YOU are the interviewer

[*ochocincos*]

(01-15-2025, 11:30 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Yeah, because that worked out so well?? I guess they may never learn.

Actually I never really thought about it until you mention this, but I can't think of a recent draft pick (past 3 years) who came out really impressing after they sat the majority of their rookie year.
Mims has been about the best of recent draft picks and he got thrust into his heavy snaps role after just what, the 2nd game of the season?

I know the Bengals have liked to draft guys who have a veteran in front of them on their final year under contract, but I can't help but think if they really want to get a boost for the upcoming season, it needs to be a guy who has more opportunity to get significant snaps their rookie year.

Here are the guys who are in their final year under contract:
- Geno Stone (FS)
- Trey Hendrickson (DE)
- Sam Hubbard (DE)
- Sheldon Rankins (DT)
- Alex Cappa (RG)
- Cordell Volson (LG)
- Ted Karras ©
- Germaine Pratt (LB)
- CTB (CB)
- Hill (CB) *If team doesn't pick up his 5th year option

And here are the spots with a starter position open right now (impending FA):
- WR2 (Higgins)
- TE (Gesicki)
- DT (Hill)
- SCB (Hilton)

I would assume Kris Jenkins takes one of the starting DT spots and DJ Turner takes the 3rd CB spot, but maybe not.

I also will assume based on previous years that the Bengals will fill the above immediate openings with FAs if they don't have confidence in the current depth to take over, and then the early draft picks will be brought in for the guys who are entering contract years.