03-16-2023, 09:40 PM
The moves the Bengals have made in free agency have set them up perfectly entering this draft. They can really do whatever they want and the surgical use of free agency puts them in a position to move around in the draft for target selections. Brown has secured the LT position and Pollack has stated pretty much that Williams will be the RT since LC is still in recovery and will not be ready to start the season. Given the Bengals current situation I used the capital they have in this draft to move around and get players that can make an immediate impact and/or provide needed depth.
RD. 1 - 28th Overall
Pre Orlando I would have stayed put and drafted Darnell Wright to lock up the RT position. This is no longer necessary so the Bengals traded with Arizona sending them 1-28 & 5-163 for 2-34 & 3-66.
RD. 2 - 34th Overall
I was eyeing a single target that I had available with this selection. However, the Rams offered me a trade and I made a calculate risk that I could make this trade and still land the targeted player. The Bengals send 2-34 to the Rams for 2-36, 3-77, & 5-167.
RD. 2 - 36th Overall
Darnell Washington - TE - Georgia - 6'7" 264
The Bengals work the draft and still get the freak game changing TE that they wanted. Washington takes this offense to the next level with his dominance as a blocker and the absolute mismatches he creates in the passing game. He size, speed, and length for the position are in the elite category. Most linebackers will not have the speed to cover him and corners will not have the size to cover him. The addition of Washington opens so many options for this already explosive offense and provides a receiving threat that literally Joe can just throw it up to. This will make this offense extremely scary!
RD. 2 - 60th Overall
Joe Tippmann - C - Wisconsin - 6'6" 313
Many evaluators refer to Tippmann as possibly the most versatile lineman in the draft and some declare that he could play all five positions. However, it is his elite football IQ, power, and athleticism that place Tippmann in the position to be the heir apparent to Karra at center. Karra will be 31 when his tenure with the Bengals ends in '24 so they will be set at center unless Tippmann should displace him prior to this time. Until this time Tippmann offer serious depth at most positions. The Bengals could have used a player such as this in '22.
RD. 3 - 66th Overall
Atlanta offered a trade for the 66th overall selection and making the trade put the Bengals in great position to land key targets later in the draft. The Bengals sent 3-66 to Atlanta for 3-75, 4-113, and '24 RD. 5 selection.
RD. 3 - 75th Overall
D.J. Turner II - CB - Michigan - 5'11" 178
Just like with Tippmann the Bengals add a great depth piece that comes with extremely high football IQ. While DJ is not the biggest or longest player at the corner position he brings elite speed, IQ, and technique to the position. Turner plays with virtually flawless technique and is consistently in the right place at the right time. He has displayed outstanding ball skills and is lauded by his teammates and coaches as being the ultimate competitor. The Bengals are fortunate for Turner to still be here at this point and it is because of a very deep corner class.
RD. 3 - 77th Overall
J.L. Skinner - S - Boise State - 6'4" 209
Who can forget the last safety the Bengals had from Boise State...George Iloka. Skinner comes with a high ceiling and brings outstanding size and length to the position and is a punisher to offensive players. Skinner has drawn comparison to Ronnie Harrison and that is pretty good company to be in. Skinner will need to clean up somethings such as head placement when hitting and taking better angles in coverage but he brings another really good athlete to the safety room.
Tyjae Spears - RB - Tulane - 5'10" 201
Adding Spears to this offense brings the dynamic playmaker capable of taking it to the house whenever he touches it that this offense has been missing in the backfield. Despite his stature Spears has no issue running between the tackles and routinely runs through arm tackles while bringing the speed to beat the quickest defenses to the edge. When Spears hits the open field is not going to be caught. Many may question his ability in pass protection but the coaching staff at the Senior Bowl stated the he stood out from others in blitz pickup drills. Spears as well has good hands out of the backfield and can turn screens into huge gains.
RD. 4 - 105th Overall
Karl Brooks - DT - Bowling Green - 6'3" 303
Could Brooks be the disruptive force in the middle that the Bengals have missed since Geno? Brooks is an explosive 3 technique with excellent get off speed. Just as Taylor and his staff like Brooks is a two time captain for Bowling Green and he comes with good experience having 48 starts for the Falcons. Like with most young players Brooks will need to continue to get stronger which should come with NFL strength training and he brings skill set that Marion Hobby should be able to hone.
RD. 4 - 113th Overall
Mike Morris - DE - Michigan - 6'5" 275
I don't care what the combine testing shows...Morris is a wrecking ball on defense. His film speaks far more than a 40 time and his film is absolutely impressive. Morris needs to work on playing with a consistent motor but being in a room with Hendrickson, Hubbard, and Ossai should certainly help in this department. Morris is naturally powerful and his rush repertoire is just beginning to grow. I feel like Morris comes with a really high upside.
RD. 6 - 206th Overall
Tre Tucker - WR - UC - 5'9" 182
While Tucker is not a big receiver he comes with excellent speed and the ability to separate getting in and out of breaks. Tucker is a threat to take the top off a defense whenever he is on the field. Even more than a receiver Tucker brings the ability to be the homerun returner that the Bengals have been missing for a long time.
RD. 7 - 246th Overall
Rejzohn Wright - CB - Oregon State - 6'2" 193
Wright falls down the boards with this being such a corner heavy class. Wright checks the boxes at size, speed, and length while being experienced playing in man and zone coverages. Wright has some technique issues that he needs to improve such as his tendency of being grabby but his strengths are such that I would be shocked if he is not on the 53 filling one of the final CB spots. At the worst he is a great development player to have on the PS, if you can get him there.
The 53 man roster is upcoming...
RD. 1 - 28th Overall
Pre Orlando I would have stayed put and drafted Darnell Wright to lock up the RT position. This is no longer necessary so the Bengals traded with Arizona sending them 1-28 & 5-163 for 2-34 & 3-66.
RD. 2 - 34th Overall
I was eyeing a single target that I had available with this selection. However, the Rams offered me a trade and I made a calculate risk that I could make this trade and still land the targeted player. The Bengals send 2-34 to the Rams for 2-36, 3-77, & 5-167.
RD. 2 - 36th Overall
Darnell Washington - TE - Georgia - 6'7" 264
The Bengals work the draft and still get the freak game changing TE that they wanted. Washington takes this offense to the next level with his dominance as a blocker and the absolute mismatches he creates in the passing game. He size, speed, and length for the position are in the elite category. Most linebackers will not have the speed to cover him and corners will not have the size to cover him. The addition of Washington opens so many options for this already explosive offense and provides a receiving threat that literally Joe can just throw it up to. This will make this offense extremely scary!
RD. 2 - 60th Overall
Joe Tippmann - C - Wisconsin - 6'6" 313
Many evaluators refer to Tippmann as possibly the most versatile lineman in the draft and some declare that he could play all five positions. However, it is his elite football IQ, power, and athleticism that place Tippmann in the position to be the heir apparent to Karra at center. Karra will be 31 when his tenure with the Bengals ends in '24 so they will be set at center unless Tippmann should displace him prior to this time. Until this time Tippmann offer serious depth at most positions. The Bengals could have used a player such as this in '22.
RD. 3 - 66th Overall
Atlanta offered a trade for the 66th overall selection and making the trade put the Bengals in great position to land key targets later in the draft. The Bengals sent 3-66 to Atlanta for 3-75, 4-113, and '24 RD. 5 selection.
RD. 3 - 75th Overall
D.J. Turner II - CB - Michigan - 5'11" 178
Just like with Tippmann the Bengals add a great depth piece that comes with extremely high football IQ. While DJ is not the biggest or longest player at the corner position he brings elite speed, IQ, and technique to the position. Turner plays with virtually flawless technique and is consistently in the right place at the right time. He has displayed outstanding ball skills and is lauded by his teammates and coaches as being the ultimate competitor. The Bengals are fortunate for Turner to still be here at this point and it is because of a very deep corner class.
RD. 3 - 77th Overall
J.L. Skinner - S - Boise State - 6'4" 209
Who can forget the last safety the Bengals had from Boise State...George Iloka. Skinner comes with a high ceiling and brings outstanding size and length to the position and is a punisher to offensive players. Skinner has drawn comparison to Ronnie Harrison and that is pretty good company to be in. Skinner will need to clean up somethings such as head placement when hitting and taking better angles in coverage but he brings another really good athlete to the safety room.
Tyjae Spears - RB - Tulane - 5'10" 201
Adding Spears to this offense brings the dynamic playmaker capable of taking it to the house whenever he touches it that this offense has been missing in the backfield. Despite his stature Spears has no issue running between the tackles and routinely runs through arm tackles while bringing the speed to beat the quickest defenses to the edge. When Spears hits the open field is not going to be caught. Many may question his ability in pass protection but the coaching staff at the Senior Bowl stated the he stood out from others in blitz pickup drills. Spears as well has good hands out of the backfield and can turn screens into huge gains.
RD. 4 - 105th Overall
Karl Brooks - DT - Bowling Green - 6'3" 303
Could Brooks be the disruptive force in the middle that the Bengals have missed since Geno? Brooks is an explosive 3 technique with excellent get off speed. Just as Taylor and his staff like Brooks is a two time captain for Bowling Green and he comes with good experience having 48 starts for the Falcons. Like with most young players Brooks will need to continue to get stronger which should come with NFL strength training and he brings skill set that Marion Hobby should be able to hone.
RD. 4 - 113th Overall
Mike Morris - DE - Michigan - 6'5" 275
I don't care what the combine testing shows...Morris is a wrecking ball on defense. His film speaks far more than a 40 time and his film is absolutely impressive. Morris needs to work on playing with a consistent motor but being in a room with Hendrickson, Hubbard, and Ossai should certainly help in this department. Morris is naturally powerful and his rush repertoire is just beginning to grow. I feel like Morris comes with a really high upside.
RD. 6 - 206th Overall
Tre Tucker - WR - UC - 5'9" 182
While Tucker is not a big receiver he comes with excellent speed and the ability to separate getting in and out of breaks. Tucker is a threat to take the top off a defense whenever he is on the field. Even more than a receiver Tucker brings the ability to be the homerun returner that the Bengals have been missing for a long time.
RD. 7 - 246th Overall
Rejzohn Wright - CB - Oregon State - 6'2" 193
Wright falls down the boards with this being such a corner heavy class. Wright checks the boxes at size, speed, and length while being experienced playing in man and zone coverages. Wright has some technique issues that he needs to improve such as his tendency of being grabby but his strengths are such that I would be shocked if he is not on the 53 filling one of the final CB spots. At the worst he is a great development player to have on the PS, if you can get him there.
The 53 man roster is upcoming...