Re-Sign

1) Vonn Bell
2) Hayden Hurst
3) Cal Adomitis
4) Mitchell Wilcox
5) Samaje Perine
6) Trent Taylor

Extensions

1) Joe Burrow
2) Tee Higgins
*Unfortunately, to make cap space for signings and extensions Joe Mixon would end up being cut as a cap casualty*

Round 1 - 28th Overall



Anton Harrison - OT - Oklahoma - 6'5" 315

In my opinion this is the best case scenario for the Bengals at 28 but who knows between now and the draft he could rapidly move up the boards. I prefer Harrison over both Skoronski and Jones because of his pass blocking. The Bengals are a passing offense and keeping Burrow clean is of upmost importance. The Harrison selection shows a commitment to this endeavor. Harrison possesses very good feet with elite pass blocking skills. Harrison keeps the QB clean and that is the bottom line. While being an elite pass protector he does have room for improvement in the running game and while he is not a road grader he is effective in run blocking. This selection would allow Jonah to compete at RT or inside at OG or to be the first man off the bench.

Round 2 - 60th Overall



Eli Ricks - CB - Bama - 6'2" 190

I have to fight to not think of Dre Kirkpatrick when relating to Eli Ricks. Ricks was originally at LSU and that school knows CBs. Ricks brings everything to the table that you are looking for in an NFL CB. Outstanding size and length and has been referred to as having a high football IQ. A former 5 star recruit and one must keep in mind that Ricks is a true Junior. The upside of Ricks is off the charts. Ricks should be a really nice addition to the DB room.

Round 3 - 92nd Overall



Jaylon Jones - CB - Texas A&M - 6'2" 205

It was not my intention to take back to back corners but the value of Jaylon Jones sitting there was too high to pass on. The NFL is a passing league and I believe at times the Bengals were undermanned at the CB position throughout the season. Jones brings size, speed, and physicality to the position and is very strong in zone coverage. Jones and Ricks should provide instant upgrade over players such as Apple and George. I see Jones as a guy that could as well fill the Flowers role of negating athletic TEs.

Round 4 - 131st Overall



Andrew Vorhees - OG - USC - 6'6" 320

The Bengals found themselves in O line trouble at the end of '22 so adding solid depth to the line is wise. Vorhees is a very experienced lineman who is an outstanding run blocker. While he has areas that he can improve on in the passing game his ability to anchor at the line is a good reason to believe that these are issues that can be coached through. Vorhees gives the Bengals a high quality backup on the interior of the O line who could end up as a high quality starter.

Round 5 - 165th Overall



Josh Whyle - TE - UC - 6'6" 250

Whyle is a serious receiving threat that can exploit the seams of a defense. He has outstanding hands and has shown the ability to make tough catches and to use his size to his advantage. Where Whyle is very underrated is in his ability as an inline blocker. While he has much room to grow in this area he is a willing student that has shown marked improvement since arriving at UC and has worked hard to improve as a blocker and has added bulk to help him in this aspect of the game. Working with a true pro like Hurst will only help Whyle as well. Being a local product is bonus to the situation.

Round 6 - 206th Overall



Habakkuk Baldonado - DE - Pitt - 6'5" 260

Baldonado is from Rome and only played a single season of American football after moving to the states. What he lacks in experience he makes up for in raw talent. He has already shown that he can set the edge in the run game and while he does not have an elite first step he has shown a good mix of raw power and speed. Baldonado will need to develop his arsenal of pass rushing skills but he could not be in a much better room to learn than to be with  Hendrickson, Hubbard, and Ossai. Baldonado has a really high ceiling.

Round 7 - 248th Overall



Hunter Luepke - FB/RB - N. Dakota St. - 6'1" 236

When watching film on Luepke what immediately sticks out is effort and IQ. The kid is a heady football player who brings a multifaceted skillset to the RB room. The Bison offense used him in multiple ways as a lead runner, lead blocker, and accomplished receiver. Hunter also is strong in the pass game when it comes to picking up the blitz. A very tough runner that would be huge in short yardage and while he is a tough runner he has very good speed for his size and when he gets to the open field, and has shown the ability to do so, he is an extremely tough tackle. With his skills Luepke could probably line up at TE in an emergency.

What the 53 Man Roster would look like:

QB
Joe Burrow, Jake Browning

RB
Samaje Perine, Chris Evans, Hunter Luepke

TE
Hayden Hurst, Josh Whyle, Mitchell Wilcox, Devin Asiasi

OT
Anton Harrison, La'el Collins, Jackson Carman, D'ante Smith, Jonah Williams

OG
Cordell Volson, Alex Cappa, Andrew Vorhees

C
Ted Karras, Ben Brown

DE
Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard, Joseph Ossai, Jeff Gunter, Habakkuk Baldonado

DT
DJ Reader, BJ Hill, Zach Carter, Josh Tupou, Cam Sample

LB
Logan Wilson, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Markus Bailey, Joe Bachie

CB
Chidobe Awuzie, Cam Britt-Taylor, Mike Hilton, Eli Ricks, Jaylon Jones

S
Vonn Bell, Dax Hill, Tycen Andersen, Brandon Wilson

Specialists
Evan McPherson, Dru Chrisman, Cal Adomitis

This is 52 on the roster leaving a spot for the highest value at either LB, S, or corner.

(02-20-2023, 06:17 PM)OSUfan Wrote: Re-Sign

1) Vonn Bell
2) Hayden Hurst
3) Cal Adomitis
4) Mitchell Wilcox
5) Samaje Perine
6) Trent Taylor

Extensions

1) Joe Burrow
2) Tee Higgins
*Unfortunately, to make cap space for signings and extensions Joe Mixon would end up being cut as a cap casualty*

Round 1 - 28th Overall



Anton Harrison - OT - Oklahoma - 6'5" 315

In my opinion this is the best case scenario for the Bengals at 28 but who knows between now and the draft he could rapidly move up the boards. I prefer Harrison over both Skoronski and Jones because of his pass blocking. The Bengals are a passing offense and keeping Burrow clean is of upmost importance. The Harrison selection shows a commitment to this endeavor. Harrison possesses very good feet with elite pass blocking skills. Harrison keeps the QB clean and that is the bottom line. While being an elite pass protector he does have room for improvement in the running game and while he is not a road grader he is effective in run blocking. This selection would allow Jonah to compete at RT or inside at OG or to be the first man off the bench.

Round 2 - 60th Overall



Eli Ricks - CB - Bama - 6'2" 190

I have to fight to not think of Dre Kirkpatrick when relating to Eli Ricks. Ricks was originally at LSU and that school knows CBs. Ricks brings everything to the table that you are looking for in an NFL CB. Outstanding size and length and has been referred to as having a high football IQ. A former 5 star recruit and one must keep in mind that Ricks is a true Junior. The upside of Ricks is off the charts. Ricks should be a really nice addition to the DB room.

Round 3 - 92nd Overall



Jaylon Jones - CB - Texas A&M - 6'2" 205

It was not my intention to take back to back corners but the value of Jaylon Jones sitting there was too high to pass on. The NFL is a passing league and I believe at times the Bengals were undermanned at the CB position throughout the season. Jones brings size, speed, and physicality to the position and is very strong in zone coverage. Jones and Ricks should provide instant upgrade over players such as Apple and George. I see Jones as a guy that could as well fill the Flowers role of negating athletic TEs.

Round 4 - 131st Overall



Andrew Vorhees - OG - USC - 6'6" 320

The Bengals found themselves in O line trouble at the end of '22 so adding solid depth to the line is wise. Vorhees is a very experienced lineman who is an outstanding run blocker. While he has areas that he can improve on in the passing game his ability to anchor at the line is a good reason to believe that these are issues that can be coached through. Vorhees gives the Bengals a high quality backup on the interior of the O line who could end up as a high quality starter.

Round 5 - 165th Overall



Josh Whyle - TE - UC - 6'6" 250

Whyle is a serious receiving threat that can exploit the seams of a defense. He has outstanding hands and has shown the ability to make tough catches and to use his size to his advantage. Where Whyle is very underrated is in his ability as an inline blocker. While he has much room to grow in this area he is a willing student that has shown marked improvement since arriving at UC and has worked hard to improve as a blocker and has added bulk to help him in this aspect of the game. Working with a true pro like Hurst will only help Whyle as well. Being a local product is bonus to the situation.

Round 6 - 206th Overall



Habakkuk Baldonado - DE - Pitt - 6'5" 260

Baldonado is from Rome and only played a single season of American football after moving to the states. What he lacks in experience he makes up for in raw talent. He has already shown that he can set the edge in the run game and while he does not have an elite first step he has shown a good mix of raw power and speed. Baldonado will need to develop his arsenal of pass rushing skills but he could not be in a much better room to learn than to be with  Hendrickson, Hubbard, and Ossai. Baldonado has a really high ceiling.

Round 7 - 248th Overall



Hunter Luepke - FB/RB - N. Dakota St. - 6'1" 236

When watching film on Luepke what immediately sticks out is effort and IQ. The kid is a heady football player who brings a multifaceted skillset to the RB room. The Bison offense used him in multiple ways as a lead runner, lead blocker, and accomplished receiver. Hunter also is strong in the pass game when it comes to picking up the blitz. A very tough runner that would be huge in short yardage and while he is a tough runner he has very good speed for his size and when he gets to the open field, and has shown the ability to do so, he is an extremely tough tackle. With his skills Luepke could probably line up at TE in an emergency.

What the 53 Man Roster would look like:

QB
Joe Burrow, Jake Browning

RB
Samaje Perine, Chris Evans, Hunter Luepke

TE
Hayden Hurst, Josh Whyle, Mitchell Wilcox, Devin Asiasi

OT
Anton Harrison, La'el Collins, Jackson Carman, D'ante Smith, Jonah Williams

OG
Cordell Volson, Alex Cappa, Andrew Vorhees

C
Ted Karras, Ben Brown

DE
Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard, Joseph Ossai, Jeff Gunter, Habakkuk Baldonado

DT
DJ Reader, BJ Hill, Zach Carter, Josh Tupou, Cam Sample

LB
Logan Wilson, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Markus Bailey, Joe Bachie

CB
Chidobe Awuzie, Cam Britt-Taylor, Mike Hilton, Eli Ricks, Jaylon Jones

S
Vonn Bell, Dax Hill, Tycen Andersen, Brandon Wilson

Specialists
Evan McPherson, Dru Chrisman, Cal Adomitis

This is 52 on the roster leaving a spot for the highest value at either LB, S, or corner.

I like several of the players in this, but if we're cutting Mixon, we need a RB in the first couple of rounds.  

(02-21-2023, 02:28 AM)Whatever Wrote: I like several of the players in this, but if we're cutting Mixon, we need a RB in the first couple of rounds.  

I disagree. The position just does not hold the value that it once did and frankly I believe that Perine can do everything that Mixon can do and is better at getting tough yardage. What this offense requires is backs that compliment what they do and Perine, Evans, and Luepke fit that mold to a T. Joe ran the best he has in some time in the two playoff games and that is because he was running north and south with purpose which is what Perine does. I think the trio shown on the 53 man roster would be a great fit for the team. I am a Joe Mixon fan by the way.

(02-21-2023, 05:36 PM)OSUfan Wrote: I disagree. The position just does not hold the value that it once did and frankly I believe that Perine can do everything that Mixon can do and is better at getting tough yardage. What this offense requires is backs that compliment what they do and Perine, Evans, and Luepke fit that mold to a T. Joe ran the best he has in some time in the two playoff games and that is because he was running north and south with purpose which is what Perine does. I think the trio shown on the 53 man roster would be a great fit for the team. I am a Joe Mixon fan by the way.

Very nice post and i agree with most of it, but i would love to get Tyjae Spears out of Tulane in the 4th or 5th round. Kid is going to be a very solid contributor somewhere!

(02-21-2023, 05:36 PM)OSUfan Wrote: I disagree. The position just does not hold the value that it once did and frankly I believe that Perine can do everything that Mixon can do and is better at getting tough yardage. What this offense requires is backs that compliment what they do and Perine, Evans, and Luepke fit that mold to a T. Joe ran the best he has in some time in the two playoff games and that is because he was running north and south with purpose which is what Perine does. I think the trio shown on the 53 man roster would be a great fit for the team. I am a Joe Mixon fan by the way.

RB's are still extremely important.  Look at the teams in the playoffs this year and the RB's taken in the first three rounds on their roster..

KC-CEH(1st round)
Bills-Cook(2nd)
Bengals-Mixon(2nd)
Jaguars -Etienne(1st)
Chargers-none
Ravens-Dobbins(2nd)
Dolphins-none

Eagles-Sanders(2nd)
49'ers-McCafferty(1st)
Vikings-Cook(2nd)
Buccaneers-Fournette(1st)
Cowboys-Zeke(1st)
Giants -Barkley(1st)
Seahawks -Walker(2nd)

Six of fourteen playoff teams have a RB that was drafted in the 1st and 12 have one that was drafted in the first two rounds.  Teams that are currently successful are not making RB a low priority.  

Perine will be entering his 7th year in the league and his career high for rushing yards was 603 back in '17.  He has 1592 career rushing yards and averages 26.2 yards/scrimmage per game for his career.  No playoff contender is rolling into the season with a guy like that as the feature back backed up by a 3rd year 6th round pick that hasn't shown much and a 7th round pick that may have to convert to FB to stick in the league.  

(02-21-2023, 08:08 PM)Whatever Wrote: RB's are still extremely important.  Look at the teams in the playoffs this year and the RB's taken in the first three rounds on their roster..

KC-CEH(1st round)
Bills-Cook(2nd)
Bengals-Mixon(2nd)
Jaguars -Etienne(1st)
Chargers-none
Ravens-Dobbins(2nd)
Dolphins-none

Eagles-Sanders(2nd)
49'ers-McCafferty(1st)
Vikings-Cook(2nd)
Buccaneers-Fournette(1st)
Cowboys-Zeke(1st)
Giants -Barkley(1st)
Seahawks -Walker(2nd)

Six of fourteen playoff teams have a RB that was drafted in the 1st and 12 have one that was drafted in the first two rounds.  Teams that are currently successful are not making RB a low priority.  

Perine will be entering his 7th year in the league and his career high for rushing yards was 603 back in '17.  He has 1592 career rushing yards and averages 26.2 yards/scrimmage per game for his career.  No playoff contender is rolling into the season with a guy like that as the feature back backed up by a 3rd year 6th round pick that hasn't shown much and a 7th round pick that may have to convert to FB to stick in the league.  

I get what you are saying but I believe you are over playing your hand. The main man for KC was selected with the 251st overall selection and that is Isiah Pacheco. Lawrence had as many rushing TDs as Etienne did. Fournette rushed for under 700 yards. The lead back for Dallas was Pollard and he was a 4th round selection. I understand your sentiment but I do believe you are overstating the role that each played for their teams. 

To expand...the 2nd round selection, Miles, managed 16 yards in the Super Bowl while the 7th rounder, Pacheco, went for over 70.

(02-21-2023, 08:53 PM)OSUfan Wrote: I get what you are saying but I believe you are over playing your hand. The main man for KC was selected with the 251st overall selection and that is Isiah Pacheco. Lawrence had as many rushing TDs as Etienne did. Fournette rushed for under 700 yards. The lead back for Dallas was Pollard and he was a 4th round selection. I understand your sentiment but I do believe you are overstating the role that each played for their teams. 

To expand...the 2nd round selection, Miles, managed 16 yards in the Super Bowl while the 7th rounder, Pacheco, went for over 70.

If you're going to talk TD's, it's more than fair to point out that McKinnon(10) and CEH(6) both scored more TD's than Pacheco.  McKinnon is also a 3rd round pick.  CEH was also out with injury 1/3 of the year.  Pacheco didn't even break 1k yards/scrimmage.  Etienne was getting eased back in early in the season coming off an Achilles the year before.  Fournette had over 500 receiving yards.  Zeke had more carries than Pollard.

If anything, this really proves you don't just need one quality RB to compete.  You need multiple.  When you have a quality #1 back, then you can throw some darts on Day 3 to find a compliment or maybe upgrade.  But this off-season doesn't even give us one. 
 

(02-21-2023, 09:55 PM)Whatever Wrote: If you're going to talk TD's, it's more than fair to point out that McKinnon(10) and CEH(6) both scored more TD's than Pacheco.  McKinnon is also a 3rd round pick.  CEH was also out with injury 1/3 of the year.  Pacheco didn't even break 1k yards/scrimmage.  Etienne was getting eased back in early in the season coming off an Achilles the year before.  Fournette had over 500 receiving yards.  Zeke had more carries than Pollard.

If anything, this really proves you don't just need one quality RB to compete.  You need multiple.  When you have a quality #1 back, then you can throw some darts on Day 3 to find a compliment or maybe upgrade.  But this off-season doesn't even give us one. 
 

It proves nothing of the sort. It proves that having a back that compliments what you offense does is the most important thing. More important than the round they are selected in. 

If Vorhees is available Day 2, I love the selection.
I've seen some draft sites have him as a late-Rd 1 or early-Rd 2 guy, so he may not be available at 60 or especially 92.
I really do think Vorhees is position-diverse and could be a quality starter out of the gate.

If Anton Harrison can at least be decent in the run game, I love his pass protection potential.

You should probably clarify that Baldonado hasn't just played one year of football, which is what your description can be misinterpreted as.
He played 3 years of football in Italy growing up before he moved to Florida where he played 1 season before college.
He has played 4 years at Pitt.
He had a great 2021 before having a down year in 2022.
Baldonado is a dude who is worth a Day 3 selection, but he's going to be a project. One that I personally would gamble on, as I like his potential.
Plus, he would have 3-4 dudes ahead of him to help teach and also give him time to develop.

I'd be nervous only having Perine, Evans, and a 7th round rookie in the backfield.
If a RB was taken earlier (perhaps in Rd 2 or Rd 3 instead of the 2nd early DB), I'd be more comfortable with the backfield.

(02-23-2023, 12:38 PM)ochocincos Wrote: If Vorhees is available Day 2, I love the selection.
I've seen some draft sites have him as a late-Rd 1 or early-Rd 2 guy, so he may not be available at 60 or especially 92.
I really do think Vorhees is position-diverse and could be a quality starter out of the gate.

If Anton Harrison can at least be decent in the run game, I love his pass protection potential.

You should probably clarify that Baldonado hasn't just played one year of football, which is what your description can be misinterpreted as.
He played 3 years of football in Italy growing up before he moved to Florida where he played 1 season before college.
He has played 4 years at Pitt.
He had a great 2021 before having a down year in 2022.
Baldonado is a dude who is worth a Day 3 selection, but he's going to be a project. One that I personally would gamble on, as I like his potential.
Plus, he would have 3-4 dudes ahead of him to help teach and also give him time to develop.

I'd be nervous only having Perine, Evans, and a 7th round rookie in the backfield.
If a RB was taken earlier (perhaps in Rd 2 or Rd 3 instead of the 2nd early DB), I'd be more comfortable with the backfield.

Fair enough assessment of the simulation.

I would love to see Baldonado being mentored by Hendrickson and Hubbard. The ceiling for this kid is a very high one I do believe.

I guess I am not near as nervous about having Perine and Evans as a duo in the backfield as some others are. I really like Samaje and I feel the things he does well compliment this offense perfectly. For most of the season I was begging for Mixon to run more like Perine and to put his head down and go. When he finally did it in the playoffs he was as successful as I expected.

(02-23-2023, 09:00 PM)OSUfan Wrote: Fair enough assessment of the simulation.

I would love to see Baldonado being mentored by Hendrickson and Hubbard. The ceiling for this kid is a very high one I do believe.

I guess I am not near as nervous about having Perine and Evans as a duo in the backfield as some others are. I really like Samaje and I feel the things he does well compliment this offense perfectly. For most of the season I was begging for Mixon to run more like Perine and to put his head down and go. When he finally did it in the playoffs he was as successful as I expected.

I just think that while Perine is ok, he's not exciting and too slow to get chunk yardage.
Evans basically got demoted in favor of Trayveon Williams.
Evans in fact never even had a carry this past season. Receiver only.
It's possible they don't see him as a RB anymore after 2 years.

I'm ok with having Perine, but I want someone I can have a little more confidence in than Evans and a 7th rounder.