My cut and add FA mock

[pulses]

(4 hours ago)SunsetBengal Wrote: That's the thing with younger players, you don't know if his presence will enhance their development or delay it for them, from attempting to emulate his style of play. No matter what, this DL needs a long time veteran anchoring the locker room, bringing in a younger talent like Williams would be great and inspirational for all, but you still need that calming voice to convince the younger guys to stay in their lane until the time is right.

Well if BJ Hill would come back on a short 2 year deal that might be the vet they would need. Or another vet on the cheap.

[SunsetBengal]

(4 hours ago)pulses Wrote: Well if BJ Hill would come back on a short 2 year deal that might be the vet they would need. Or another vet on the cheap.

Honestly, I'd be thrilled if the team brought BJ Hill back for two years. It would allow him to potentially finish his career here and continue to lead the young guys drafted this past year. He's an all out effort kind of player, rarely ever see him gassed or taking plays off, a perfect example of how to play as a professional.

[pulses]

(02-10-2025, 03:36 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: We have 44 million in cap space without a Burrow restructure. I propose we cut Rankins (+9 million to cap), Cappa (+8.5 million to cap) Hubbard (+8.5 million to cap), Stone (+5 million) and Moss (4 million) = new cap 2025 of 83 million

Rankins target Milton Williams DT Eagles - 3 years 36 million (8 million cap hit year 1)
Sign Tee Higgins - 4 years 100 million, 52 guaranteed and cap hit year 1 of 14 million
Extend Chase - 5 years 170 million with 120 million guaranteed (Cap hit year 1 of 26 million or + 5 million in 2025)EDITED FROM OP
Extend Trey - 3 years 77 million and 50 million guaranteed- year 1 additional 7 million
Sign Gesicki for 3 years 15 million with 7 million guaranteed - year 1 3.5 million hit
Sign BJ Hill - 2 years 17 million with 9 million guaranteed - cap hit of 8 million 2025
Cappa - Target Becton - 4 years 50 million with 26 guaranteed - cap hit 8 million 2025
Safety - Target Reid - 4 years 80 million 50 guaranteed - cap hit 13 million year 1

64.5 million spent of 83 million - Does not include Joe B. Restructure, but would need FO to kick some cap to 2026 to 2029

Use Draft
Jackson - LG
Walker/Burch - Hubbard
Henderson for Moss

Here is my draft with no trades.

https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/user-mock-drafts/2025/user-mock-5613232

17 Jalon WalkerEDGE | Georgia

49Donovan JacksonIOL | Ohio State

81 TreVeyon HendersonRB | Ohio State

118 Jordan BurchDL | Oregon

154Lander BartonLB | Utah

195 Hollin PierceOT | Rutgers

Adam Butler DT from the Raiders would be a good cheap alternative he's 30 but had 5 sacks each of the last 2 seasons and was just making 1.8 million last year.

[J24]

(5 hours ago)SunsetBengal Wrote: Yes, Williams had a great season and really nice Superbowl game. However, many people think that you can just take a guy and insert him on any team and expect the same results. What people seem to forget is that Philly's front four operated as a well oiled machine all season because they were assembled of different parts with specific roles. You can't just "insert" a Milton Williams into any DL and expect the same results, you have to provide him with a no-fooling run stuffer next to him, in order for him to be free wheeling and out for QB sacks/pressures.

I like our 2 young DTs, I wonder if a guy like Williams would enhance their development by being an aggressive force that allows them to focus on their primary assignments, or a detriment because they would neglect their primary duties and try to emulate his style? 

Both Jenkins and Jackson were drafted  for their run stuffing ability. Gaining a guy that can rush the passer like Williams did this past season should complement both players and not effect their roles in the defense. In fact, I would argue that the Bengals should sign one more pass rushing DT and draft another along with the signing of Williams.

Also, Williams was the 10th ranked run defender amongst DTs 2022 and 15th in 2023. He was poor this past season at run defense but he has shown that he can defend the run at a high level in the past.

(4 hours ago)SunsetBengal Wrote: That's the thing with younger players, you don't know if his presence will enhance their development or delay it for them, from attempting to emulate his style of play. No matter what, this DL needs a long time veteran anchoring the locker room, bringing in a younger talent like Williams would be great and inspirational for all, but you still need that calming voice to convince the younger guys to stay in their lane until the time is right.

Williams just won a Superbowl and went to another in the last three seasons. His stature should bring immediate respect into the DT group.