Who is "your guy"?

[*SHRacerX*]

(04-12-2020, 11:20 PM)BobJones4980 Wrote: Don't doubt that but they have a ton of guys ranked right in that area it seems so you never know, honestly not a must have for us anyway. 

It would be nice to get a top WR for Burrow considering everyone not named Tyler Boyd has trouble staying healthy but if we can get equal or better value at LB or OL in round 2-3 then Id go that route and start looking at WR's in 4.

I have a fear that they think the Oline is fine though and the first 3 rounds may consist of QB,WR, and LB. I think they made it clear LB is a need this offseason when they went after a couple of the top guys. I could see us passing on some OL prospects unless they fall in love with an OG. Hope Not.

I get it, man.  But I think I am with the Bengals on this one...unless there is a Quentin Nelson-type that falls to Rd 2; an absolute plug and play RG (or a RT for that matter) that slides to them, I don't see the Bengals going outside the QB, and then LB/WR (in Rd 2), and then maybe my guy in Rd 3 if they get the WR in Rd 2.  I believe there is a pretty big drop off at LB once you get past Queen, Murray, and Baun in Rd 2 and I hope they don't reach in Rd 3.

Blah, now after all that babbling, to your point about why the line won't likely be addressed before Rd 4.  Take it position by position:

LT-  Jonah Williams represents a MASSIVE upgrade over starting LT last year.  Glenn was injured and the Bengals started Andre Smith and played some John Jerry at LT.  The perfect storm.  I don't care if Williams has not played a down in the NFL.  He was a consensus first round pick vs. two scrap heap guys at the most important position on the line.  

LG-  I was surprised they started Michael Jordan as a 4th round rookie, but Boling's retirement prompted them to give the guy trial by fire.  He faired poorly before being injured, but so did the entire line.  Once the coaches changed their scheme, and he came back healthy, he actually graded out very well.  Year two should at the very least be an upgrade over starting him as a rookie in a failing scheme.

C- Hopkins started out really well and faded down the stretch.  I take that with a grain of salt as he was playing with a MASH unit around him at times.  Once this line gets a little time together...they will only improve.  People forget that the line was different in every spot but one last year at the onset.

RG- I admittedly don't know as much about XSF, but I liked what I heard from Coach Taylor in the interviews last week:  He is a big, strong guy with great mobility, that they felt performed VERY well off the bench against some of the top talent in the league (when he played).  He is clearly a better fit for what they want to do than John Miller was last year.  I won't call it an upgrade until we see him play more, but we knew what we had in Miller, and it was just average at best.  

RT- Everyone's favorite punching bag.  Heck, even Fred made a post documenting his improvements from year 1 to year 2 with the Bengals.  He cut down on penalties and sacks allowed.  The guy is STILL just 25 years old.  And here is the kicker:  If he doesn't take the next steps to be at least an above average RT, Fred Johnson will likely be the starting RT and Hart could be relegated to backup or even released if they draft someone they like.  Johnson performed admirably in his start at LT and that can't be easy coming off the scrap heap to execute.  Either way, the needle is pointing up at RT.

That's all five positions on the offensive line.  The Bengals didn't have any talent retire (Cowboys) or lose key talent to FA.  They improved essentially every spot.  Plus, they have a QB with great pocket awareness and mobility.  I think the needs at WR and LB far outweigh that of our offensive line right now.  Does that mean I still don't want Damien Lewis in Rd 4?  Hell, no.  Improve spots if you can and get quality depth.  Look for an OT to develop, too, in the later rounds.  But our team improves more with WR and LB drafted over the offensive line.