D'Ante Smith

[CJD]

(08-18-2021, 05:50 AM)Go Cards Wrote: Agree yet the Bengals have actually mined a little gold with 4th round picks in Rudi Johnson, Domato Peko, Geno Atkins, and Clint Boling so who knows. 

But we have got our fair share of Russell Bodine's as well so get your point too and will temper my expectations somewhat.   

I think at some point in the draft, you draw a line after which any value is surplus value.

For me, that is the beginning of the 4th round. 

And I think many NFL front offices feel the same way. New England was willing to throw 2 4th round picks at us to move up 8 picks. That's crazy value (which we appear to have cashed in relatively well) unless you are of the belief that any level of certainty in the draft (if there is any at all) ends with the 3rd round.

So I don't mind when a 4th round pick offers nothing. Getting a 10 year (or, hell, even a 2 year) starter in the 4th round feels like found money. The fact that we've gotten multiple franchise cornerstones in the 4th round makes me feel really good about Smith, Sample and Shelvin's potential to provide value to this team. If even one of them becomes a long term starter or high quality back up, I'd consider the 4th round of 2021 a major success.