03-22-2024, 10:43 AM
(03-18-2024, 04:24 PM)007BengalsFan Wrote: Rankins doesnt play Reader's position but he will take Reader's starting spot on the defensive line next to BJ Hill. They will in all likelihood have Hill take over the Reader role since he is better suited to do so than Rankins.
Close, but still not right IMHO.
Rankins is gonna take Hill's spot, and Hill is gonna take Reader's. BJ is bigger and closest to a NT type. Rankins is 3T all the way. Like Nate said.
FWIW, this piece seems to suggest the original plan was Rankins and Reader.
https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2024/03/20/bengals-want-dj-reader-sheldon-rankins-interest-arik-armstead-free-agency/
I terms of PT.
The Bengals played roughly 1,100 defensive snaps last year (Dax Hill played 99.45% of D snaps with 1,091).
If one assumes 2 DT per snap (say 3 DL with 1 DT snaps balance out heavy 5 DL with 3 DT snaps), that is 2,200 DT snaps available. It is probably a bit higher because I think we play heavier more often. And put DEs at DT on some passing downs.
Here are the snap counts for us, last 3 years,,at DT.
2023: Hill 778, Reader 535, Carter 500, Tupou 287, Tufele 96,
2022: Hill 816, Reader 397, Carter 396, Tupou 272, Tufele 138, Davis 38, Shelvin 24.
2021: Larry O 724, Reader 590, Hill 502, Tupou 410, Daniels 64, Shelvin 49.
Rankins snap counts last 3: 597, 558, 641.
Hill usually plays the most because he is more of a hybrid. Rankins & Reader less because the are more defined/limited in their roles: 3T & NT.
I am firmly in the camp that thinks Rankins was not brought in to replace Reader, but be Larry O with Hill & Reader rotating with him.
There are more than enough snaps to go around, or were, between the 3 of them. With the remainder to be filled by NT2 (Tupou), DT3 (Carter) and DEs moving inside in passing downs. In fact, BJ has probably been playing too much because of our lack of depth, ditto Reader on passing downs.
But since we cheaped out on Reader, Hill has to start with Rankins while we scramble to find a replacement for DJ. Rankins is a poor run defender. Hill is OK but nowhere near Reader. The safety FA help should improve things some, regardless of personnell.
But we still need DT/NT help, badly. I'd expect at least one of each and maybe 2 NT types signed or drafted.
Carter and/or Tufele need upgraded and Reader & Tupou need replaced.
For me, we still need:
2 NT
1 WR
1 CB
1 IOL
1 LB
No hole, but definitely could use upgrades:
1 OT
1 DT
1 P
1 TE
1 RB
I think QB, DE, S, PK, & LS are set.
Now, some solutions may already be signed or on the roster.
Maybe we feel Chuck Sizzle is ready for WR3 and like Shedrick Jackson for WR6 this year.
I could see thinking TE is set even though I don't personally think we have a TE1 on the roster. There are 3 signed + Wilcox is not a disaster.
We really liked Maxwell before he got hurt last year. Maybe they think he helps.
My high round draft ammo would go: RT, NT, WR, & CB. But a stud DT (Murphy) or TE (Bowers) could change my mind. Maybe IOL if a stud drops.
As for NT/DT, my rotations with what we have:
NT/DT: Hill, (Tupou), Tufele
3T/DT: Rankins, Hill, Carter, Tufele
That needs some help.
