I Really Like this Sim

[OSUfan]

 This simulation may not be as exciting as some may like but I believe that it really hits well with the make up of the Bengals current roster meaning that it makes real improvement in key positions of need while doing it with high value in where the selection was made. I feel that an outcome close to this really sets the Bengals up well for the '24 season as well as beyond.


The Draft:
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[FormerlyBengalRugby]

(04-21-2024, 10:00 AM)OSUfan Wrote:  This simulation may not be as exciting as some may like but I believe that it really hits well with the make up of the Bengals current roster meaning that it makes real improvement in key positions of need while doing it with high value in where the selection was made. I feel that an outcome close to this really sets the Bengals up well for the '24 season as well as beyond.


The Draft:

The Bengals would have no issues putting up points if the o-line holds!

[OSUfan]

1 - 18:
Brock Bowers - TE - Georgia - 6'3" 243


Murphy was off the board so the Bengals go with the BPA. It is hard to argue the selection of Bowers and I am not a fan of taking a TE in the first. However, Bowers is a special talent who coupled with Gesicki could make for a formidable duo for this offense. Bowers instantly fills the void this offense had with the loss of Tyler Boyd and creates a serious mismatch for defenses to consider. Bowers has elite talent as a route runner, receiver, and creating yards after the catch. Most surprising of all with his stature is his graded win rate in blocking where he was near the top of the college ranks. Bowers will more than likely push Sample off of the roster unless they value his blocking ability which would then unfortunately push Hudson off of the roster.

2 - 49:
Xavier Legette - WR - S. Carolina - 6'1" 221


Legette is built like a running back but brings elite speed and physicality to the WR position. He needs to continue to improve his ability as a route runner but he wins with outstanding body control and elite physicality. His strength allows him to consistently win in contested catch situations and when in the open field wins with elite speed. By reports he is an extremely coachable young man who has much room to grow as a receiver. Legette is also an experienced returner. Another talented WR that will do more than make the roster but will provide for a deep threat for a defense to contain whenever he is on the field. A year to acclimate should serve this offense well with the expected loss of Higgins after the '24 season.

3 - 80:
Ruke Orhorhoro - DT - Clemson - 6'4" 294


The Bengals missed out on Murphy II in the first round but the land a true riser at the DT position in Orhorhoro. This kid is only scratching the surface of how good he can be. He did not play football until his junior year of high school so to be at the level he already is is quite the feat. He plays with excellent explosion and leverage and creates tremendous power off of the snap. Plays with violent hands and a nasty disposition which coaches should love. Looks to impose his will on every snap. Needs to continue to polish his game but working with a pro such as Sheldon Rankins is huge benefit for this young man. Orhorhoro has a frame that could carry much more mass without losing his explosion and athleticism.

3 - 97:
Kiran Amegadjie - OT - Yale - 6'5" 323

The Bengals benefit from a seriously top heavy draft at the OT position. While Kiran is coming from the Ivy League he put together the tape you expect for a superior talent at that level. When you watch his tape it appears that his play is effortless and he dominates his competition. Kiran brings elite length and power to the position. Having a season to acclimate to the NFL game should serve him well as he prepares to take over the RT position after the '24 season. He has some technique issues to clean up but being a student at Yale should make it clear that he has the aptitude needed to learn proper hand placement and so forth. Kiran likely displaces D'ante Smith from the roster.


4 - 115:
Khyree Jackson - CB - Oregon - 6'4" 194


Jackson brings a different body type and set of skills to the CB room than the Bengals have at this time. He has elite size and length and plays physical football and is like a safety in run support and blitzing. The Bengals notoriously have trouble covering TEs and I see Jackson as a player that could lockdown opposing TEs. As with players of his size he is not as smooth as some smaller corners so refining his technique will be important for him but with the size and skills he has a DC like Lou will find ways to make him a defensive weapon. Will be a good addition to a CB room that is in need of depth with the loss of Awuzie and the uncertainty of when Ivey will be available.

5 - 149:
Isaiah Adams - OL - Illinois - 6'4" 315


Unfortunately, many will grade Adams by his play at a tackle rather than going back to the '22 tape and seeing a player with the ability to be a dominant OG at the NFL level. As a guard Adams displayed natural power and a nasty blocking demeanor that the interior of the Bengals line at times seems to be missing. Adams brings great size and very good length to the position and should be an instant depth upgrade for the Bengals. Adams should easily displace Kirkland from the roster who does not play with the athleticism or strength needed on the outside in the NFL nor the leverage needed to play inside. 

6 - 194:
Hunter Nourzad - C/G - Penn State - 6'3" 317


The Bengals need to be planning for the future at the C position as Karras is a free agent after the '24 season and Hill has not displayed the ability to take over the role as the starter. Nourzad looks to be a guy that could fill that void. Hunter played against some very physical interior defensive lines on a regular basis and performed at a high level in doing so. There are evaluators that grade Nourzad as an early starter in the NFL. Having a season to work on his technique and to continue to build on his already good play strength should serve him well. He provides multi position depth for '24 as he played RT for Cornell and LG for PSU in '22. I see Nourzad replacing Hill on the 53 for the '24 season.

6 - 214:
Rasheen Ali - RB - Marshall - 5'11' 206


Ali is one of the more under the radar prospects at the RB position in this draft. Ali has been a TD producer for the Herd and brings excellent speed and pass receiving ability to the position. Ali did not run the 40 in the pre draft events but has been reported to have run a 4.4 but he is a member of the Marshall track team where he registered a 6.98 in the 60 meters which is indicative of his long speed ability. What Ali really brings to the field is his ability on third down to pass protect where he does not shy away from picking up blitzers or free rushers. Ali has shown the ability to set up and use his blockers. Ali looks to be an upgrade over Evans on the Bengals roster.

7 - 224:
Deantre Prince - CB - Ole Miss - 6'0" 183


Prince brings good size, speed, and experience to the CB room. Prince routinely played against some some of the best receivers in college football as a 3 year starter at Ole Miss. He is experienced in both man press and off coverage. While he is not a big corner he is active in run support and does not shy away from contact as a tackler. Needs to continue to improve his technique in press coverage where he tends to give too much space which could be due to the amount of off coverage that the Ole Miss defense employs. However, has shown the athletic ability to be a far better press corner with some technique improvement.

7 - 237:
Fabien Lovett Sr. - DT - Fla. State - 6'4" 317


Lovett is a player that just needs to recognize his ability and translate it to the field. He plays with good power and technique to take on and defeat double teams but his stat production at FSU has been sort of pedestrian. He comes with extremely high character and according to coaching staffs looks to help the team however he can. I believe Lovett is a player that Marion Hobby would love to get his hands on to mold and turn into the player he should be. Lovett is a guy that could end up being a far better pro player than a college player. Lovett and Dominque Davis could make could make for an interesting young pair at NT for this defense.

[sandwedge]

Very good draft! I do like that it also addresses the future