***2023 NFL Draft Thread***

[Bengalion]

(04-27-2023, 01:58 PM)RunKijanaRun Wrote: I don’t think Gibbs will be there and I know Bijan won’t be.

I have a weird feeling they go DB.

Same here, and honestly this would be a good decision. I hate the fact that the staff's really considering throwing our 1st round pick at a RB. Great teams don't win SBs drafting RBs in the first round. The Chiefs drafted Edwards-Helaire in 2020 but he was later replaced by Pacheco. I hope Tobin picks the best defensive player on the board and move on. 

[WeezyBengal]

(04-27-2023, 02:01 PM)TecmoBengals Wrote: I think the DB is Forbes.

I doubt hes there - but if he is then yeah thats going to be the pick. 

[Webbtown]

I think it either Joey Porter Jr or Gibbs. Seems the media and fans are higher on Porter than actual teams from different things I seen.

[WhoDeyK]

I really think Gibbs is the pick. He fits our Offense perfectly. If Gibbs is gone, as I see reports about both the Giants and Bills being interested as well, I think Forbes will be the pick. Either way I’d be happy

[Nepa]

(04-27-2023, 08:36 AM)BengalsLUFC Wrote: Would love:
Wright
Forbes
Bijan (no chance)

Happy with:
Kancey
Gibbs

Acceptable:
Kincaid


Do not want:
Mayer

It wouldn’t surprise me if all those are gone by the time we pick and look to trade back.

Of the TE, Mayer is the most well-rounded, as he is an excellent blocker and good in contested catches. ESPN's Legwold rated him the 12th best prospect in the draft. But good chance not available at 28. If he's the pick, I won't be upset. But I think there will be a lot of good choices available at 28, since the Bengals don't have any desperate needs.

[Bengalholic]

(04-27-2023, 03:00 PM)WhoDeyK Wrote: I really think Gibbs is the pick. He fits our Offense perfectly. If Gibbs is gone, as I see reports about both the Giants and Bills being interested as well, I think Forbes will be the pick. Either way I’d be happy

Yeah, Albert Breer said the Bengals, Chiefs, Bills are all showing interest and being linked to Gibbs, as well as the Giants.

[*PhilHos*]

After reading this thread, I'm all hyped for us to draft Gibbs tonight.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(04-27-2023, 02:07 PM)Bengalion Wrote: Same here, and honestly this would be a good decision. I hate the fact that the staff's really considering throwing our 1st round pick at a RB. Great teams don't win SBs drafting RBs in the first round. The Chiefs drafted Edwards-Helaire in 2020 but he was later replaced by Pacheco. I hope Tobin picks the best defensive player on the board and move on. 

Eh, normally I would agree with you but you have to look at what player would actually help us beat the Chiefs. I could argue 
that a RB that can catch the ball out of the backfield and make the Chiefs pay when they play 2 high would do this more than a 
Defensive player that wouldn't see the field much this year.

[WeezyBengal]

(04-27-2023, 03:37 PM)PhilHos Wrote: After reading this thread, I'm all hyped for us to draft Gibbs tonight.

lol same here. I hated the idea of drafting a RB in the first round but honestly, this draft isn't super strong with positional players and he might be the best player available at the time. 

[coachmcneil71]

(04-27-2023, 02:28 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: I doubt hes there - but if he is then yeah thats going to be the pick. 

Man, he has the skills, but he seriously needs to add 30 pounds. He will get broken in the NFL at 166 pounds.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(04-27-2023, 03:37 PM)PhilHos Wrote: After reading this thread, I'm all hyped for us to draft Gibbs tonight.

(04-27-2023, 03:55 PM)WeezyBengal Wrote: lol same here. I hated the idea of drafting a RB in the first round but honestly, this draft isn't super strong with positional players and he might be the best player available at the time. 

Gibbs reminds me of a faster Alvin Kamara. I cannot imagine what this Offense would look like with him on it.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(04-27-2023, 04:03 PM)coachmcneil71 Wrote: Man, he has the skills, but he seriously needs to add 30 pounds. He will get broken in the NFL at 166 pounds.

Yeah, Forbes will take some time. If that is what we want with our first round pick, that is fine, he is a great player. But Gibbs would 
offer more as a rookie for damn sure right off the bat barring injury.

[coachmcneil71]

Honestly, DB is probably the biggest need. I suppose it comes down to who's available at #28. Ts, I would love some Gibbs or Spears lightning in a bottle in this draft. If we come away with either, I will be stoked.

[BengalsLUFC]

(04-27-2023, 03:13 PM)Nepa Wrote: Of the TE, Mayer is the most well-rounded, as he is an excellent blocker and good in contested catches. ESPN's Legwold rated him the 12th best prospect in the draft. But good chance not available at 28. If he's the pick, I won't be upset. But I think there will be a lot of good choices available at 28, since the Bengals don't have any desperate needs.

There’s just something about him that I’m not a fan of, watching his tape and combine he just didn’t stand out to me.

I’m sure having said this he will now go on to have a Gronk like career hopefully with us

[Joelist]

The thing is, if they REALLY are looking for a first rounder who can be used to pull defenses out of two high then they may have to trade up in the round as it is likely the players that do this will be gone.

[tms]

Here's my final prediction. Keep in mind, I'm not up to date with the word on the street in Cincy or what the insiders are saying. I don't have access to them, that may be smoke and, tbh, I don't need to know the pick in advance anyway. I can wait for tonight. For that matter, I don't need to hear the weekend's picks five seconds before they're announced. Those five seconds won't kill me. But I digress lol

Anyway, I see them taking Brian Branch. The logic is just that I haven't heard much about him. They also weren't all that active in filling Bates and Bell via free agency, which means either they may have someone in house (i..e, Dax, Tycen) and/or are planning to do it through the draft. Even if they're happy with their safeties, they may be looking beyond Hilton (who's on the back end of his deal).

So I figure Branch's versatility is attractive given the Bengals' backfield situation. More importantly, it may cause him to slide down to 28 tonight given how teams tend to prefer specialists to jacks-of-all-trades, at least in round one. But I reserve the right to be wrong about that. We'll see soon enough.

Go Draft!

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(04-27-2023, 04:06 PM)coachmcneil71 Wrote: Honestly, DB is probably the biggest need. I suppose it comes down to who's available at #28. Ts, I would love some Gibbs or Spears lightning in a bottle in this draft. If we come away with either, I will be stoked.

CB and DT are probably the biggest needs a year from now. Depends on if we extend DJ at DT and get a 3-tech to push the 
interior of OL's. TE and RB for this year are big needs, I don't trust Irv Smith Jr to stay healthy and Sample and Asiasi aren't 
special. Mixon can't pass block and is being paid too much, Trayveon and Chris Evans are unproven etc.

Gibbs or Spears would be amazing, love both these players. Good thing it is a deep draft at most of these positions.

(04-27-2023, 04:13 PM)BengalsLUFC Wrote: There’s just something about him that I’m not a fan of, watching his tape and combine he just didn’t stand out to me.

I’m sure having said this he will now go on to have a Gronk like career hopefully with us

Well Mayer is just productive, nothing wrong with that. He certainly doesn't stand out in a great way or in a bad way.

Still like Darnell Washington the most of all the TE's, we will see if he falls very far. Noticed him not being mentioned nearly 
as early as he once was. Gibbs and Washington in the 1st and 2nd round sure would upgrade RB and TE big time.

(04-27-2023, 04:14 PM)Joelist Wrote: The thing is, if they REALLY are looking for a first rounder who can be used to pull defenses out of two high then they may have to trade up in the round as it is likely the players that do this will be gone.

Eh, there are these types in the 2nd round too. It isn't only Bijan and Gibbs. Spears can do this too, same with Achane.

[Clark W Griswold]

We will all be quick to judge after tonight but there are still at least a couple of more rounds where they can grab guys who can contribute this year and start in the future. Don’t be too upset if they don’t take the guy at the position you wanted them to take.
I am just going to sit back and enjoy watching what players go in what order and how the Bengals value players and positions vs how fans and the media do.

[WhoDeyK]

(04-27-2023, 03:49 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Eh, normally I would agree with you but you have to look at what player would actually help us beat the Chiefs. I could argue 
that a RB that can catch the ball out of the backfield and make the Chiefs pay when they play 2 high would do this more than a 
Defensive player that wouldn't see the field much this year.

This a million times over! If Gibbs was on the team last year, we would have beat the Chiefs. I know the consensus anymore is RBs are a dime a dozen and that’s mostly true but I think Gibbs is the exception to that rule.

At the end of the day, there are several players I’d be happy with in the first but whoever we take, I hope it’s someone who sees significant playing time year one.

[tms]

(04-27-2023, 01:12 PM)jj22 Wrote: Gibbs can't pass block tho so he won't help fill a need even if we cut Mixon. We go Gibbs, and we'll have to get a pass blocking back later in the draft. I'd be ok with Gibbs, but we'd need a second back.

On one hand I totally agree. At the same time, the thing about this draft class- every draft class, but especially this one imo- is that almost none of the premium backs can block. At least not yet. The Bengals won't solve that problem through the draft. I guess Charbonnet may be able to hold his own but the rest is a total crapshoot. I certainly wouldn't rule anyone out on that basis alone. But that's just me.