I find this quote from Al Golden last night to be telling about which red flags mattered on other options for #17:

"You're not compromising character, you're not compromising work ethic, you're not compromising play style, you're not compromising height, weight, speed."

— Jake Liscow (@JakeLiscow) April 25, 2025

Personally I wish we would have passed on Shemar but I don't hate the pick. I just know that it’s risky. He is definitely a boom or bust prospect and our first round track record lately doesn't exactly instill confidence in being able to develop him.  But we do have new defensive coaches and at this point we need to give them a chance. He needs to learn how to finish plays, theres no doubt about it. But what is inspiring to me is when you watch his tape, he is still active/disruptive. He does impact plays even if it doesn't end up on the stat sheet. He does draw attention from opposing offenses despite playing in a Texas A&M defensive scheme that doesn't seem to do many favors for their D lineman (Walter Nolan didn't look nearly as good at Texas A&M and Nic Scourton took a step back from Purdue.) Shemar has all the athletic ability in the world and it does translate to the field so I think he is more than just a combine star. From what I can tell, he also seems to have the character and drive to want to take that next step which is important. I think that, despite his flaws, he is an upgrade over Murphy and Ossai and it wouldn't surprise me if he starts over them very early on. Heres to hoping this experiment goes the way of Mim's and not Murphy.

(7 hours ago)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: The Bengals potentially walking into the 2025 season with a starting DE duo of Myles Murphy and Shamar Stewart helps Hendrickon's leverage, not hurts it.

and them failing to replace Higgins is why they had to re-sign Higgins for big money 

lmao this team is just vomiting on themselves constantly 

(7 hours ago)HarleyDog Wrote: The only way this pick makes sense is if we plan to keep Trey. Together, they could be very disruptive. I know nothing about Stewart. But after watching his highlights (what little there is), he has good speed and strength. Quick off the ball. If he draws much attention, then Trey sets the sack record again, and our DL looks competitive.

I think we definitely plan to keep Trey, otherwise we wouldn't of reportedly offered him a multi year offer of 32 mil per year.

Shemar just needs to learn to keep his head up and learn to finish. These fundamentals can be taught. He has everything else, he is big, strong, 
fast, physical and has a high motor like Trey. I have warmed up to the Shemar Stewart pick after watching his film and seeing what he needs to 
work on. If we would of drafted one of the bad character guys that could of came back to bite us in the ass.

(7 hours ago)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Whatever, whatever. You are missing the point. 

There were plenty of guys with great tape and great RAS scores who have proven they were good at football. Stewart has poor football instincts. He tries hard, but just doesn't get it. 

Duke is arrogant enough to keep picking these guys because ye thinks we can fix them. Despite the long track record of failure. 

Most ootimistic grades are Bs. Many C/C-. I'd go F/D. 

https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2025/04/25/bengals-draft-grades-shemar-stewart-pick-extremely-mixed/83270018007/

Some of those comments were brutal, such as comments about this being a boom or bust pick, and Bengals fans may have to wait for his development, neither of what fans want to hear when trying for a Super Bowl this year. The most brutal comments: ""The Bengals needed edge help, but Stewart is raw and lacks football instincts. ***  The tape shows a player who needs to learn how to play football."


If this works out, and Stewart becomes an 11-sack Edge and with lots of TFL, then the Bengals draft process will draw praise. If Stewart is not able to contribute this year, then Duke will need to find a hole to hide in. It's quite the gamble. Let's hope we hit the jackpot.

(7 hours ago)Nepa Wrote: Some of those comments were brutal, such as comments about this being a boom or bust pick, and Bengals fans may have to wait for his development, neither of what fans want to hear when trying for a Super Bowl this year. The most brutal comments: ""The Bengals needed edge help, but Stewart is raw and lacks football instincts. ***  The tape shows a player who needs to learn how to play football."


If this works out, and Stewart becomes an 11-sack Edge and with lots of TFL, then the Bengals draft process will draw praise. If Stewart is not able to contribute this year, then Duke will need to find a hole to hide in.

For all the naysayers, what is the floor for Stewart's production the next 3 years?

Sacks
TFL
PFF or other scores against the pass and the run?

Do he need to overtake Ossai or Murphy to start inn 2025? If so when, day1 or a later date?

I am interested to see the expectations fans cast on him a day after he is picked so we can revisit it later.

(7 hours ago)Nately120 Wrote: Ah mellow out, I'm just having fun here. Positive is thinking our new DC can turn two guys who can't sack the QB into Michael Strayhan and Lawrence Taylor. 

I'd even say this next year Murphy is technically a rookie because Lou was so bad. 

Lol its all good, I was too. It's hard to tell sometimes tho as it sounded better in my head. I'm not the biggest fan of the pick, but it's just whatever these days with me  emotional wise so to speak.

(7 hours ago)pally Wrote:

I find this quote from Al Golden last night to be telling about which red flags mattered on other options for #17:

"You're not compromising character, you're not compromising work ethic, you're not compromising play style, you're not compromising height, weight, speed."

— Jake Liscow (@JakeLiscow) April 25, 2025

TY for this find Pally.

We may not like how they build the roster, but it appears for early draft picks they have a minimum standard. Based on those comments, a lot of guys would have never made our board.

Nolan
Pierce
Sanders (QB)
Green

And others

(7 hours ago)Nepa Wrote: Some of those comments were brutal, such as comments about this being a boom or bust pick, and Bengals fans may have to wait for his development, neither of what fans want to hear when trying for a Super Bowl this year. The most brutal comments: ""The Bengals needed edge help, but Stewart is raw and lacks football instincts. ***  The tape shows a player who needs to learn how to play football."


If this works out, and Stewart becomes an 11-sack Edge and with lots of TFL, then the Bengals draft process will draw praise. If Stewart is not able to contribute this year, then Duke will need to find a hole to hide in. It's quite the gamble. Let's hope we hit the jackpot.

Shemar knows how to shed blocks, bull rush, set an Edge and has insanse athleticism. He knows how to play football, he just needs to learn to
keep his head up and finish. I see these brutal comments a lot especially if a player doesn't have good production. 

You cannot teach this guy's size, motor, strength, speed etc.

For example, this is not a Jackson Carman type of pick. This guy loves football and wants to be great, unlike Carman who was all talent and but 
not the want. Cannot say this for Shemar Stewart, I am obviously really warming up to the pick after watching film of the guy.

(7 hours ago)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Whatever, whatever. You are missing the point. 

There were plenty of guys with great tape and great RAS scores who have proven they were good at football. Stewart has poor football instincts. He tries hard, but just doesn't get it. 

Duke is arrogant enough to keep picking these guys because ye thinks we can fix them. Despite the long track record of failure. 

Most ootimistic grades are Bs. Many C/C-. I'd go F/D. 

https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2025/04/25/bengals-draft-grades-shemar-stewart-pick-extremely-mixed/83270018007/

I think you're the one that's missing the point.

The only offensive prospects the Bengals met with that were projected to go in the 1st were the elite guys(Warren, Loveland, and Jeanty), aside from Egbuka (whom was probably off the table when Tee resigned).  They were not drafting offense unless one of those guys fell, which didn't happen.  You were obviously willing to take an OL that would have gone Day 2 in a normal class.  They weren't, and never explored that possibility.  And seriously, do you really want to spend the 17th pick on the 2nd G off the board in a bad OL class?

Campbell and Johnson are injured.  One of the complaints against Stewart is that he will probably need time to develop and folks want immediate help...but we want to draft injured guys in the 1st?  And they haven't looked at many CB's or LB's that are slotted to go early, either.  Apply that to Barron.

Harmon didn't test...so how are you saying he has both traits and production?  Similarly, a 5.49 RAS for Starks is bad.

Emmanwori has traits and production, but also lacks effort in a chunk of his film.  So, a guy who has traits and production, but doesn't always play hard vs a guy with traits that plays hard, but technique issues keep him from getting individual production?

Shemar was the player that impressed Al when ND played AM. This is totally an Al Golden pick

(6 hours ago)pally Wrote: Shemar was the player that impressed Al when ND played AM. This is totally an Al Golden pick

It’s a duke tobin pick like always. I’m sick of this blaming al golden nonsense already

(10 hours ago)NotBigzo Wrote: The only thing going for Mims right now is that he stepped in and wasn't the worst RT in football. 

Hot take, but he jury is still out on him and the Bengals should've kept Trent Brown just in case.

Lets see, as a Rookie, kid came in and allowed 4 sacks, and 5 hits and 24 pressures and his pass blocking was 96.3 in 15 games. 

Trent Brown allowed 3 sacks, 17 pressures, in 3 games.  

I'll take the production that Mims gave ALL day over over Trent Brown.  

I'd take Mims production over most NFL RT if I'm being honest.

I mean not bad for a dude who everyone called a bust the day of and following the draft day 1.  

(6 hours ago)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Shemar knows how to shed blocks, bull rush, set an Edge and has insanse athleticism. He knows how to play football, he just needs to learn to
keep his head up and finish. I see these brutal comments a lot especially if a player doesn't have good production. 

You cannot teach this guy's size, motor, strength, speed etc.

For example, this is not a Jackson Carman type of pick. This guy loves football and wants to be great, unlike Carman who was all talent and but 
not the want. Cannot say this for Shemar Stewart, I am obviously really warming up to the pick after watching film of the guy.

I agree with you Nate. I think this kid is gonna come and learn from Trey and the new DL coach.  

I trust their talent evaluation more than fans on here. 

My guess is next year at this time, you'll have the same people who say, i was just going off what others said about him, I never said he was a bad player. lol 

Pressure is Production... a sack isn't the end be ball. How many of his pressures end up as sacks for someone else or an interception? How many pressures on 3rd down ended up not going for a 1st down?

Lots of ways to skin a cat it isn't all about sacks.

(7 hours ago)pally Wrote:

I find this quote from Al Golden last night to be telling about which red flags mattered on other options for #17:

"You're not compromising character, you're not compromising work ethic, you're not compromising play style, you're not compromising height, weight, speed."

— Jake Liscow (@JakeLiscow) April 25, 2025

They are good points. This guy won't fail because he's not in shape or strong enough.

It's really about bringing him in and teaching him technique.

The irony that Ced Ogbuehi was from Texas A and M doesn't escape me either.

(6 hours ago)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Shemar knows how to shed blocks, bull rush, set an Edge and has insanse athleticism. He knows how to play football, he just needs to learn to
keep his head up and finish. I see these brutal comments a lot especially if a player doesn't have good production. 

You cannot teach this guy's size, motor, strength, speed etc.

For example, this is not a Jackson Carman type of pick. This guy loves football and wants to be great, unlike Carman who was all talent and but 
not the want. Cannot say this for Shemar Stewart, I am obviously really warming up to the pick after watching film of the guy.

Yeah. You're about where I'm at now.

This guy was a 5 star recruit coming out of HS too. So he got by on his physical abilities.

I think the scheme he was in at Texas AM wasn't conducive to sacks for him. And he needs a go to rush move.

The Ravens took that guy from Penn State a few years ago that had few sacks in college but was really fast and he's been a good Pro. So it can happen.

(7 hours ago)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: I think we definitely plan to keep Trey, otherwise we wouldn't of reportedly offered him a multi year offer of 32 mil per year.

Shemar just needs to learn to keep his head up and learn to finish. These fundamentals can be taught. He has everything else, he is big, strong, 
fast, physical and has a high motor like Trey. I have warmed up to the Shemar Stewart pick after watching his film and seeing what he needs to 
work on. If we would of drafted one of the bad character guys that could of came back to bite us in the ass.

If we legit already offered Trey 32/year he would have already signed......don't believe everything you read on the internet.

(8 hours ago)bfine32 Wrote: Seems many around here didn't want Booker because he wasn't Athletic enough despite dominating on the field. Now we're hating Stew for the opposite.

The following list contains former Bengal Great Wyatt Hubert:

Will McDonald (13)
Cade Hall (0)
Patrick Johnson (0)
Patrick Jones II (12)
Ochaun Mathis (0)
Leighton McCarthy (0)
Tarron Jackson (1)
Wyatt Hubert (1)
Isaiah Thomas (1)
Durrell Johnson (0)

Does anyone know what it is?

2020 NCAA Sack leaders (CAREER NFL Sacks)

Yeah...there's no 1 way to judge prospects. Some guys get a lot of sacks in college and fail because of athleticism in the Pros, etc.

(6 hours ago)pulses Wrote: If we legit already offered Trey 32/year he would have already signed......don't believe everything you read on the internet.

Unless they're squabbling over signing bonus and how much $$$ he gets up front. 

Trey probably would love $32M a  year...but he'd love $80M up front guaranteed.