02-22-2024, 10:06 PM
RD. 1 - 18th Selection:
Olumuyiwa Fashanu - OT - Penn State - 6'6" 325
And just like that the issue at RT is fixed as well as a true heir apparent at LT should Brown Jr. not return after this contract. At 18 the Bengals were looking at Brock Bowers and McKinstry on the boards as well as Fashanu. I believe the Bengals have to fix the trenches on both sides of the ball if they want to consistently what to compete for SuperBowls. Fashanu truly checks all the boxes when you are looking for a dominant tackle at the NFL level. He has the athleticism to mirror speed and the anchor to match power.
Fashanu brings elite athleticism, size, and length to the position and should have no problem being the day 1 starting RT. This is not to say that he is a perfect prospect. Fashanu can continue to improve upon his pad level consistency in both the passing and running game as well just continuing to hone technique in the run game but overall he is an elite level prospect that should be an instant upgrade to the Bengals offensive line.
RD. 2 - 49th Selection:
T'Vondre Sweat - DT - Texas - 6'4" 346
I believe being a true NT is what lands Sweat here for the Bengals but it as well lines up value with need for them. Sweat gives them the player the have been lacking to relieve Reader without a drop off in talent should Reader return and if Reader does not return it gives them the NT they need to replace him. Stopping the run is a must in the AFC North and it is the specialty of Sweat. With that said he can also collapse a pocket in the passing game. While Sweat to not record a bunch of sacks at Texas he was very proficient at pressuring the QB.
Sweat can consistently require as well as fight thru double teams while having outstanding burst off of the ball for a man his size. He plays with great leverage and violent hands.
RD. 3 - 80th Selection:
Ruke Orhorhoro - DT - Clemson - 6'4" 290
I had no intention of going back to back on DTs but I also did not believe that Orhorhoro would be sitting there in the 3rd round for the Bengals. The Bengals got a difference making NT in round 2 and they follow up with a difference making 3 technique in the 3rd round. Ruke is just a naturally strong and athletic player that is amazing to watch when you consider he did not start playing football until his junior year in high school. Clemson has a reputation for putting out productive and very well coached defensive linemen and he definitely follows in that mold.
Elite explosion off of the ball to go with very good pure power and leverage. He plays with violent hands and understands how to use clubs and rips to defeat blockers. Plays with a high motor at all times and you have to believe that he will only get better as he continues to grow in the game. The interior of the Bengals defensive line is massively upgraded heading into the '24 season.
RD. 4 - 116th Selection:
Brenden Rice - WR - USC - 6'2" 212
The Bengals lands a very savvy WR prospect in the son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. Rice is a big bodied, long armed, vertical threat that understands how to play the position. He has an outstanding catch radius that could be byproduct of his 78" + wingspan. He is a physical receiver and is an excellent blocker in the running game which is a must for Bengals receivers.
Rice should be ready to make instant contributions early on due to his high football IQ and natural instincts for playing the position.
RD. 5 - 148th Selection:
Will Shipley - RB - Clemson - 5'11" 210
Shipley is an exciting runner that is really sound in all facets of the game. He brings elite vision to go with outstanding burst and acceleration. When he sees a hole he hits it immediately and is very good at setting up and using his blockers at the second level. When he gets in the open field he has the long speed to take it to the house. Outstanding receiving skills and productive after the catch. Shipley is not a world beater in pass protection but he also is not terrible. He is high effort at the task and accomplishes more than just getting in the way. Improving his overall strength could go along way in improving his abilities as a pass protector.
Shipley should be a very good addition to the running game to play behind Chase Brown and provide the Bengals with the dynamic running game that they have been missing.
RD. 5 - 175th Selection:
Brevyn Spann-Ford - TE - Minnesota - 6'6" 267
Spann-Ford is a devastating blocker and vastly underrated as a receiver who was underutilized by Minnesota in this aspect but delivered when he was targeted. Offers an immediate size mismatch against most every defender and is a huge target in the redzone. He is a natural hands catcher and has very good athleticism and good speed for his size. His ability to be a very effective blocker should provide him the opportunity to see the field early for the Bengals.
RD. 6 - 196th Selection:
Sataoa Laumea - OL - Utah - 6'4" 319
Laumea has experience playing both guard and tackle for the Utes but played his best football on the inside which is where the Bengals would look for him to play at the NFL level. While he does not have excellent length to play the edge he has very good length to play inside. He brings good natural power that allows him to displace defenders in the run game and that natural strength allows him to anchor very well in the passing game. While he does not have the athleticism to play on the edge at the NFL level he does have very good athleticism to play on the inside.
Laumea should be an excellent addition to the O line room as a true guard prospect for the Bengals and if others on the interior do not elevate their games then he could look to take a starting spot before the season is over.
RD. 7 - 235th Selection:
Dwight McGlothern - CB - Arkansas - 6'1" 185
A tall lean defender that brings good size and length to the position as well as excellent ball skills. He produced 6 interceptions over the past two seasons and a passer rating of under 50 when targeted. With the probable loss of of Awuzie in free agency and the uncertainty of the availability of Ivey after his devastating injury the Bengals need to add some depth to the room. Dwight brings the length and size that the Bengals currently do not have at the position with the injury to Ivey. McGlothern should be really welcome addition to the room.
RD. 7 - 252nd Selection:
Jarius Monroe - CB - Tulane - 6'0" 204
The Bengals add another high value good ceiling CB prospect with their last selection. Monroe made the jump from Nicholls State to Tulane and showed that the move up in competition was not above him. He brings good size and speed at the position and plays with outstanding physicality. Monroe is an excellent tackler and does not shy away from support in the run game. Another high value late round prospect that should figure to make an immediate impact on special teams and solid depth in the CB room with the potential to be a quality starting caliber CB at the NFL level.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu - OT - Penn State - 6'6" 325
And just like that the issue at RT is fixed as well as a true heir apparent at LT should Brown Jr. not return after this contract. At 18 the Bengals were looking at Brock Bowers and McKinstry on the boards as well as Fashanu. I believe the Bengals have to fix the trenches on both sides of the ball if they want to consistently what to compete for SuperBowls. Fashanu truly checks all the boxes when you are looking for a dominant tackle at the NFL level. He has the athleticism to mirror speed and the anchor to match power.
Fashanu brings elite athleticism, size, and length to the position and should have no problem being the day 1 starting RT. This is not to say that he is a perfect prospect. Fashanu can continue to improve upon his pad level consistency in both the passing and running game as well just continuing to hone technique in the run game but overall he is an elite level prospect that should be an instant upgrade to the Bengals offensive line.
RD. 2 - 49th Selection:
T'Vondre Sweat - DT - Texas - 6'4" 346
I believe being a true NT is what lands Sweat here for the Bengals but it as well lines up value with need for them. Sweat gives them the player the have been lacking to relieve Reader without a drop off in talent should Reader return and if Reader does not return it gives them the NT they need to replace him. Stopping the run is a must in the AFC North and it is the specialty of Sweat. With that said he can also collapse a pocket in the passing game. While Sweat to not record a bunch of sacks at Texas he was very proficient at pressuring the QB.
Sweat can consistently require as well as fight thru double teams while having outstanding burst off of the ball for a man his size. He plays with great leverage and violent hands.
RD. 3 - 80th Selection:
Ruke Orhorhoro - DT - Clemson - 6'4" 290
I had no intention of going back to back on DTs but I also did not believe that Orhorhoro would be sitting there in the 3rd round for the Bengals. The Bengals got a difference making NT in round 2 and they follow up with a difference making 3 technique in the 3rd round. Ruke is just a naturally strong and athletic player that is amazing to watch when you consider he did not start playing football until his junior year in high school. Clemson has a reputation for putting out productive and very well coached defensive linemen and he definitely follows in that mold.
Elite explosion off of the ball to go with very good pure power and leverage. He plays with violent hands and understands how to use clubs and rips to defeat blockers. Plays with a high motor at all times and you have to believe that he will only get better as he continues to grow in the game. The interior of the Bengals defensive line is massively upgraded heading into the '24 season.
RD. 4 - 116th Selection:
Brenden Rice - WR - USC - 6'2" 212
The Bengals lands a very savvy WR prospect in the son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. Rice is a big bodied, long armed, vertical threat that understands how to play the position. He has an outstanding catch radius that could be byproduct of his 78" + wingspan. He is a physical receiver and is an excellent blocker in the running game which is a must for Bengals receivers.
Rice should be ready to make instant contributions early on due to his high football IQ and natural instincts for playing the position.
RD. 5 - 148th Selection:
Will Shipley - RB - Clemson - 5'11" 210
Shipley is an exciting runner that is really sound in all facets of the game. He brings elite vision to go with outstanding burst and acceleration. When he sees a hole he hits it immediately and is very good at setting up and using his blockers at the second level. When he gets in the open field he has the long speed to take it to the house. Outstanding receiving skills and productive after the catch. Shipley is not a world beater in pass protection but he also is not terrible. He is high effort at the task and accomplishes more than just getting in the way. Improving his overall strength could go along way in improving his abilities as a pass protector.
Shipley should be a very good addition to the running game to play behind Chase Brown and provide the Bengals with the dynamic running game that they have been missing.
RD. 5 - 175th Selection:
Brevyn Spann-Ford - TE - Minnesota - 6'6" 267
Spann-Ford is a devastating blocker and vastly underrated as a receiver who was underutilized by Minnesota in this aspect but delivered when he was targeted. Offers an immediate size mismatch against most every defender and is a huge target in the redzone. He is a natural hands catcher and has very good athleticism and good speed for his size. His ability to be a very effective blocker should provide him the opportunity to see the field early for the Bengals.
RD. 6 - 196th Selection:
Sataoa Laumea - OL - Utah - 6'4" 319
Laumea has experience playing both guard and tackle for the Utes but played his best football on the inside which is where the Bengals would look for him to play at the NFL level. While he does not have excellent length to play the edge he has very good length to play inside. He brings good natural power that allows him to displace defenders in the run game and that natural strength allows him to anchor very well in the passing game. While he does not have the athleticism to play on the edge at the NFL level he does have very good athleticism to play on the inside.
Laumea should be an excellent addition to the O line room as a true guard prospect for the Bengals and if others on the interior do not elevate their games then he could look to take a starting spot before the season is over.
RD. 7 - 235th Selection:
Dwight McGlothern - CB - Arkansas - 6'1" 185
A tall lean defender that brings good size and length to the position as well as excellent ball skills. He produced 6 interceptions over the past two seasons and a passer rating of under 50 when targeted. With the probable loss of of Awuzie in free agency and the uncertainty of the availability of Ivey after his devastating injury the Bengals need to add some depth to the room. Dwight brings the length and size that the Bengals currently do not have at the position with the injury to Ivey. McGlothern should be really welcome addition to the room.
RD. 7 - 252nd Selection:
Jarius Monroe - CB - Tulane - 6'0" 204
The Bengals add another high value good ceiling CB prospect with their last selection. Monroe made the jump from Nicholls State to Tulane and showed that the move up in competition was not above him. He brings good size and speed at the position and plays with outstanding physicality. Monroe is an excellent tackler and does not shy away from support in the run game. Another high value late round prospect that should figure to make an immediate impact on special teams and solid depth in the CB room with the potential to be a quality starting caliber CB at the NFL level.
