Rerun of PFF Pre combine & Free Agency Simulation

[OSUfan]

Round 1 - 28th Overall Selection



Anton Harrison - OT - Oklahoma - 6'5" 315

Yep, the Bengals picked up the 5th year option on Jonah Williams and yes he has a guaranteed almost 13 mil salary for 2023. That does not mean he has to start at LT and that also does not mean you do not draft to look beyond 2023 when it comes to protecting the blind side of the franchise. Across the board Harrison is considered to be within the top 4 OTs in the draft and his pass blocking has been referred to as elite and excellent. Harrison should be given every chance to start at LT in 2023 and Williams given the chance to compete at RT with Collins and Carman or work inside at guard. Burrow is the future and you take every opportunity available to protect that future.

Round 2 - 60th Overall Selection



Joe Tippmann - C - Wisconsin - 6'6" 317

While listed as a C Tippman is a guy that could play any of the five positions on the offensive line. He went to Wisconsin after playing OT in high school and moved to the C position for Wisconsin out of necessity and excelled at the position. He is lauded by his peers and coaches due to his abilities, leadership, and football IQ. Much like the Bengals did with Whitworth, Tippman could see the field at virtually any O line position to put the best 5 linemen on the field. The knock on him at C is his size and the concern of playing with and maintaining leverage. Tippman could very well be the RT of the future for this franchise. At any rate games are won in the trenches and this kid is one of the best OL prospects in the draft.

Round 3 - 92nd Overall Selection



Clark Phillips III - CB - Utah - 5'10" 185

He is not the biggest corner in the draft but you would not know that thru his play. Phillips plays much bigger than his listed size and has elite level ball skills. Versatile in position alignment and has excellent man cover abilities. Has drawn comparison to Mike Hilton because of his play style and the attitude with which he plays. While slot may end up his NFL niche he has the ability to play boundary as well. Has proven to be a playmaker on the field.

Round 4 - 131st Overall Selection



Kyu Blu Kelly - CB - Stanford - 6'1" 193

You cannot have too many high level corners in the NFL and the league continues to become more and more of a passing league. Kelly comes from NFL lineage, father played DB for 11 years, and brings good size, length, and speed to the position. He excels in press coverage and has shown high level ball skills. Kelly will need to continue to develop when it comes to playing off coverage and will need to temper his tendency to gamble in coverage. However, concerns aside Kelly brings a very high upside to the position.

Round 5 - 165th Overall Selection



Josh Whyle - TE - UC - 6'6" 250

A legit weapon to threaten the seams of a defense with outstanding hands and ball skills. Attacks the football and uses his size extremely well to shield defenders from the ball and has show the ability to make the tough catch. While blocking is not the strength of his game it is not a weakness as well. Whyle has worked hard at UC to add mass and strength and wants to be a good blocker and his development in this area has shown. He will need to continue to work in this area but there is no reason to be concerned that he will not continue to develop. I would love to see the Bengals bring Hurst back as he would be an incredible mentor for Whyle. Being a local product is just a bonus.

Round 6 - 206th Overall Selection



Habakkuk Baldonado - DE - Pitt - 6'5" 260

Raw is probably a good way to describe Baldonado as he only played a single year of high school football in the United States, however when you watch him on the field his abilities jump off of the screen. A naturally gifted player that could be an elite DE with NFL coaching. Already has shown the ability to set the edge of the defense in the running game as well as some natural ability at rushing the passer. Will certainly need to develop a bigger arsenal of pass rushing moves at the NFL level but if he reaches near his ceiling he will be an outstanding rusher. Having Hendrickson and Hubbard to mentor the kid is not going to hurt either.

Round 7 - 248th Overall Selection



Hunter Luepke - FB/RB - N.D. State - 6'1" 236

A Swiss Army knife on offense. This kid did a bit of everything for the Bison offense. When I watch this kid play I immediately think of Mike Alstott. This kid has great feet and vision and runs with pure physicality. Can catch the ball out of the backfield and is an outstanding lead blocker. While he is a huge back he has very good speed for his size and when he gets in the open field, which he has shown the ability to do, he is a load to bring down. Hunter brings the versatility to play FB, RB, H-back, and I believe in a pinch could line up at TE with his blocking and receiving abilities. An asset in the passing game as a receiver as well as picking up the blitz in protection. Could be an interesting piece to be added to this already explosive offense.


Disclaimer: I would have liked to have added a DT and LB in this draft but just did not find true value with what was available with our selections.