03-30-2024, 12:59 PM
The following are undrafted free agents from this simulation that I believe that Cincy should make a priority:
Walter Rouse - OT - Oklahoma - 6'6" 313:
Rouse is a very experienced starting tackle that brings excellent size, length, football IQ, and athleticism to the position. Where Rouse needs to really improve it in his overall play strength. This is something that can be developed in an NFL strength and training program. He has only played LT at Oklahoma and it would certainly help his cause in making an NFL roster to get stronger and show that he can play both sides as a swing tackle. He checks many boxes of a starting caliber OT.
Bub Means - WR - Pitt - 6'1" 212:
Means has had a bit of journey thru college football before landing at Pitt. However, once he did land there he began to show that there is a good bit of ability to work with at the WR position. He brings a solid build and good speed to the field to go along with really good ball skills. He continued to show improvement over the course of the '23 season and if this is development that he can continue then he could be a very solid contributor on a NFL roster.
Caedan Wallace - OL - Penn St. - 6'5" 314:
I was shocked to see Wallace go undrafted but if he would I believe he should be an immediate phone call. Wallace played RT at Penn State and while someone believe he has hit his ceiling at OT he seems to be a prime candidate to move inside and excel as an outstanding guard at the NFL level. He plays with good anchor and movement and is very effective getting out to the second level and locating and making blocks. When you watch film on him you will identify quickly that this kid plays with great motor and effort always looking to pick someone up when not engaged. I would not be surprised if this kid became a pro bowl caliber interior player.
Willie Drew - CB - Virginia St. - 6'0" 191:
Drew checks virtually every box for a NFL corner other than being a Division II prospect and competition level. However, what you expect from a NFL caliber talent at that level is to be completely dominant and that is what Drew was. He displayed outstanding ball skills and instincts before and after the snap. Can he make the jump in competition level? This is a zero risk proposition for a player with the tangible skills that this kid has put on display.
Trey Taylor - S - Air Force - 6'0" 206:
Physical, well-built, and heady safety with outstanding ball skills. Taylor brings elite character and effort to a locker room and the field of play. Was a team captain for Air Force and comes highly decorated by the program. Brings the skills and leadership ability that can raise the level of the secondary room. Does not have to meet a military deferment and is a cousin of the great Ravens safety Ed Reed.
Tory Taylor - P - Iowa - 6'4" 223:
To this point the Robbins experiment has failed horribly and he was the worst punter in the league in '23. Taylor has shown a powerful leg that is able to flip the field as well as the ability to put punts inside the 20 on a consistent basis. Anything would be an improvement and Taylor has shown the ability to be a major upgrade as a punt specialist.
John Rhys Plumlee - QB - UCF - 6'0" 200:
Can Plumlee be a NFL caliber QB? What he is is a NFL caliber athlete. Plumlee is an outstanding athlete and has a career completion % of over 61%. Plumlee could be that player that gives a defense something additional to plan for in their game plan if he is active on game day and could do several things for an offense. While he has little chance of replacing a Joe Burrow he does bring some interesting qualities to the game day roster that could compliment what Burrow does.
Eyabi Okie-Anoma - DE - Charlotte - 6'4.5" 260:
NFL talent is not the question with Eyabi rather the question is NFL maturity. He has outstanding physical talent and traits but does he have the work ethic and character to be a NFL player. Normally, I would shy away from a player such as this but if there is ever a room that can teach him character and what it takes to be a pro it is a room that has Hendrickson, Hubbard, Murphy, Rankins, and Hill. They will weed him out quickly if he is at all a disruption.
Walter Rouse - OT - Oklahoma - 6'6" 313:
Rouse is a very experienced starting tackle that brings excellent size, length, football IQ, and athleticism to the position. Where Rouse needs to really improve it in his overall play strength. This is something that can be developed in an NFL strength and training program. He has only played LT at Oklahoma and it would certainly help his cause in making an NFL roster to get stronger and show that he can play both sides as a swing tackle. He checks many boxes of a starting caliber OT.
Bub Means - WR - Pitt - 6'1" 212:
Means has had a bit of journey thru college football before landing at Pitt. However, once he did land there he began to show that there is a good bit of ability to work with at the WR position. He brings a solid build and good speed to the field to go along with really good ball skills. He continued to show improvement over the course of the '23 season and if this is development that he can continue then he could be a very solid contributor on a NFL roster.
Caedan Wallace - OL - Penn St. - 6'5" 314:
I was shocked to see Wallace go undrafted but if he would I believe he should be an immediate phone call. Wallace played RT at Penn State and while someone believe he has hit his ceiling at OT he seems to be a prime candidate to move inside and excel as an outstanding guard at the NFL level. He plays with good anchor and movement and is very effective getting out to the second level and locating and making blocks. When you watch film on him you will identify quickly that this kid plays with great motor and effort always looking to pick someone up when not engaged. I would not be surprised if this kid became a pro bowl caliber interior player.
Willie Drew - CB - Virginia St. - 6'0" 191:
Drew checks virtually every box for a NFL corner other than being a Division II prospect and competition level. However, what you expect from a NFL caliber talent at that level is to be completely dominant and that is what Drew was. He displayed outstanding ball skills and instincts before and after the snap. Can he make the jump in competition level? This is a zero risk proposition for a player with the tangible skills that this kid has put on display.
Trey Taylor - S - Air Force - 6'0" 206:
Physical, well-built, and heady safety with outstanding ball skills. Taylor brings elite character and effort to a locker room and the field of play. Was a team captain for Air Force and comes highly decorated by the program. Brings the skills and leadership ability that can raise the level of the secondary room. Does not have to meet a military deferment and is a cousin of the great Ravens safety Ed Reed.
Tory Taylor - P - Iowa - 6'4" 223:
To this point the Robbins experiment has failed horribly and he was the worst punter in the league in '23. Taylor has shown a powerful leg that is able to flip the field as well as the ability to put punts inside the 20 on a consistent basis. Anything would be an improvement and Taylor has shown the ability to be a major upgrade as a punt specialist.
John Rhys Plumlee - QB - UCF - 6'0" 200:
Can Plumlee be a NFL caliber QB? What he is is a NFL caliber athlete. Plumlee is an outstanding athlete and has a career completion % of over 61%. Plumlee could be that player that gives a defense something additional to plan for in their game plan if he is active on game day and could do several things for an offense. While he has little chance of replacing a Joe Burrow he does bring some interesting qualities to the game day roster that could compliment what Burrow does.
Eyabi Okie-Anoma - DE - Charlotte - 6'4.5" 260:
NFL talent is not the question with Eyabi rather the question is NFL maturity. He has outstanding physical talent and traits but does he have the work ethic and character to be a NFL player. Normally, I would shy away from a player such as this but if there is ever a room that can teach him character and what it takes to be a pro it is a room that has Hendrickson, Hubbard, Murphy, Rankins, and Hill. They will weed him out quickly if he is at all a disruption.
