Compile your Bengals top 17 Big Board

[Luvnit2]

We have pick #17, put your list together in order who you would draft if available with pick 17. I have no QB's or true OT's on my list due to need.

Carter = Penn State DE/Edge
Travis Hunter = CB/WR
Mason Graham - DT Michigan
Will Johnson = CB Michigan
Mykel Williams - Edge Georgia
McMillion - WR Arizona (if we don't keep Tee)
Starks - S Georgia
Jeanty - RB Boise State
Warren - TE Penn State
Pearce - Edge Tennessee
Egbuka - WR Ohio State
Scourton - DE Texas A&M
Nolan - DT Ole Miss
Booker - Guard Alabama
Jackson - Guard Ohio State
Savaiinaea -Guard/OT
Harmon - DT Oregon

[puddycat]

Graham - DT Michigan, Hunter = CB/WR Colorado, Carter = DE Penn State DE, Johnson = CB Michigan, Pearce = DE Tennessee
Jeanty - RB Boise State, Starks - S Georgia, Nolan - DT Ole Miss, Green – DE Marshall, Revel CB Coastal Carolina
Warren - TE Penn State, Emmanwori S S. Carolina, Jackson - Guard Ohio State, Harmon - DT Oregon, Jalon Walker LB/DE Georgia
Morrison CB Notre Dame, McMillan – WR Arizona, Egbuka WR Ohio State

Clearly willing to trade down mid-list or below for team looking for a QB, OT, WR1.

[FormerlyBengalRugby]

(01-26-2025, 12:28 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: We have pick #17, put your list together in order who you would draft if available with pick 17. I have no QB's or true OT's on my list due to need.

Carter = Penn State DE/Edge
Travis Hunter = CB/WR
Mason Graham - DT Michigan
Will Johnson = CB Michigan
Mykel Williams - Edge Georgia
McMillion - WR Arizona (if we don't keep Tee)
Starks - S Georgia
Jeanty - RB Boise State
Warren - TE Penn State
Pearce - Edge Tennessee
Egbuka - WR Ohio State
Scourton - DE Texas A&M
Nolan - DT Ole Miss
Booker - Guard Alabama
Jackson - Guard Ohio State
Savaiinaea -Guard/OT
Harmon - DT Oregon

Good compilation for options at 17.

I lean towards Booker, Jackson, and Warren as favorites, assuming Tee is gone. If Tee is re-signed with the Bengals, I would replace Warren with edge threats, Pearce and Carter, in that order.

Bengals need to first address the trenches, I have high hope for Jenkins and think Jackson will be a nice rotational piece, before looking for more flash.

I think a sleeper might be the Bengals going after a pass rushing LB to play the "viper" role Golden utilized at ND who is not currently on the roster. Maybe some could argue it is Battle's role to lose, but Golden seems to look for more size at the position.

https://charlieschalkboard.substack.com/p/a-crash-course-in-al-goldens-system

The “viper” position is most closely connected to former Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown, who deployed linebacker/nickel/safety types in Jabrill Peppers and Josh Metellus at this hybrid position.

Golden borrowed from that at Notre Dame but put his own spin on it.

Similar to Michigan’s viper position, Golden’s viper was a do-it-all chess piece. He rushed the passer around the edge, dropped back in coverage and lined up in a lot of different players. But while Brown’s vipers were closer to defensive backs, Golden’s vipers were closer to defensive ends. They typically were about 6-foot-4 and around 250 pounds, and they were typically Golden’s most productive sack guys.

The viper was a part of Golden’s base defense, and the role highlighted the best athlete at the line of scrimmage.

“How dynamic would that be if we had that guy in our defense that can rush the passer on the first third down but on the next third down we’re in a different look and he’s moving around and we can blitz?” Golden said.

That was the idea.

The viper still did a fair share of dropping back in coverage, and viper Boubacar Traore had a pick six last season on a play where he simulated a pressure, dropped back and kept his eyes on the quarterback.

The size and speed of Golden’s vipers, “rovers” (another speciality position) and all of his defensive end/outside linebackers pops off the tape. In position battles, he seemed to prioritize those traits over experience.

Traore was Notre Dame’s best pass rusher before he got hurt, and he was a freshman. Bryce Young, who’s 6-foot-7, burst onto the scene during the second half of the season. Sophomore Jaylen Sneed also brought some impressive athleticism to the line of scrimmage.

[Luvnit2]

(01-26-2025, 05:54 PM)FormerlyBengalRugby Wrote: Good compilation for options at 17.

I lean towards Booker, Jackson, and Warren as favorites, assuming Tee is gone. If Tee is re-signed with the Bengals, I would replace Warren with edge threats, Pearce and Carter, in that order.

Bengals need to first address the trenches, I have high hope for Jenkins and think Jackson will be a nice rotational piece, before looking for more flash.

I think a sleeper might be the Bengals going after a pass rushing LB to play the "viper" role Golden utilized at ND who is not currently on the roster. Maybe some could argue it is Battle's role to lose, but Golden seems to look for more size at the position.

https://charlieschalkboard.substack.com/p/a-crash-course-in-al-goldens-system

The “viper” position is most closely connected to former Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown, who deployed linebacker/nickel/safety types in Jabrill Peppers and Josh Metellus at this hybrid position.

Golden borrowed from that at Notre Dame but put his own spin on it.

Similar to Michigan’s viper position, Golden’s viper was a do-it-all chess piece. He rushed the passer around the edge, dropped back in coverage and lined up in a lot of different players. But while Brown’s vipers were closer to defensive backs, Golden’s vipers were closer to defensive ends. They typically were about 6-foot-4 and around 250 pounds, and they were typically Golden’s most productive sack guys.

The viper was a part of Golden’s base defense, and the role highlighted the best athlete at the line of scrimmage.

“How dynamic would that be if we had that guy in our defense that can rush the passer on the first third down but on the next third down we’re in a different look and he’s moving around and we can blitz?” Golden said.

That was the idea.

The viper still did a fair share of dropping back in coverage, and viper Boubacar Traore had a pick six last season on a play where he simulated a pressure, dropped back and kept his eyes on the quarterback.

The size and speed of Golden’s vipers, “rovers” (another speciality position) and all of his defensive end/outside linebackers pops off the tape. In position battles, he seemed to prioritize those traits over experience.

Traore was Notre Dame’s best pass rusher before he got hurt, and he was a freshman. Bryce Young, who’s 6-foot-7, burst onto the scene during the second half of the season. Sophomore Jaylen Sneed also brought some impressive athleticism to the line of scrimmage.

Do the Ravens use Kyle Hamilton (from ND) in that role? Great stuff, as a fan I saw the results but never really put together how he did it.

[*Synric*]

(01-26-2025, 07:37 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: Do the Ravens use Kyle Hamilton (from ND) in that role? Great stuff, as a fan I saw the results but never really put together how he did it.

No. That role is Kyle Van Noy, David Ojabo, Oweh Odafe. It's just a stand up rush 43 end. Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard both played it at a high rate this year. 

[Whatever]

Mine currently is...

1.Abdul Carter/Edge/Penn St.
2.Travis Hunter/CB-WR/Colorado
3.Tetairoa McMillan/WR/Arizona
4.Mason Graham/DT/Michigan
5.Ashton Jeanty/RB/Boise St.
6.Kenneth Grant/DT/Michigan
7.Malaki Starks/S/Georgia
8.Colston Loveland/TE/Michigan
9.Will Johnson/CB/Michigan
10.Kelvin Banks/T/Texas
11.Tyler Warren/TE/Penn St.
12.James Pearce Jr./Edge/Tennessee
13.Jalon Walker/LB/Georgia
14.Derrick Harmon/DT/Oregon
15.Nick Scourton/Edge/Texas A&M
16.Emeka Egbuka/WR/OSU
17.Shemar Stewart/DT/Texas A&M

[J24]

I would pur Sharon Revel CB East Carolina, Jahdae Barron CB Texas, and Jihaad Campbell LB for consideration at 17.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 12:49 AM)J24 Wrote: I would pur Sharon Revel CB  East Carolina, Jahdae Barron CB Texas, and Jihaad Campbell LB for consideration at 17.

I considered all 3.

Who would you remove to add these 3 to your top 17?

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 12:39 AM)Whatever Wrote: Mine currently is...

1.Abdul Carter/Edge/Penn St.
2.Travis Hunter/CB-WR/Colorado
3.Tetairoa McMillan/WR/Arizona
4.Mason Graham/DT/Michigan
5.Ashton Jeanty/RB/Boise St.
6.Kenneth Grant/DT/Michigan
7.Malaki Starks/S/Georgia
8.Colston Loveland/TE/Michigan
9.Will Johnson/CB/Michigan
10.Kelvin Banks/T/Texas
11.Tyler Warren/TE/Penn St.
12.James Pearce Jr./Edge/Tennessee
13.Jalon Walker/LB/Georgia
14.Derrick Harmon/DT/Oregon
15.Nick Scourton/Edge/Texas A&M
16.Emeka Egbuka/WR/OSU
17.Shemar Stewart/DT/Texas A&M

You have Loveland very high. I know Syric is also high on his athletic abiity.

[J24]

(Yesterday, 12:55 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I considered all 3.

Who would you remove to add these 3 to your top 17?

Stewart, Banks, and Walker.

[Whatever]

(Yesterday, 12:57 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: You have Loveland very high. I know Syric is also high on his athletic abiity.

Being fair, Loveland and Warren are as high as they are on my list due to scheme fit and a big gap in TE talent after those two, with Loveland filling Gesicki and Hudson 's roles and Warren filling All's.

On the other side, a number of DT's and Edges are ranked lower than their overall prospect rating would indicate just because I don't think there's much gap between them and guys who should be around in 2 or even 3.  

Egbuka is where he is because I think he'll be a decent player and if we lose Tee, he's about the only WR I see in this class that could come in and produce at a similar level.  Besides him and McMillan, I don't see a pro ready WR prospect in this class.  They're at least a year away.

[*ochocincos*]

1) Travis Hunter, CB/WR Colorado
2) Mason Graham, DT Michigan
3) Abdul Carter, DE Penn St
4) Teteiroa McMillan, WR Arizona
5) Kelvin Banks Jr., OT Texas
6) Ashton Jeanty, RB Boise St
7) Will Campbell, OT LSU
8) Will Johnson, CB Michigan
9) James Pearce Jr., DE Tennessee
10) Tyler Warren, TE Penn St
11 Malaki Starks, FS Georgia
12) Walter Nolen, DT Ole Miss
13) Jalon Walker, LB Georgia
14) Emeka Egbuka, WR Ohio St
15) Nic Scourton, DE Texas A&M
16) Kenneth Grant, NT Michigan
17) Colston Loveland, TE Michigan

*Hot take - Mykel Williams could go in the teens, but he's too boom or bust for me, and I don't have the trust yet in this defensive coaching side to trust they would coach him up and use him right, so he's off my list.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

I will give it a try. How FA works will certainly impact things. I am assuming Tee is back, so no WR's.

Tier 1: Running to the Podium
1. Carter, DE/OLB, Penn Sate
2. Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
3. Graham, DT, Michigan
4. Johnson, CB, Michigan
5. Starks, S, Georgia
6. Warren, TE, Penn State
7. Walker, LB/DE, Georgia
----------------
Tier 2: Run to Podium depending on FA
8. McMillan, WR, Arizona (only if Tee leaves)
9. Campbell, OT/OG, LSU (if we don't fix G in FA)
10. Jeanty, RB, Boise State (if we DO fix G in FA)
11. Banks, OT, Texas (if OBJ cut for cap)
------------------
Tier 3: Trade Back is fine/Needs
11. Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
12. Harmon, DT, Oregon
13. Grant, DT, Michigan
14. Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
15. Campbell, LB, Alabama
16. Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
17. Booker, OG, Alabama
---------------
Tier 4: Adding +4 for the variables above 
18. Pearce, OLB, Tennessee 
19. Loveland, TE, Michigan 
20. Burden, WR, Missouri 
21. Jackson, OG, Ohio State

[Luvnit2]

(01-26-2025, 07:45 PM)Synric Wrote: No. That role is Kyle Van Noy, David Ojabo, Oweh Odafe. It's just a stand up rush 43 end. Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard both played it at a high rate this year. 

I should have been clearer. I was referring to Hamilton's Ravens role being the "viper position" created by the Michigan defensive coach who used safeties.

[Luvnit2]

(7 hours ago)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: I will give it a try. How FA works will certainly impact things. I am assuming Tee is back, so no WR's.

Tier 1: Running to the Podium
1. Carter, DE/OLB, Penn Sate
2. Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
3. Graham, DT, Michigan
4. Johnson, CB, Michigan
5. Starks, S, Georgia
6. Warren, TE, Penn State
7. Walker, LB/DE, Georgia
----------------
Tier 2: Run to Podium depending on FA
8. McMillan, WR, Arizona (only if Tee leaves)
9. Campbell, OT/OG, LSU (if we don't fix G in FA)
10. Jeanty, RB, Boise State (if we DO fix G in FA)
11. Banks, OT, Texas (if OBJ cut for cap)
------------------
Tier 3: Trade Back is fine/Needs
11. Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
12. Harmon, DT, Oregon
13. Grant, DT, Michigan
14. Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
15. Campbell, LB, Alabama
16. Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
17. Booker, OG, Alabama
---------------
Tier 4: Adding +4 for the variables above 
18. Pearce, OLB, Tennessee 
19. Loveland, TE, Michigan 
20. Burden, WR, Missouri 
21. Jackson, OG, Ohio State

It appears you chose a top 10 board and assumed the Bengals can trade back or if Tee leaves.

I don't disagree if we have 4 or both options from our top 17 to attempt to trade back, but question becomes how far back we trade and make sure we get the 1st round pick we want. Or is it a better option to attempt to tag and trade Tee and get extra picks for Tee in 2025 and use the cap money to fix the trenches.

As for this thread, my assumption was Bengals want to use 17th pick to help our team in 2025.