D-Line

[Bengalstripes9]

(04-14-2021, 12:34 PM)phil413 Wrote: You aren't alone.  Cincy's crown jewel FA is their highest paid player with an out after 1 year.  There is potential across the line but even having Reader healthy we need help.  

The scenario I find with the simulators and class depth is that a 1st rd grade DE usually drops to Cincy's 2nd.  Regardless of need at WR, the right prospect is hard to pass up. 

It's funny, I tend to get the same scenario playing out in the 2nd as it does in the 1st.  Take a BPA target that Burrow has chemistry with (Chase in 1st or Marshall in 2nd) or address the line since so much help is needed.  If a slight trade down is available, they should still end up with a solid DL or Marshall.  

It's a long wait until the draft. I'm excited about our draft position. We'll end up with a great player in round 1 for sure (round 2 as well most likely).

(04-14-2021, 01:29 PM)ochocincos Wrote: While going OL-DL in the first two rounds is a sound strategy, just know that the pass catching group could be lackluster this year because of it.
You'd be really banking on Higgins and Boyd to stay healthy, Auden Tate to contribute more like he did in 2019 vs 2020, and that Uzomah gets back to his form at the start of last year before injury.
I say this because any WR/TE you're going to take in Rd 3 or later is likely not going to be as big of a contributor as a rookie compared to one taken in Rd 1 or Rd 2. Most mid-round and late-round receivers usually take a season (or two) to become a significant contributor in the offense, if at all.

For some examples:
Mohamed Sanu (3rd rd 2012) - 25 targets, 16 rec, 154 yards as a rookie
Marvin Jones (5th rd 2012) - 32 targets, 18 rec, 201 yards as a rookie
Antonio Brown (6th rd 2010) - 19 targets, 16 rec, 167 yards as a rookie

There are obviously exceptions (e.g. Terry McLaurin 2019, Stefon Diggs 2015), but it isn't common.

Yeah, I'd be happy if we drafted Chase in the 1st. But keep in mind, it puts more pressure to get oline and dline help the rest of the way. We have 2 really good receivers, and the depth behind them is good in terms of the amount of experience out there. Yes, if Boyd or Higgins got hurt, we would be in a bit of trouble. But a good QB and offensive line can make up for that. My main concern is the trenches. It's where we've struggled the most the past several years. It would be fun to have another weapon though.

A lot of people point to our wide receivers in regards to the lack of success with the deep ball. I think the offensive line is more to blame. Can't throw the ball deep if we only have a couple seconds to throw it to avoid a sack. Same goes for the defensive side. It's easy for opposing QB's to pick us apart if they have all day to throw. These two areas are extremely important in regards to winning football (blocking and pass rush/penetration).