Kiper's Dec. 5 big board heavy at DT

[*Synric*]

(12-10-2024, 06:42 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: And that DT pool got a little shallower today when Corleone announced that he was returning to UC for another season.

Yea. That's a NT off the listI haven't watched him yet this year so I wonder if he had a down year.

[SunsetBengal]

(12-11-2024, 10:56 AM)Synric Wrote: Yea. That's a NT off the listI haven't watched him yet this year so I wonder if he had a down year.

Not sure about a down year, but maybe looking to boost himself to a 2nd round grade? The announcement went onto praise his love of the City of Cincinnati (hometown guy) and the culture at UC. (but they all say that stuff) 

The prospect ranking list that I saw yesterday had him a few points north or south of the 75 pick.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(12-07-2024, 07:03 PM)Synric Wrote: I was thinking Ravens replacing Kyle van Noy.




The Bengals are already a 3-4 defense. 

With 2 LBs and 2 DEs? No. Not even close. 

FA will determine what we do in the draft. We have some big decisions on FAs (Higgins, BJ Hill, Hilton, Gesicki) and there are some prome cut candidates out there we could save $$ on (Rankins, Stone, Hubbard, Cappa). 

In terms of draft, it looks like a 9-13 ish range. 

My philosophy in the draft changes from round to round. But I think focusing on some positions (QB, WR, OT, DE, CB, DT) early and excluding others (IOL, S, LB, RB, TE) is idiotic.

In round 1, get a player. A guy who can contribute at a starter level at his spot relatively soon. And I want football players not underwear warriors. Guys who have been productive AT THE SPOT YOU WANT THEM TO PLAY and fit the system. No raw, project, position switchers. We need help. Now. 

Lou likes true DEs not OLBs. Guys like Carter & Pearce are more OLBs. Those are my two favorite pass rushers. But it is schematically problematic. A light DE gets run at in our division. And playing 3 DTs is not a great option for us, we only have 1 that doesn't suck.  The others are questionable for a #10 pick (Williams is raw, Scourton a power guy, and Walker has issues on where he plays). I don't want to reach for need a make another Murphy mistake an an iffier/just OK DE prospect. Ditto at DT. I do not think Harmon, Grant, or D. Walker are top 10 worthy. If there is a HR guy at position you need, take 'em rather than reaching at a more valued position.

With only 2 real QB prospects out there, a good trade down is unlikely to be found. Assuming we sit tight at 10-12? 

There is no IOL worth taking in our range, and the surefire DT (Graham) will be gone. As will the 2 best CBs (Johnson & Hunter). 

My move would be to take Starks. Fix FS for a decade. He can man cover the slot/TEs as well. Cut Stone or move him to SS. I'd prefer taking Loveland or Warren at TE to reaching on the DL. 

[*Synric*]

(12-11-2024, 01:22 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: With 2 LBs and 2 DEs? No. Not even close. 

Bengals play mostly odd fronts which are 34 defensive alignments. They are also playing alot more 5 man fronts on early downs this season because of the loss of DJ Reader with a mix of 5 defensive linemen or Pratt at OLB. 

[*Synric*]

Twitter says what now? Don't get my hopes up...

Ohio State WR coach/co-OC Brian Hartline was interviewed for the West Virginia head coach job.

Hartline has been with Ohio State as a coach since 2017, and has produced the nation's best WR room during his time in Columbus.

Would be a big loss for Ohio State, if taken. pic.twitter.com/wcxsfSkPNj

— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) December 11, 2024

[*Synric*]

(12-11-2024, 04:16 PM)Synric Wrote: Twitter says what now? Don't get my hopes up...

Ohio State WR coach/co-OC Brian Hartline was interviewed for the West Virginia head coach job.

Hartline has been with Ohio State as a coach since 2017, and has produced the nation's best WR room during his time in Columbus.

Would be a big loss for Ohio State, if taken. pic.twitter.com/wcxsfSkPNj

— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) December 11, 2024

And hope has died sounds like it's going to be Rich Rodriguez again...

[*bfine32*]

(12-10-2024, 06:42 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: And that DT pool got a little shallower today when Corleone announced that he was returning to UC for another season.

Maybe he goes to UNC

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

FWIW, Kiper Big Board Top 25, just updated:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/insider/story/_/id/41109018/2025-nfl-draft-rankings-mel-kiper-big-board-top-prospects-players

DT (4):
#4: Graham, Michigan
#14: Harmon, Oregon
#15: Nolen, Ole Miss
#19: Grant, Michigan

DE (1):
#22: Scourton, Texas A&M

OLB (3):
#2: Carter, Penn State
#7: Williams, Georgia
#24: Pearce Jr., Tennessee

CB (2-3):
#5: Johnson, Michigan
-----Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado-----
#16: Revel, East Carolina

S (1):
#9: Starks, Georgia

IOL: None

ILB (2):
#13: Walker, Georgia
#20: Campbell, Alabama

TE (2):
#18: Warren, Penn State
#21: Loveland, Michigan

WR (3):
#1: Hunter Colorado (WR/CB)
#11: McMillan, Arizona
#23: Burden III, Missouri

OT (4):
#10: Banks, Texas
#12: Campbell, LSU
#17: Simmons, Ohio State
#25: Ersery, Minnesota

RB (1):
#6: Jeanty, Boise State

QB (2)
#3: Sanders, QB, Colorado
#8: Ward, Miami
----------------

We are currently 11th. If Tee is back, we are likely out on WRs. We obviously have no QB interest. OT & RB seem unlikely (but not impossible).

I. Tier 1: Take Immediately If There
1. Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
2. Carter, OLB, Penn State
3. Graham, DT, Michigan
4. Johnson, CB, Michigan
5. Starks, S, Georgia

II. Tier 2: Scheme/Needs *Probably* Means we pass:
6. Williams, OLB, Georgia
7. Jeanty, RB, Boise State
8. Banks, OT, Texas
9. Campbell, OT/G, LSU

III. Tier 3: Definite Pass, even if there
10. Sanders, QB, Colorado
11. Ward, QB, Miami
12. Burden III, Missouri

IV. Tier 4: The Best of What's Around
13. Walker, LB/Edge, Georgia
14. Harmon, DT/DE, Oregon
15. Grant, NT/DT, Michigan
16. Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
17. Revel, CB, East Carolina

V. Tier 5: Love the player, but would have addressed needier spots first, but I don't hate it.
18. Warren, TE, Penn State
19. Campbell, LB, Alabama
20. Loveland, TE, Michigan
---------------

VI. Tier 6: Don't hate the player, but that is a head scratcher:
21. Simmons, OT, Ohio State
--------------

Looks like DT/LB/CB/TE ate the most surefire positions where we could get immediate help. Revel is coming off serious injury.

Harmon and Walker give you some edge play. Those 2 or Grant would be my pick if no one drops. But I don't love any of them enough not to trade down to 18-20 if I get a sweet deal.

[Luvnit2]

I just don't get the love for Michigan TE Loveland, but I love the Penn State TE Warren.

I have a hunch we either win out or lose 1 game the rest of the season. If so, we will be drafting in the 17 to 19 range. I don't see safety Starks available for us.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(12-14-2024, 11:32 AM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I just don't get the love for Michigan TE Loveland, but I love the Penn State TE Warren.

I have a hunch we either win out or lose 1 game the rest of the season. If so, we will be drafting in the 17 to 19 range. I don't see safety Starks available for us.

19 is in the playoffs. But at 17, no. At 10-13? Absolutely. We are 11th atm and needed a weird blocked punt fumble recovery to beat a 5-8 Dallas team without their franchise QB. 

We have not beaten a team with a winning record all year. Winning in Pittsburgh would be a shocker if the Steelers don't rest guys. I think Denver should be favored to beat us. And when Winston entered, the Browns looked better than us as well. 2 wins, max, methinks. 

Anyway, I am gonna project on where we are now, not where we could be in 4 weeks.