Going Into April Mock

[*ochocincos*]

I received a lot of feedback on my last mock, and I heard your concerns.

Some not thrilled with Pearce because of character concerns.
Some not optimistic about Milum switching to Guard since he was playing OT, even though he was stellar at OT, just has short arms.
And concern with Omar Norman-Lott's injury.

So after reevaluating, here is one I think is one that could happen and could get quality value from all picks this coming season.

1) Nick Emmanwori, FS/SS South Carolina - While I personally like Starks more, Bengals met with both Starks and Emmanwori, so they're considering a safety. Emmanwori has top-of-the-line size (6'3", 220 lbs) and athleticism (10.0 RAS), so his ceiling is literally through the roof. He is also the more versatile of the two, being able to play either position. Given we don't know whether Golden is thinking of more of a safety to replace Stone or Battle, E-man would give the option to replace either. He may also be able to play some nickel LB?

2) Jonah Savaiinaea, OL Arizona - Big (6'4", 324 lbs), versatile guy who has plenty of starts at OG and OT. Very, very good in pass protection, which the Bengals need to prioritize. He shows some athletic limitations on tape to stick at OT in the NFL, but he should be perfectly fine transitioning back to OG and being a long-time starter in the league inside. He tested very well at the Combine, putting up a 9.19 RAS when compared to OTs, a 9.84 RAS when compared to OGs. Sav not only, I think, would earn a starter role going into Week 1 at Guard, but he also offers flexibility to cover OT if injuries happen to OBJ or Mims.

3) Kyle Kennard, DE South Carolina - Kennard is tall, long, and has good get-off to get consistent pressure from the outside. He played closer to 240 in college, but he got up to 254 for the Combine and still has good speed. While he needs improvement as a run defender, his increased size should help him. Plus, I would expect new DL coach Montgomery to be able to help coach. While Kennard is already a good pass rusher coming around the edge, he can become even better if coaches can help teach him inside moves to expand his arsenal. As a rookie, I see him as a great fit as a rotational pass rusher with the potential to take over one of the starting DE spots in 2026 or 2027.

4) Aeneas Peebles, DT Virginia Tech - Undersized but effective DT who can help boost the pass rush. I really like Peebles's effort he gives every play. He is relentless and finds ways to get the job done despite his size limitations. He's also surprisingly solid against the run. Peebles can help fill the role that Carter was supposed to be.

5) Mitchell Evans, TE Notre Dame - Size and versatility at the TE position to become a quality TE2 and replace Sample next year. Evans is 6'5", nearly 260 lbs. His speed and agility were considered good for how big he was. A similar guy athletic and size wise is Mark Andrews. Andrews faster straight line (4.67 vs 4.74) but somewhat worse agility (4.38 shuttle and 7.34 3-cone vs 4.40 shuttle and 7.25 3-cone).

6) Raheim Sanders, RB South Carolina - RB with solid size who is considered a thumper. From what I see and scouting reports mention, Sanders will get the tough yards. Dude has good speed along with that size, and he has 4 years of good SEC production - 3111 rushing yards (5.4 YPC) and 28 rushing TDs with 771 receiving yards (10.1 YPR) with 5 receiving TDs. As a RB3/4, I think he can be a solid rotational guy behind Brown and Perine.

EDIT - If Sanders happens to not be available at the Bengals' 6th pick, hopefully Tahj Brooks out of Texas Tech is there. Hoss of a RB who can run, catch, and pass block.
4557 rushing yards (5.2 YPC) and 45 rushing TDs, 548 receiving yards (9.8 YPR) and 2 receiving TDs across 5 seasons. He really stepped up the past two seasons, carrying a full workload.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

I like that mock a lot.

The more I think on it, however, the more I like taking Donovan Jackson at 17 and getting S help later (Watts, Winston, Mukuba, etc) IF none if the absolute blue-chippers fall (Warren, Walker, Johnson, etc).

Emmanwori & Starks are close to that level for me, but not quite. J. Campbell, too. And Green/Pearce are situational/rotational guys, so are most ofcthe DTs (at first).

I want a plug & play starter in Rd1. Not afraid to reach a bit for a G/S/LB to get one. After the top dozen or so, I do not think there is much difference between 15-50.

[*ochocincos*]

(03-31-2025, 01:27 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: I like that mock a lot.

The more I think on it, however, the more I like taking Donovan Jackson at 17 and getting S help later (Watts, Winston, Mukuba, etc) IF none if the absolute blue-chippers fall (Warren, Walker, Johnson, etc).

Emmanwori & Starks are close to that level for me, but not quite. J. Campbell, too. And Green/Pearce are situational/rotational guys, so are most ofcthe DTs (at first).

I want a plug & play starter in Rd1. Not afraid to reach a bit for a G/S/LB to get one. After the top dozen or so, I do not think there is much difference between 15-50.

Is Donovan Jackson climbing to mid-1st round projections?
I thought he was being projected late-1st, early-2nd?

I like him, but I'm not wanting to reach for a Guard in Rd 1 just to to have a plug and play starter.

Have you looked much into Savaiinaea? He's very, very good in pass protection to be a plug-and-play starter, IMO.

I wouldn't be overly upset though if a Guard is taken in Rd 1, but I was trying to factor in BPA in the mock.

[*Synric*]

Nick Emmanwori is a box/cover 2 safety the further he gets from the line of scrimmage the worse he gets. Emmanwori got the double bump for athleticism after the combine he's a second round safety. Doesn't mean much though alot of second round players are going to go in the first round this year.


Emmanwori is in the same box as Shemar Stewart, Walter Nolen, Kenneth Grant, Mykel Williams. Top quality athlete with raw technique with inconsistent tape... but when they flash they flash all-pro ability.


PS. And Yes Emmanwori's best tape is at nickle linebacker.

[*ochocincos*]

(Yesterday, 06:13 AM)Synric Wrote: Nick Emmanwori is a box/cover 2 safety the further he gets from the line of scrimmage the worse he gets. Emmanwori got the double bump for athleticism after the combine he's a second round safety. Doesn't mean much though alot of second round players are going to go in the first round this year.


Emmanwori is in the same box as Shemar Stewart, Walter Nolen, Kenneth Grant, Mykel Williams. Top quality athlete with raw technique with inconsistent tape... but when they flash they flash all-pro ability.


PS. And Yes Emmanwori's best tape is at nickle linebacker.

While I agree with you, the Bengals did meet with him, which to me indicates they are considering him.
I can't imagine they'd meet with someone before they've studied them.

We don't really know what Golden has planned for safety and whether he thinks Battle needs replaced at SS or Stone at FS.
What I can see though is a scenario where Golden may like Emmanwori's speed, athleticism, and size enough that they just want to get him and try him somewhere or multiple places.


Everyone on this board should know my feelings on Stone by now that I don't care much for him and want a new FS. My preferences for FS out of this draft class are Starks, Watts, and Mukuba. But Emmanwori I can see having some value and usefulness in multiple roles.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 06:13 AM)Synric Wrote: Nick Emmanwori is a box/cover 2 safety the further he gets from the line of scrimmage the worse he gets. Emmanwori got the double bump for athleticism after the combine he's a second round safety. Doesn't mean much though alot of second round players are going to go in the first round this year.


Emmanwori is in the same box as Shemar Stewart, Walter Nolen, Kenneth Grant, Mykel Williams. Top quality athlete with raw technique with inconsistent tape... but when they flash they flash all-pro ability.


PS. And Yes Emmanwori's best tape is at nickle linebacker.

You opinion he is a 2nd round talent, but you are correct he will go in first round. 

I have always been under the opinion once a guy is drafted, his draft number instantly becomes. irrelevent. I have seen lots of 1st round picks fail, even more 2nd and 4rd round picks fail. I have seen some be good and not great. I have seen lower draft picks excel, Geno Atkins come to mind as does Trey Smith(6th round) from KC.

I do think the team is targeting a plug and play guard inround 1. 

[Goalpost]

I wouldn't be totally shocked if Emmanwori goes even earlier. He's one of those type players where it only takes one club to like him a lot. I remember when Jahmyr Gibbs went 12th overall, much higher than he was forecast.