% of us here have and I trust his insight.  He made it clear there will be a significant drop off from CJ to Hurst.  Said he's a great guy, but he's going to struggle with more advanced routes / package pick-ups we installed with CJ.  Give him a point in a straight line down the field and he'll get to it fast, I was told, but don't expect a ton of production that requires football IQ.  Also indicated CJ is a far superior blocker.  

Again, not saying we should have gone after a TE, just want to pass along and temper expectations for Hurst.  He's just not in the same league as CJ.  I'm more concerned with the loss of CJ's intangibles and his locker room presence really.  Can't fault the guy one bit for getting that bag and will always root for him.  

TEs the Bengals would have had to take in Rd 3 and gamble on a DT later:
- Ruckert (low production in college, good blocker)
- Kolar
- Bellinger (low production in college, good blocker)
- Ferguson


Isaiah Likely was available still when Volson was picked in Rd 4, but Likely had pretty bad measurables at the Combine that could have turned the Bengals (and other teams) away.

From looking at the TEs in next year's draft class, I think the Bengals should plan to take one early there.
I'd be stoked to get Sam Laporta from Iowa on Day 2.