04-14-2024, 08:58 AM
Simulation 2:
RD. 1 – 18th Overall:
Byron Murphy II – DT – Texas – 6’.5” 297
The Bengals needed to get better on the interior of the defensive line, and they started the process with the signing of Sheldon Rankins, and they continued it with the drafting of Murphy. Murphy is just one compact ball of muscle, explosion, and disruption. Murphy, while slight by NFL standards, is extremely powerful and plays with elite leverage. Even for his size, Murphy has shown the ability to anchor against and consistently defeat double teams. The Bengals seem to be trending toward a different look upfront to create more disruption while still having the ability to stop the run and Murphy should fit well in this new look.
RD. 2 – 49th Overall:
Troy Franklin – WR – Oregon – 6’2” 176
Franklin has been compared to Chris Olave and I find that to be a good comparison as their games are very similar. Franklin is coming off an Oregon single season record of over 1,300 receiving yards as well as the Oregon single season record in receiving TDs with 14. He is a tall rangy WR with good speed and the ability to threaten the deep part of the secondary on a regular basis. Good route runner that will create separation with his suddenness and elite leaper. Franklin is not a physical receiver and can get jammed by physical corners but when he gets past them, they are in trouble.
RD. 3 – 80th Overall:
Trey Benson – RB – Fla. State – 6’0” 216
I had no intention of taking a RB at this point in the draft but Benson was by far the best player on the board and tremendous value with the 80th overall selection. He is a big back with elite speed that has good hands out of the backfield. NFL coaching should help him hone his game and help him to improve his vision and to know when to stay with the run called and when to improvise. However, he has the size and speed that cannot be taught.
RD. 3 – 97th Overall:
Renardo Green – CB – Fla. State – 6’0” 186
With the loss of Awuzie in free agency and the uncertainty on the availability of Ivey after his devastating injury the Bengals are rather thin at the CB position. An injury to Hilton, Turner, or CTB would leave the Bengals to depend on Jalen Davis and Allan George. Green is an extremely sound corner that displayed good skills against the outstanding LSU receiving corp. Green will need to temper his physical style of play a bit in the NFL to avoid flags but overall, he is a very solid cover man who can play the run as well.
RD. 4 – 115th Overall:
Zak Zinter – G/C – Michigan – 6’6” 309
Zinter was the best player on the offensive line that won back-to-back Moore awards, was a team captain in ’23, and finished as a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy in ’23. Zinter played guard for the Wolverines but took extensive snaps at center in practices for the team and some believe he could be a Pro Bowl NFL center. Zinter is physical and smart and plays with solid technique. He is rarely ever just plain beaten and plays with a nasty streak. The Bengals have some offensive line decisions to make after ’24 and ’25 and Zinter gives them options on the interior of the line.
RD. 5 – 149th Overall:
Matt Goncalves – OT – Pitt – 6’6” 327Goncalves was a team captain and has started at both tackle positions for Pitt. He is thick and beefy and should project as a RT at the NFL level. Will have a season to work on technique issues to further improve his game. Could struggle with the NFL speed on the left side so is probably a RT only prospect but he displays a good ability to understand pocket depth and keeping defenders clear of the QB. Has the natural power to anchor against bull rushers on the right side of the line.
RD. 6 – 19th Overall:
Dallin Holker - TE - Colorado St. – 6’3” 241
Holker is limited in his blocking ability but is a smooth and natural athlete and that shows in his receiving abilities. Holker displays really good ball skills and the ability to challenge for the contested throw. Really good body control increases his catch radius and his tape shows some real circus catches. Could be utilized in this offense to help ease the pain of losing Tyler Boyd in free agency.
RD. 6 – 214th Overall:
Jaden Crumedy – DT – Miss. State – 6’4” 301
Crumedy is a run stopping specialist. While only being just over 300 lbs. Crumedy is able to generate outstanding power off of the snap and has displayed the ability to operate against double teams. Crumedy shows the ability to disengage against the double team and attack the ball carrier. While he is not an impressive pass rusher, he still has the ability to disrupt the pocket and keep the QB uncomfortable.
RD. 7 – 224th Overall:
Caedan Wallace – OT - Penn St. – 6’5” 314
To find Wallace here at 224th is a steal for the Bengals. Wallace is a very experienced RT with starter abilities. Wallace also has the ability to slide inside and be a highly capable guard. With Wallace the have a player to compete for either RT or OG position in the future. In ’24 you have a very versatile reserve coming off the bench.
RD. 7 – 237th Overall:
Dwight McGlothern – CB – Arkansas – 6’2” 185
McGlothern is a tall, rangy corner who has displayed good ball skills against some high-powered SEC offenses. McGlothern can play man and off coverages but has really excelled in zone coverage where he can use his reaction time and closing speed to victimize QBs. McGlothern should be an outstanding depth piece for the Bengals secondary that truly has the ability to challenge for more snaps.
RD. 1 – 18th Overall:
Byron Murphy II – DT – Texas – 6’.5” 297
The Bengals needed to get better on the interior of the defensive line, and they started the process with the signing of Sheldon Rankins, and they continued it with the drafting of Murphy. Murphy is just one compact ball of muscle, explosion, and disruption. Murphy, while slight by NFL standards, is extremely powerful and plays with elite leverage. Even for his size, Murphy has shown the ability to anchor against and consistently defeat double teams. The Bengals seem to be trending toward a different look upfront to create more disruption while still having the ability to stop the run and Murphy should fit well in this new look.
RD. 2 – 49th Overall:
Troy Franklin – WR – Oregon – 6’2” 176
Franklin has been compared to Chris Olave and I find that to be a good comparison as their games are very similar. Franklin is coming off an Oregon single season record of over 1,300 receiving yards as well as the Oregon single season record in receiving TDs with 14. He is a tall rangy WR with good speed and the ability to threaten the deep part of the secondary on a regular basis. Good route runner that will create separation with his suddenness and elite leaper. Franklin is not a physical receiver and can get jammed by physical corners but when he gets past them, they are in trouble.
RD. 3 – 80th Overall:
Trey Benson – RB – Fla. State – 6’0” 216
I had no intention of taking a RB at this point in the draft but Benson was by far the best player on the board and tremendous value with the 80th overall selection. He is a big back with elite speed that has good hands out of the backfield. NFL coaching should help him hone his game and help him to improve his vision and to know when to stay with the run called and when to improvise. However, he has the size and speed that cannot be taught.
RD. 3 – 97th Overall:
Renardo Green – CB – Fla. State – 6’0” 186
With the loss of Awuzie in free agency and the uncertainty on the availability of Ivey after his devastating injury the Bengals are rather thin at the CB position. An injury to Hilton, Turner, or CTB would leave the Bengals to depend on Jalen Davis and Allan George. Green is an extremely sound corner that displayed good skills against the outstanding LSU receiving corp. Green will need to temper his physical style of play a bit in the NFL to avoid flags but overall, he is a very solid cover man who can play the run as well.
RD. 4 – 115th Overall:
Zak Zinter – G/C – Michigan – 6’6” 309
Zinter was the best player on the offensive line that won back-to-back Moore awards, was a team captain in ’23, and finished as a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy in ’23. Zinter played guard for the Wolverines but took extensive snaps at center in practices for the team and some believe he could be a Pro Bowl NFL center. Zinter is physical and smart and plays with solid technique. He is rarely ever just plain beaten and plays with a nasty streak. The Bengals have some offensive line decisions to make after ’24 and ’25 and Zinter gives them options on the interior of the line.
RD. 5 – 149th Overall:
Matt Goncalves – OT – Pitt – 6’6” 327Goncalves was a team captain and has started at both tackle positions for Pitt. He is thick and beefy and should project as a RT at the NFL level. Will have a season to work on technique issues to further improve his game. Could struggle with the NFL speed on the left side so is probably a RT only prospect but he displays a good ability to understand pocket depth and keeping defenders clear of the QB. Has the natural power to anchor against bull rushers on the right side of the line.
RD. 6 – 19th Overall:
Dallin Holker - TE - Colorado St. – 6’3” 241
Holker is limited in his blocking ability but is a smooth and natural athlete and that shows in his receiving abilities. Holker displays really good ball skills and the ability to challenge for the contested throw. Really good body control increases his catch radius and his tape shows some real circus catches. Could be utilized in this offense to help ease the pain of losing Tyler Boyd in free agency.
RD. 6 – 214th Overall:
Jaden Crumedy – DT – Miss. State – 6’4” 301
Crumedy is a run stopping specialist. While only being just over 300 lbs. Crumedy is able to generate outstanding power off of the snap and has displayed the ability to operate against double teams. Crumedy shows the ability to disengage against the double team and attack the ball carrier. While he is not an impressive pass rusher, he still has the ability to disrupt the pocket and keep the QB uncomfortable.
RD. 7 – 224th Overall:
Caedan Wallace – OT - Penn St. – 6’5” 314
To find Wallace here at 224th is a steal for the Bengals. Wallace is a very experienced RT with starter abilities. Wallace also has the ability to slide inside and be a highly capable guard. With Wallace the have a player to compete for either RT or OG position in the future. In ’24 you have a very versatile reserve coming off the bench.
RD. 7 – 237th Overall:
Dwight McGlothern – CB – Arkansas – 6’2” 185
McGlothern is a tall, rangy corner who has displayed good ball skills against some high-powered SEC offenses. McGlothern can play man and off coverages but has really excelled in zone coverage where he can use his reaction time and closing speed to victimize QBs. McGlothern should be an outstanding depth piece for the Bengals secondary that truly has the ability to challenge for more snaps.
