04-11-2024, 01:51 PM
(04-11-2024, 01:12 PM)ShowMeUrTDs Wrote: You have to hit on your 1st round picks regardless of position, but this Bengals team’s biggest weaknesses are in the trenches on both sides of the ball due to losing players and not hitting on draft picks.
One of the biggest assessments too, is if you are not drafting studs at a position what is the player acquisition costs of getting FA in those positions. This offseason showed us unequivocally that the highest cost FA’s were DT so if you draft one or two DT’s on a rookie contract for 4 to 5 seasons they could set you up for massive cost savings and solidify a key position if they hit. Look at how much they paid Rankins, and how much the other big dog DT’s got paid which was way more than the OT free agents got.
OT is important, the Bengals have missed a lot at that position and do not seem to be developing the position group well either. So you have to either change your approach, coaches, or rely on already proven commodities in the FA market.
At the end of the day, you have a team that has an all-time franchise QB that has had two season ending injuries and been sacked/hit way too much. You also have a d-line with no depth and you lost your best player while getting absolutely dominated last season because you couldn’t stop the run or get any pressure so the young secondary got absolutely abused.
Again, this team’s needs are in the trenches, the coaches say it, everyone recognizes it, the game is won in the trenches so for a team that has championship aspirations with Joe Burrow you have to fix the trenches and I would do so by doubling up at both position groups in this draft with the amount of picks they have. If one of the top 3 OT are not there at 18 then I would take Murphy or Newton at DT. If you don’t take trenches in the first then you have to hit on those picks later which is much tougher to do.
If thinking mainly about Trench Building, getting the OT is the dilemma because the options may Thin out by pick #18 which is
why I consider a small 3 to 4 pick Trade up as an option for an OT. Mims at #18 could work but is risky.
As for DT, the Bengals could Flat Out Stack that Group if they got Murphy or Newton in round 1, then say Mckinnley Jackson
and Sweat if Sweat falls enough after his DWI issue. (The DT & NT Group would be Stacked)
Interior O-line is likely easier to get after round 1 than an OT option.
I wouldn't mind a Trench Focused early & often Draft as long as they get it right.
