10-21-2016, 02:57 AM
I'm seeing the word "need" a lot in this thread. I see your 4th line regarding BPA, but you can't just dismiss the idea or we're really just ranking needs which are irrelevant of how the draft shakes down. I can humor you and say Cincy needs a pass rushing DE, interior OL, heck your list looks mint in that regard, but drafting well is more than a cliché. Even if you don't believe you can over draft you shouldn't even lean a heavy priority to need. Many players are underperforming, so I guess the good news is there are many needs, but they still have the rest of the season to prove themselves or actually make the playoffs. Even if coaching changes happen, Duke, Katie and Mikey likely won't buck from drafting big money positions higher (T over G, CB over S, ect..). What we may see, for better or for worse is seeing them a little more guaranteed money even short term to some vets to plug holes so there isn't as much temptation to draft need.
The last 3 years they've been taking and stashing players and most of them haven't reached their potential. Starting rookies won't up and make new picks any better so they'll have to decide to actually spend some money. You can argue that it isn't "the Bengal way" but you can't let horror stories of dead money WR's from a decade ago or name off SB champs that didn't sign a big name FA make you shy away from plugging holes to preserve freedom to draft quality players vs leaning toward need. A descent vet center would allow Westerman to eventually replace Zeitler at RG instead as I agree they likely let him go, and allow you a buffer if they draft a young one to replace Bodine eventually. A young up and coming versatile LB would help bring stability so they're less tempted to move LB's around so much. Guenther is a good DC and many on this board know more of football than I do, but I wouldn't want to pass on a really good LB because he isn't as versatile, just give me talent for now. I get that this is an early look at the draft for the Bengals, but too much can and hopefully will happen before the draft.
The last 3 years they've been taking and stashing players and most of them haven't reached their potential. Starting rookies won't up and make new picks any better so they'll have to decide to actually spend some money. You can argue that it isn't "the Bengal way" but you can't let horror stories of dead money WR's from a decade ago or name off SB champs that didn't sign a big name FA make you shy away from plugging holes to preserve freedom to draft quality players vs leaning toward need. A descent vet center would allow Westerman to eventually replace Zeitler at RG instead as I agree they likely let him go, and allow you a buffer if they draft a young one to replace Bodine eventually. A young up and coming versatile LB would help bring stability so they're less tempted to move LB's around so much. Guenther is a good DC and many on this board know more of football than I do, but I wouldn't want to pass on a really good LB because he isn't as versatile, just give me talent for now. I get that this is an early look at the draft for the Bengals, but too much can and hopefully will happen before the draft.
