Your 2025 Draft Grade: The Poll

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(7 hours ago)Luvnit2 Wrote: The Bengals only target 260 lb. and above DE.

At 17, the options were limited because that eliminated:
Green
Pierce

No DE/Edge was taken until round 2 and the OSU kid met the requirement, but taken prior to our pick. Remove all those around 250 lbs. are the choiced are extremely limited.

DT Harmon was a very good choice, but Goldne seems to think DE was the biggest priority and I agree because of Trey's contract ended after 2025.

As for all eggs in one basket, I disagree. I think Ossai proved last year he is a much better pass rusher than 2024 starter Hubbard. 

As others have mentioned, Stewart has experience playing inside as well at DT. I can see on passing downs (3rd and 10 or more)
Trey and Murphy outside and Ossai and Stewart inside. 

Stewart and Ossai have expereince rushing the passing inside.

Ossai was 256 at the Combine, so it hasn't been a complete deal breaker in the Taylor era, but historically, you're right in that they typically prefer larger edge rushers, especially at LDE.  

I always thought DT would be a rough position to take early simply because they just signed Hill and Slayton to significant FA deals and just spent a 2nd and 3rd on Jenkins and Jackson.  You typically dress 4 on game day, so who sits?

A lot of folks wanted one of the S's, but Starks tested pretty poorly and Emmanwori has a history of loafing and taking plays off, so neither was a can't miss type of guy.

Some wanted a G, but there wasn't one worth the pick, imo.  Zabel was high on a lot of lists, but I'm not spending a 1st on a short armed T moving to G from D2.

To me, the board fell about as bad as it could have in Round 1, and obviously, we know nobody was looking to trade up because Seattle was looking to move down and couldn't find a partner.  They went with a guy with elite traits and great character.  I know Golden greatly valued the fact that he could play anywhere from the 4I to Wide 9 alignment.  Hopefully, they can coach him up on finishing and put him in situations where he can get to the QB.