03-21-2018, 12:01 PM
jj22 Wrote:We do, and we will get one early. Probably 2 given Brown is only signed for a year.
We all love Burfict, but we can't count on him. That's just what it is at this point.
I agree that this is likely the view. I've noticed that when you read through scouting reports there are a lot of guys in the top/middle that are raw WLB types that either haven't played as much or haven't showed the instincts. You take the best LB regardless of being NFL ready, but for those hoping for a rookie to get PT this still may not be the year. They like Vinny's versatility enough to not cut, will likely be stubborn to "make" Vigil work out and Jordan Evans should have a leg up on the types listed above.
On the surface, it's easy to look at the position and ask "how can they NOT take a rookie high?" Well, they still have the starting C, a lot of maybes at RT (surprised this isn't getting more attention in the forums), tend to take a DL early/will want to protect themselves from the stars leaving AND can be tempted by BPA otherwise. Though they should take a LB early, don't be shocked if they don't end up with a LB until that 4th round pick even. It seems like after the first 4 there is a significant gap but a lot of depth to the mid round guys. That could still play to their advantage to get some stability at LB.
Edmunds won't drop to 21, and Smith is likely a BPA that is gone by 21. If he's still around, I hope they did their homework on him. So this is what I could see. I HATE mocking positions (we need a DT in the 1st, RB in the 2nd, etc...) but going off of history and the depth of the class, right now it could seriously go:
1. Tackle McGlinchey/C.Williams/B.O'Neill/K.Miller
It really depends on how they have them ranked. I understand that we're hearing more about drafting a center early (since they let Bodine walk) but historically they give priority to this high dollar position. Safe money may be center and going with those maybes at RT (Fisher in the lead) but if they really like a kid here I think they'll take him. McGlinchey would be a blessing that could help set the whole line. He's very NFL ready and would allow Fisher to be a super sub. The other three are ALL OVER the place on most scouting sites, so it's possible for the Bengals to value the group similarly and put them
2. C Price/Ragnow
One of the centers are likely off the board by Cincy's 2nd, and a big domino on Cincy's board could be Ragnow. If they like him enough to qualify him for the pick (is he truly a BPA at a position of need?), then they could feel more secure about not reaching for a similar talent in the 1st. I think Joseph gets taken, but if his well rounded game or Price's mauling style makes their heart melt then Cincy takes them in the 1st. I'm going to mock that Price is the pick with Ragnow as a fallback. If they go with a different position, they're then looking at moving a prospect or more likely a current player (Westerman). Worst case, they'll get a guy like Joe Looney (C/G & a Pollack guy) after the draft.
Then if you look at the guys available in the 3rd, look at the board mocks. There is A LOT of variety here, so maybe Cincy's board is broad as well. You'll notice that there are A LOT of DE and DE/UT types that could easily be drafted to replace MJ and that they may need to lean on if that thing happens that we don't want to talk about.
So in conclusion, if I had to wager when the Bengals will actually take a LB it may be that comp 3rd (maybe even the 4th) where they take their favorite of like ranked players. You may not land your every down LB here, but the rarity of that type of LB may be what is promoting prospects like Vander Esch and Evans. So even if they have to take a situational guy like Fred Warner, they've already shown a change in philosophy with Carl Lawson's PT. No longer will they look and say we already have a nickle LB type in Jordan Evans, but embrace that competition and depth is a good thing even when it comes to perceived situational guys. There is actually so much depth that they could end up with a WLB to develop and a versatile LB with one of the 5th round picks.
