Whatever's Way Too Early Pan Me Mock Draft 2025

[SunsetBengal]

(11-19-2024, 01:37 PM)Whatever Wrote: The WR FA class is quite deep with a variety of good options.  I don't think they'll be at the top end with guys like Diggs and Godwin, but I can see them looking at a B tier guy like Dionte Johnson, Darius Slayton, Amari Cooper, or JuJu.  Not a particularly inspiring WR draft class, with 5 currently ranked in the Top 50.

I agree that they don't need to spend top end money on WR2, there are too many other places to redistribute that money to improve the team in other ways. Any of those B tier guys that you mentioned would likely do well with Burrow.

With the Edge rusher FA class, honestly, some big names, but if we're paying a star edge rusher over 30, it needs to be Trey.  Josh Sweat and Michael Owenu are the only decent options under 30, and then you start getting into 1st round dissappointments like Chase Young and rotation players.  9 Edges currently in the Top 50 draft prospects, though. 

I also agree about not spending big on a FA Edge Rusher, they need someone to compliment Trey, not try to be his equal. That opposite starting DE should also have a nose for shutting down the run as well. 

DT, honestly, BJ Hill might be the best of the bunch in FA.  There are 7 in the Top 50, but several are NT's that don't offer much pass rush.

Signing BJ to a two year deal might be their best value at 3T. I would like to see them release Rankins and sign an actual NT to plug the gap while Jackson continues to grow into the role.

The FA S is good this year, but the TE group doesn't inspire much confidence.  You're probably looking at another classic Bengals 1 year prove it and kick the can down the road unless you're going to address it in the draft.

I'd like to see them sign one of the better Safeties in the FA class, but suspect they'll try to go cheap again. At TE, it might be worth giving Gesicki a modest bump in pay to stick around for at least another year. He was a great 2nd option for Burrow when Higgins was out, it might pay to keep that consistency on the team while they transition to a new WR2.

T honestly, they can probably just bring back Ford, who isn't great, but he's only allowed one sack, so he's at least keeping Joe upright.  They still need a 4th T to groom, but they can grab one on Day 3 or earlier if the right value is there.

Feel the same with OT  

G is a huge problem.  Fortunately, it's a very strong FA G class, headed up by Trey Smith and James Daniels at RG and Tevin Jenkins and Evan Brown at LG.  All four have an RAS over 9.0, and can help with the serious lack of athleticism on the OL.  Daniels had a 92 PFF grade before and Achilles injury in October, so could be had for less than market value may typically be. 

Trey Smith would be the prize, but we know how the management feels about paying interior OL. I'm not as big on Daniels as some, my friends who follow the Steelers call him garbage due to his lack of run blocking ability and want him gone for that reason. I really liked Tevin Jenkins coming out of OK St. I believe that he had some injury issues as well, but would likely be a good risk for a modest price. I believe that Evan Brown starts at C for the Cardinals, but if he also plays G, that would be good insurance if Lee proves to not have the anchor to block NTs. 

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