02-02-2022, 05:53 PM
After the first year, I think Taylor & the FO had a very specific type of player they wanted to bring in, character wise. Guys who could play, surely. But also guys from winning programs (college or pro), with playoff or championship experience. And a lot of team captains & coaches' sons as well.
They didn't just want players, they wanted leaders. Champions.
2020 Draft:
1. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU. National Champ. Heisman. Capt. Coaches' son.
2. Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson. National Champion. Bengal fan.
3. Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming. 3 time Captain.
4. Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalaichan State. Capt. Coaches' son.
5. Khalid Kareem, DE, Notre Dame. Captain.
6. Hakeem Adeniji, OT, Kansas. Captain.
7. Markus Bailey, LB, Purdue. Captain.
2020 Notable Free Agents:
1. DJ Reader, DT, Houston. PO exp next to Watt.
2. Trae Waynes, CB. Vikings. PO exp with Minny.
3. Mackenzie Alexander, CB, Vikings. PO exp with Minny.
4. Vonn Bell, S, NO. PO exp with Saints.
5. Josh Bynes, LB, Ravens. PO exp with Baltimore.
6. Xavier Su'a-Filo, G, Dallas. PO exp with Houston.
7. Quinton Spain, OG, Buffalo. PO exp with Bills.
The trend continued last year, though not quite as drastically.
2021 Notable Free Agents:
1. Trey Hendrickson, DE, Saints. PO exp with NO.
2. Larry Ogunjobi, DT, Browns. PO exp with Browns.
3. Riley Reiff, OT, Minny. PO exp with Vikings.
4. Mike Hilton, CB, Pitt. PO exp with Steelers.
5. Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Dallas. PO exp with Cowboys.
6. Eli Apple, CB, NO. PO exp with Saints.
2021 Draft Picks.
1. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU. National Champion.
2. Jackson Carman, OT, Clemson. National Champion. Ohio kid.
3. Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas.
4. Cameron Sample, DL, Tulane.
4. Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU. National Champion.
4. D'Ante Smith, OT, East Carolina.
5. Evan McPherson, PK, Florida.
6. Trey Hill, OL, Georgia.
6. Chris Evans, RB, Michigan.
7. Wyatt Hubert, DE, Kansas State. Captain.
16/17 of those picks made the team. Hubert's injury orevented him from competing for a spot.
They didn't just want players, they wanted leaders. Champions.
2020 Draft:
1. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU. National Champ. Heisman. Capt. Coaches' son.
2. Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson. National Champion. Bengal fan.
3. Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming. 3 time Captain.
4. Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalaichan State. Capt. Coaches' son.
5. Khalid Kareem, DE, Notre Dame. Captain.
6. Hakeem Adeniji, OT, Kansas. Captain.
7. Markus Bailey, LB, Purdue. Captain.
2020 Notable Free Agents:
1. DJ Reader, DT, Houston. PO exp next to Watt.
2. Trae Waynes, CB. Vikings. PO exp with Minny.
3. Mackenzie Alexander, CB, Vikings. PO exp with Minny.
4. Vonn Bell, S, NO. PO exp with Saints.
5. Josh Bynes, LB, Ravens. PO exp with Baltimore.
6. Xavier Su'a-Filo, G, Dallas. PO exp with Houston.
7. Quinton Spain, OG, Buffalo. PO exp with Bills.
The trend continued last year, though not quite as drastically.
2021 Notable Free Agents:
1. Trey Hendrickson, DE, Saints. PO exp with NO.
2. Larry Ogunjobi, DT, Browns. PO exp with Browns.
3. Riley Reiff, OT, Minny. PO exp with Vikings.
4. Mike Hilton, CB, Pitt. PO exp with Steelers.
5. Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Dallas. PO exp with Cowboys.
6. Eli Apple, CB, NO. PO exp with Saints.
2021 Draft Picks.
1. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU. National Champion.
2. Jackson Carman, OT, Clemson. National Champion. Ohio kid.
3. Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas.
4. Cameron Sample, DL, Tulane.
4. Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU. National Champion.
4. D'Ante Smith, OT, East Carolina.
5. Evan McPherson, PK, Florida.
6. Trey Hill, OL, Georgia.
6. Chris Evans, RB, Michigan.
7. Wyatt Hubert, DE, Kansas State. Captain.
16/17 of those picks made the team. Hubert's injury orevented him from competing for a spot.