Latest from Hobson

[3wt]

(02-20-2018, 02:55 PM)ochocincos Wrote: According to the article itself, the Bengals (or at least Hobson) didn't consider Hooker an elite safety.
"And that’s part of the conversation about any trade down. Can you get a similarly ranked guy later? That was an internal debate last year. The elite pass rushers (Myles Garrett and Solomon Thomas) were long gone. So was the elite running back (Leonard Fournette) and elite safety (Jamal Adams) as they went to make the ninth pick. One school of thought was approach Kansas City at 10 or Houston at 12 in their efforts to trade up to get QBs, slide into the 20s, and take a pass rusher like Missouri defensive end Charles Harris or UCLA outside linebacker Takkarist McKinley.

But Washington wide receiver John Ross had an elite top ten trait. A combine-record 4.22-second 40-yard dash. Tough to pass up. Especially when speed across from A.J. Green is a glaring absence. The way this thing is breaking this year, it may be a lot tougher getting out of 12, especially if the top four QBs are gone by ten. But, if one of them is there at No. 12 and somebody wants him, he’ll probably be more valuable to the Bengals in a trade than taking him."

Who are considered the "elite" non-QB players this year?
Bradley Chubb
Saquon Barkley
Quenton Nelson
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Derwin James I think has elite potential but there are question marks based on his (lack of) college production. If James can run a sub-4.4 40, I think though that might get the Bengals to reconsider.
Same with Tremaine Edmunds but sub-4.5.
Roquan Smith also might not be considered if the Bengals didn't consider Foster in that elite group last year. But he has elite production in college and has better coverage ability than Foster had coming out of college.
I don't see Vea or Payne in that elite tier for the Bengals either given their lack of college career pass rush production (on paper at least). Plus, the Bengals didn't apparently think Jonathan Allen was in that elite category of pass rusher like Thomas or Garrett, and Allen was a better pass rusher than both Vea and Payne.

So if I were a betting man, I'd bank on one of the above four "elite" players, draft a position of need, or hopefully trade back.

This is a nice summary of what happened and what we can be expected to do base on history.

A few additional thoughts: 

Rumor has it that Lewis wanted Foster and was outvoted.   The Bengals rarely draft a DT high in the first round, but they might have considered Allen except for his injury issues.   And coincidence or not Allen was injured in the course of the season.

They might consider James if he is rated high enough.  I think if Roquan Smith is there at 12 they will jump on him.   I think that may be who Marvin is hoping will be there.  If he wanted Foster that much I think he'd be very interested in Smith - not that they're that similar, but because he 1) wants an elite LB on the field with Burfict and 2) Wants  a LB who can cover and has the lateral speed to hold the edge from the defensive backfield.  Smith is quick enough to react to guys like Bell making sudden changes in direction and leaving our defense in the dust.   James would be desirable for some of the same reasons.  He needs more playmakers in the defense.

I don't see them taking Barkley or Nelson if they are there - which I highly doubt they will be.  And there are a lot of questions about all the other top O linemen - enough that it could result in us waiting till the 2nd or 3rd round to address.

I could see them taking either Fizpatrick or Ward.   When you think of it the only top notch guy we have is Jackson.  Dennard is the next most well rounded corner with a number of strengths.  Kirkpatric is really good on long ball routes, but is really limited in quick changes of direction, lateral speed and is the worst tackler on the team.  

I doubt Fitzpatrick is there but Ward may be.  He's lightning fast, a tough press corner and a good tackler.  

I've gone to babbling.   But I think the Bengals go with D in the first round.  If they do I hope Smith is there...