04-08-2023, 03:08 PM
(04-06-2023, 04:27 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Since Jonah hasn't been traded yet, I expect he'll be the starting RT this year. They can't cut him because the option is guaranteed, and they also likely won't bench him because he'll be making $12.6 mill.
So by saying that, I think OT will be set this year between Brown, Jonah, Carman, and Ford while Collins recovers. Once Collins recovers, they'll need to figure out whether to keep Collins and where to put him if they do keep him.
As such, I can see them not drafting an OT this year.
Below is a mock with keeping Williams this year, but also move on from Mixon after the draft.
1) Deonte Banks, CB Maryland (6'2", 205 lb) - Good sized CB who has the speed and fluidity to stick with receivers. I love how he uses his hands to get PBUs. Give Banks the CTB treatment where he is a depth guy as a rookie, gets some snaps still, and potentially get a starting spot in 2024, as both Awuzie and Jones are set to hit FA after this season.
2) Zach Charbonnet, RB UCLA (6'0", 214 lb) - Well-rounded RB who has good size, solid speed, experience as a receiver, and a willing blocker. Definitely a guy who can be a 3-down back in the league. With Charbonnet added, they can choose to have him act as RB2 behind Mixon for this year, or they can cut Mixon, have Charbonnet start immediately, and get another RB on Day 3 to act as a backup in the Perine mold (see below).
3) Keeanu Benton, NT Wisconsin (6'4", 309 lb) - DJ Reader is playing in the last year of his contract and he might be too expensive for the Bengals to retain after likely extending Burrow, Chase, and possibly Higgins. And while I also like Tupou as a backup NT, he's about to turn 29 and also in the last year of his contract. Bengals need a new potential long-term guy who can take over after Reader departs. Enter Keeanu Benton, a big DT who is a good run stuffer. I like his ability to get push at the LOS. He also shows some penetration skills and has decent agility for a NT-type.
4) Luke Schoonmaker, TE Michigan (6'5", 251 lb) - While Schoonmaker isn't in the same realm as the likes of Mayer and LaPorta, he is very well-rounded, comes from a Harbaugh team, and had put up some solid production this past year in a more rushing-oriented offense. He's also very athletic, showing he probably could be even better as a pass catcher if given more opportunity. He doesn't look like a big, clunky TE when he goes out for passes. With the Bengals snagging Irv Smith for a 1-year rental, it could allow Schoonmaker a year to develop as TE2 before taking over down the road.
5) Hunter Luepke, RB/FB NDSU (6'1", 235 lb) - Strong blocker and good pass catcher out of the backfield. He can also run some. I think he can fill that Perine role quite well. He actually put up a 4.56 at his Pro Day, which is pretty good given he's 235 lb. By comparison, Perine ran 4.65 at about the same weight, so Luepke is faster and more agile than Perine but able to be just as physical and durable. Luepke is also experienced as a lead blocker, which can add another wrinkle to the offense.
6) Clayton Tune, QB Houston (6'3", 220 lb) - Accurate QB in the short and intermediate routes but doesn't have quite the arm strength to be as accurate deep. He also has good mobility and athleticism. He has some similarities to Burrow's playstyle, I feel. I like Tune as a backup QB to compete with Jake Browning.
7) Nikko Remigio, WR/RS Fresno St (5'9", 183 lb) - Hard to predict WRs who could be here, but especially assuming Boyd is probably gone after this year, I think a backup slot with heavy PR/KR ability is someone worth taking with the late 7th round pick. He has good speed and vision. Competition for Trent Taylor.
Nice Mock Ocho. Just solid all the way around. NT is something we should be looking at early if we do let DJ go after this season. Like I
have said, I really like Tufele even more than Tupou so I like him to be here. Getting Benton would probably help big time. Will be sad to
see DJ go though, hope we win a Lombardi with him first, same with Tee and Boyd if they all leave.
I really like Charbonnet, his grades don't seem great in pass pro, but from what I saw of him he is good at it and in all phases. Good one
in Luepke, sounds like the perfect Perine replacement.
Tune sounds about right, although I think we will sign a backup QB and I think a Punter like Turk there would be of more value, I don't
like what I have seen of Chrisman as a Punter so far. First time I have heard of Nikko Remigio, good stuff, need a Punt Returner who can
do something besides just fair catch even if I like Trent Taylor.
