“Kick the Tires” on Proven Performers

[Fan_in_Kettering]

I’m done with “reclamation projects,” “potential stars,” and “can’t miss” players.

+++

Whatever the Cincinnati Bengals do via free agency, trades, and the draft, the Front Office needs to look at players with proven ability. This means “kicking the tires” on established performers like Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett, Amari Cooper, Budda Baker, Zack Martin and Mekhi Becton.* In the draft the Front Office needs to consider players from winning programs like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas, and the top teams in the SEC.

The Bengals have only three great performers who are definitely returning for 2025: Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Chase Brown. Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson may end up elsewhere. Burrow, Chase, and Brown will need to be surrounded by quality starters or the Bengals risk missing the playoffs for a third consecutive year.

*I am NOT suggesting looking at these players specifically, just players of this caliber.

[CJD]

There's a proven performer in free agency that I really hope we sign.

He's a 26 year old WR named Tee Higgins. I think he and Joe Burrow will work very well together.

[Fan_in_Kettering]

(02-17-2025, 02:42 PM)CJD Wrote: There's a proven performer in free agency that I really hope we sign.

He's a 26 year old WR named Tee Higgins. I think he and Joe Burrow will work very well together.

I share this sentiment 100%.

[Frank Booth]

the bengals will never stop with the reclamation projects. Dont hold your breath

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

Proven players are the way to go alright. Don't know about the exact players you mention as most of them do not fit our needs, namely
Micah Parsons who is a 3-4 pass rushing LB or Buddha Baker who is more of a SS and we need a FS and then cut Stone. Becton, Josh
Sweat, Milton Williams, Will Fries, James Daniels are a few proven players I would love to add in FA.

[TJHoushmandzadeh's Shiny Shoes]

(02-17-2025, 02:32 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: * In the draft the Front Office needs to consider players from winning programs like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas, and the top teams in the SEC.

Haven’t the big busts in recent years all come from those programs?

Billy Price - Ohio State
Jackson Carman - Clemson
Jermaine Burton - Georgia & Alabama
Zach Carter - Florida
Malik Jefferson - Texas

Was the last Oregon player taken Jake Fisher?
Khalid Kareem the last Notre Dame player?

I’m not sure scouting the helmet is the way to go. We’d also miss out on players like Chase Brown, Erick All, Logan Wilson etc

[BoomerFan]

Could I interest you in one slightly used JJ Watt?

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2025/02/13/jj-watt-bengals-jersey-burnley-fc-bet-james-trafford-goalie-nfl-comeback/78540620007/

[Fan_in_Kettering]

(02-17-2025, 03:48 PM)BoomerFan Wrote: Could I interest you in one slightly used JJ Watt?

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2025/02/13/jj-watt-bengals-jersey-burnley-fc-bet-james-trafford-goalie-nfl-comeback/78540620007/

I’m sure WATT still has some remaining POWER.

[BFritz21]

(02-17-2025, 03:48 PM)BoomerFan Wrote: Could I interest you in one slightly used JJ Watt?

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2025/02/13/jj-watt-bengals-jersey-burnley-fc-bet-james-trafford-goalie-nfl-comeback/78540620007/

I'd love to bring in Watt, even if just as a rotational guy, because you know he still has a bit left in the tank and he sounds interested in coming back to play for us and Chase a ring. I think he'd know he could be a missing piece in a defense that needs pass rushers since teams will be trying to throw the ball a lot to keep up with us.

(See what I did with the Chase a ring?! I'm so clever..........  )

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(02-17-2025, 03:48 PM)BoomerFan Wrote: Could I interest you in one slightly used JJ Watt?

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2025/02/13/jj-watt-bengals-jersey-burnley-fc-bet-james-trafford-goalie-nfl-comeback/78540620007/

(02-17-2025, 03:57 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: I’m sure WATT still has some remaining POWER.

Heading into his age 36 season, didn't play football for 2 straight years, plus the second half of his career was a coin flip on if he stays healthy or plays less than half the season.

No thanks.

[Luvnit2]

I agree we need to go with established vets in FA and use FA for to fill every starting position. This includes cutting a bunch of vets and replace them with better vets. We can't use the draft for starters. If a rookie draft pick beats out a starting vet, great, but can't count on rookies in year 1.

I like Becton a lot to replace Cappa for a similar cap hit. I love Smth, but have a hunch KC never lets him hit FA. I like Milton Williams to replace Rankins with a slightly higher cap hit. I hope we resign Hill. I like Hilton, but I think we have the DB's needed already. We have Turner, Hill, Taylor Britt and Newton. I like Newton and think he only gets better.

I would love to sign Young or Clowney to replace Hubbard for a similar cap hit. There are a couple of other guards we need to look at. Daniels should be a good choice at around 8 million a year In my opinion, these are the type of vets we need to sign in 2025. I hope we resign Gesicki for around 4 to 5 million a year for 2 year contract. As for Tee, I hope we tag ad trade him and get a 1st round and a 3rd round in 2025 and a 2nd or rd round in 2026. This means we need a WR2. I like Guys in the 8 to 10 million range like Slayton, Kirk and a few others. If Adams is cut, he would be worth 13 to 15 million in my opinion.

If we address our needs in FA, then we are wide open to pick BPA every round.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(02-17-2025, 02:32 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: I’m done with “reclamation projects,” “potential stars,” and “can’t miss” players.

+++

Whatever the Cincinnati Bengals do via free agency, trades, and the draft, the Front Office needs to look at players with proven ability.  This means “kicking the tires” on established performers like Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett, Amari Cooper, Budda Baker, Zack Martin and Mekhi Becton.* In the draft the Front Office needs to consider players from winning programs like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas, and the top teams in the SEC.

The Bengals have only three great performers who are definitely returning for 2025:  Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Chase Brown.  Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson may end up elsewhere.  Burrow, Chase, and Brown will need to be surrounded by quality starters or the Bengals risk missing the playoffs for a third consecutive year.  

*I am NOT suggesting looking at these players specifically, just players of this caliber.

Baker signed an extension a long time ago. Garrett & Parsons ate not FA's. Martin is still OK but well past his prime, I'd rather sign Zeitler, Smith, Fries, Daniels, or Becton at RG. And Cooper was mostly terrible last year. 

Sign Higgins. Extend Trey & Chase. Restructure Burrow. All those guys are proven. So are Gesicki, Hilton, & Hill. 

But I do agree, no gambles or reclaimation guys for more than vet min. And none before Rd5 on the draft.

[Essex Johnson]

(02-17-2025, 02:32 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: I’m done with “reclamation projects,” “potential stars,” and “can’t miss” players.

+++

Whatever the Cincinnati Bengals do via free agency, trades, and the draft, the Front Office needs to look at players with proven ability.  This means “kicking the tires” on established performers like Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett, Amari Cooper, Budda Baker, Zack Martin and Mekhi Becton.* In the draft the Front Office needs to consider players from winning programs like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas, and the top teams in the SEC.

The Bengals have only three great performers who are definitely returning for 2025:  Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Chase Brown.  Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson may end up elsewhere.  Burrow, Chase, and Brown will need to be surrounded by quality starters or the Bengals risk missing the playoffs for a third consecutive year.  

*I am NOT suggesting looking at these players specifically, just players of this caliber.

I think we have kicked some tires when we signed O.Brown, Karras, Bell, Hilton over the past few years, not all FA signings are going to work out but I do think we have trended in spending more on established starters.. especially Brown, he was a quality FA signing..and Karras really stabilized the center position.  I understand your point maybe going a bit bigger but we only have so much $$ on those type players with the holes we have going to have to hit on some day 2 FA this year.

[c766]

There is a poster on here who thinks Deandre Hopkins is still a #2 WR worth looking at for the bengals

Let’s hope that guy is not in the FO

[Clark W Griswold]

(02-17-2025, 08:01 PM)c766 Wrote: There is a poster on here who thinks Deandre Hopkins is still a #2 WR worth looking at for the bengals

Let’s hope that guy is not in the FO

Luckily I think they have their number 2.
Tee’s getting the franchise tag and it sounds like there is positive momentum towards an extension. Who knows if it’s true but while it’s a ton of $ for WRs, you know there are plenty of other teams who’d jump at the chance to pay him.
The Bengals keeping Tee prevents some team from getting better by signing him and eliminates some the need to have to draft a WR early or sign one.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-17-2025, 06:44 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Baker signed an extension a long time ago. Garrett & Parsons ate not FA's. Martin is still OK but well past his prime, I'd rather sign Zeitler, Smith, Fries, Daniels, or Becton at RG. And Cooper was mostly terrible last year. 

Sign Higgins. Extend Trey & Chase. Restructure Burrow. All those guys are proven. So are Gesicki, Hilton, & Hill. 

But I do agree, no gambles or reclaimation guys for more than vet min. And none before Rd5 on the draft.

Thanks Ike, I thought a lot of those players weren't FA's. Heard something about Zeitler's wife didn't like Cincy in the first place so maybe 
he might not come back for this reason regardless, but who knows. At Guard I am liking Fries, Daniels and Becton the most now. Trey Smith
didn't look good at all against the Eagles so let's grab their DL FA's eh?

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-17-2025, 08:21 PM)Clark W Griswold Wrote: Luckily I think they have their number 2.
Tee’s getting the franchise tag and it sounds like there is positive momentum towards an extension. Who knows if it’s true but while it’s a ton of $ for WRs, you know there are plenty of other teams who’d jump at the chance to pay him.  
The Bengals keeping Tee prevents some team from getting better by signing him and eliminates some the need to have to draft a WR early or sign one.

I go back and forth so much on Tee man. He is proven when he plays lol

[*pally*]

(02-17-2025, 04:23 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: I'd love to bring in Watt, even if just as a rotational guy, because you know he still has a bit left in the tank and he sounds interested in coming back to play for us and Chase a ring. I think he'd know he could be a missing piece in a defense that needs pass rushers since teams will be trying to throw the ball a lot to keep up with us.

(See what I did with the Chase a ring?! I'm so clever..........  )

He has zero interest in playing for anybody let alone the Bengals

[BoomerFan]

(02-17-2025, 09:32 PM)pally Wrote: He has zero interest in playing for anybody let alone the Bengals

So would he just renege on the bet?

Edit: I guess he could set unreasonable terms. And even if he didn't there is the question of whether the Bengals would give up a roster spot/the DL chemistry. OTOH, signing Watt would sell tickets and gear and probably make box/season ticket holders happy. 

[Bengalbug]

(02-17-2025, 02:32 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: I’m done with “reclamation projects,” “potential stars,” and “can’t miss” players.

+++

Whatever the Cincinnati Bengals do via free agency, trades, and the draft, the Front Office needs to look at players with proven ability. This means “kicking the tires” on established performers like Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett, Amari Cooper, Budda Baker, Zack Martin and Mekhi Becton.* In the draft the Front Office needs to consider players from winning programs like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas, and the top teams in the SEC.

The Bengals have only three great performers who are definitely returning for 2025: Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Chase Brown. Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson may end up elsewhere. Burrow, Chase, and Brown will need to be surrounded by quality starters or the Bengals risk missing the playoffs for a third consecutive year.

*I am NOT suggesting looking at these players specifically, just players of this caliber.

2024 Georgia, Michigan, Alabama
2023 Clemson, Michigan, Alabama
2022 Michigan, Nebraska, Florida
2021 LSU, Clemson, Texas
2020 LSU, Clemson, Wyoming

Over the last 5 years: the first 15 picks have been on some of the very best programs.

Georgia - Best record since 2020
Michigan - 4th best record since 2020
Alabama - 3rd best record since 2020
Clemson - 7th best record since 2020

The bengals will almost certainly use the first 3 picks on big programs. Wyoming and Nebraska being the only outliers since 2020.