(03-19-2025, 02:15 PM)Goalpost Wrote: His combine numbers, with a 9.95 RAS, were impressive.

I really like his film and the number of things he can do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXCaKuJQ2Bg

I'd be happy with Campbell or Walker (less likely to be there) at #17. I think both are absolute studs. 

I will take a stud at a "lesser" position over a so-so guy at a premium position any day. A premium guy at a premium spot is best, of course.

Premium spots: QB, WR, OT, DE, CB, + pass rushing DT. 

Non-premium: RB, TE, IOL, LB, S, + run stuffing DT.

Drafting at QB or WR would be insanely stupid given the holes elsewhere. We have one stud DE,,keeping him should be a priority. OBJ is not a stud LT,,but is close in pass pro, and Mins could be a stud at RT. 

That leaves DE2, CB, and pass rushing DT as peemium spot needs. Not sure I see a surefire stud DT (beyond Graham). Nolen, Grant, and Harmon are fine. Ditto CB beyond Johnson. It is a deep DL draft.

If I can get a stud LB (Walker, Campbell), S (Starks, Emmanwori), TE (Warren), or maybe even RB (Jeanty) I think I do it over DT/DE. 

This is assuming we get some G help in FA. If we don't, then Campbell, Membou, Booker, & Jackson are on the table for me at #17.

(03-19-2025, 06:10 PM)samhain Wrote: I know they play different positions, just speaking to the lack of production in college despite physical tools.  I hate when they pick those kinds of players regardless of position.

As Nicomo shown, 6.5 Sacks and 14 TFL aren't too bad and Nolen is more disruptive than the stats show IMO.

(03-19-2025, 06:27 PM)coachmcneil71 Wrote: I live in the heart of SEC country where at least 5-6 SEC games are aired every Saturday. ACC, SEC, and thankfully now BIG10 with the FOX acquisition. Ts, if you get a chance go watch some tape on Nolen. I think it will help to ease your concern a little.

Unless a player like Warren, Booker, or Jackson falls; Nolen and Grant are the two clear choices or so it seems. 

Yes sir. Nolen and Grant are both great at stopping the run and rushing the passer.

(03-19-2025, 08:52 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I agree, the defense needs another playmaker. That's why I'm so hooked on Nick Emmanwori. Getting an air traffic controller back in the middle of the secondary will fix a lot of things wrong with the defense, as well as make life easier for the front four to get to the QB.

Would love to get Emmanwori.

(03-19-2025, 09:50 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: 6.5 sacks and 14 TFL this past season is lack of production?

Nope, sure looks productive to me and in the SEC against some of the best IOL in the nation.

(03-19-2025, 10:20 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: I think the LBers looked worse because of no Reader to keep lineman off of them.

They also took weird angles sometimes.

I'd probably take Jihaad with what I know now. I haven't did my draft evals yet. And I may not have time to anyways.

Well, Slaton and McKinnley can keep OL off of the LB's pretty sure.

It isn't Reader in his prime, but McKinnley could certainly grow into a Reader type I have no doubt.

(03-19-2025, 10:41 PM)Bengalbug Wrote: The Texans just outlined how to take care of this.

Via Tom Pelissero of NFL Media: “The #Texans and Danielle Hunter have agreed to a one-year, $35.6 million contract extension that makes him the NFL’s second-highest paid defensive end, per sources. Hunter will make $32M this season — a $12.5M raise — and $55.1M ($54.1M fully guaranteed) over the next two seasons. Deal negotiated by @ZekeSandhu
of @KlutchSports.”

As we know, it’s not really a one-year extension. It’s a new, two-year contract. Hunter was due to make $19.5 million in 2025. He’ll now make $55.1 million over the next two years, an average of $27.55 million per year.

Sounds about perfect for Trey honestly.

(03-19-2025, 08:52 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I agree, the defense needs another playmaker. That's why I'm so hooked on Nick Emmanwori. Getting an air traffic controller back in the middle of the secondary will fix a lot of things wrong with the defense, as well as make life easier for the front four to get to the QB.

This wouldn't bother me at all. Safety is arguably the weakest and scariest (in a bad way) position group on the team. Hence, why I've mentioned we could see Dax back there again. Not saying that's a good thing but it may be necessary.

Turner, Ivey, CTB, and Newton alone already give the CB position an edge over the paper thin Safety position. Battle and Stone are talented but neither really pop off the screen when watching a game. AG may be able to help Battle, Stone said he wants to play better. Let's hope so! 

(03-20-2025, 11:17 AM)coachmcneil71 Wrote: This wouldn't bother me at all. Safety is arguably the weakest and scariest (in a bad way) position group on the team. Hence, why I've mentioned we could see Dax back there again. Not saying that's a good thing but it may be necessary.

Turner, Ivey, CTB, and Newton alone already give the CB position an edge over the paper thin Safety position. Battle and Stone are talented but neither really pop off the screen when watching a game. AG may be able to help Battle, Stone said he wants to play better. Let's hope so! 

As we closer to the draft it is apparent to me defense in the draft has to be the priority. Sunset called it a while ago, Bengals need two draft Nick Emmanwori. I do always worry about the workout warriors, but not all are a bad choice. He definitely could enhance or defense. I think Stone's days are numbered, I think we draft him and cut Geno. I am not impressed with Battle either, I know some are but he seems to be an average safety and that is his ceiling.

I like our CB room even without Hilton who I would not be surprised returns because he can't get the big money deal he is seeking on likely his last contract. If we do draft a safety ad don't do anything to address the DL (Edge/LDE), then there will be some guys available in round 2. The problem is was may need to address OG in round 2 depending on how team approaches the guard position.

I think we have 2 major needs on defense safety an LDE. The third would be LB and there should be some good ones available in round 3 or 4 of the draft. I think Pratt is fixable teamed with a healthy Wilson who I think is under rated.

(03-20-2025, 11:17 AM)coachmcneil71 Wrote: This wouldn't bother me at all. Safety is arguably the weakest and scariest (in a bad way) position group on the team. Hence, why I've mentioned we could see Dax back there again. Not saying that's a good thing but it may be necessary.

Turner, Ivey, CTB, and Newton alone already give the CB position an edge over the paper thin Safety position. Battle and Stone are talented but neither really pop off the screen when watching a game. AG may be able to help Battle, Stone said he wants to play better. Let's hope so! 

Dax will be the Slot Corner with Hilton gone. No way he goes back to Safety after the way he played as FS. 

He played better at SS, but that is Battle's spot IMO.

Emmanwori has the speed and range to play FS and he has the smarts and instincts to boot no matter how big he is.

(03-20-2025, 01:49 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: As we closer to the draft it is apparent to me defense in the draft has to be the priority. Sunset called it a while ago, Bengals need two draft Nick Emmanwori. I do always worry about the workout warriors, but not all are a bad choice. He definitely could enhance or defense. I think Stone's days are numbered, I think we draft him and cut Geno. I am not impressed with Battle either, I know some are but he seems to be an average safety and that is his ceiling.

I like our CB room even without Hilton who I would not be surprised returns because he can't get the big money deal he is seeking on likely his last contract. If we do draft a safety ad don't do anything to address the DL (Edge/LDE), then there will be some guys available in round 2. The problem is was may need to address OG in round 2 depending on how team approaches the guard position.

I think we have 2 major needs on defense safety an LDE. The third would be LB and there should be some good ones available in round 3 or 4 of the draft. I think Pratt is fixable teamed with a healthy Wilson who I think is under rated.

Agree on Stone's days being numbered and if we get Emmanwori the writing is on the wall that Stone will be cut.

Disagree on Battle, he impresses me every time he plays pretty much. He knows how to be in the right spot and he is a decent tackler and 
has good instincts, it was stupid of Lou to bench him in the first place. If we don't go with Emmanwori or he gets picked ahead of us in the 
first, I bet we go LB like Jalon Walker or Jihad Campbell for the Viper position or an EDGE like Shemar Stewart. 

I would like Nolen or Grant too, but maybe the coaches think we are okay at DT if Kris Jenkins and McKinnley can grow into themselves 
behind BJ Hill and now Slaton.

(03-20-2025, 03:47 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Dax will be the Slot Corner with Hilton gone. No way he goes back to Safety after the way he played as FS. 

He played better at SS, but that is Battle's spot IMO.

Emmanwori has the speed and range to play FS and he has the smarts and instincts to boot no matter how big he is.


Agree on Stone's days being numbered and if we get Emmanwori the writing is on the wall that Stone will be cut.

Disagree on Battle, he impresses me every time he plays pretty much. He knows how to be in the right spot and he is a decent tackler and 
has good instincts, it was stupid of Lou to bench him in the first place. If we don't go with Emmanwori or he gets picked ahead of us in the 
first, I bet we go LB like Jalon Walker or Jihad Campbell for the Viper position or an EDGE like Shemar Stewart. 

I would like Nolen or Grant too, but maybe the coaches think we are okay at DT if Kris Jenkins and McKinnley can grow into themselves 
behind BJ Hill and now Slaton.

I agree that Dax was playing inside much better before his misfortune. Safety certainly seems like it needs to be addressed somehow.

To the naked eye Battle seemed to play better in his rookie year. I didn't look at any numbers and last years defensive schemes were atrocious, so that probably didn't help him much. I mean, if Stone shows his Ravens form and Battle has grown then life is good and we're just shooting the shit, worried about nothing. Lol.. Fingers crossed.

I still like Sunsets idea though. Too thin in there not to go get another.

(03-20-2025, 04:15 PM)coachmcneil71 Wrote: I agree that Dax was playing inside much better before his misfortune. Safety certainly seems like it needs to be addressed somehow.

To the naked eye Battle seemed to play better in his rookie year. I didn't look at any numbers and last years defensive schemes were atrocious, so that probably didn't help him much. I mean, if Stone shows his Ravens form and Battle has grown then life is good and we're just shooting the shit, worried about nothing. Lol.. Fingers crossed.

I still like Sunsets idea though. Too thin in there not to go get another.

Battle was overweight last Offseason I heard and that was also a reason Bell started over him, was in the dog house.

But Battle was clearly our best Safety once again last year in my eyes. 2 years in a row.

Agree though, also like Sunset's idea of drafting Emmanwori who could be downright elite with his talent.

(03-20-2025, 04:22 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Battle was overweight last Offseason I heard and that was also a reason Bell started over him, was in the dog house.

But Battle was clearly our best Safety once again last year in my eyes. 2 years in a row.

Agree though, also like Sunset's idea of drafting Emmanwori who could be downright elite with his talent.

I am in favor of trying to land a stud at #17, regardless of position. Or nearly so. 

Warren (TE), Walker (LB/Edge), Johnson (CB), Membou/W. Campbell (G/OT), J. Campbell (LB), and Emmanwori (S) all fall squarely in that category for me. 

Jeanty does too at RB, but I think I'd pass there. Unless we get Trey extended and have more FA reinforcements up front in hand. i'd pass on Burden & McMillan & Golden at WR or an OT I don't think is really a G. 

I like Nolen, Harmon, Grant, Starks, and Green, but I don't believe they are surefire standouts like the others. Possible. But not slam dunks. 

I like Loveland a lot but I would not draft a TE who is primarily a big slot WR, we have Gesicki/Hudson for that. 

(03-22-2025, 02:51 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: I am in favor of trying to land a stud at #17, regardless of position. Or nearly so. 

Warren (TE), Walker (LB/Edge), Johnson (CB), Membou/W. Campbell (G/OT), J. Campbell (LB), and Emmanwori (S) all fall squarely in that category for me. 

It appears LB Campbell had shoulder surgery. How fall does he fall? I would think out of round 1.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/alabama-lb-jihaad-campbell-a-top-draft-prospect-is-rehabbing-after-shoulder-surgery

(03-22-2025, 03:03 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: It appears LB Campbell had shoulder surgery. How fall does he fall? I would think out of round 1.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/alabama-lb-jihaad-campbell-a-top-draft-prospect-is-rehabbing-after-shoulder-surgery

Not much, if at all. We'll see, though.

I still like him better than Green, Pearce, Nolen, Grant, and Harmon. 

For me, this moves him below Emmanwori and closer to even with Starks & Loveland. 

(03-20-2025, 11:17 AM)coachmcneil71 Wrote: This wouldn't bother me at all. Safety is arguably the weakest and scariest (in a bad way) position group on the team. Hence, why I've mentioned we could see Dax back there again. Not saying that's a good thing but it may be necessary.

Turner, Ivey, CTB, and Newton alone already give the CB position an edge over the paper thin Safety position. Battle and Stone are talented but neither really pop off the screen when watching a game. AG may be able to help Battle, Stone said he wants to play better. Let's hope so! 

I would love to see Ivey get a TC or offseason. I still think he is a player that can play.

(Yesterday, 05:46 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Not much, if at all. We'll see, though.

I still like him better than Green, Pearce, Nolen, Grant, and Harmon. 

For me, this moves him below Emmanwori and closer to even with Starks & Loveland. 

It kind of takes him out of the running for me.  This team has really painted itself into a corner with the lackluster free agency and oddly structured receiver deals.  We need someone that isn't already slated to miss a chunk of the season.  

Greens been accused of sexual assault at two different schools…..

Pearce has Burton character concerns.

We can get a pass rusher or two on day 2. 3T or safety in the first.

(Yesterday, 09:26 PM)jj22 Wrote: Greens been accused of sexual assault at two different schools…..

Pearce has Burton character concerns.

We can get a pass rusher or two on day 2. 3T or safety in the first.

I did not know this. 

Even not knowing, weirdly, I still wasn't thrilled about our trenches options at #17. Too early for a G, unless Campbell or Membou slide. Ditto for the DT guys aside from Graham, though not by much. I don't like Stewart ot M. Williams due to lack of production. I think it is too early for the other true DE's like Scourton, Jackson, JTT, etc. We are not a great scheme fit for the OLB/Edge types. I'd love Carter, but he is long gone by #17. Green and Pearce would be next up based on talent, but I still would prefer other guys. 

Even if a blue chipper does not fall to us (Warren, Walker, Johnson), I still feel better about guys like J. Campbell, Emmanwori, and even Starks, Loveland, and Jackson, than the DL guys. I feel surer about the first group being excellent at LB/S/TE/G than I do about the others being excellent DL. 

More than any particular position group, we need more stud guys beyond Burrow, Chase,,Trey, and Tee. At any position. 

(Yesterday, 09:26 PM)jj22 Wrote: Greens been accused of sexual assault at two different schools…..

Pearce has Burton character concerns.

We can get a pass rusher or two on day 2. 3T or safety in the first.

This is horse shit. As a Tennessee fan I can tell you they are not remotely in the same category. His teammates loved him and coaches respected his work ethic. He was never in trouble and never changed teams. He may have been a bit surly at times but comparing him to Burton is silly. 

(2 hours ago)Memphis_Bengal Wrote: This is horse shit. As a Tennessee fan I can tell you they are not remotely in the same category. His teammates loved him and coaches respected his work ethic. He was never in trouble and never changed teams. He may have been a bit surly at times but comparing him to Burton is silly. 

Really because they've been all over his character concerns and even at the combine it was said no surprise he blew it up and forgot his shirt. Said that was pretty typical of him. Late for meetings, needing to be micromanaged, no self discipline. 

Even Burrow loves Burton so not sure if teammates liking him means much. 

https://atozsports.com/nashville/volunteers/nfl-analyst-tennessee-vols-edge-rusher-james-pearce-fall-2025-nfl-draft/#:~:text=Over%20the%20last%20couple%20of,not%20with%20the%20eighth%20pick.

Quote:Pearce's talent has never been in doubt. Over the last couple of months, however, concerns about Pearce's "character" have started popping up. 

Specifically, there are concerns about Pearce's "coachability". 

Quote:From The Athletic: Repeating a theme there: Pearce could be a first-day target for the Panthers, though not with the eighth pick. A Charlotte native, Pearce collected 19 1/2 sacks over three seasons in Knoxville. But Baumgardner said questions about Pearce’s coachability could drop him out of the first and second rounds. Baumgardner’s take: “Could that be bluster, to a degree? Sure. Pearce’s talent is immense, but evaluators have concerns.”

(2 hours ago)jj22 Wrote: Really because they've been all over his character concerns and even at the combine it was said no surprise he blew it up and forgot his shirt. Said that was pretty typical of him. Late for meetings, needing to be micromanaged, no self discipline. 

Even Burrow loves Burton so not sure if teammates liking him means much. 

Burton shoved a girl after the Tennessee game and well had publicized character issues at both schools. It's not the same. 

Seems like you've turned this more about Burton. Which wasn't really what noting Pearce's character concerns was really about. Let's not get distracted by mentioning Burton if it's triggering.

The point. Pearce has character concerns, immaturity and coaching. But he hasn't shoved a girl you are right so it's not a perfect comparison. 

(1 hour ago)jj22 Wrote: Seems like you've turned this more about Burton. Which wasn't really what noting Pearce's character concerns was really about. Let's not get distracted by mentioning Burton if it's triggering.

The point. Pearce has character concerns, immaturity and coaching. But he hasn't shoved a girl you are right so it's not a perfect comparison. 

You made the comparison. The character issues between the two are not, imo, similar. But...as you say...let's move on.