“Kick the Tires” on Proven Performers

[Bengalbug]

(02-17-2025, 02:32 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: I’m done with “reclamation projects,” “potential stars,” and “can’t miss” players.

+++

Whatever the Cincinnati Bengals do via free agency, trades, and the draft, the Front Office needs to look at players with proven ability. This means “kicking the tires” on established performers like Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett, Amari Cooper, Budda Baker, Zack Martin and Mekhi Becton.* In the draft the Front Office needs to consider players from winning programs like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas, and the top teams in the SEC.

The Bengals have only three great performers who are definitely returning for 2025: Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Chase Brown. Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson may end up elsewhere. Burrow, Chase, and Brown will need to be surrounded by quality starters or the Bengals risk missing the playoffs for a third consecutive year.

*I am NOT suggesting looking at these players specifically, just players of this caliber.

2024 Georgia, Michigan, Alabama
2023 Clemson, Michigan, Alabama
2022 Michigan, Nebraska, Florida
2021 LSU, Clemson, Texas
2020 LSU, Clemson, Wyoming

Over the last 5 years: the first 15 picks have been on some of the very best programs.

Georgia - Best record since 2020
Michigan - 4th best record since 2020
Alabama - 3rd best record since 2020
Clemson - 7th best record since 2020

The bengals will almost certainly use the first 3 picks on big programs. Wyoming and Nebraska being the only outliers since 2020.