Zac Carter

[*ochocincos*]

(3 hours ago)Whatever Wrote: DT has a long development curve.  Justin Madubuike basically did nothing for two years and became elite in year 4.  You can't just spend high draft picks there and give up after a year or two, rinse, repeat.  Really, that's the case with any trench pick.  Trey only had 6.5 sacks his first three years.  That's how we got him at such a bargain.  Nobody was sure if his 13.5 sack campaign in his contract year was a mirage.

If you're looking for prospects who have quicker impacts, you need to look at RB, WR, TE, LB, and DB.  Not trenches.

He ain't doin so hot this year.
Only half a sack in 4 games.
Maybe 2023 was the outlier, not the new norm.

But fair, maybe for DL we need to see a little longer before cutting bait.


Bengals can keep Carter on for TC next year but I wouldn't avoid a draft pick for a DT and if Carter has fallen behind the top 4-5 DTs by roster deadine next year, cut bait then.

With that said, once Bengals have Hill, Rankins, and Jackson back, they'll be at 7 DTs.
Hill, Rankins, Jackson, and Jenkins will have spots guaranteed.
You then have to pick one between Tufele, Guy, and Carter.
Who would you keep out of those 3?
Guy is the proven veteran but isn't really going to get any better.
Tufele and Carter are kinda neck and keck, it feels like.
Tufele feels a bit more well-rounded?
Tufele is in final year under contract through whereas Carter would have one more year after this.