05-01-2017, 05:49 PM
(05-01-2017, 01:46 PM)depthchart Wrote: The Bengals bet the Farm that they could build up other areas besides the O-line in the 2017 draft.
John Ross (4.22) and Josh Malone (4.40) add wide receiver speed. (Also have 4.47 Cody Core)
Like Joe Mixon or not he will be a STUD on the field, IMO.
Jordan Willis and Carl Lawson bring some athletic benders to the pass rush.
Had 1st choice of a kicker in Jake Elliott. Hopefully they picked the right one.
DT Ryan Glasgow plays mean and Center JJ Diehlman can develop at guard or center.
LB Jordan Evans ran a 4.50 forty with a 6 foot 3 inch frame to add weight now at 232 pounds.
Corner Brandon Wilson may be a steal. Ran a 4.37 forty at 5 foot 11 and 200 pounds. Knee surgery a year ago dropped his stock from what I understand. I saw ESPN footage and he looked like a 2nd rounder as a strong fluid athlete.
Mason Schreck tight end at 6 foot 5 and 258 pounds is considered a solid blocking tight end that can run well and catch. Looks smart and hard to bring down.
* No Offensive Lineman taken until late round 5, then no others taken.
** This speaks Volumes.
*** The Bengals are not worried about the O-line.
**** After an entire 2016 season of feeling out the Strengths and Weaknesses of what they had, they felt Comfortable letting Zeitler and Whit go. Then comfortable enough to only Draft one lineman and that was late in round 5.
***** The same O-line coach that Drafted and developed Whit is satisfied with what he has to Develop now on the roster.
They likely consider Cedric Ogbuehi to be the biggest question mark with a Plan for how to shift things if Cedric struggles at Left Tackle.
Draft shows they are Satisfied with their O-line Plans, like it or not.
Having HEALTHY WEAPONS virtually everywhere now should take pressure off of the O-line.
The 2016 O-line was depleted of Healthy Weapons like Eifert, AJ, Gio which allowed Defenses to attack it more aggressively. Bring back Eifert, AJ & Gio plus Mixon and John Ross and the O-line may look much better even if it isn't.
This Bet the Bengals have made may just Pan Out well enough for 2017 to be a Good year if the O-line does develop and Weapons stay healthy to keep Defenses honest and on their heals.
they kinda had to hedge their bets on the #1 and #2 draft picks of 2015... to play to the level we expect them too... going into their year 3 we need to know if they can play or not. no way to learn that unless they are on the field.
Plus the OL help just wasn't there in this draft next year will be better for OL prospects.
and the teams that did invest into OL this draft early will probly be releasing vets with experience that we can use as depth
