A Clear Path Forward - 2019-2020

[*SHRacerX*]

(10-10-2019, 01:31 PM)Okeana Wrote: This is a quick first glance summary of some of the moves I would like to see in 2019 heading into 2020.  No need to respond with the typical " This will never happen " or "Not with Mike Brown" responses.  We all know the situation, but let's discuss a clear path moving forward.

Coaching - Because I don't know the coaching situation heading into next year or the year after I tried to acquire scheme diverse players.  Drafting has been a real issue and continues to be after what should be considered a pretty terrible 2019 draft.  Regardless if its the coaching staff or the higher-ups these issues need to be fixed if the team has any future.  If Taylor remains coach after this year I cannot see the coordinators staying on board because someone's head has to roll.

Trades

Geno Atkins - Seattle - 1st round pick - Seattle has a legit chance to make the Superbowl this year and they have a pretty stout defensive line.  Atkins would give them the inside pressure they need.

AJ Green - Saints - 1st round pick -  With Drew brees coming back and a possible run still on the horizon this is a perfect landing spot and would net the Bengals their best chance to get a higher 1st round pick.  Buffalo and NE also strong contenders

Dre Kirkpatrick - likely 2nd round pick possible first - Many playoff-caliber teams need another CB and Kirkpatrick could garner us some value.  Likely landing spots would be the 49rs, Bears, Bucs, chiefs, cowboys, and many more.

Best Trade Value-  
Green( Buffalo ) Estimated value 1st - 22nd pick overall / 4th or 5th round kicker ( fleecing to keep away from NE )
Atkins( Seattle ) Est Value 1st - 27th pick overall
Kirkpatrick ( KC ) Est value 1st - 31st pick overall is possible however most likely your talking a 2nd or 3rd round pick for kirkpatrick, but always hoping for the best value.

all these teams have a chance at Superbowl and cap space to cover the players
* Carlos Dunlap could also be a trade value target if its full rebuild

Free Agents -

Resign

Andrew Billings - 15 mil - 3 years
Trey Hopkins - 12 mil - 3 years

Cap Space after cuts/trades/resign - $89,939,405

Corey Littleton  - LB - 5 year $55,000,000  
Rams have a lot of needs coming out of the 2019 season and very little cap space.  He would be a great fit to replace preston brown as MLB and fall into line with the new age of Linebackers being great in coverage and ability to force fumbles.  

Neville Hewitt - LB - 2 year - $14,000,000 with incentives - So far he's a one year star if he continues to play at this level.  Bring him in on a 1 - 2-year deal to play at WILL and rush the QB.

Jadeveon Clowney - EDGE - 6 years $132,000,000 -  Clowney is about that money and the Bengals need a guy with tread on the tires that can play out his contract.  Would he come to Cincinnati only time will tell, but this would be a move to sell tickets.

*After These 3 Acquisitions the team would have 65 Million in cap left to sign aging players, stopgaps, draft picks, and backups.  Obvious points of need are safeties, Vet QB stopgap, guard.

** A lot of the guaranteed money can be paid upfront over the next couple of years considering we won't have a QB on the roster with a huge contract.


Draft Picks
1st round - # 3 , 22, 27, 31
2nd round - #35
3rd round - # 67
4th round - # 99 , 118
5rd- 7th rd - standard

Draft predictions
1st overall - MIA - Tua Tagovailoa - QB BAMA - Miami Tanks into Tua and his consistency leads to the pick

2nd overall  WASH > IND - Joe Burrow QB LSU - Indy has the draft capital to move u and Washington needs picks,  Indy secures the QB of the future.

3rd overall CIN - Andrew Thomas OT Georgia - Projects to be an All-Pro LT and best Offensive lineman in the class, Jonah Williams will kick inside LG with the ability to play LT if Thomas gets hurt.  Not a lot of teams need QB in this class and we can find guys later in the draft if they fall to us.  We Trade a 5th round pick in 2021 to Miami to get Fitzmagic for a year stop gap to develop young QB's.

22nd Overall - Isiah Simmons - LB - Clemson - Time to secure a LB for the future with a guy who is a special player that fits in any scheme you want.  Put him at SAM for now and see how he develops.  

27th Overall - Javon Kinlaw - DT - South Carolina - Rising Star 3 Tech who comes in to possibly replace Atkins.  Great size and speed with strong interior moves.  This guy could end up in the top 10 discussions by end of season so don't get your hopes up.

31st Overall - Jeffery Okudah - CB - OSU - Deep Class of CB's and Okudah is one of the top guys, Could see him being an upgrade to kirkpatrick day one.  Five games into the season he already has 17 tackles, 1 FF, and 3 Interceptions.

35th Overall - Lucas Niang - OT - TCU  - 6'6" and 340 this guy has the potential to be a world-class RT.  This is a pretty deep class of offensive lineman so who knows where he will end up, but his star is rising fast.

67th overall - Jalen Hurts - QB - OKLAHOMA - I finally drafted a QB and this guy has all the potential to be a starter in the NFL which is great value in the 3rd round.  Could possibly trade back into the 2nd round to get him if our scouts love him.  Oklahoma is producing QB's and while he's obviously not the best if he continues to improve he is a guy we can work with.  


**not far enough into the scouting process or college season to go past 3rd round and all these picks are subject to change as the season continues

Love the creativity and extensive thought put in to this process.  I am with you 100% with a couple exceptions:  

I don't think Geno brings a first round pick, or anything close to that...maybe a late 2nd rounder if we are lucky.  Not sure I make that move.  But for a DE like Dunlap I would take a 2nd rounder as he will be easier to replace.  I already like what we have in Hubbard and he could become the LDE of the future with Lawson rotating at RDE with the likes of Andrew Brown.

Lastly, I don't like the idea of wasting Jonah Williams as a LG.  He should be our LT of the future, and the Bengals could draft more defensive help while getting a RT in Rd 2 or 3.  I might consider drafting a G prospect in Rd 2 as well if there is one that grades out higher than a RT.  I think Michael Jordan can be a very good LG, but needs another year of strength training and development.  Not having a solid LT next to him has hurt him as well.  

If the Bengals really want to upgrade the team from the inside out, they would consider trading Ross rather than re-signing him after his rookie deal.  I think he has flashed enough that a team like NE might offer their late first rounder.  Or KC.  I don't see anyone offering that for Green.  I know Ross has had his health issues as well, but he is at a different point in his career compared to AJ.  

I am just hoping some parts of this overhaul happen and the team becomes interesting again.