There's about a handful of guys that could be BPA and happen to play DE. I haven't considered a mock yet, but I'd place high odds on going DE, maybe DT if they can't keep Hill. I just don't see them ponying up in FA for what it costs for an established starting DE.

Assume that the Bengals carry 4 DEs, I'd could seen them carrying 1 big contract, 1 mid contract and 2 rookie size contracts. The trenches usually mature slower than other positions, so there's often more veterans there. But very few (currently 2) teams carry two 10+M players; Hubbard was paid 9.6M.
The two rookie contracts are filled by Murphy 3.4M and one of 3 1M players. I don't expect a big FA DE signing until Trey leaves or retires.

(01-24-2025, 12:51 AM)phil413 Wrote: There's about a handful of guys that could be BPA and happen to play DE.  I haven't considered a mock yet, but I'd place high odds on going DE, maybe DT if they can't keep Hill.  I just don't see them ponying up in FA for what it costs for an established starting DE.

I don't see Hill coming back they don't like paying guys 30 and over. I'd assume we'll draft at least 1 DE maybe 2 and a DT for sure.

(01-25-2025, 06:07 PM)pulses Wrote: I don't see Hill coming back they don't like paying guys 30 and over. I'd assume we'll draft at least 1 DE maybe 2 and a DT for sure.

Would you be comfortable with the Bengals rolling into the season with a pair of second year guys and a rookie as the base of their interior DL? I know that I sure wouldn't. They had better do their best to re-sign BJ Hill and draft another DT this offseason. It's the fault of the management that they're in this situation, they signed a few free agents and never did anything worthwhile in the draft to fortify the position in anticipation of those free agents moving on.

(01-25-2025, 06:30 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Would you be comfortable with the Bengals rolling into the season with a pair of second year guys and a rookie as the base of their interior DL? I know that I sure wouldn't. They had better do their best to re-sign BJ Hill and draft another DT this offseason. It's the fault of the management that they're in this situation, they signed a few free agents and never did anything worthwhile in the draft to fortify the position in anticipation of those free agents moving on.

I think they'll try and sign a younger player like Milton Williams but if Hill does come back it will be a short deal IMO. As far as going with a young DL it works if you get the right players look at that rams young DL. You draft a couple more young pass rushers and another top DT and we should be set.

(01-25-2025, 08:40 PM)pulses Wrote: I think they'll try and sign a younger player like Milton Williams but if Hill does come back it will be a short deal IMO. As far as going with a young DL it works if you get the right players look at that rams young DL. You draft a couple more young pass rushers and another top DT and we should be set.

Yes, absolutely 1-2 years. The team does need to keep investing in interior DL, or else they might find themselves in the same situation again in a few years.

Man, Javon Kinlaw was so good in college