Bengals Dominated the Draft

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(05-01-2021, 11:16 PM)Benton Wrote: We didn't do bad overall, we got some nice picks in multiple spots.

But our biggest need was OL. What won't we see in 2021? Much playing time from the OL guys we just drafted. There's some exciting prospects, but none of the OL drafted is better than what we've got. In a couple seasons, I think the guys we drafted have a chance of being pretty good, but we are rolling with the line we had a week ago.

On top of that, there's still the Jonah issue (the issue of him not being able to protect Burrow from his couch).

For down the road? Probably a very, very good draft. For people looking to see great strides in 2021? Meh.

But I think it locks Zac in to at least 1.5 more years. If the #1 need is an OL and you take a handful of OL projects/hometown ticket sales, you can't really fault the staff when it doesn't work out.

I will tell you a little about Carman and see if I can sell you on Carman a little bit:

He doesn't turn 22 until January, yet he was a starter protecting the blind side of Lawrence (LT) for the last two seasons.  With over 1000 pass blocking assignments, he gave up a total of 6 sacks.  4 of them came this past year, when he was clearly trying to fight through an injury. He played the last 5 games with a herniated disc.  The guy could have shut it down, had surgery, and prepared for the NFL draft, but he wanted to gut it out and try and win a National Championship.

He virtually never goes backwards.  He struggled (rarely) with outside speed rushers, but when he got his hands on you it was pretty much over.  He has incredible anchor, but still has the agility and mobility to play LT for one of the top programs in the country for two years.  A perfect match for Pollack's system at RG.  

He has experience and flexibility to play tackle in a pinch.  I hope he is the RG for the next decade, but last year every starting offensive lineman missed some time with an injury.  That depth is critical.  

I am thrilled to have him as our RG.  My only issue was that we didn't get the OT developmental player I wanted a round later.  (Spencer Brown)