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In this scenario Carter , Graham , Mykel Williams, and Walter Nolan are all gone. The Bengals decide to go for an edge over the NT in Kenneth Grant. My question is would the Bengals finally be willing to draft a smaller type edge guy at 17 ? In my lifetime they’ve typically gone for the bigger 4-3 ends Dunlap, Michael Johnson, Will Clarke , Margus Hunt , Myles Murphy ect. We had the Nolan Smith vs. Myles Murphy debate before. Looking at who’s available at 17th James Pearce Jr. is intriguing to me because he’s has the length at 6’5, plays in the SCC but weighs in at only 243. Then you have Mike Green who’s a small school guy at 6’3 250 played well at the senior bowl practices and had 17 sacks. Then you have Jalon Walker from Georgia at 6’2 245lbs whose pro comp is Nolan Smith ironically. Thoughts on these players at 17 and if you think the Bengals will be willing to draft them.
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Is Kennard the EDGE from South Carolina in this Draft? Really liked watching this guy rush the passer last season.
I like the idea of drafting an End who is just good at rushing the passer regardless of size. We all see drafting and using size as part of
the equation might not be a good idea. Green is from a small school on top of being small though. Would be all for Jalon Walker even if
Kenneth Grant is my favorite pick for us at this moment.
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I don't think Pearce qualifies as "undersized" - he's just skinny right now. Out of all of them, Pearce would be my choice because of his tools and his pressure rate in college. I think he's a guy that can step in immediately on passing downs.
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I feel that if all of those prospects are off the board, something fell to the Bengals that they should run to the podium for.
Leaning into a area that is being picked bare, as opposed to taking advantage to what opportunities it presents seems like an idea I am not in favor of.
Maybe that scenario lands then Tyler Warren, Malaki Starks, or Will Johnson?
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Not at 17, but David Walker Central Arkansas is a 6' 1/2" 267 lb. wrecking ball DE. Doubt he's still there at 81,
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I'd say the last small DE we drafted was Joseph O.
As to the OP: Of the choices I'd go Walker. He can play standing up on 1st and 2nd downs then put his hand in the dirt on 3rd down