According to https://www.nfl.com/news/2022-nfl-draft-order-2021-nfl-regular-season, the Bengals' needs to address via FA/draft this offseason are:
S
OL
LB

I definitely agree with safety if they don't re-sign Bates. If they don't, safety is a position I'd expect them to address within the first two days of the draft, as I doubt they'll pay good money for another veteran safety.

OL is obviously a "duh." They have one big impending FA in Spain to worry about, plus Reiff is likely going to opt out of his contract. That potentially puts a big need at two OL positions. Even if Reiff re-signs, he hasn't played a full season in years and is 33 years old, so the Bengals need a long-term guy to take over (eventually). Add in the fact that Hopkins hasn't been great this year (although better since the bye) and RG being overall mediocre-at-best between Adeniji and Carman, and there's clearly room to add some better OL.

LB is one that kind of surprised me at first, but upon thinking about it, it probably makes sense.
Pratt is set to hit FA after next season, and frankly he isn't where we need him to be anyway.
Maybe Markus Bailey takes over that spot at some point, but trying to upgrade LB in either the draft or FA definitely seems logical.

Do you agree with these being the biggest needs? If not, what position(s) would you put instead?

I think CB is our biggest need

(01-11-2022, 03:21 PM)bfine32 Wrote: I think CB is our biggest need

Depends on if they continue to do in free agency what they have possibly resign Apple and maybe another cheap 4th corner.

(01-11-2022, 05:27 PM)Synric Wrote: Depends on if they continue to do in free agency what they have possibly resign Apple and maybe another cheap 4th corner.

Well it all depends on what we do in FA. 

OL (take your pick), LB (Muma) and DT.

If Larry, BJ or Tupou (or all 3) go, I'd expect a DT on day 2.

Also, sneaky position is TE; we saw a lot of good TEs in college this year, that can be taken late day 2/early day 3 and will be good.

I would wait until next year though, for TE:

- Josh Whyle
- Mayer (if he declares)
- Will Mallory
- Arik Gilbert

And more.

I think they put LB there out of habit. I don't see LB as a big need for this team. They could stand to improve but with Wilson looking like a young star, Pratt playing decently and ADG and Bailey each getting some starting experience and playing decent (not to mention Bachie playing okay as well) I see LB as a pretty good position. If there's a superstar available, I'd think about it but there are much bigger needs in my opinion.

The Oline is in a weird place because the entire right side of the line could stand to be replaced but how much of that needs to be new prospects? I wonder if the coaches see Carman at RT and Smith at RG (or vice versa) as the eventual future. I imagine they'd at least get more than their rookie years to find out. To me, the biggest need is Center. That Iowa center would be a dream come true pick for me. Then address RG and RT if the value is there.

CB also is up there. Awuzie is a star but I've heard some chatter that he could opt out of his contract? I looked on Spotrac and it says there is an out after this year but that usually is just for the team. I haven't seen player opt outs in the NFL before. That is more of an MLB thing. But if he can, then he likely will because he's way underpaid for his production. And if that occurs, then we're in dire need of CBs.

A lot of our needs will depend on free agency. I think we'll franchise Bates at worst, so S Isn't an immediate need for us and I hope we re-sign Spain and look into Resigning Reiff if the price is right as well. I would also like Apple back and Waynes cut. So we do need at least 1 corner and 2 if Awuzie is able to opt out of his contract. And then, we have 3 DTs set to his free agency too. We'll see what they do there as well.

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I don't see LB as a big need for this team.

OL is the most obvious. We protect Burrow and we win more games. We'll likely be picking 26th or lower. So, we'll likely go best player available within these four positions (S, OL, LB, CB). I wouldn't even mind a trade down and stock up on 2nd rounders as they'll be cheap to sign and we can sure up Higgins, Mixon, Boyd, Chase and Burrow long term.

Quote:According to https://www.nfl.com/news/2022-nfl-draft-order-2021-nfl-regular-season, the Bengals' needs to address via FA/draft this offseason are:
S
OL
LB

I don't want to pretend I know anything about building an NFL team, so I'm prefacing my remarks are based on watching the team and reading about the draft through posts here and random internet articles.

S- I was surprised to see this ranked first, but I suppose after Bell/Bates there aren't any players on the roster to get excited about? I wonder what the FA market looks like for the Safety position other than Bates?

OL - This feels obvious from a fan's lens, but I speculate the Bengals might think, "We already drafted Carman and have other guys on the roster we like." Maybe the Bengals don't see the position group as a draft priority? If they resign Span & recognize Jonah, Carman, Adeniji have another year of experience, Duke and Zac might be content? I hope not.

LB - I think the Bengals need a big play type of guy to take the defense to an elite level. A Von Miller in his prime would make this defense scary good. I don't think they need to draft LB'ers that have talent similar to what is already on the roster. Maybe that is where the LB need view came from, get a big time player?

Since we'll be drafting in the 20+ range, I think Duke and Zac have to identify positions they want to upgrade but then adapt to the flow of the draft and take the best player available. They shouldn't narrow in on a position and pass on a better talent.

(01-12-2022, 10:28 AM)TecmoBengals Wrote: I don't want to pretend I know anything about building an NFL team, so I'm prefacing my remarks are based on watching the team and reading about the draft through posts here and random internet articles.

S- I was surprised to see this ranked first, but I suppose after Bell/Bates there aren't any players on the roster to get excited about? I wonder what the FA market looks like for the Safety position other than Bates?

OL - This feels obvious from a fan's lens, but I speculate the Bengals might think, "We already drafted Carman and have other guys on the roster we like." Maybe the Bengals don't see the position group as a draft priority? If they resign Span & recognize Jonah, Carman, Adeniji have another year of experience, Duke and Zac might be content? I hope not.

LB - I think the Bengals need a big play type of guy to take the defense to an elite level. A Von Miller in his prime would make this defense scary good. I don't think they need to draft LB'ers that have talent similar to what is already on the roster. Maybe that is where the LB need view came from, get a big time player?

Since we'll be drafting in the 20+ range, I think Duke and Zac have to identify positions they want to upgrade but then adapt to the flow of the draft and take the best player available. They shouldn't narrow in on a position and pass on a better talent.

There have been a fair number of major misses among Linebackers taken in the first round over the last few years. It's making me wonder if it's one of those situations where college linebackers and NFL linebackers have fundamentally different roles in defenses and it makes them really hard to predict success in the NFL. Maybe a "spread QB" type situation where being productive in college doesn't indicate success in the NFL?

Look at the last few drafts:
2021:
Zaven Collins - Obviously, it's very early and he may end up developing, but Collins has been a back up role player so far for Arizona, playing only 20.22% of defensive snaps, and has basically only played special teams since week 9, per this report.
Jamin Davis - Davis was thought to add strength to an already elite defense but, somehow, the WFT defense got worse despite adding a first round LB. His PFF grade of 43.3 is not great, nor is the fact that he was not played late into the season, even in run/TE heavy offenses like the Eagles, per this report.

2020:
Isaiah Simmons - poor PFF grade and not nearly the impact you'd expect from a top 10 pick. I haven't found similar reports of struggles like I did with Collins and Davis, but I did find a fan discussion about him in December 2021, where they seem pretty disappointed with his output.
Kenneth Murray - Another poor PFF grade and an article from a Chargers News website that says the following: "The most inexcusable thing Staley did in this game was play Kenneth Murray as much as he did. Murray was used as the team's dime linebacker and he was exposed time and time again... as he has been all season. Who knows what the logic behind that is."
Patrick Queen - Named the most disappointing player halfway through the 2021 season, per this article. Maybe he recovered and had a better second half of the season, but his PFF grade has been poor as well.


2019: 
Devin Bush - All you have to do is mention the name to a Steelers fan and they go full Yinzer-cursing mode. He has not had a good career thus far.


It may also just be a case where LBers need a few years to adapt to the NFL. In either case, I think we should avoid LB in the draft. If we want to pursue a guy like Miller in FA, I'd be open to it but even he seems more like a 3-4 LB than a 4-3 LB. I wonder if we'd be able to use him properly.

I kind of like Nolan Smith at Georgia. He's more of an edge with perhaps better run defense at the moment. He's a solid athlete though...was number 1 or 2 overall in the country in his HS class....was a 5 star recruit. That Georgia defense was so good that 7 names could go in the 1st two rounds and he's one of them.

(01-12-2022, 12:37 PM)Crazyjdawg Wrote: There have been a fair number of major misses among Linebackers taken in the first round over the last few years. It's making me wonder if it's one of those situations where college linebackers and NFL linebackers have fundamentally different roles in defenses and it makes them really hard to predict success in the NFL. Maybe a "spread QB" type situation where being productive in college doesn't indicate success in the NFL?

Look at the last few drafts:
2021:
Zaven Collins - Obviously, it's very early and he may end up developing, but Collins has been a back up role player so far for Arizona, playing only 20.22% of defensive snaps, and has basically only played special teams since week 9, per this report.
Jamin Davis - Davis was thought to add strength to an already elite defense but, somehow, the WFT defense got worse despite adding a first round LB. His PFF grade of 43.3 is not great, nor is the fact that he was not played late into the season, even in run/TE heavy offenses like the Eagles, per this report.

2020:
Isaiah Simmons - poor PFF grade and not nearly the impact you'd expect from a top 10 pick. I haven't found similar reports of struggles like I did with Collins and Davis, but I did find a fan discussion about him in December 2021, where they seem pretty disappointed with his output.
Kenneth Murray - Another poor PFF grade and an article from a Chargers News website that says the following: "The most inexcusable thing Staley did in this game was play Kenneth Murray as much as he did. Murray was used as the team's dime linebacker and he was exposed time and time again... as he has been all season. Who knows what the logic behind that is."
Patrick Queen - Named the most disappointing player halfway through the 2021 season, per this article. Maybe he recovered and had a better second half of the season, but his PFF grade has been poor as well.


2019: 
Devin Bush - All you have to do is mention the name to a Steelers fan and they go full Yinzer-cursing mode. He has not had a good career thus far.


It may also just be a case where LBers need a few years to adapt to the NFL. In either case, I think we should avoid LB in the draft. If we want to pursue a guy like Miller in FA, I'd be open to it but even he seems more like a 3-4 LB than a 4-3 LB. I wonder if we'd be able to use him properly.

Personally, if the Bengals want an upgrade at LB, get one in FA.
That way, it's someone proven.
LBs are also relatively cheap compared to some other positions.

The Bengals could still draft a LB early, and that'd be ok, but they may not be an immediate upgrade over Pratt. I could see drafting one early to be more as a potential Pratt replacement down the road, as he is entering a contract year this next season.

(01-12-2022, 12:47 PM)Goalpost Wrote: I kind of like Nolan Smith at Georgia.  He's more of an edge with perhaps better run defense at the moment.  He's a solid athlete though...was number 1 or 2 overall in the country in his HS class....was a 5 star recruit.  That Georgia defense was so good that 7 names could go in the 1st two rounds and he's one of them.

Based purely upon raw athleticism, instincts and perceived football IQ, I'd take Nakobe Dean 10/10.

(01-11-2022, 08:54 PM)Truck_1_0_1_ Wrote: OL (take your pick), LB (Muma) and DT.

If Larry, BJ or Tupou (or all 3) go, I'd expect a DT on day 2.

Also, sneaky position is TE; we saw a lot of good TEs in college this year, that can be taken late day 2/early day 3 and will be good.

I would wait until next year though, for TE:

- Josh Whyle
- Mayer (if he declares)
- Will Mallory
- Arik Gilbert

And more.

I think aside from maybe one or two TEs in this draft class, most of the guys are TE2/3 level.
I don't see this as a strong TE class.

I think having 5 DTs is overkill, TBH.
I expect the Bengals to retain one of Ogunjobi or Hill, and that player is the starter along with Reader.
Then Shelvin and a mid-round draft pick back up Reader and Ogunjobi/Hill.
I think that the Bengals already have a couple guys who can flex into nickel DT if they need them to - Sample and Hubbard.
Once Ossai is back, we might have a higher chance of that happening.

(01-12-2022, 01:15 PM)ochocincos Wrote: I think aside from maybe one or two TEs in this draft class, most of the guys are TE2/3 level.
I don't see this as a strong TE class.

I think having 5 DTs is overkill, TBH.
I expect the Bengals to retain one of Ogunjobi or Hill, and that player is the starter along with Reader.
Then Shelvin and a mid-round draft pick back up Reader and Ogunjobi/Hill.
I think that the Bengals already have a couple guys who can flex into nickel DT if they need them to - Sample and Hubbard.
Once Ossai is back, we might have a higher chance of that happening.

Any love for McBride from CSU?

(01-12-2022, 02:14 PM)TecmoBengals Wrote: Any love for McBride from CSU?

I watched him. He seems OK, but not a 1st rounder to me. That's reserved for the more elite athletic TEs.
Looks kinda like just a typical TE when it comes to speed and agility (probably runs around 4.7), but he has good hands and size to keep moving.
Maybe he just looks slower because of his size.
I may change my mind once I see his workout numbers at the Combine (or Pro Day if they don't do Combine).

I can see McBride being a solid starter in the NFL, maybe around Uzomah's level or maybe Austin Hooper?

(01-12-2022, 02:36 PM)ochocincos Wrote: I watched him. He seems OK, but not a 1st rounder to me. That's reserved for the more elite athletic TEs.
Looks kinda like just a typical TE when it comes to speed and agility (probably runs around 4.7), but he has good hands and size to keep moving.
Maybe he just looks slower because of his size.
I may change my mind once I see his workout numbers at the Combine (or Pro Day if they don't do Combine).

I can see McBride being a solid starter in the NFL, maybe around Uzomah's level.

I think he projects as a second rounder, but I don't think the Bengals need to focus on a TE in round 2 if more talented OL and DBs are available.

(01-12-2022, 02:37 PM)TecmoBengals Wrote: I think he projects as a second rounder, but I don't think the Bengals need to focus on a TE in round 2 if more talented OL and DBs are available.

That's where I have him. Rd 2-3. Probably will go in Rd 2 because it's not a great TE class.
I'd focus on OL and DB first, but I'd strongly consider TE earlier if the Bengals don't re-sign Uzomah or bring in an adequate replacement in FA.
I don't want to see Sample starting. He's a downgrade as a receiver.

(01-12-2022, 02:44 PM)ochocincos Wrote: That's where I have him. Rd 2-3. Probably will go in Rd 2 because it's not a great TE class.
I'd focus on OL and DB first, but I'd strongly consider TE earlier if the Bengals don't re-sign Uzomah or bring in an adequate replacement in FA.
I don't want to see Sample starting. He's a downgrade as a receiver.

Well, I know my view is only based on the eye test and not stats/PFF ratings as discussed in today's busy thread, but Sample looks so cumbersome this year when on the field. I wouldn't go as far as to suggest he's a horrible player, but nothing stands out from his skillset as having much value past a timely block. Thus, if no CJ I agree, we can't rely on Sample as the starter.

(01-11-2022, 05:27 PM)Synric Wrote: Depends on if they continue to do in free agency what they have possibly resign Apple and maybe another cheap 4th corner.

well doing something in Free Agency would mean its a NEED correct? lol           


We definitely need more at OL, LB, DB (S, CB)  and also..... a new Kick Return Specialist.