01-20-2024, 06:34 PM
I haven't done a mock since November so before the Senior Bowl I wanted to get some more names out there.
1. JC Latham OT Alabama - I expect to make my way around all the RT in my mocks but Latham might be the best fit. Latham is a typical Alabama tackle at 6'6 360 and a huge wingspan. There is alot of elite level play from Latham but his foot speed can be challenged on the outside including having alot of false start penalties. At 360 he gets worn down late into games and will pay high loosing leverage and will get driven back. He played at 330lbs in 2022 and I would like to see him back down around that if he comes to Cincy.
2. Ja'Lynn Polk WR Washington - Everyone expected Jalen McMillan to be the #2 guy in Washington and really rise up the draft boards this year but Polk surprised everyone with his excellent routes good long speed and physicality in his routes that the scouts in Cincy love. He is up and down as a run blocker but as a WR thats common he does show the motor though which is exactly what the Bengals need at WR.
3. Mar'Keise Irving RB Oregon - Bucky is the most natural RB in this draft class. He has the vision and instincts that just finds the smallest creases in a defense. When he has the ball defenders struggle getting hands on him because he is smooth in space. He's a smaller RB at 5'9 195 so he is not an every down back and doesn't have 4.3 long speed you see from small guys. He does come from Oregon that runs almost the exact same system as the Bengals so he is used to running in a gap scheme.
4. McKinnley Jackson DT Texas A&M - Jackson is a nose tackle with a little range. He has a good first step that allows him to either attack OL as the 0t or penetrate as the 1t. He is also good at controlling double teams and allowing the 3t 1 on 1 matchups which is what you want out of a good nose. He reminds me alot of Pat Sims.
5. Braden Fiske DT Florida State - The Kingpin is relentless he makes me tired just watching him. He has good explosiveness and fast hands that never stop. He doesn't have alot of length and even though he has a good first step he doesn't time the snap well.
5. Tykee Smith SCB Georgia - Smith is listed as a S but he plays slot corner. He was the best slot corner in college football for WVU in 2020. He transferred to Georgia then had a knee injury. Since then he has returned the the slot and played great there on the big stage. He is to small to play Safety in the box and doesn't have the range to play at the 3rd level but he has found a home in the slot.
6. Beaux Limmer IOL Arkansas - If Limmer had been draft eligble last year we would have been talking about him on day 2. Since then the two guys he was playing between when he was a RG went to the NFL. He since moved to C and the team struggle with injuries and young players replacing veterans on the OL. Limmer has a ton of athleticism for the IOL and a good frame. He needs a year in an NFL weight room. Position versatile with a high ceiling.
7. Joe Milton QB Tenessee - Milton has all the tools to be a great QB but injuries have cost him experience and his lower body mechanics are terrible. If the Bengals can do for Milton what they did for Browning's fundamentals he could become at least a solid backup or a possible trade worthy QB. He is an older prospect though.
7. Michael Barrett LB Michigan - Barrett has been at Michigan a long time first playing special teams before earning Mike LB. He is a well coached instinctive linebacker that tackles well. He is small at 6'0 230ish and the testing will be average.
1. JC Latham OT Alabama - I expect to make my way around all the RT in my mocks but Latham might be the best fit. Latham is a typical Alabama tackle at 6'6 360 and a huge wingspan. There is alot of elite level play from Latham but his foot speed can be challenged on the outside including having alot of false start penalties. At 360 he gets worn down late into games and will pay high loosing leverage and will get driven back. He played at 330lbs in 2022 and I would like to see him back down around that if he comes to Cincy.
2. Ja'Lynn Polk WR Washington - Everyone expected Jalen McMillan to be the #2 guy in Washington and really rise up the draft boards this year but Polk surprised everyone with his excellent routes good long speed and physicality in his routes that the scouts in Cincy love. He is up and down as a run blocker but as a WR thats common he does show the motor though which is exactly what the Bengals need at WR.
3. Mar'Keise Irving RB Oregon - Bucky is the most natural RB in this draft class. He has the vision and instincts that just finds the smallest creases in a defense. When he has the ball defenders struggle getting hands on him because he is smooth in space. He's a smaller RB at 5'9 195 so he is not an every down back and doesn't have 4.3 long speed you see from small guys. He does come from Oregon that runs almost the exact same system as the Bengals so he is used to running in a gap scheme.
4. McKinnley Jackson DT Texas A&M - Jackson is a nose tackle with a little range. He has a good first step that allows him to either attack OL as the 0t or penetrate as the 1t. He is also good at controlling double teams and allowing the 3t 1 on 1 matchups which is what you want out of a good nose. He reminds me alot of Pat Sims.
5. Braden Fiske DT Florida State - The Kingpin is relentless he makes me tired just watching him. He has good explosiveness and fast hands that never stop. He doesn't have alot of length and even though he has a good first step he doesn't time the snap well.
5. Tykee Smith SCB Georgia - Smith is listed as a S but he plays slot corner. He was the best slot corner in college football for WVU in 2020. He transferred to Georgia then had a knee injury. Since then he has returned the the slot and played great there on the big stage. He is to small to play Safety in the box and doesn't have the range to play at the 3rd level but he has found a home in the slot.
6. Beaux Limmer IOL Arkansas - If Limmer had been draft eligble last year we would have been talking about him on day 2. Since then the two guys he was playing between when he was a RG went to the NFL. He since moved to C and the team struggle with injuries and young players replacing veterans on the OL. Limmer has a ton of athleticism for the IOL and a good frame. He needs a year in an NFL weight room. Position versatile with a high ceiling.
7. Joe Milton QB Tenessee - Milton has all the tools to be a great QB but injuries have cost him experience and his lower body mechanics are terrible. If the Bengals can do for Milton what they did for Browning's fundamentals he could become at least a solid backup or a possible trade worthy QB. He is an older prospect though.
7. Michael Barrett LB Michigan - Barrett has been at Michigan a long time first playing special teams before earning Mike LB. He is a well coached instinctive linebacker that tackles well. He is small at 6'0 230ish and the testing will be average.