03-26-2023, 11:40 AM
Round 1
Dawand Jones - OT - The Ohio State - 6'8" 374
Being a devout Buckeyes fan I have watched Jones and early film concerned me with his movement and agility. I made myself go back and rewatch tape such as the Michigan game and what I saw was a guy that had greatly improved from the beginning of '21 to the end of '22. While TTUN beat them again in '22 it was of no fault of Jones who had an outstanding game. After really watching I saw instances of Jones disengaging from double team blocks to pick up blitzing safeties and corners. I am probably more critical of OSU players than those from other schools and I believe I have been a bit biased in critiquing Jones in the past and would feel pretty good about him being the 28th overall selection by the Bengals.
Round 2
D.J. Turner II - CB - Michigan - 5'11" 178
We need reliable depth with starting potential in the secondary especially with Awuzie returning from a major injury. Turner brings elite speed, elite technique, and elite football IQ to the position. He may not be the biggest, longest, or tallest corner but he uses flawless technique and has displayed outstanding ball skills. He should get stronger and put on a bit more weight at the NFL level and when you couple this with his elite speed and technique you have a kid that should contribute from day 1.
Round 3
Tyjae Spears - RB - Tulane - 5'10" 201
The Bengals offense has missed a legit playmaker from the backfield and Spears gives them just that. If he is still available at this point then the selection is an easy one. Spears runs through arm tackles and excels in yards after contact. He has the speed and agility to beat a defense to the edge and runs with the power to be effective between the tackles. When he gets into the open field he has another gear. Maybe as important as his running and receiving abilities is his ability to pick up blitzes and to block in pass protection.
Round 4
Karl Brooks - DT - Bowling Green - 6'3" 303
You can never have to much pass rush in the NFL and pass rushers that disrupt the middle of the pocket are a huge asset. Brooks could be the inside force that the Bengals have missed since Geno. While being snubbed at the combine Brooks showed up to the Senior Bowl and stood out in the midst of players like Jalen Carter and Keion White. Brooks could be the element that changes the high pressures from the Bengals defensive line into high sacks.
Round 5
Davis Allen - TE - Clemson - 6'6" 245
I had a choice here between Durham and Allen and I went back and forth deliberating. Ultimately I went with Allen because of his ability after the catch. Durham is a bit better in line blocker because of his strength but Allen will get stronger in an NFL weight program. The important part is his good hand placement and and how he sets up as an inline blocker. He has shown the ability to be a good blocker and the attitude for it so growing in this area does not appear to be an issue. His ball skills have been called "rare" for his position. I believe he has the ability to be the day 1 TE1.
Round 6
Hunter Luepke - RB/FB - N. Dakota State - 6'1" 230
This selection completes the revamp of the offensive backfield. Luepke is a bit bigger than Perine but honestly is more versatile and brings a bit more elusiveness and maybe even more power. While most are calling Luepke a FB he is just as much a big RB. He was a Swiss Army knife for the Bison offense while averaging over 6 yards a carry over his 98 rushing attempts in '22. He is an excellent receiver out of the backfield and an outstanding blocker in the passing game and as a lead blocker in the running game. The attached video shows his ability in the running game and that he is not just a big lumbering FB. Watching him reminds me a bit of Mike Alstott with a bit more elusiveness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy5hTiEnZCU
Round 7
Rejzohn Wright - CB - Oregon State - 6'2" 193
Outstanding size, speed, and length for the position with excellent ball skills. The CB class is deep which is why Wright is where he is. He will need to work on his hand usage at the next level as he drew too many PI penalties. Experienced in man and zone coverage and comes with a high ceiling at the NFL level. Excellent depth piece with the ability to be a starting corner in the NFL.
Priority UDFAs:
The following players went undrafted in this simulation and would be players I would be in immediate contact with:
Carter Warren - OT - Pitt - 6'5.5" 311
Jason Taylor II - S - Oklahoma St. - 6'0" 204
Nic Jones - CB - Ball State - 6'0" 189
Jerome Carvin - OG - Tennessee - 6'5" 321
Jake Bobo - WR - UCLA - 6'4" 206
Cam Jones - LB - Indiana - 6'1" 226
Leonard Taylor - TE - UC - 6'5" 250
Durell Nchami - Edge - Maryland - 6'4" 258
Warren McClendon Jr. - G/T - Georgia - 6'4" 306
Dawand Jones - OT - The Ohio State - 6'8" 374
Being a devout Buckeyes fan I have watched Jones and early film concerned me with his movement and agility. I made myself go back and rewatch tape such as the Michigan game and what I saw was a guy that had greatly improved from the beginning of '21 to the end of '22. While TTUN beat them again in '22 it was of no fault of Jones who had an outstanding game. After really watching I saw instances of Jones disengaging from double team blocks to pick up blitzing safeties and corners. I am probably more critical of OSU players than those from other schools and I believe I have been a bit biased in critiquing Jones in the past and would feel pretty good about him being the 28th overall selection by the Bengals.
Round 2
D.J. Turner II - CB - Michigan - 5'11" 178
We need reliable depth with starting potential in the secondary especially with Awuzie returning from a major injury. Turner brings elite speed, elite technique, and elite football IQ to the position. He may not be the biggest, longest, or tallest corner but he uses flawless technique and has displayed outstanding ball skills. He should get stronger and put on a bit more weight at the NFL level and when you couple this with his elite speed and technique you have a kid that should contribute from day 1.
Round 3
Tyjae Spears - RB - Tulane - 5'10" 201
The Bengals offense has missed a legit playmaker from the backfield and Spears gives them just that. If he is still available at this point then the selection is an easy one. Spears runs through arm tackles and excels in yards after contact. He has the speed and agility to beat a defense to the edge and runs with the power to be effective between the tackles. When he gets into the open field he has another gear. Maybe as important as his running and receiving abilities is his ability to pick up blitzes and to block in pass protection.
Round 4
Karl Brooks - DT - Bowling Green - 6'3" 303
You can never have to much pass rush in the NFL and pass rushers that disrupt the middle of the pocket are a huge asset. Brooks could be the inside force that the Bengals have missed since Geno. While being snubbed at the combine Brooks showed up to the Senior Bowl and stood out in the midst of players like Jalen Carter and Keion White. Brooks could be the element that changes the high pressures from the Bengals defensive line into high sacks.
Round 5
Davis Allen - TE - Clemson - 6'6" 245
I had a choice here between Durham and Allen and I went back and forth deliberating. Ultimately I went with Allen because of his ability after the catch. Durham is a bit better in line blocker because of his strength but Allen will get stronger in an NFL weight program. The important part is his good hand placement and and how he sets up as an inline blocker. He has shown the ability to be a good blocker and the attitude for it so growing in this area does not appear to be an issue. His ball skills have been called "rare" for his position. I believe he has the ability to be the day 1 TE1.
Round 6
Hunter Luepke - RB/FB - N. Dakota State - 6'1" 230
This selection completes the revamp of the offensive backfield. Luepke is a bit bigger than Perine but honestly is more versatile and brings a bit more elusiveness and maybe even more power. While most are calling Luepke a FB he is just as much a big RB. He was a Swiss Army knife for the Bison offense while averaging over 6 yards a carry over his 98 rushing attempts in '22. He is an excellent receiver out of the backfield and an outstanding blocker in the passing game and as a lead blocker in the running game. The attached video shows his ability in the running game and that he is not just a big lumbering FB. Watching him reminds me a bit of Mike Alstott with a bit more elusiveness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy5hTiEnZCU
Round 7
Rejzohn Wright - CB - Oregon State - 6'2" 193
Outstanding size, speed, and length for the position with excellent ball skills. The CB class is deep which is why Wright is where he is. He will need to work on his hand usage at the next level as he drew too many PI penalties. Experienced in man and zone coverage and comes with a high ceiling at the NFL level. Excellent depth piece with the ability to be a starting corner in the NFL.
Priority UDFAs:
The following players went undrafted in this simulation and would be players I would be in immediate contact with:
Carter Warren - OT - Pitt - 6'5.5" 311
Jason Taylor II - S - Oklahoma St. - 6'0" 204
Nic Jones - CB - Ball State - 6'0" 189
Jerome Carvin - OG - Tennessee - 6'5" 321
Jake Bobo - WR - UCLA - 6'4" 206
Cam Jones - LB - Indiana - 6'1" 226
Leonard Taylor - TE - UC - 6'5" 250
Durell Nchami - Edge - Maryland - 6'4" 258
Warren McClendon Jr. - G/T - Georgia - 6'4" 306
