SHRacerX Mock 11.0: How I think the Bengals do it

[Whatever]

(04-08-2020, 01:26 PM)Hammerstripes Wrote: Normally I would agree with you, but does anyone really know what the Bengals are doing this year?  They've been so "anti-Bengal" with their activity in free agency.

I think the defense is undergoing much more of a change than we actually realize.  I don't think we are loaded at safety.  I see couple guys that fit as "big nickel" type LBs in Bell and Williams and one guy that covers fairly well in Bates.  I wouldn't be the least bit shocked to see a guy like Winfield or Delpit at #33.

I also think we will be running more 3-4 type concepts.  I could see a bigger 5-T defensive end like Raekwon Davis or Epenesa at some point in the draft.

Thing is, if you're running a lot of big nickel out of a 3-4 base, adding both stack LB's and SS's is diminishing returns.  You pull a stack LB off the field when you go nickel, meaning you're usually only playing one stack LB if you're spending most of your time in big nickel.  This draft combined with our FA would have us adding 3 stack LB's and 2 SS's to spots where you would usually only have 1-2 of them on the field.  

DE could stand an upgrade, but they have lots of guys with the.traits to be a 5t.  Atkins, obviously, but they have Andrew Brown, Glasgow(if healthy), and Dunlap can play 5t or edge.  Wren has the traits to play NT or 5t.  Reader has also played some 5t, and I can see him there in some heavy sets with Tupou at NT.

I think big points people are missing are the Bengals were in trade talks for Hopkins and Trent Williams, as well as having interest in Jason Peters.  Those are big names at T and WR, indicating they see them as big needs.  Hard to see them punting to day 3 on both of those.