(10-06-2017, 01:51 AM)BengalChris Wrote: I'm not calling Ross a bust. I am saying that the team reached, when there were more talented players there. I would not have taken an OT with the #9 pick either.
But, if we look back over the past couple of years there were centers available. We've needed more talent at center for years.
Imagine how Titans or Chargers fans feel taking Mike Williams and Corey Davis ahead of the Bengals.
And if the Bengals took Marshon Lattimore, Bengals fans would lose their sh*t because yet another CB.
Derek Barnett has had 5 total tackles. He wouldn't have been a good option either. The DEs the Bengals got in rounds 3 and 4 have been as good or better than Barnett so far.
Jonathan Allen has had just 1 sack and is playing as a DE in a 3-4. There were always questions where he would play in a 4-3. Most assumed DT, but that would have likely been just as a nickel DT. If he had been taken as a potential nickel DT and eventual replacement for Geno in 2019, some fans would have been irate that the Bengals didn't go for a more play-now player.
Malik Hooker has been playing well, but we all knew that the Bengals wouldn't have started Hooker over Iloka and Williams (even if it would have been a good idea). Hooker would have been riding the bench and playing just sparingly.
Reuben Foster hasn't done much either, only playing 1 game and only having 3 tackles and 1 PBU. And the Bengals likely weren't considering him as high after signing Minter in FA before the draft.
OJ Howard has 4 rec for 92 yards and 1 TD in 4 games. He's playing second fiddle to Cameron Brate as a receiving option. However, most fans expected Eifert to miss some games this year and felt Howard would have been an ideal candidate to replace Eifert in the long term too.
If I'm looking at hindsight to what players the Bengals would have considered around this pick, Hooker would probably have been the favorite if the Bengals would have considered adding a safety that early. Howard probably the second option, as you'd think he would have the quickest opportunity to start and make an impact on this Bengals team given Eifert's constant health concerns.
Zac Taylor 2019-2020: 6 total wins
Zac Taylor 2021-2022: Double-digit wins each season, plus 5 postseason wins
Zac Taylor 2023: 9 wins despite losing Burrow half the season
Zac Taylor 2024: Started 1-4. If he can turn this into a playoff appearance, it will be impressive.
Sorry for Party Rocking!