12-28-2022, 12:29 PM
(12-26-2022, 12:47 AM)bk42 Wrote: Injury to Collins likely impacts this question a bit. Hope Adeniji plays strong and shows he can be trusted if needed going into next season. So many big free agent decisions coming up for bengals; hitting on early picks so critical. I really like the Baylor DT/NT but OT and CB could take priority
Yes. I think how some of our depth pieces play down the stretch will impact things.
1. OT/Adeniji.
If he plays well, OT becomes less of a priority in Rd1 with Jonah & Collins both under contract next year. If Broderick Thomas is staring at us AND we are not enthralled with keeping Jonah, then we may takethe leap. I think a Rd2-Rd3 OT is a definite possibility in any case. If Adeniji plays poorly, Rd1-Rd3 OT becomes a near certainty.
2. CB/CTB.
Chido is coming off an injury. Apple, Flowers, & Davis are FAs. Hill can play a bit in the slot (or anywhere). CTB is fiesty but raw in coverage. I could see S in his future. If he gets smoother in coverage, we have a good one. Given the depth of the CB class (6 in 1st in most mocks) and our 3 FAs + Chido's injury, I see Rd1 CB as most likely. If CTB excels and Apple/Flowers are re-signed, probably not. Davis/Allan George decent in limited work.
3. DE/Sample/Ossai.
With Hendrickson & Hubbard signed (and Sample, Ossai, & Gunter), this is not a glaring need, but they play a ton of snaps when healthy. Sample has been a solid depth piece. He can kick inside as well. Had a great game last week, but has mostly excelled at being solid and in the right place all the time. The coaches love him. His spot on the roster is secure. He played 53/56 snaps last week with Trey iffy & Hubbard out. But some playmaking from DE is also needed. Which brings us to Ossai. He is more of a 3rd down specialist at this point. Coning off injury. His spot would seem secure and has made some splash plays (Mahones sack). A pick would be to upgrade Gunter and allow Sample/Hubbard to kick inside more on pass downs. If Cam & Joe play well, I doubt we go DE early, despite it being a deep class. If they struggle, then Rd1-Rd4 is certainly an option.
4. DT/Carter.
All of our DT/NT types are signed, like DE. Tupou & Tufele are solid backups for Reader, but uograding with Ika in Rd2 is not impossible. Still, I think DT is more of an issue than NT. I don't think we would give up on Carter after 1 year, and we like to move DEs inside in passing downs (Sample, Ossai, Hubbard). But Carter has not shown much for a guy who played some DE at Florida and Hill makes $10 mil. He is solid, but if we are looking to save money down the road, a DT who can push the pocket for cheaper, upgrade Carter, and push Hill long term should be on the menu. If they are happy with Carter, we do not do it this year.
5. TE/Wilcox/Asiasi.
Hurst and Sample are FAs. I think Wilcox has done enough to secure a roster spot next year and for us to be confortable with him as TE3, maybe TE2. But Sample never showed much and Asiasi has not either. TE1 is a tall order for Wilcox. If Hurst goes, we need a TE1. If he stays, TE2-3 could use an upgrade from Asiasi/Sample (who should be TE4 in my book, or gone). Mayer in Rd1 would be tempting. But there is some decent mid-round guys there. Kincaid, Kraft, etc.
6. WR/Irwin/Taylor.
Irwin is a FA but I think he has already answered the call. He should be back. And Taylor has been good in punts. When Boyd is out, we usually move Chase to the slot and put Irwin wide. Irwin is also a like for like swap if Higgins is out. And Tee becomes WR1 if Chase is out with Irwin at WR2. Taylor does not get a lot of WR snaps unless we are down 2 guys.
Still, Irwin IS a FA. And Higgins will be due a huge raise soon. And Boyd is making $10 mil as WR3. And we don't have any real deep speed other than Chase. And while I love Irwin as WR4, I'm less enthusiastic at WR2. He is Tee's backup, not his replacement. A potential Higgins replacement, Boyd replacement, some speed, a PR/KR type who could replace Taylor now & maybe Boyd down the road, or a Morgan upgrade (if we want 6 WRs who can catch it) should all be on the table. The big 3 are here next year, but after that. Again, only Irwin & Taylor are FAs this year.
If Bell or Pratt get away, then S and LB move up the charts. Ditto Perine at RB.
