Post Chase/Higgins MDD Simulator

[OSUfan]

Well, the Bengals shocked the football world by wrapping up both Chase and Higgins with long term deals and solidifying the WR1 & WR2 positions for the next several years. The elephant in the room now is the Hendrickson negotiation. I am not sure if they get an extension worked out with Hendrickson and the fact that he turns 31 during the season could mean they are looking to get younger on the edge.

The true weakness on offense right now lies at both guard positions and on defense solidifying the defensive backfield with better corners and a good young safety to pair with Jordan Battle.

Given the above factors this is how it went:


   

When the Bengals went on the clock with the 17th selection I was eyeing Mykel Williams or Tyler Booker but both players were off the board. With guard being my biggest concern I would be looking at Jackson or Ratledge in the second or third. With both key targets off the board the Bengals entertained an offer from Detroit. After adding the values of each selection in amounted to the Lions giving up a mid 4th round selection to move up with the Bengals swapping first round selections with them and acquiring their 2nd and 4th round selections. 

Detroit used the 17th selection to draft Donovan Ezeiruaku edge rusher from Boston College.

With the 28th selection the Bengals were looking at Colston Loveland, Kenneth Grant, and Nick Emmanwori. The Bengals just added the NFL comparison to Grant in Slaton and with the investments in young DTs in the '24 draft the Bengals looked for better value. Emmanwori is a freakish athlete at safety but when you watch film on him he seems to be reluctant to stick his nose in as a stout run defender. These factors led to the selection at 28.

[OSUfan]

RD.1 - 28th Selection:



Colston Loveland - TE - Michigan - 6'6" 248

Loveland may not be the multi threat weapon that Warren is at TE but he has the traits to be a serious receiving threat that defenses must plan for. As a pass catcher Loveland is an elite talent who can threaten all three levels of the defense. Having Gesicki back for a couple of years gives the Bengals the opportunity to bring Loveland along at his pace and to set him up for long term success. He should be a great addition to this offense for the long term.

RD. 2 - 49th Selection:



Xavier Watts - S - Notre Dame - 6'0" 204

Watts brings elite ball skills and production to the backend of the defense that are similar to what the Bengals had in Jessie Bates. Watts shows outstanding instincts and was rarely ever penalized while playing at Notre Dame. Like Emmanwori, Watts needs to tighten up his run game production but his weaknesses do not seem to be hesitation rather he needs to just work on technique and breaking down against the ball carrier and making sound tackles as a run stopper. Overall, Watts brings a high football IQ and ball production to the position.

RD. 2 - 60th Selection:



Tate Ratledge - G - Georgia - 6'6.5" 308

Ratledge is a mauler that brings the violent mentality the Bengals are missing in the inside of the offensive line. When you watch film on Tate you will find an experienced interior player that just does not get beat and who plays with pretty solid technique. Ratledge brings three years of starting experience for one of the premier programs in the nation. He should find a comfort level sliding into the line beside his former RT in Mims.

RD. 3 - 81st Selection:



Jack Bech - WR - TCU - 6'1" 214


Bech brings a physical presence, toughness, and elite focus to the position. Bech could be an immediate presence in the slot for the Bengals and could step in as a chain mover much like Tyler Boyd. The Bengals are set at the top end of the offense but Bech is going to push everyone else in the room for a roster spot.

RD. 4 - 122nd Selection:



Sai'vion Jones - DE - LSU - 6'5" 280


Jones is an edge rusher that many consider to be on the rise. He is tough and physical DE with violent hands. He does not let up on plays and is relentless in his pursuit of opposing QBs. Needs to work remaining more aware of what is happening in the run game as he is rushing as he is prone to run past the play in a charge to get into the backfield. There is much to like about this kid he just needs to add some polish to his game.

RD. 4 - 130th Selection:






Jacob Parrish - CB - K State - 5'10" 191


Parrish is a smooth and fluid corner with good speed and has shown good football IQ in coverage. Transitioning his hips to turn and run with the receiver in coverage seems effortless for Parrish and seems to have a natural feel for coverage. He is willing to stick his nose in as a run defender but adding a bit more mass and strength in the NFL should help him improve as a run defender. 

RD. 5 - 153rd Selection:






Jalen Rivers - G - Miami (Fla) - 6'6" 319


Rivers played both LT and LG for Miami and the Bengals draft him to solidify the LG spot adding a good young tandem in him and Ratledge. Rivers showed the ability to excel in short spaces when he played inside for the Canes and playing guard showcased his natural strength and anchor. Has has some injury issues in college but if his medicals clear then he would be an excellent fit to the inside of this offensive line.

RD. 6 - 191st Selection:






Pat Bryant - WR - Illinois - 6'2" 204


Bryant has begin extremely productive for the Illini and while he is not a burner he is very smooth in his transitions and has displayed excellent body control and focus. He has been productive playing both inside and out. He is a strong receiver that fights for contested catches and can overpower corners. Bryant is an excellent get at this point in the draft and could fight for one of the final receivers spots on the opening day roster.

RD. 6 - 193rd Selection:






Howard Cross III - DT - Notre Dame - 6'1" 285


With the final selection in the draft the Bengals grab one of Al Goldens playmakers from his Notre Dame defensive line. Cross may not see many snaps on running downs but he could be a true weapon as an interior pass rush specialist for this defense. Cross has displayed extreme suddenness and explosion off the snap to go with outstanding athleticism. The Bengals could find some interesting ways to use Cross to create issues in opposing backfields.

[Stewy]

Two WRs and a TE in the first? *pukes*

Like your 2nd and 3rd round picks.

[OSUfan]

(7 hours ago)Stewy Wrote: Two WRs and a TE in the first?  *pukes*

Like your 2nd and 3rd round picks.

Passing on a talent like Loveland when you are sitting at the 28th selection, who is consistently projected inside the top 20, would be rather silly.  The highest rated player on the board was Loveland with the next being Grant. The Bengals just signed Grant in 4 years when the got Slaton. They also just brought back Hill and invested two draft selections to the DT position last season and both of those selections showed real promise as rookies. So passing on Loveland to draft Grant holds no real value for the team.


The next highest player on the board after Grant was Emmanwori. Overall I like him as a safety prospect but he does not bring the physical presence that I am wanting to see in a 1st round selection at the position. As I explained when you watch film on him he almost seems reluctant to stick his nose in against the run at many times during a game. Again, I see no real value in the selection if you are passing on a talent like Loveland.

So would you have selected either of those players over Loveland or would you have reached even further down in the rankings?

[pulses]

(10 hours ago)OSUfan Wrote: Well, the Bengals shocked the football world by wrapping up both Chase and Higgins with long term deals and solidifying the WR1 & WR2 positions for the next several years. The elephant in the room now is the Hendrickson negotiation. I am not sure if they get an extension worked out with Hendrickson and the fact that he turns 31 during the season could mean they are looking to get younger on the edge.

The true weakness on offense right now lies at both guard positions and on defense solidifying the defensive backfield with better corners and a good young safety to pair with Jordan Battle.

Given the above factors this is how it went:




When the Bengals went on the clock with the 17th selection I was eyeing Mykel Williams or Tyler Booker but both players were off the board. With guard being my biggest concern I would be looking at Jackson or Ratledge in the second or third. With both key targets off the board the Bengals entertained an offer from Detroit. After adding the values of each selection in amounted to the Lions giving up a mid 4th round selection to move up with the Bengals swapping first round selections with them and acquiring their 2nd and 4th round selections. 

Detroit used the 17th selection to draft Donovan Ezeiruaku edge rusher from Boston College.

With the 28th selection the Bengals were looking at Colston Loveland, Kenneth Grant, and Nick Emmanwori. The Bengals just added the NFL comparison to Grant in Slaton and with the investments in young DTs in the '24 draft the Bengals looked for better value. Emmanwori is a freakish athlete at safety but when you watch film on him he seems to be reluctant to stick his nose in as a stout run defender. These factors led to the selection at 28.

No added pass rush and no additonal help on the DL equals fail to me

[Goalpost]

Sai'vion Jones is the type of day 3 pick I'd support. He's got the frame and talent. Just hasn't been consistent.