05-14-2019, 11:49 AM
(05-13-2019, 12:49 PM)depthchart Wrote: The gist of what I was talking about has more to do with "Hole Filling" from year to year as seeming to be a priority.
Yes Fred, the Bengals started the Draft with 11 picks and ended with 10. (less volume)
Instead of splitting that hair, I'll say it splits in Fred's favor but let's get back to my gist.
Bengal fans seem used to the need to "Hole fill" and we tend to foresee a player departure like say Tyler Boyd leaving next season as opening a new hole to fill via next year's Draft.
The Steelers just had a Major Departure of Antonio Brown yet it did NOT trigger the Steelers to hold onto a 2nd & 3rd round pick to fill the holes of Brown/Bell/Shazier/another corner etc that seemed needing to be filled.
They decided to Target one Key piece by getting Devin Bush at the expense of losing a 2nd & 3rd round pick.
They gave up two High Quality picks to do so even though they could have used those high quality picks for more hole filling high quality volume.
Yes Fred, the Bengals have done this type of move in the past and the Gist of my Post was not that they never have done it.
My point is: Will the Bengals seemingly remain in what appears to be a perpetual need to fill holes mindset -or- will they get to a point soon where they become willing to target a KEY PIECE in a trade up early ? (like the Steelers did even after losing Antonio Brown to make a glaring new hole)
Would a glaring new hole opening up for the Bengals in 2020 just trigger a fear to trade up early in the 2020 Draft at the expense of high quality picks from the Fanbase itself ?
For example, The Bengals lose Tyler Boyd next season yet trade a 2nd and 3rd round pick for a trade up for a much needed Star caliber linebacker in 2020.
To me, there seemed to be a fearlessness in what the Steelers did.
If the Bengals would have traded away multiple picks including their second round to move up to get Bush, my guess is many fans and experts would have trashed it as a very risky trade. Yes, the Steeler's gave up a ton to get a starting LB they feel helps their defense regain form, but at what expense to the offense and replacing Brown?
My point is just because they made that move does not mean it pans out once we know a year or 2 from now how the guys they could have had perform. May be greatest trade in NFL history or could be a major dud. Again, if it were Bengals who did, would they be getting the media love? I say no.
I am so ready for 2024 season. I love pro football and hoping for a great Bengals year. Regardless, always remember it is a game and entertainment.