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I haven't done a mock draft since Thanksgiving so here we go.
Round 1, Pick #17 DL Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M 6'5 281 - Easy Power
Round 2, Pick #49 IDL Omar Norman-Lott, Tennessee 6'2 295 - Explosive
Round 3, Pick # 81 IOL Tate Ratledge, Georgia 6'6 320 - Dependable
Round 4, Pick # 118 TE Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame 6'5 256 - All-Around
Round 5, Pick # 154 RB Kalel Mullings, Michigan 6'1 233 - Big man, light feet
Round 6, Pick # 195 LB Jack Kiser, Notre Dame 6'1 227 - Experienced
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Stewart kinda scares me a bit, mainly due to the Myles Murphy vibes. Love ONL, though. Personally, I'm not as high on Ratledge as many others are, but could probably get behind him in the 3rd. Day 3 looks pretty solid to me, overall.
Don't love, don't hate it. There's enough here for me to be cautiously optimistic if it fell this way.
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This is my concern on Stewart, which comes from 33rd Team analysis and seeing this similar sentiment across other scouting sites.
Quote:Scouts who are low on Stewart will be quick to point out his lack of traditional production. He only had 4.5 sacks in three seasons, with 1.5 sacks each year. This past season was his career high for tackles as well, with 31 total tackles and 14 solo.
However, for a rotational defensive lineman, Stewart still put up respectable numbers by more advanced metrics. He generated 39 pressures on only 315 pass-rush snaps, while generating 15 defensive stops.
NFL scouts will be willing to ignore some of that lack of production when they look at Stewart's measurements. The Aggies prospect measured in at the Senior Bowl at 6'5 1/8" and 281 pounds with ridiculous 34 1/4" arm length and a 6'11 1/2" wingspan.
Simply put, there aren't many prospects who are built like Stewart.
https://www.the33rdteam.com/shemar-stewarts-2025-nfl-draft-stock-is-rising-could-he-be-this-years-travon-walker/
Dude feels too much like a boom or bust pick, and I hate picking guys (early) based on their athletic measurables in hopes they blossom with the right coaching vs having a strong foundation in college.
Missing on 1st round picks, especially for a team like the Bengals who aren't the biggest spenders in FA, can be a killer for your franchise.
This site compares Stewart to potentially rise like Travon Walker did, and Walker has turned into a damn good producer now with 20.5 sacks across his sophomore and junior seasons in the NFL. But he had more sack production his final year of college (6.0) than Stewart has had his entire college career (4.5). And on top of that, Walker only had 3.5 sacks his rookie year while starting 14 games.
If Bengals (and fans) are ok with the 1st round pick having a year to develop and potentially following the likes of Myles Murphy, Stewart may make sense.
He's too scary for me though.
Who were the other pass rushers available around this pick other than Stewart?
Zac Taylor 2019-2020: 6 total wins
Zac Taylor 2021-2022: Double-digit wins each season, plus 5 postseason wins
Zac Taylor 2023: 9 wins despite losing Burrow half the season
Zac Taylor 2024: Started 1-4. Ended 9-8 but barely missed playoffs
Changes needed to do better in Sept/Oct moving forward.
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(01-31-2025, 02:30 PM)ochocincos Wrote: If Bengals (and fans) are ok with the 1st round pick having a year to develop and potentially following the likes of Myles Murphy, Stewart may make sense.
He's too scary for me though.
Who were the other pass rushers available around this pick other than Stewart?
We already know Bengals fans will only be happy if the guy they want is drafted.
The second reality is we don't get a vote and regardless of our feelings, the pick(s) will be made on the Bengal's board and not our board.
As for Stewart, I agree he seems like a very risky pick. Why so low production with sacks, TFL and tackles? Does he command double teams more so than others in the draft because of his ability and the lack of a need to double team others on the A&M DL?
Please use 2025 free agency to fix the trenches, not the draft!!!!!!!!
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(01-31-2025, 03:34 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: We already know Bengals fans will only be happy if the guy they want is drafted.
The second reality is we don't get a vote and regardless of our feelings, the pick(s) will be made on the Bengal's board and not our board.
As for Stewart, I agree he seems like a very risky pick. Why so low production with sacks, TFL and tackles? Does he command double teams more so than others in the draft because of his ability and the lack of a need to double team others on the A&M DL?
From what I have seen and read, no, this is not it.
Quote:Stewart remains a work in progress in terms of technique and consistency. His pass rush toolkit shows promise but needs expansion and refinement to consistently win against NFL-caliber tackles. In the run game, improved leverage and hand placement will be crucial for him to anchor effectively and make more impact plays.
https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/Shemar-Stewart-DL-TexasAM
Quote:Stewart’s complete lack of development means he may never be more than a 5-6 sack per year player, and his pass-rush floor is low.
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/shemar-stewart-scouting-report-nfl-draft-2025/
Zac Taylor 2019-2020: 6 total wins
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Zac Taylor 2024: Started 1-4. Ended 9-8 but barely missed playoffs
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personally don't care what the pff guys say because Stewart is a 3rd round guy for me. He has a great body for the position but he has no pass rush plan and he's either running the edge without going flat to get the sack or he's going straight into the chest. Just not seeing the production or traits to give him a first round grade
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(01-31-2025, 02:30 PM)ochocincos Wrote: This is my concern on Stewart, which comes from 33rd Team analysis and seeing this similar sentiment across other scouting sites.
https://www.the33rdteam.com/shemar-stewarts-2025-nfl-draft-stock-is-rising-could-he-be-this-years-travon-walker/
Dude feels too much like a boom or bust pick, and I hate picking guys (early) based on their athletic measurables in hopes they blossom with the right coaching vs having a strong foundation in college.
Missing on 1st round picks, especially for a team like the Bengals who aren't the biggest spenders in FA, can be a killer for your franchise.
This site compares Stewart to potentially rise like Travon Walker did, and Walker has turned into a damn good producer now with 20.5 sacks across his sophomore and junior seasons in the NFL. But he had more sack production his final year of college (6.0) than Stewart has had his entire college career (4.5). And on top of that, Walker only had 3.5 sacks his rookie year while starting 14 games.
If Bengals (and fans) are ok with the 1st round pick having a year to develop and potentially following the likes of Myles Murphy, Stewart may make sense.
He's too scary for me though.
Who were the other pass rushers available around this pick other than Stewart?
Seems like the type of guy that Pittsburgh or Baltimore would take in the 3rd, and then stash him deep in the depth chart for or 3 years, then for him suddenly emerge as a good player. They do it all the time with OL and front 7 guys.
The problem being the Bengals need contributors, NOW...
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(01-31-2025, 04:23 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Seems like the type of guy that Pittsburgh or Baltimore would take in the 3rd, and then stash him deep in the depth chart for or 3 years, then for him suddenly emerge as a good player. They do it all the time with OL and front 7 guys.
The problem being the Bengals need contributors, NOW...
I thought PFN's blurb about Stewart felt pretty on-point.
They compared Stewart's elite traits but some boom-or-bust potential to the likes of Walker but also Jadeveon Clowney, both 1st overall selections.
Clowney ended up a 3-time All-Star, but he never reached double-digit sacks in a season.
Across his 11-year career, he averaged 7.0 sacks a season.
Walker is on pace after 3 seasons to be better than Clowney sack-wise, but neither contributed much their rookie seasons (Clowney primarily because he only played 4 games).
If Bengals can get someone to step into the DE spot opposite Hendrickson for 2025 who can for sure put up 7+ sacks, that would help allow for someone like Stewart to develop and serve more as a rotational guy his first season. Maybe Hubbard will be back to form after an offseason of recovery, or maybe Murphy is actually ready to take that next step, re-sign Ossai to cover a year, or maybe sign some other veteran for $15 mill or under.
I don't know if you can say though that Clowney really lived up to his 1st round (and especially 1st overall) hype.
Hope Stewart would end up being more productive than Clowney if Bengals were to take him in 1st round.
Zac Taylor 2019-2020: 6 total wins
Zac Taylor 2021-2022: Double-digit wins each season, plus 5 postseason wins
Zac Taylor 2023: 9 wins despite losing Burrow half the season
Zac Taylor 2024: Started 1-4. Ended 9-8 but barely missed playoffs
Changes needed to do better in Sept/Oct moving forward.
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(01-31-2025, 04:41 PM)ochocincos Wrote: I thought PFN's blurb about Stewart felt pretty on-point.
They compared Stewart's elite traits but some boom-or-bust potential to the likes of Walker but also Jadeveon Clowney, both 1st overall selections.
Clowney ended up a 3-time All-Star, but he never reached double-digit sacks in a season.
Across his 11-year career, he averaged 7.0 sacks a season.
Walker is on pace after 3 seasons to be better than Clowney sack-wise, but neither contributed much their rookie seasons (Clowney primarily because he only played 4 games).
If Bengals can get someone to step into the DE spot opposite Hendrickson for 2025 who can for sure put up 7+ sacks, that would help allow for someone like Stewart to develop and serve more as a rotational guy his first season. Maybe Hubbard will be back to form after an offseason of recovery, or maybe Murphy is actually ready to take that next step, re-sign Ossai to cover a year, or maybe sign some other veteran for $15 mill or under.
I don't know if you can say though that Clowney really lived up to his 1st round (and especially 1st overall) hype.
Hope Stewart would end up being more productive than Clowney if Bengals were to take him in 1st round.
That's a good point, the "other" DE doesn't need to be a sack master, but he does need to be able to apply consistent pressure and be able to stop the run. Which is exactly why pre-injury Hubbard was the perfect compliment to Trey Hendrickson. I'll be curious to see the reports on Hubbard's surgery/recovery process. Having him back to being himself would take a lot of pressure off of the need to fill that spot with a producer.
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(01-31-2025, 04:58 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: That's a good point, the "other" DE doesn't need to be a sack master, but he does need to be able to apply consistent pressure and be able to stop the run. Which is exactly why pre-injury Hubbard was the perfect compliment to Trey Hendrickson. I'll be curious to see the reports on Hubbard's surgery/recovery process. Having him back to being himself would take a lot of pressure off of the need to fill that spot with a producer.
If Ossai's last 8 games are truly an indication of where he's going, he might just be that guy, or at least a good rotational contributor.
5.0 sacks in that span.
31 total pressures on the season, which is solid for a rotational guy.
I'd be ok adding him back, but I'd still want a draft pick or another veteran signed to go along with him, Murphy, and Hubbard to help cover the pass rush opposite Hendrickson.
I don't think you can run it back with the same DE room and feel optimistic.
Zac Taylor 2019-2020: 6 total wins
Zac Taylor 2021-2022: Double-digit wins each season, plus 5 postseason wins
Zac Taylor 2023: 9 wins despite losing Burrow half the season
Zac Taylor 2024: Started 1-4. Ended 9-8 but barely missed playoffs
Changes needed to do better in Sept/Oct moving forward.
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(01-31-2025, 02:30 PM)ochocincos Wrote: This is my concern on Stewart, which comes from 33rd Team analysis and seeing this similar sentiment across other scouting sites.
https://www.the33rdteam.com/shemar-stewarts-2025-nfl-draft-stock-is-rising-could-he-be-this-years-travon-walker/
Dude feels too much like a boom or bust pick, and I hate picking guys (early) based on their athletic measurables in hopes they blossom with the right coaching vs having a strong foundation in college.
Missing on 1st round picks, especially for a team like the Bengals who aren't the biggest spenders in FA, can be a killer for your franchise.
This site compares Stewart to potentially rise like Travon Walker did, and Walker has turned into a damn good producer now with 20.5 sacks across his sophomore and junior seasons in the NFL. But he had more sack production his final year of college (6.0) than Stewart has had his entire college career (4.5). And on top of that, Walker only had 3.5 sacks his rookie year while starting 14 games.
If Bengals (and fans) are ok with the 1st round pick having a year to develop and potentially following the likes of Myles Murphy, Stewart may make sense.
He's too scary for me though.
Who were the other pass rushers available around this pick other than Stewart?
I agree and our 1st round pick needs to be an impact player no more projects or guys that have some issues or whatever the case may be.
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(01-31-2025, 06:13 PM)ochocincos Wrote: If Ossai's last 8 games are truly an indication of where he's going, he might just be that guy, or at least a good rotational contributor.
5.0 sacks in that span.
31 total pressures on the season, which is solid for a rotational guy.
I'd be ok adding him back, but I'd still want a draft pick or another veteran signed to go along with him, Murphy, and Hubbard to help cover the pass rush opposite Hendrickson.
I don't think you can run it back with the same DE room and feel optimistic.
Ossai did seem to turn it on a bit. However, since he switched agents to David Muhgaleta, I am quite doubtful that he's even interested in re-signing with the Bengals. He likely took the drafting of Myles Murphy as a personal front, and would rather leave than fight for the position.
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Some fine favs in this mock.
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(01-31-2025, 12:26 PM)Whatever Wrote: Stewart kinda scares me a bit, mainly due to the Myles Murphy vibes.
(01-31-2025, 02:30 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Dude feels too much like a boom or bust pick, and I hate picking guys (early) based on their athletic measurables in hopes they blossom with the right coaching vs having a strong foundation in college.
(01-31-2025, 03:34 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: As for Stewart, I agree he seems like a very risky pick.
(01-31-2025, 04:13 PM)Okeana Wrote: personally don't care what the pff guys say because Stewart is a 3rd round guy for me.
(01-31-2025, 06:19 PM)pulses Wrote: I agree and our 1st round pick needs to be an impact player no more projects or guys that have some issues or whatever the case may be.
I completely understand the reservations because of production and guys that produce in college usually produce in the NFL.
.... sometimes there's an exception to the rule.
Shemar Stewart has a high floor as the SEC's best run defending Defensive End. Here he is flashing that elite potential at the Senior Bowl setting the play side edge against a split zone run. Anchors against 336 lb Jonah Savaiinaea keeps his outside arm free to attempt the tackle.
At 6'5 281lbs you expect his pass rush profile to start with power and he does not disappoint.
Bull Rushes attacks the wide arm then resets that hand knocking the tackle off balance.
Another Bull Rush gets low inside hands drives legs 340lb Jonah Savaiinaea on skates. He put alot of tackles on skates this season including LSU's Will Campbell.
Here Stewart gets separation with punch then uses cross chop to beat the tackle inside. Lots of power in his hands.
What makes him different is how he moves at that size.
Here he flashes power with his hands the dips his shoulder and flattens.
Here he explodes up field and flattens.
Shemar Stewart is the prototype base 4-3 left defensive end. He will be a strong run defender that can use his easy power to collapse the pocket on the opposite of Trey Hendrickson. I specifically like Stewart for building a pass rush plan against a player like Lamar Jackson.
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Here is Mike Tomlin and Duke Tobin both getting a good look at Shemar Stewart.
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(01-31-2025, 08:51 PM)bfine32 Wrote: Some fine favs in this mock.
I finally got to Mitchell Evans! He's an old school 11 personnel Y-TE. He can give the Bengals everything Erick All did as a move blocker and checkdown option. All had more potential as an underneath YAC receiver but Evans ceiling as a receiver can give them some of the same things as Mike Gesicki straight line routes like crossers and deep over routes using his length and ability to play above rim.
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(02-01-2025, 09:34 AM)Synric Wrote: I completely understand the reservations because of production and guys that produce in college usually produce in the NFL.
.... sometimes there's an exception to the rule.
Shemar Stewart has a high floor as the SEC's best run defending Defensive End. Here he is flashing that elite potential at the Senior Bowl setting the play side edge against a split zone run. Anchors against 336 lb Jonah Savaiinaea keeps his outside arm free to attempt the tackle.
Shemar Stewart is the prototype base 4-3 left defensive end. He will be a strong run defender that can use his easy power to collapse the pocket on the opposite of Trey Hendrickson. I specifically like Stewart for building a pass rush plan against a player like Lamar Jackson.
I liked Stewart when he had a 2nd RD Grade, but I assumed he'd soar during the pre-draft process. Less of a fan taking him at 16. I feel his strength will be setting the edge in the ground game. He could also move inside on "rush" packages.
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(02-01-2025, 09:42 AM)Synric Wrote: I finally got to Mitchell Evans! He's an old school 11 personnel Y-TE. He can give the Bengals everything Erick All did as a move blocker and checkdown option. All had more potential as an underneath YAC receiver but Evans ceiling as a receiver can give them some of the same things as Mike Gesicki straight line routes like crossers and deep over routes using his length and ability to play above rim.
Yeah, you know I like me some Evans and would love him in the 4th if we haven't addressed all-around TE prior.
I will say the LSU TE has impressed me. I had 0 idea his dad is Jason Taylor and mom is Zach Thomas' sister. Bloodlines don't get much better than that
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(02-01-2025, 09:34 AM)Synric Wrote: I completely understand the reservations because of production and guys that produce in college usually produce in the NFL.
.... sometimes there's an exception to the rule.
Shemar Stewart has a high floor as the SEC's best run defending Defensive End. Here he is flashing that elite potential at the Senior Bowl setting the play side edge against a split zone run. Anchors against 336 lb Jonah Savaiinaea keeps his outside arm free to attempt the tackle.
At 6'5 281lbs you expect his pass rush profile to start with power and he does not disappoint.
Bull Rushes attacks the wide arm then resets that hand knocking the tackle off balance.
Another Bull Rush gets low inside hands drives legs 340lb Jonah Savaiinaea on skates. He put alot of tackles on skates this season including LSU's Will Campbell.
Here Stewart gets separation with punch then uses cross chop to beat the tackle inside. Lots of power in his hands.
What makes him different is how he moves at that size.
Here he flashes power with his hands the dips his shoulder and flattens.
Here he explodes up field and flattens.
Shemar Stewart is the prototype base 4-3 left defensive end. He will be a strong run defender that can use his easy power to collapse the pocket on the opposite of Trey Hendrickson. I specifically like Stewart for building a pass rush plan against a player like Lamar Jackson.
Long way of saying, "We hope he becomes something, but he wasn't much in college!" 
Zac Taylor 2019-2020: 6 total wins
Zac Taylor 2021-2022: Double-digit wins each season, plus 5 postseason wins
Zac Taylor 2023: 9 wins despite losing Burrow half the season
Zac Taylor 2024: Started 1-4. Ended 9-8 but barely missed playoffs
Changes needed to do better in Sept/Oct moving forward.
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(02-01-2025, 12:38 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Long way of saying, "We hope he becomes something, but he wasn't much in college!"
Nope and he's doing this against imostly average OL not against good nfl talent too.
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