03-06-2025, 03:06 PM
(03-06-2025, 11:17 AM)ochocincos Wrote: With Hubbard retiring and Ossai hitting FA, that leaves just Myles Murphy, Cedric Johnson, and Isaiah Thomas as the only DEs apart from Hendrickson.
At least one DE, if not multiple, will be added this offseason to cover for the departures, potentially one who would/could be thrust into a starting role.
So my question for you is...given this draft class and pool of FAs, would you rather see Hubbard's starting DE spot filled with a vet? Or would you rather see a high draft pick compete with Murphy for the spot?
When I look at the vets on the table that I think Bengals would consider, two names pop out to me - Chase Young and newly-released Joey Bosa.
Bosa isn't quite the savage pass rusher he was entering the league, but he's still solid. On top of that, he and his brother are friends with Burrow.
Young I believe is also friends with Burrow from their time at Ohio St, and Young is younger. Chase Young only turns 26 this April, so he's just entering his prime.
He hasn't to-date put up production like Bosa had though.
For draft picks, I look at guys like James Pearce Jr. (whom the Bengals met with at the Combine), Nic Scourton, and some other 1st rounders.
JPJ is more fitting of a weak-side DE who can be a double-digit sack artist, whereas I see Scourton more as a guy like Dunlap who will more likely be in the 7-9 range most years but better against the run.
Someone like Shemar Stewart isn't as well refined, but his ceiling may be higher than both of the above guys. I've seen a Stewart comp of Jadeveon Clowney, which I feel is pretty close. Clowney never amounted to what we would expect a 1st overall pick to be and savage pass rusher, but he was a good DE who has 11 years in the league.
Which way do you lean to cover starting DE duties opposite of Hendrickson for 2025?
I would bring back Ossai and sign Josh Sweat. If we extend Trey I think we are better off by a good amount and this allows Murphy
and Cedric Johnson (who I liked) to develop. Both are young and Murphy needs to lose some weight and learn to finish and we go
from an okay End room to a top 10 at least. Montgomery our new DL coach could help and we could add an End in this Draft.
I like James Pearce's game, but he has character concerns, Scourton or Shemar Stewart seem more likely if we want an End in the
first round. Still like Kennard in the mid rounds who was dominant every time I watched South Carolina.
