Would people be upset about us picking a guard in the first, either via staying put or trading down?

The more I look at it, I really don’t want them to reach on a project edge that is above average at best as a ceiling. I think I’d rather have a great guard for the next 5 years.

Follow that up with helping the defense with the rest of the picks.

I’m tired of seeing them reach for picks. Doesn’t happen all the time, but probably half the time it happens.

Guard and DT would be my top picks if the value is there at either position.

Need to get better up front.

I haven't seen a true guard that looked liked a sure fire first rounder. Seems like it would be a reach or making a tackle switch positions. Maybe if we trade down. But if we stay at 17 I don't see how G is BPA.

(02-25-2025, 02:01 AM)NATI BENGALS Wrote: I haven't seen a true guard that looked liked a sure fire first rounder. Seems like it would be a reach or making a tackle switch positions. Maybe if we trade down. But if we stay at 17 I don't see how G is BPA.

If that’s the case it sounds like they could really pick any position.

Beyond the top 10 from what I’m hearing the rest of the players are late 1st/ second round grades.

I still think DT and guard are their biggest weaknesses. Would like a pass rusher too but I also feel like they could get someone in the 3rd with similar upside as pick 17 at edge.

Maybe they should just grab a TE in round 1.

I know defense is the big need. But above all they need to hit a home run with their first pick.
If they can do that every year they will be successful, even if it isn’t a position of dire need.

(02-25-2025, 12:35 AM)Bengalstripes9 Wrote: Would people be upset about us picking a guard in the first, either via staying put or trading down?

The more I look at it, I really don’t want them to reach on a project edge that is above average at best as a ceiling. I think I’d rather have a great guard for the next 5 years.

Follow that up with helping the defense with the rest of the picks.

I’m tired of seeing them reach for picks. Doesn’t happen all the time, but probably half the time it happens.

There are no GREAT guards in this class.....matter of fact as a whole this is a terrible class to draft a guard. So no taking a guard in the 1st would not be a good idea. There are better college OT's who will move to guard and be better more than likely.

(02-25-2025, 03:27 AM)Bengalstripes9 Wrote: Maybe they should just grab a TE in round 1.

I know defense is the big need. But above all they need to hit a home run with their first pick.
If they can do that every year they will be successful, even if it isn’t a position of dire need.

Mason Taylor is the TE I want and he's only 20 years old.

(02-25-2025, 12:37 AM)Bengalstripes9 Wrote: Guard and DT would be my top picks if the value is there at either position.

Need to get better up front.

If you look at the supply of top flite DL and Guards in this draft, there are many plug and play quality DL and a very limited number of Guards that look (to me) like day 1 starters. The Bengals have not done very well in player selection in past few drafts, I would hope that they go DL (Edge or DT, as they need both) because there are a lot more of them that look like day 1 starters or major rotational contributors than Guards. I really think that the Bengals need to secure at least one veteran upgrade at Guard via free agency, as the draft looks pretty thin at the top for Guards.

Tyler Booker is the only guard worth a first round pick at 17th he’s ranked 14th overall by Daniel Jeremiah. Personally I want DL at 17 these would be my choices if available that I would take over Booker at 17. I’d take any of these guys listed , Kenneth Grant, Walter Nolan, Mykel Williams or James Pearce Jr..

My concern is that there is a run on dline players before we pick and we are looking at taking the 6th edge player or the 3rd DT.

Most online mocks I do have the top TEs available and a lot of players with late 1st/2nd round grades.

We say this every year about trading down for better value but maybe someone wants to trade up for a tight end.

That said, my best mocks tend to be the ones where I take BPA and grab the top tight end in the draft and go BPA the rest of the way too.

(02-25-2025, 10:46 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: If you look at the supply of top flite DL and Guards in this draft, there are many plug and play quality DL and a very limited number of Guards that look (to me) like day 1 starters. The Bengals have not done very well in player selection in past few drafts, I would hope that they go DL (Edge or DT, as they need both) because there are a lot more of them that look like day 1 starters or major rotational contributors than Guards. I really think that the Bengals need to secure at least one veteran upgrade at Guard via free agency, as the draft looks pretty thin at the top for Guards.

Agree

I'd much rather go Dline in first and get a free agent (or two) at the guard positions. Now if they draft like a Tate Ratledge type on day 2 I won't be upset. We need Oline help as well.

(02-25-2025, 12:47 PM)Bengalstripes9 Wrote: My concern is that there is a run on dline players before we pick and we are looking at taking the 6th edge player or the 3rd DT.

Most online mocks I do have the top TEs available and a lot of players with late 1st/2nd round grades.

We say this every year about trading down for better value but maybe someone wants to trade up for a tight end.

That said, my best mocks tend to be the ones where I take BPA and grab the top tight end in the draft and go BPA the rest of the way too.

In Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock that basically happened plus Booker and Warren were gone as well. Loveland was available at TE ranked 7th overall and Jeanty who’s the 5th overall prospect hadn’t been picked. I’m hoping Jeanty goes before us it would definitely help push a guy down. Warren is ranked 5th overall and it’s a bad WR class so I think he could make sense for a few teams before us. They’re different players but you look at the impact Brock Bowers had last year I think weapon needy teams would be willing to draft him before us. Green was available at DE but I can’t see us drafting a guy at his size that early. Lucked out with Mims last year because so many QB’s and skill guy’s went.

Don't see it happening this year.

(02-25-2025, 12:35 AM)Bengalstripes9 Wrote: Would people be upset about us picking a guard in the first, either via staying put or trading down?

The more I look at it, I really don’t want them to reach on a project edge that is above average at best as a ceiling. I think I’d rather have a great guard for the next 5 years.

Follow that up with helping the defense with the rest of the picks.

I’m tired of seeing them reach for picks. Doesn’t happen all the time, but probably half the time it happens.

I was originally in the camp of drafting a guard early, 1st or 2nd, but seeing the values that could be had in free agency, I kind of like the idea of signing Zeitler and Becton, that way we know Burrow is protected going into the draft. That is the single issue I do not want to see left to chance.

It makes the draft wide open on defense and a possible new toy or two for the offense.

(02-25-2025, 12:50 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Agree

I'd much rather go Dline in first and get a free agent (or two) at the guard positions. Now if they draft like a Tate Ratledge type on day 2 I won't be upset. We need Oline help as well.

(02-25-2025, 05:35 PM)FormerlyBengalRugby Wrote: I was originally in the camp of drafting a guard early, 1st or 2nd, but seeing the values that could be had in free agency, I kind of like the idea of signing Zeitler and Becton, that way we know Burrow is protected going into the draft. That is the single issue I do not want to see left to chance.

It makes the draft wide open on defense and a possible new toy or two for the offense.

I like the option of going guard in round 2 or 3 as well.

I like the option of going with a free agent guard as well but I’d like to see them address the secondary in FA.

They need a consistent corner to step in right away and let CTB be more of a role player as that’s really his ceiling at this point.

DT could be a good spot to hit in FA as there are a lot of options there.

They can’t fill every hole in free agency though. DT, guard and corner would be my top FA needs.

Hopefully they can hit those and it allows them not to reach in the draft. They don’t have a good track record when they reach for need.

Not this year. An elite OG dominates in the run and the pass game, just like an elite DT excels in both run and pass. And OG is not considered a high-value position. If the Bengals weren't below average at the OG position we wouldn't even be entertaining a elite guard in Round 1, and I'm not seeing that guy in this draft.
After the "1st round values" are gone, you're picking from the physically limited, developmentally flawed, or were misused or mismatched in their college scheme. This draft is strong at DE, DT, and RB, all positions we could use. This draft should not be a big brain exercise if the Bengals paper over the most glaring weaknesses in free agency. BTW, the Bengals have enough cap space to fill (not just wallpaper) one big need in free agency as well.

We’ve been bad at drafting OL. Mims looking like he might break that streak. But I’d still rather sign NFL vets to play G.

Hopefully the new OL coach knows how to identify good OL draft prospects

(02-25-2025, 11:57 AM)lone bengal Wrote: Tyler Booker is the only guard worth a first round pick at 17th he’s ranked 14th overall by Daniel Jeremiah. Personally I want DL at 17 these would be my choices if available that I would take over Booker at 17. I’d take any of these guys listed , Kenneth Grant, Walter Nolan, Mykel Williams or James Pearce Jr..

Williams is not worth a first round pick IMO. Go watch Goodberry break down his tape.

(02-25-2025, 12:50 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Agree

I'd much rather go Dline in first and get a free agent (or two) at the guard positions. Now if they draft like a Tate Ratledge type on day 2 I won't be upset. We need Oline help as well.

Ratledge is overrated he's just a guy.....nothing special at all about him. Protection vulnerabilities below average length struggles with hand placement and below average pad level which throws him off balance.....

You tell me you can give me Donovan Jackson at #17; I'm good.