The speculation that the Bengals could be interested in either Trent Brown or Jermaine Eluemunor continues to gain momentum and signing either one completely makes sense as well as opens the draft up to far more possibilities. I decided to run a simulation given that one of these FAs is signed to play RT and with the following assumptions of returning players:


1) Tanner Hudson
2) Trenton Irwin
3) Cal Adomitis
5) Joe Bachie

It would also be reasonable to believe that the Bengals work out a 1 year deal with both DJ Reader and Drew Sample.


When the Bengals went on the clock at 18 they received a trade offer from KC. Had Brian Thomas Jr. still been on the board I would not have entertained the trade offer and made him the selection. However, with Thomas off of the boards the Bengals took the trade which gave them the 31st selection in the 1st and 63rd selection in the second round.


   

The Draft:

   
   

You traded with the enemy and handed Mahomes a new WR for his three-peat quest.

RD 1 - 31st Selection:






Graham Barton - OL - Duke - 6'5" 314:


Tobin and Taylor have not made it any secret that football IQ is high on their criteria list for their draft prospects and Barton absolutely checks that box. Barton has the versatility to play all five offensive line positions but having average length means he more than likely makes the move inside at the NFL level. For the Bengals I see Barton and his smarts, toughness, and explosion off the snap lining up at center where I feel he compares favorably to Creed Humphrey.  I could see Barton being the center that the Bengals have been searching for since Rich Braham. 


Barton generates outstanding power, possesses elite processing skills for diagnosing stunts and blitzes, as well as elite anchor. In the run game he brings the finishing attitude that is lacking with the Bengals current offensive line. He looks to put his man on the ground while moving to the second level to pick up the next block. Just a tenacious competitor. He will need to clean up some small technique issues but that could be said about any prospect in the draft. 


The selection of Barton allows Karras to move to left guard which he has played in the NFL and should be an upgrade over Volson. This would allow Volson to compete for a swing tackle spot which he may be better suited for in the NFL.


RD. 2 - 49th Selection:






T'Vondre Sweat - DT - Texas - 6'4" 346:


If the Bengals can work a 1 year deal with Reader then this is a great selection to take some meaningful snaps off Readers plate and help keep him fresh. If they cannot work out a deal with Reader then it is an even better selection.


Sweat is an immovable presence at the NT position who will consistently demand double teams. Violent hands and immense natural power to go along with outstanding quickness and burst for a man of this size. Stopping the run in the AFC North is a must and stopping the run is the specialty of Sweat. While he is not a pass rushing specialist that does not mean he cannot disrupt the pocket and make it difficult for the QB to operate. Sweat generates huge push while taking up blocks and freeing up other defenders to make plays. Sweat has not shown just that he demands double teams but has also shown that he can defeat double teams as well.


RD. 2 - 63rd Selection:






Leonard Taylor - DT - Miami (Fla.) - 6'3" 305:


I had no intention of going back to back on the D line but with Taylor sitting at the top of the board it was not a selection that could be passed on. The addition of Sweat and Taylor to go with Hendrickson and Hubbard arguably gives the Bengals one of the top defensive lines in the league.


Taylor possesses elite get off and snap timing to go along with a relentless motor. Plays with violent hands and understands the use of rips and swims to free himself of blockers. Taylor uses his elite athleticism to win at the point of attack and rushes with a plan and a counter. Continuing to add strength at the next level will aid in his continued development. Taylor has proven to be a disruptive force and rotating with Hill should put him in a great situation to learn and grow at the NFL level.

So, we're losing Higgins and Boyd...and don't draft a WR til the 5th.

RD. 3 - 80th Selection:






Jonathon Brooks - RB - Texas - 6'0" 207:


To go along with their revamped offensive line the Bengals take a player that will revamp their running game. Brooks brings elite vision, acceleration, and pass catching abilities to the RB position. When Brooks identifies a hole he hits the hole with outstanding acceleration which is something the Bengals have been missing from their running game. His contributions as a receiver are outstanding and he as well is effective blocking as a pass protector and in identifying blitzers and picking them up. Brooks should be the piece that lets the Bengals take their running game to the next level. 


Brooks and Brown should make for a very dynamic pair of backs that are contributors in all facets of the offense.


RD. 4 - 115th Selection:






Cam Hart - CB - Notre Dame - 6'2" 200:


Hart is a very experienced cover corner who brings outstanding size, speed, and length to the position. Hart has played at a high profile program and in many high profile games and has showed himself well in these contests. Hart previously played WR and this shows in his ability to identify and diagnose routes. He has good long speed and high level ball skills and cover ability. Hart needs to continue to learn to trust his abilities when he has his back to the QB and continue to develop in run support. He is a good wrap up tackler and overall a well rounded CB that is experienced in man and zone coverage.

(02-12-2024, 11:39 AM)Whatever Wrote: So, we're losing Higgins and Boyd...and don't draft a WR til the 5th.

In this case yes but you act as if the cupboard is bare which is absolutely is not. I could have reached and taken a WR that would have given the team less value than a selection at another position but I did not see that as very smart business. The Bengals are returning:


Jamarr Chase
Charlie Jones
Andrei Iosivas
Trenton Irwin


Then you add Luke McCaffrey and Bub Means? Yeah I do not feel bad about that room at all.

(02-12-2024, 11:51 AM)OSUfan Wrote: In this case yes but you act as if the cupboard is bare which is absolutely is not. I could have reached and taken a WR that would have given the team less value than a selection at another position but I did not see that as very smart business. The Bengals are returning:


Jamarr Chase
Charlie Jones
Andrei Iosivas
Trenton Irwin


Then you add Luke McCaffrey and Bub Means? Yeah I do not feel bad about that room at all.

This would be one of the worst WR rooms in the league.

(02-12-2024, 12:07 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: This would be one of the worst WR rooms in the league.

Yeah, if we're losing two starters from last year, I'm betting on the Bengals either drafting one early, or signing a mid-tier veteran in free agency to pair with a mid-round pick.

(02-12-2024, 11:51 AM)OSUfan Wrote: In this case yes but you act as if the cupboard is bare which is absolutely is not. I could have reached and taken a WR that would have given the team less value than a selection at another position but I did not see that as very smart business. The Bengals are returning:


Jamarr Chase
Charlie Jones
Andrei Iosivas
Trenton Irwin


Then you add Luke McCaffrey and Bub Means? Yeah I do not feel bad about that room at all.

Your penciled in WR2 is Irwin.  He started 5 games last year and had 187 receiving yards combined across those 5 starts.

For reference, only 40% of 4th round picks play out their rookie deals with the team that drafted them and get a second contract someplace.  You can't bank an entire position group on praying you can develop a bunch of Day 3 picks and UDFA's into plus starters, especially guys that you've had in your system a year and have only flashed WR4/5 potential.

I get BPA to a point, but you drafted the #31 prospect at #31, the #49 prospect at #49, the #58 prospect at #63, and the #79 prospect at #80.  You don't seem to be drafting for need or value.  

(02-12-2024, 11:51 AM)OSUfan Wrote: In this case yes but you act as if the cupboard is bare which is absolutely is not. I could have reached and taken a WR that would have given the team less value than a selection at another position but I did not see that as very smart business. The Bengals are returning:


Jamarr Chase
Charlie Jones
Andrei Iosivas
Trenton Irwin


Then you add Luke McCaffrey and Bub Means? Yeah I do not feel bad about that room at all.

Hhahahahahhah bro you trolling us with this.
In regards to your draft I could probably live with it if we got sweat and Taylor. That’d be huge

I like your first 3 picks. I FA RT on not tagging Tee tho. See what I did?

(02-12-2024, 02:19 PM)JoeyB2023 Wrote: Hhahahahahhah bro you trolling us with this.
In regards to your draft I could probably live with it if we got sweat and Taylor.  That’d be huge

Trolling? Maybe ask Mahommes what he thinks. You people are ridiculous believing that a protected Joe Burrow needs a room full of elite WRs to be successful. If you protect Burrow he will pick you apart with average WRs. Mahommes does not have a single elite WR and his best is barely above average. Kelce is the best WR the Chiefs have and he plays TE.

Cue everyone pointing out they have a bunch of second round selections. Well look at their production. Toney was a firsts round wide out and he is trash.

I love the panic from some about the Bengals receiving room.

(02-12-2024, 12:07 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: This would be one of the worst WR rooms in the league.

Have you looked at the receiver room for the Super Bowl Champions? Their leading receiver is not even in the WR room. Protect Burrow and he will pick you apart. Tom Brady would have loved to have had this group of receivers in New England.

(02-13-2024, 12:15 PM)OSUfan Wrote: Have you looked at the receiver room for the Super Bowl Champions? Their leading receiver is not even in the WR room. Protect Burrow and he will pick you apart. Tom Brady would have loved to have had this group of receivers in New England.

Sure, but that doesn't mean that it's a good idea/

Say what you want about Mahomes and KC this year - that offense looked bad at times.  Imagine giving Mahomes weapons.

We obviously need to protect Burrow and we also need to get pressure on the passer.  We need to do what the Steelers used to do back in the day - draft a WR in rounds 3-4-5 every year.  That always insures that you don't have a situation like we have now with lack of depth and explosion.  Pick 80 I would much rather see a WR than a RB

(02-13-2024, 12:13 PM)OSUfan Wrote: Trolling? Maybe ask Mahommes what he thinks. You people are ridiculous believing that a protected Joe Burrow needs a room full of elite WRs to be successful. If you protect Burrow he will pick you apart with average WRs. Mahommes does not have a single elite WR and his best is barely above average. Kelce is the best WR the Chiefs have and he plays TE.

Cue everyone pointing out they have a bunch of second round selections. Well look at their production. Toney was a firsts round wide out and he is trash.

I love the panic from some about the Bengals receiving room.

Mahomes was 14th in the league in passer rating and tied for 4th  most interceptions this year.  They basically cruised into the playoffs on the backs of a Charmin soft AFCW, only scored 17 against Baltimore and had to rely on playoff Lamar to tank the game for the Ravens, and scored 3 points in the first half of the Super Bowl.  That's really not a replicable recipe for success in the AFCN.

I also really doubt that a B tier FA RT and a rookie LG added to the OL are going to give Burrow the kind of time to take the snap, smoke a cigar, check his messages, then see that Irwin has finally gotten open and get him the ball.  

This is like forming a race team, getting the next Mario Andretti as your driver, then saying "F it, I'm putting all my money into the pit crew and dropping an Ecoboost in the engine compartment.  I've got an elite driver.  He should be able to make up for having a lot less horsepower."

(02-13-2024, 01:52 PM)Whatever Wrote: Mahomes was 14th in the league in passer rating and tied for 4th  most interceptions this year.  They basically cruised into the playoffs on the backs of a Charmin soft AFCW, only scored 17 against Baltimore and had to rely on playoff Lamar to tank the game for the Ravens, and scored 3 points in the first half of the Super Bowl.  That's really not a replicable recipe for success in the AFCN.

I also really doubt that a B tier FA RT and a rookie LG added to the OL are going to give Burrow the kind of time to take the snap, smoke a cigar, check his messages, then see that Irwin has finally gotten open and get him the ball.  

This is like forming a race team, getting the next Mario Andretti as your driver, then saying "F it, I'm putting all my money into the pit crew and dropping an Ecoboost in the engine compartment.  I've got an elite driver.  He should be able to make up for having a lot less horsepower."

Trent Brown or Jermaine Eluemunor are neither one "B" tier free agents. Brown is an absolute stud at RT as long as he can stay healthy. Eluemunor may not be the level that Brown is but he is certainly an upgrade from what we had with Jonah. So you do not think a free agent RT and a highly drafted interior lineman can fix this line so then what would be your answer to fixing it?

So I have went thru the comments regarding this draft and where is was deficient and how it may be improved and with that I will do a revamped draft given the same roster criteria.

(02-12-2024, 11:51 AM)OSUfan Wrote: In this case yes but you act as if the cupboard is bare which is absolutely is not. I could have reached and taken a WR that would have given the team less value than a selection at another position but I did not see that as very smart business. The Bengals are returning:


Jamarr Chase
Charlie Jones
Andrei Iosivas
Trenton Irwin


Then you add Luke McCaffrey and Bub Means? Yeah I do not feel bad about that room at all.

I do t get all the panic I’m seeing for WR’s. If we take one in Rd.1 fine, but I wouldn’t be too excited over it. I think the young guys will be fine. Besides I think we will find a way to keep Tee. Boyd on the other hand is likely gone. But I’m a huge Charlie Jones fan, so im cool with it. We need to address both lines before we freak out over losing Boyd. I think we tag Tee, if anyone wants him they will have to pay up.

(02-13-2024, 08:20 PM)OSUfan Wrote: Trent Brown or Jermaine Eluemunor are neither one "B" tier free agents. Brown is an absolute stud at RT as long as he can stay healthy. Eluemunor may not be the level that Brown is but he is certainly an upgrade from what we had with Jonah. So you do not think a free agent RT and a highly drafted interior lineman can fix this line so then what would be your answer to fixing it?

We need a new LG badly as well. Volson sucks.   52 pff and then 58 this year.