03-04-2024, 11:28 PM
(03-04-2024, 11:49 AM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: I think this is overblown.
Look, in the ZT era, they have drafted 2 OL in the first 3 rounds. Williams Rd1 in 2019 and Carman in Rd2 in 2021. All the rest are Rd4 or below. You cannot expect much out of those guys.
Williams was not a star. He was a "safe" pick & played like it. Injured year 1 (we should stop doing that). Graded out 70+ i the first two years. Gutted through leg injury Y3 and grade suffered. Switched to RT and was OK. Someone is gonna pay him $15 mil in FA. That is not a bust.
Carman is, however. Another guy with injury issues. And not a great work ethic. We tried to convert him to G. Then move him to RT. Did have some good play in the POs at LT, but he appears a LT only guy. Rumored to be an owner/former coach inspired pick.
Jordan was a 4th, cost Joe his rookie year.
Adeniji a 6th. What you'd expect from a 6th.
Smith was a 4th and always a project.
Volson was a 4th. More successful T to G conversion. Struggles with twists has something to do with it.
All of those guys were OTs in college save Jordan.
It is not a stellar record, but the Rd1 busts we all have PTSD over (Price, Ogbuehi) were Marvin.
Yeah, so put that all together and I think this team has a problem with identifying Oline talent. You don't expect all low rounders to perform, but you do expect to see some come good. Also consider FA duds we have signed and it just adds to our woes at the position. The team has tried to fix the Oline, I'm not disputing the intention, but we keep getting it wrong.
On your assessment of Williams, I think Williams has underperformed, given he was a 1st round pick expected to play LT and was moved because he wasn't good enough and isn't a priority because he'll cost more than he can justify. But sure, not a bust. Brown and some of the FA signings have improved the position, but they haven't made it good.
Then you look at other positions and how we seem to be able to draft guys (in all rounds) who add to their position groups and we've also got decent to very good production from both high priced free agents (Hendrickson) and cheaper players (BJ Hill, Vonn Bell etc). It just stands out that we're not able to do as well with our Oline identification.
The Bengals have done a great job of recruitment in almost every other position. On Oline they struggle.
I don't think it's 'overblown' to question why a team that seems excellent at talent identification can't do it when it comes to the Oline.
