03-24-2025, 04:37 AM
Praying we can find a trade back like this. Trying to put together the best 53 with what we have so far.
1. Tyler Warren - Unstoppable offense sounds cool. Adding an elite talent and being able to clean up the back end of the depth chart helps. He helps if we stay pass heavy he helps if we run more.
2. Xavier Watts - Perfect pairing with his old DC. We would have an exciting group of young DBs. Watts or Emmanwori feels like a need. Wouldn't mind both.
2. Aireontae Ersey - Going with the Big Ten offensive linemen of the year. And going to see what the 6'6" 330lbs big man can do at LG.
3. Tate Ratledge - Sometimes a giant maniac with a mullet is a good thing. One of those times is usually when they are protecting your QB. I like the idea of putting Ratledge and Mims back together with the potential bonus of familiarity helping the OL gel quicker.
3. Cameron Skattebo - Need to add talent at RB here, lot of good options. Love Chase. Like Perine. But we need a third. I'd take Moss back. But a neck injury and RB isn't a good mix. Skattebo could be special. Brain Leonard on steroids.
4. David Walker - 6'1" 263lbs... Dwight Freeney 6'1" 266lbs. Twins?
5. Jeffrey Bassa - Hopefully we keep Pratt and then Wilson and Pratt can get back to being a top tandem. Bassa is insurance. I'd like to add at least one new rookie who has a decent ceiling to the LB room.
6. Jalen Travis - Massive 6'8" 339lbs OL who was blocking for Princeton when Iosivas was there balling out so I'm sure he was on the Bengals radar. I know they love the Ivy league stories. Looks like a rare mover for his size. Wouldn't mind gambling on his traits late. High character and transferred to Iowa State and started at LT. I like the UC tackle John Williams as a late round OL option as well.
Offense = 25
QB (2): Burrow, Browning
RB (3): Brown, Skattebo*, Perine
WR (6): Chase, Higgins, Iosivas, Jones, Williams, Burton
TE (4): Gesicki, Warren*, Sample, McLachlan/Hudson/Grandy
OT (3): Brown, Mims, Travis*/Kirkland/Stueber
G (5): Ersery*, Ratledge*, Patrick, Ford, Volson
C (2): Karras, Lee
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Defense = 25
DE (6): Hendrickson, Ossai, Murphy, Johnson, Walker*, Sample
DT (4): Hill, Slaton, Jenkins, Jackson
LB (5): Wilson, Pratt, Burks, Njongmeta, Bassa*
CB (6): CTB, Hill, Turner, Newton, Ivey, Wilson
S (4): Watts*, Battle, Anderson, Anthony
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Special Teams = 3
PK: McPherson
P: Rehkow
LS: Adomitis
Hopefully the savings from moving on from Stone and Moss can go to making Hendrickson happy. Pratt is still here and hopefully stays. We can put the finishing touches on building an offensive juggernaut. I know everyone wants a DT. But we could easily not draft one. We took two last year and two of our biggest FA moves were DTs. I want those 4 playing all the snaps, if everybody stays healthy an early round pick would be a waste. At DE Ossai, Murphy, Sample, and Johnson may get a chance to shine with Hubbard no longer in the way. Walker adds a fastball/curveball to our arsenal.
Our offense takes another step forward. And our defense gets new life with a new DC and new scheme and many young guys who were earlier round draft picks coming back with another year of experience under their belt.
I think this would be a dangerous team.
