10-04-2023, 02:38 PM
(10-04-2023, 02:12 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Assuming we will pick in the 15-25 range when all is said and done, and this first pick is going to be more of a "hope," but...
1) JC Latham, RT Alabama (6'6", 326 lb) - Ideal size and experience to come in immediately and take over the RT spot after Williams departs. If Latham isn't available, perhaps go with Amarius Mims or Jordan Morgan.
2) Christian Mahogany, OG Boston College (6'3", 330 lb) - I dunno about you, but unless Volson really comes along by the end of the year, I'm ready to try someone new to compete for the LG spot. Enter Mahogany, who plays nasty and with power. He's a glass eater that Pollack would love.
With Latham taking over at RT and Mahogany competing with Volson for LG, I think the OL would be in a rather good spot (finally).
3) Nazir Stackhouse, DT Georgia (6'3", 320 lb) - Growing DT who should be able to come in and impact immediately. He already can handle the power and physicality of the NFL, and he comes from one of the best DL schools in the nation. Let Stackhouse come in and either take Reader's spot or compete with Hill for 3T reps.
4) Luke Lachey, TE Iowa (6'5", 248 lb) - Wouldn't be surprised if Lachey starts climbing up the prospect rankings leading up to the draft, but right now he's projected a Rd 4-5 prospect. Going with him because he's proven already in college he can be a weapon in the passing game and he comes from TE U.
5) MarShawn Lloyd, RB USC (5'9", 215 lb) - Well-rounded RB who has also shown ability to pass protect. Didn't get a ton of opportunity at South Carolina, so he transferred to USC and is already at 433 rushing yards and 79 rec yards in just 5 games. He could easily end up with 1200+ yards from scrimmage by season's end. Dude looks like a powerful runner and is hard to bring down. His tape shows a guy who gets a lot of yards after contact. I saw one video of a guy saying his running style reminds him of Leonard Fournette.
While I would have liked to go with a RB earlier, I think the trenches and TE are more of an immediate need and many teams find ways to get contributions from late-round RBs early. Plus, Mixon can stick around for his final year while Lloyd and Brown spell him. If neither were to be ready to take the reins in 2025, Bengals could draft a RB early in 2025 to be the immediate RB1.
I tend to lean towards Offensive Line Prospects with good size and weight, so your selections look promising to me.
I have not spent much time on Draft prospects for 2024 yet.
Finding a Free Agent Veteran that is already proven as an Offensive Lineman seems to be working out the best for the
Bengals lately. They seem to Draft & develop other positions (besides O-Line) much better.
If they go for O-line early in the 2024 Draft they need to Flat out be right with those picks.
If wrong, they will have passed up on another position that may have worked out better which would be a set back.
