“Kick the Tires” on Proven Performers

[*bengalfan74*]

(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.

I totally get what you're saying, But speaking to the draft:

It's a total crap shoot for sure. You just never really know what you're getting. But I do think the Bengals have a history of rolling the dice a bit to far, hoping too much.

Cases in point - Drew Sample Rd 2 - 52 Nearly a top 50 pick and he's produced so very little. Good blocker but still way to high a pick for his production.

Jackson Carman Rd 2 - 12 His draft profile is not a glaring draft this guy fast thing. I doubt many teams had him graded as a top half of the 2nd prospect.

Myles Murphy Rd 1 - 28 Again his draft profiles read needs development to make it in the pros.

Jermaine Burton Rd 3 - 80 Just way too many red flags coming in to take that big a chance in the 3rd round. And look where we are.

And there are other bad misses in top 4 rounds for sure. This team can't continue to swing and miss this badly on top round draft picks!