If I were GM

[OSUfan]

RD. 1 - 28th Selection:




Malaki Starks - S - Georgia - 6'1" 197


With Starks the Bengals get the most refined safety in the draft as well as a player that appears to compare favorably with former Bengal Jessie Bates. Starks brings elite level football IQ and athleticism to the position to go along with outstanding ball skills and body control. In coverage Starks nearing elite level and while he is not a thumper in the run game he is a sound tackler that wraps up. Starks should be a day 1 starter at safety with Battle and Stone fighting for the second starting position. This selection is a huge value and win with the 28th selection and the gamble nets the Bengals their targeted player at 17 while strengthening their position later in the draft.


RD. 2 - 49th Selection:




Landon Jackson - DE - Arkansas - 6'6" 264

While and extension with Hendrickson may still be worked out the Bengals still need to for the heir apparent to Trey as well as pass rushing improvement across the board. Jackson was a riser prior to the combine and the combine only worked to solidify the feelings many already had for him. He is a high energy player with a motor that goes from whistle to whistle. Jackson has shown what can be described as natural feel for the position with his ability to his moves inside or out. He has the speed to exploit even athletic tackles has continued to add strength and mass thru his collegiate career. Jackson has a tendency to play high so this will be an area that he will need to continue to improve as well he could benefit from training to improve his contact balance. Overall, he is a high end edge prospect that brings real athleticism to the position,


RD. 2 - 60th Selection:




Jonah Savaiinaea - G - Arizona - 6'4" 324

If you were going to build a RG for the NFL they would be built like Jonah. He is thick throughout and has outstanding arm length for the interior while displaying enough athleticism to play tackle as well. He is a pass blocking specialist who will need to continue to work to improve in the run blocking area yet he is still a reliable blocker in the run game. With Jonah they are not selecting a lineman to convert to guard rather they are getting a guard that has played OT. Jonah was the RG for Arizona for all of '22 and started '23 at guard and moved to the edge out of need. Jonah was a team captain for Arizona.


RD. 3 - 81st Selection:




Jack Bech - WR - TCU - 6'1" 214

In the 3rd the Bengals add another LSU wide receiver via TCU. Bech got his start for the Bayou Bengals before transferring to TCU. With Bech they add a player that they bring back a younger Tyler Boyd. The comparison in measurables between both these players is almost spot on. Bech brings that same tough over the middle presence that they lost when Boyd signed with Tennessee. Like with Boyd he is not a burner but should not be taken lightly running post routes. He is a player that can play inside or out and is as comfortable in traffic as he is in space. His ball skills are elite and it should not shock anyone if he is starting in the slot on week 1.


RD. 3 - 102nd Selection;




Jacob Parrish - CB - K State - 5'10" 191

Parrish is a really refined corner that frankly is an absolute steal at this point in the draft. Parrish brings elite speed and outstanding ball skills to the position as well as having very fluid hips that allow him to transition very smoothly. As with most young corners Parrish needs to continue to improve as a run defender but it is not because he is not willing. He is a good all around outside corner that barring injury will be on the opening day roster.


RD. 4 - 119th Selection:




Ty Robinson - DL - Nebraska - 6'5" 288

The best description I have heard of Robinson is a bully. If you are an offensive lineman lining up across from Robinson you better have your big boy pants on because he plays with pure strength and bad intentions. Robinson's motor never stops running and while you would like to see more length in a guy his size he mitigates some of it with just complete physicality. Robinson brings versatility to the Bengals defense front as a guy that can play the edge or interior.


RD. 5 - 153rd Selection:




Joshua Gray - G - Oregon St. - 6'5" 299

In Gray they find a player that started 3 seasons for Oregon State at LT prior to moving inside for his final season to play LG and looked completely natural at the position. The description that follows Gray is tough, strong, and reliable. In his move to LG in '24 Gray graded out at over a 72 according to PFF and that was in over 800 snaps. Gray has displayed an outstanding football IQ and he was a team captain for Oregon State.


RD. 6 - 193rd Selection:




Luke Kandra - G - UC - 6'5" 320

With their final selection the Bengals continue to bolster the interior of the O line with a local product in the big and physical Kandra who has two straight seasons as a starting RG and was a captain for the Bearcats in '24. Kandra plays with a very nasty demeanor and looks to put any defender he blocks on their back. He is a pure technician at the RG position and drew only a single penalty in over 2000 snaps. With this selection they have another player that will compete to make the starting lineup or to push previous depth off of the roster.