I like to get a pre-season mock in every year to get some names out there for everyone.




1. Malachi Corley WR Western Kentucky - Corley is one of the best receivers in college football and not getting any talk. He is only 5'10.5 to 5'11 but he is around 210lbs. The Hilltoppers get Corley the ball anyway they can because he is the most dangerous receiver in college football with the ball in his hands. He is getting alot of comparison's to Deebo Samuel and if you watch him play you can see why. Western Kentucky will be in Columbus to face off against Ohio State on September 16.

2. Matt Goncalves OT Pittsburgh - Goncalves is a huge Right Tackle at 6'6 330lbs with a season an a half of starts under his belt with starts at both guard and tackle. Goncalves needs to get better feel for his hand timing but he has natural feel for cutting off pass rushers.

3. Dontay Corleone DT Cincinati - His name sounds like a gangster enforcer and that's how he plays on the field. Corleone is one of the best NT in college football but he is not just a mauling run stuffer he has nibble feet to work his way into inside gaps. 

4. Zach Frazier IOL WVU - Frazier is a longtime starter on a very bad WVU team. He doesn't get alot of national recognition but he is a guy that never misses his assignment and rarely gets penalized. One of the best Big12 matchups of the 2023 season will be Zach Frazier vs Dontay Corleone on Nov. 18th.

5. Roman Hemby RB Maryland - Hemby is a good all around RB. He has good size and quickness but not alot of pull away speed. Good vision and excellent hands as a receiver. 

1. Rome Odunze WR Washington
2. Amarius Mims OT Georgia
3. Luke Lachey TE Iowa
4. Nazir Stackhouse DT Georgia
5. Montrell Johnson RB Florida

Here is another one I had typed up if they didn't resign Tee this off-season. Good to get the names out there like Amarius Mims and Lachey. Stackhouse is probably the most dependable NT in college but he is an odd front gap filler.

(08-15-2023, 01:27 PM)Synric Wrote: I like to get a pre-season mock in every year to get some names out there for everyone.




1. Malachi Corley WR Western Kentucky - Corley is one of the best receivers in college football and not getting any talk. He is only 5'10.5 to 5'11 but he is around 210lbs. The Hilltoppers get Corley the ball anyway they can because he is the most dangerous receiver in college football with the ball in his hands. He is getting alot of comparison's to Deebo Samuel and if you watch him play you can see why. Western Kentucky will be in Columbus to face off against Ohio State on September 16.

2. Matt Goncalves OT Pittsburgh - Goncalves is a huge Right Tackle at 6'6 330lbs with a season an a half of starts under his belt with starts at both guard and tackle. Goncalves needs to get better feel for his hand timing but he has natural feel for cutting off pass rushers.

3. Dontay Corleone DT Cincinati - His name sounds like a gangster enforcer and that's how he plays on the field. Corleone is one of the best NT in college football but he is not just a mauling run stuffer he has nibble feet to work his way into inside gaps. 

4. Zach Frazier IOL WVU - Frazier is a longtime starter on a very bad WVU team. He doesn't get alot of national recognition but he is a guy that never misses his assignment and rarely gets penalized. One of the best Big12 matchups of the 2023 season will be Zach Frazier vs Dontay Corleone on Nov. 18th.

5. Roman Hemby RB Maryland - Hemby is a good all around RB. He has good size and quickness but not alot of pull away speed. Good vision and excellent hands as a receiver. 

Love this based on current projections of FAs after this season.
About the only question I would have is why a WR before a TE?
Bengals have both Boyd and Smith set to hit FA after this season.
I'm assuming since you posted a following mock with not factoring in Higgins that the OP is with Higgins sticking around (either new contract or tag(s)).

If the Bengals were to keep Higgins and Boyd and Smith both walk, are you thinking Charlie Jones will not be sufficient enough to cover slot duties after a year in the league?

(08-15-2023, 02:30 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Love this based on current projections of FAs after this season.
About the only question I would have is why a WR before a TE?
Bengals have both Boyd and Smith set to hit FA after this season.
I'm assuming since you posted a following mock with not factoring in Higgins that the OP is with Higgins sticking around (either new contract or tag(s)).

If the Bengals were to keep Higgins and Boyd and Smith both walk, are you thinking Charlie Jones will not be sufficient enough to cover slot duties after a year in the league?

The answer to that is obvious.  They just don't value that position to spend premium capital on it.

(08-15-2023, 02:30 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Love this based on current projections of FAs after this season.
About the only question I would have is why a WR before a TE?
Bengals have both Boyd and Smith set to hit FA after this season.
I'm assuming since you posted a following mock with not factoring in Higgins that the OP is with Higgins sticking around (either new contract or tag(s)).

If the Bengals were to keep Higgins and Boyd and Smith both walk, are you thinking Charlie Jones will not be sufficient enough to cover slot duties after a year in the league?

Malachi Corley has NFL star potential its about the player at a premium position in the first round. I think his length will be a big factor when it comes to the Bengals though. They tend to like length in their receivers. 

(08-15-2023, 04:27 PM)Synric Wrote: Malachi Corley has NFL star potential its about the player at a premium position in the first round. I think his length will be a big factor when it comes to the Bengals though. They tend to like length in their receivers. 

I get looking at players in a vacuum, but you also have to have a plan to get these players into a starting lineup if drafted early, especially Rd 1 guys.
I'm not going to invest a Day 1 or Day 2 pick to be a potential depth or rotational guy for the duration of their rookie contract.

With that said, maybe Jones isn't a foregone conclusion of being a starter in the slot. Maybe he's just supposed to be a good depth piece and return specialist.
If that's the case, the Bengals definitely will need someone who's more of a true starter after impending departure of Boyd or some other WR.

But if Jones gives you confidence going into next year and Higgins and Chase are both long-term plans, no way am I taking a WR in Rd 1.

(08-15-2023, 05:08 PM)ochocincos Wrote: I get looking at players in a vacuum, but you also have to have a plan to get these players into a starting lineup if drafted early, especially Rd 1 guys.
I'm not going to invest a Day 1 or Day 2 pick to be a potential depth or rotational guy for the duration of their rookie contract.

With that said, maybe Jones isn't a foregone conclusion of being a starter in the slot. Maybe he's just supposed to be a good depth piece and return specialist.
If that's the case, the Bengals definitely will need someone who's more of a true starter after impending departure of Boyd or some other WR.

But if Jones gives you confidence going into next year and Higgins and Chase are both long-term plans, no way am I taking a WR in Rd 1.

Agree with a lot of what you said.  I also think that the Bengals will prioritize defense in the draft the next few years as the offensive contracts start to kick in.

(08-15-2023, 04:08 PM)Hammerstripes Wrote: The answer to that is obvious.  They just don't value that position to spend premium capital on it.

I said TE before WR, not necessarily a TE in the 1st round.
It sounds like from comments from Bengals coaches (I think it was Callahan?) that they do value TEs in the draft, but they want guys who really stand out as receivers if they're gonna take one early.

But hypothetically, if Higgins stays, I'm going to be looking at needs of other positions. If there's a guy I would have a 1st round grade on at a position of need, that's going to sway me vs going a WR that may not even have a path to start within a year.

I've changed my stance over the years of expecting a 1st rounder to start immediately, but I do expect them to start in their 2nd year.
If they don't, are you getting enough value from that rookie contract?

(08-15-2023, 05:18 PM)Hammerstripes Wrote: Agree with a lot of what you said.  I also think that the Bengals will prioritize defense in the draft the next few years as the offensive contracts start to kick in.

What positions on defense would that be?

DT is the obvious one, depending on what happens with Carter.
Hill and Reader I would expect are gone after their current contracts are up, or maybe a 1-year extension like what Hendrickson got.
NT likely the next up to be drafted from defensive side.

For DE, they just drafted Murphy. If Ossai isn't in their plans, I can see a DE coming probably not in 2024 but likely in 2025.

DB I feel we're gonna be pretty good with CTB, Turner, Hill, and Battle in a couple years.
Slot CB will be a need though.

LB is locked up with Pratt and Wilson for the next few years.

(08-15-2023, 05:08 PM)ochocincos Wrote: I get looking at players in a vacuum, but you also have to have a plan to get these players into a starting lineup if drafted early, especially Rd 1 guys.
I'm not going to invest a Day 1 or Day 2 pick to be a potential depth or rotational guy for the duration of their rookie contract.

With that said, maybe Jones isn't a foregone conclusion of being a starter in the slot. Maybe he's just supposed to be a good depth piece and return specialist.
If that's the case, the Bengals definitely will need someone who's more of a true starter after impending departure of Boyd or some other WR.

But if Jones gives you confidence going into next year and Higgins and Chase are both long-term plans, no way am I taking a WR in Rd 1.

It's pre-season for the NFL and College Football all we are doing is looking at prospects in a vacuum.  I don't know what 2022 is going to look like but maybe planning ahead for a few matchups like Corley vs Ohio State and Corleone vs Frazier. 

(08-15-2023, 05:38 PM)Synric Wrote: It's pre-season for the NFL and College Football all we are doing is looking at prospects in a vacuum.  I don't know what 2022 is going to look like but maybe planning ahead for a few matchups like Corley vs Ohio State and Corleone vs Frazier. 

I never make my mocks without a (strong) consideration of potential needs lol.
However, your point is well taken, as we don't know who may get re-signed, who they might add from outside, who will end up doing well and/or staying healthy, etc.
So I understand where you are coming from.

(08-15-2023, 05:24 PM)ochocincos Wrote: What positions on defense would that be?

DT is the obvious one, depending on what happens with Carter.
Hill and Reader I would expect are gone after their current contracts are up, or maybe a 1-year extension like what Hendrickson got.
NT likely the next up to be drafted from defensive side.

For DE, they just drafted Murphy. If Ossai isn't in their plans, I can see a DE coming probably not in 2024 but likely in 2025.

DB I feel we're gonna be pretty good with CTB, Turner, Hill, and Battle in a couple years.
Slot CB will be a need though.

LB is locked up with Pratt and Wilson for the next few years.

They usually go BPA, but CB would be one with Awuzie's contract being up.
DT would be another, regardless of Carter
S could be another until we know how the current group fares.

The Bengals like to draft a year ahead, some of those positions that seem set will more than likely need more bodies.  You can never have too many pass rushers or CBs.

(08-15-2023, 06:01 PM)Hammerstripes Wrote: They usually go BPA, but CB would be one with Awuzie's contract being up.
DT would be another, regardless of Carter
S could be another until we know how the current group fares.

The Bengals like to draft a year ahead, some of those positions that seem set will more than likely need more bodies.  You can never have too many pass rushers or CBs.

You have to think they drafted Turner with the intent of being Awuzie's (or Hilton's) replacement.

Hilton will have one more year after this one, and the Bengals do like to draft a year ahead so that player isn't forced into a starting role as a rookie, so a CB I'd be fine with. I'll probably argue though you don't need a 1st round CB to be the slot though. Save that for a Day 2 pick.

Bengals scouts were at Pittsburgh Panthers practice today probably getting an early look at Goncalves.

Washington #Commanders and Cincinnati #Bengals scouts at #Pitt football practice today

— Dominic Campbell (@DOMISMONEY) August 15, 2023

(08-15-2023, 06:16 PM)Synric Wrote: Bengals scouts were at Pittsburgh Panthers practice today probably getting an early look at Goncalves.

Washington #Commanders and Cincinnati #Bengals scouts at #Pitt football practice today

— Dominic Campbell (@DOMISMONEY) August 15, 2023

Bengals scouting before the college season even starts? Who are these Bengals? lol

(08-15-2023, 01:27 PM)Synric Wrote: I like to get a pre-season mock in every year to get some names out there for everyone.




1. Malachi Corley WR Western Kentucky - Corley is one of the best receivers in college football and not getting any talk. He is only 5'10.5 to 5'11 but he is around 210lbs. The Hilltoppers get Corley the ball anyway they can because he is the most dangerous receiver in college football with the ball in his hands. He is getting alot of comparison's to Deebo Samuel and if you watch him play you can see why. Western Kentucky will be in Columbus to face off against Ohio State on September 16.

2. Matt Goncalves OT Pittsburgh - Goncalves is a huge Right Tackle at 6'6 330lbs with a season an a half of starts under his belt with starts at both guard and tackle. Goncalves needs to get better feel for his hand timing but he has natural feel for cutting off pass rushers.

3. Dontay Corleone DT Cincinati - His name sounds like a gangster enforcer and that's how he plays on the field. Corleone is one of the best NT in college football but he is not just a mauling run stuffer he has nibble feet to work his way into inside gaps. 

4. Zach Frazier IOL WVU - Frazier is a longtime starter on a very bad WVU team. He doesn't get alot of national recognition but he is a guy that never misses his assignment and rarely gets penalized. One of the best Big12 matchups of the 2023 season will be Zach Frazier vs Dontay Corleone on Nov. 18th.

5. Roman Hemby RB Maryland - Hemby is a good all around RB. He has good size and quickness but not alot of pull away speed. Good vision and excellent hands as a receiver. 

Nice seeing some names for the next Draft, thanks Synric. Corley sure seems intriguing and I hope I get to watch Western Kentucky
this year, but I doubt I will be able to unless I go to a buddies who has espn. I have seen Corleone play and really like the guy, could 
for sure be our future Reader replacement. Goncalves sounds like a good one for our future at RT.

I figure you would know West Virginia players better than about anyone so you would know on Frazier. Good stuff.

(08-22-2023, 05:40 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Nice seeing some names for the next Draft, thanks Synric. Corley sure seems intriguing and I hope I get to watch Western Kentucky
this year, but I doubt I will be able to unless I go to a buddies who has espn. I have seen Corleone play and really like the guy, could 
for sure be our future Reader replacement. Goncalves sounds like a good one for our future at RT.

I figure you would know West Virginia players better than about anyone so you would know on Frazier. Good stuff.

WKU is only about an hour away from my house.
I haven't ever cared to go see a college team play in any sport unless I went to that school, but maybe one day I will.
Saying that though, I might rather just stick purely local and see some SEC action at Vanderbilt lol.
Vandy's campus is super nice and the stadium isn't very large. Feels almost like a MAC school in terms of number of seats and aesthetic.

(08-15-2023, 01:27 PM)Synric Wrote: 4. Zach Frazier IOL WVU - Frazier is a longtime starter on a very bad WVU team. He doesn't get alot of national recognition but he is a guy that never misses his assignment and rarely gets penalized. One of the best Big12 matchups of the 2023 season will be Zach Frazier vs Dontay Corleone on Nov. 18th.

WVU was matched up week one vs Penn State and they were terrible with a capital they suck lol... that said Zach Frazier was an absolute monster moving guys off the line AND turning them against a stacked Penn State Defensive Line. If he continues that kinda performance against guys like Corleone he will go alot higher than 4th round.

(09-08-2023, 10:20 AM)Synric Wrote: WVU was matched up week one vs Penn State and they were terrible with a capital they suck lol... that said Zach Frazier was an absolute monster moving guys off the line AND turning them against a stacked Penn State Defensive Line. If he continues that kinda performance against guys like Corleone he will go alot higher than 4th round.

Here's one write up on him, his 1st week.

 - This was a good game, as he was disciplined in carrying out his assignments at the LOS and the 2nd level. He showed good hand usage and the ability to turn defenders off the away from the  ball. He wasn't dominant, but was solid in all aspects.


He is listed as the 3rd best center right now.  

(09-08-2023, 11:56 AM)Goalpost Wrote: Here's one write up on him, his 1st week.

 - This was a good game, as he was disciplined in carrying out his assignments at the LOS and the 2nd level. He showed good hand usage and the ability to turn defenders off the away from the  ball. He wasn't dominant, but was solid in all aspects.


He is listed as the 3rd best center right now.  

I disagree with the not dominate part. WVU only offense was A gap runs and Penn State was stacking the LoS because WVUs QB is so very bad (He threw 3 off target 5 yard slants lol).