09-27-2021, 09:03 AM
First pick:
Ja' Marr Chase. Started off rough in camp and preseason, but has since lit the league on fire with 11 receptions for 220 yards and 4 TDs. There is that stat line of one rush for -2 yards, though, so the Sewell crowd still has a few last gasps but they are on life support.
Jackson Carman. He wasn't in the best condition. He was panned for some of his play in the preseason and wasn't going to "just be handed a job". The kid just kept quiet, worked extra after practice, and got his chance against one of the best defenses in the league. The result? PFF said 19 pass protection snaps, 0 sacks, 0 pressures. I haven't broke down the run blocking snaps, but what I saw showed him getting to his spots and moving guys. Maybe we were a bit hard on a guy that was coming off herniated disc surgery (that he played through for his final 5 college games to try and win a championship) that prevented him from participating in Clemson's Pro Day and causing his stock to fall. The future at RG looks bright.
Joseph Ossai. A monster in very limited action before season-ending surgery.
Cam Sample. The injury to Ossai has opened the door for Sample to get some snaps. Got his first bacon yesterday (sack of the pig). Dude isn't an outside speed threat, but he has shown the common thread on this defense: relentless.
Tyler Shelvin. No NFL snaps yet, but shows promise as a developmental DT in the middle. Great that he doesn't have to come in and start right away. There simply aren't that many men his size that have that kind of anchor.
D'Ante Smith. Developmental OT that so impressed coaches that he was pushing for playing time at guard before a minor injury setback. I am not sure the word on Reiff as of right now, but I wonder if we won't see him at RT over Prince.
Evan McPherson. Legs Benedict. Mcfearless. McMoney. Whatever you call him, he has already helped win one game, and we saw the aggression at the end of the first half to try and get him in range (AFTER already getting a last minute TD!). Sliding back in the 2nd to gain the two additional 4th round picks may have been what afforded the Bengals to draft a kicker so early, one could argue, but for whatever the reason, Evan Almighty has been a massive upgrade at the kicker position.
Trey Hill. They kept him on the 53 man roster and felt strongly enough about him to fleece the Giants, I mean trade Billy Price to the Giants for BJ HIll, who got another sack yesterday.
Chris Evans. Starting to get eased in to the game plan, and has shown he belongs. That shallow crosser that Burrow led him on (perfectly) was a thing of beauty. a steal in the 6th round.
Wyatt Hubert. Versatile pass rusher that was injured early and is on the practice squad.
That is five guys that have already had a significant impact on this year's team on the field (remember, you only start with 7 picks) and I strongly believe that Smith and Shelvin will likely see the field this season as well. Ossai will be back next year, and Hill will provide quality depth behind Hopkins.
A pessimist could talk about the prior year's draft and what a bust Sample has been, the trading up for Ryan Finley, etc, but this draft shows great promise and I love how all the pieces are fitting together. Also, look how ADG and Wilson are showing now because they got valuable playing time their rookie seasons.
I absolutely love the way this team has been constructed and if the offense really starts to find their form to match this defense, watch out.
Ja' Marr Chase. Started off rough in camp and preseason, but has since lit the league on fire with 11 receptions for 220 yards and 4 TDs. There is that stat line of one rush for -2 yards, though, so the Sewell crowd still has a few last gasps but they are on life support.
Jackson Carman. He wasn't in the best condition. He was panned for some of his play in the preseason and wasn't going to "just be handed a job". The kid just kept quiet, worked extra after practice, and got his chance against one of the best defenses in the league. The result? PFF said 19 pass protection snaps, 0 sacks, 0 pressures. I haven't broke down the run blocking snaps, but what I saw showed him getting to his spots and moving guys. Maybe we were a bit hard on a guy that was coming off herniated disc surgery (that he played through for his final 5 college games to try and win a championship) that prevented him from participating in Clemson's Pro Day and causing his stock to fall. The future at RG looks bright.
Joseph Ossai. A monster in very limited action before season-ending surgery.
Cam Sample. The injury to Ossai has opened the door for Sample to get some snaps. Got his first bacon yesterday (sack of the pig). Dude isn't an outside speed threat, but he has shown the common thread on this defense: relentless.
Tyler Shelvin. No NFL snaps yet, but shows promise as a developmental DT in the middle. Great that he doesn't have to come in and start right away. There simply aren't that many men his size that have that kind of anchor.
D'Ante Smith. Developmental OT that so impressed coaches that he was pushing for playing time at guard before a minor injury setback. I am not sure the word on Reiff as of right now, but I wonder if we won't see him at RT over Prince.
Evan McPherson. Legs Benedict. Mcfearless. McMoney. Whatever you call him, he has already helped win one game, and we saw the aggression at the end of the first half to try and get him in range (AFTER already getting a last minute TD!). Sliding back in the 2nd to gain the two additional 4th round picks may have been what afforded the Bengals to draft a kicker so early, one could argue, but for whatever the reason, Evan Almighty has been a massive upgrade at the kicker position.
Trey Hill. They kept him on the 53 man roster and felt strongly enough about him to fleece the Giants, I mean trade Billy Price to the Giants for BJ HIll, who got another sack yesterday.
Chris Evans. Starting to get eased in to the game plan, and has shown he belongs. That shallow crosser that Burrow led him on (perfectly) was a thing of beauty. a steal in the 6th round.
Wyatt Hubert. Versatile pass rusher that was injured early and is on the practice squad.
That is five guys that have already had a significant impact on this year's team on the field (remember, you only start with 7 picks) and I strongly believe that Smith and Shelvin will likely see the field this season as well. Ossai will be back next year, and Hill will provide quality depth behind Hopkins.
A pessimist could talk about the prior year's draft and what a bust Sample has been, the trading up for Ryan Finley, etc, but this draft shows great promise and I love how all the pieces are fitting together. Also, look how ADG and Wilson are showing now because they got valuable playing time their rookie seasons.
I absolutely love the way this team has been constructed and if the offense really starts to find their form to match this defense, watch out.
![[Image: 4CV0TeR.png]](https://i.imgur.com/4CV0TeR.png)
