(02-11-2018, 04:41 AM)Shady Wrote: We should probably go OT with our 1st Round pick, but I don't see us drafting any other offensive position at #12.

I think there's a chance that all three of these guys are there at 12:

Derwin James, S,, Fla State
Roquan Smith, LB, UGa
Vita Vea, Washington

Which one would make us a better team? I'm sure we can make a case for each of them.

James is a monster at safety. Even though S. Williams has improved each season, James is just better. But is Williams that bad that we need to prioritize a safety? I don't think so. not when Roquan Smith is there at #12. We need help at MLB, and Smith has the skill set to deliver that help. My only question is whether or not he'd do more to improve us than Vita Vea. Vea looks to be really special, and it's not like adding him to our mix of Dunlap, Geno, Lawson, C. Smith, MJ, Millings, and Glasgow wouldn't make us one of the most fearsome front 4s in the NFL. And i Austin wants to show some 3-4 looks, Vea is perfect NT for that.

What do y'all think?

(02-11-2018, 04:59 AM)Jpoore Wrote: Man u really gonna make me choose between vea and Smith? Damn. I'mma go vea. Vita vea runs a mid 4.8 40. At 350 pounds. I can't get over that. And he's not just a run stuffer. He can rush the passer just as well as some of the best 3 techs in the NFL. But his play iq and gap integrity is off the charts. If he can't get to the rb he just say f*** it and shoves the olineman into the running lane. That was especially evident
when they played Stanford. But he can run the passer. I would have no qualms putting him at 3 tech in a pinch. He's very active with his hands and he dosent give up on any plays. Also after every single play he gets up and smacks his hands together. Either as if to say good job to himself, or to say damn could done better. Give me vea but Smith is right there behind him.

(02-11-2018, 11:52 AM)Goalpost Wrote: Gimme Smith.  After Burfict, our linebacker talent drops off.  And Burfict is no cinch to play a full season.  Smith can play all three downs.

(02-11-2018, 12:54 PM)Yojimbo Wrote: I'm going with James for two reasons. First, I'm a homer and I'll take all the Noles players, on the Bengals, as I can get. Second, James would kill multiple birds with one stone. He can play safety, linebacker, cornerback and returner. I think he'd be used best as a SS in 4-3 fronts and he could move to linebacker in nickel where he can cover or pass rush.

That being said, if the team isn't taking o-line in the first (HUGE mistake) then taking d-line would be the next best thing to makes this a better team. So, James, Vea then Smith (I don't like Smith personally) in that order.

(02-11-2018, 01:00 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: So, with Iloka under contract for another 3 seasons, you think the Bengals would eat the 1.8M in dead cap and go with the rookie?

(02-11-2018, 01:46 PM)Yojimbo Wrote: I actually think it's Williams that would lose playing time, but there are lots things that happen during a season, namely injuries, that a smart team prepares for by having depth. The package the Bengals play most of their defense in would have all three of them on the field at the same time.

(02-11-2018, 04:58 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: I'd want James just because he can do so much and I think he can be an explosive playmaker, but then having Vita to pair with Geno would make our line scary good.  Would anyone get off a pass on more than a 3-or-5 step drop?

I'm torn because I also want James as a playmaker.

Against my better judgement, I'd take Vita in the first and just hope that teams are scared-off of James and he falls to us in two.

That might be the first time ever that I went with what I thought was the smarter pick over the sexy pick.

(02-11-2018, 05:06 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Sure it would be nice to have both of those guys on the team.  But, with all the issues going on with the OL, how do you justify spending the two top draft selections on defensive players?

It's easy to say something like "we can fix the OL with FAs, and 3rd round draft picks", but how well does that strategy generally work out in Bengal land?  

(02-11-2018, 02:08 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Then, you have essentially 3 guys at SS, making starter money.  (Williams is essentially a SS that is playing FS)  And, you still have Fedj on the roster, who's more of a SS type.

So, are you putting James at FS?  Because earlier you said that you view him as a SS/LB hybrid type.

(02-11-2018, 05:59 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: For one, finally having a good coach.

Two, hopefully signing Jensen in free agency (we'll see if Mike finally lets Marvin be aggressive in free agency like he's saying he will be) to solidify the middle of our line.

Third, being active in free agency for tackles and guards.

Fourth, Pollack hopefully being good at evaluating players in rounds outside of the first two.

It's doubtful that any of the scenarios I suggested happen, and it might better to just go the safe route because our line is not something we want to chance.