06-09-2021, 03:21 PM
(06-09-2021, 02:14 PM)fredtoast Wrote: I liked his potential when we took him in the fourth round, but he was not a highly accomplished college star.
At the combine he was the 5th heaviest (318) among the 33 "Dline" (not "edge") and not surprisingly was 5th in the bench press, but he also finished around the top ten in many of the running, jumping, and agility tests.
4th in broad jump (118")
9th in vertical (32")
12th in forty yard dash (5.01)
12th in short shuttle (4.53)
13th in 3 cone (7.65)
They said he showed a quick first step on film, but his production was lacking. His senior year he had 43 tackles, 4.5 TFL, and 1 sack for Arizona State.
He only played 155 snaps his rookie season, and I always say you can't judge a plyer but his rookie season (especially a 4th rounder), but does anyone still have hope of him becoming the type of player who could contribute solid play in a rotation. 20%-25% of defensive snaps usually amounts to 15 to 20 plays a game. That is a significant number of plays and could make a big difference in our defensive performance.
I will say I still have hope, but I am certainly not betting on it. All I know is we need depth at dt.
As being a Bengals fan has taught me: Hope is not a plan
Wren has/had huge potential for sure, but with all of the serious injuries he seems to have every ability but the most important one: Availability.
I actually like the DT rotation as it is due to the Bengals seemingly wanting to go with multiple/flexible fronts. I'm interested in the camp battles at the back of that spot for sure.
I see the locks barring injury as this: Daniels, Reader, Shelvin, Ogunjobi
^ And with the ends the Bengals drafted, doesn't that allow Hubbard or Hendrickson to bounce inside on passing downs if needed? I mean, do you need more beef in the middle other than the above 4 guys? Again, barring injury. Does the 5th DT even dress on game days?
Mix the above together and I see the roster fight boiling down to Wren vs Tupou (whom I also thought looked like a really strong player for the Bengals).
Looking forward to camp!
