If I were GM

[OSUfan]

I know that we all here are passionate about this franchise and I would think that most if not all would agree that this franchise is pretty close to Championship level with some improvements. I would also think that most if not all would agree what areas need to see improvement while maybe disagreeing on the priority of what is addressed first. So, here are the areas I believe need to be a priority while in no particular order:

* Protection of Joe Burrow. The interior of the Bengals offensive line must improve dramatically for the Bengals to take the next step. The Lucas Patrick signing was a start and he graded out better than either of the starting guards last season, however, there is much more work to be done. Karras is still a very good center in the NFL and grades out highly as a pass protector. Behind Karras I think the Bengals feel they have his heir apparent in Matt Lee. As far as guard goes the Bengals have the opportunity to upgrade both starters and depth.

* Defensive Line, I believe the Bengals have made really good moves in prioritizing the interior of the D line last season with Jenkins and Jackson and I feel like both of these young DTs displayed real promise last season. I really like the signing of Slaton in free agency and the re-signing of BJ Hill. Overall, I think the Bengals are in really good shape on the interior. 

I may differ from some others in my feeling that while maybe not outstanding that the cabinets are not bare on the edge behind Hendrickson. I do feel that DE has to be a priority in the upcoming draft. I believe that Myles Murphy is going to begin to shine as a starter taking over at LDE for Hubbard. I like the re-signing of Ossai was big and I like hearing from AL Golden that he has plans for him. I find Cedric Johnson to be an interesting piece who may have a real use as a situational rusher. With these things said, I believe that the edge is and area that the Bengals cannot ignore upgrading thru all levels of the depth chart.

* Defensive secondary, while the Bengals looked to upgrade the safety position last season by bringing in Stone it just did not seem to pan out. Do I believe they should cut bait on Stone and walk away? Not at all, but the starting position as well as a roster position should not be a guarantee. If Tycen Anderson can stay healthy then I believe the Bengals need to take a really hard look at what he can bring to the table because in his brief time on the field he has looked good by the eye test. I think Jordan Battle is a promising young safety who is looking for his running mate on the backend of this secondary.

Corner is an anomaly that needs to be figured out. Which Cam Taylor-Britt is going to show up? Which Cam Taylor-Britt is the real player? Dax Hill looked extremely strong in the preseason and the injury was a real disappointment. If he returns to form I believe he can be the best corner on this team. I think Newton is a pretty good young player and I feel that Turner may be the guy to take the place of Hilton as the nickel. With a season under his belt from his injury I believe that Ivey should definitely grab a roster spot. Again, while corner is not totally weak it is a spot that has opportunity to upgrade and safety needs to be a priority.


With these considerations following is how the draft ended up:

[OSUfan]

The Draft:


When the Bengals went on the clock with the 17th overall selection on the board were the following:


#9 Tyler Warren - TE
#13 Shemar Stewart - DE
#14 Mykel Williams - DE
#15 Kelvin Williams - OT
#17 Jihaad Campbell - LB
#21 Malaki Starks - S


Of these players I felt that the highest value targets for the Bengals were Stewart, Mykel Williams, and Starks. Stewart is an anomaly in that his combine numbers and measurables do not match the lack of production. When you watch film on him he is just inches away from having vastly different production. With the proper coaching could he become more of a finisher? He very well could but when you look at the talent on the A&M line there just should have been more output from Stewart. Williams as well is a selection of could be production. I believe that both players could very well end up being outstanding edge players in the NFL but when investing a first round selection I believe most would agree that you are not looking for a project.


Starks to me looks to be the real deal at safety and when you compare him and Jessie Bates the similarities are eerie. I believe most would agree that Bates himself played like a first round safety even thought the Bengals were lucky enough to select him in the second round. 


With the way the board lined up and with apparent needs and available players I felt safe in taking a trade presented by the Detroit Lions, the final trade was a counter by the Bengals, and that the Bengals would get a player that dropped or would still be looking at a high value selection at 28 while adding important capitol later in the draft. The trade is broke down as:


The Bengals and Lions swap first round selections with the Lions as well sending their 2nd and 3rd round selections to the Bengals with the Bengals sending Detroit their 4th round selection in 2026. When the values are calculated it ends up with the Lions giving up a low 4th round selection to move up to 17. With the 17th selection Detroit selected Derrick Harmon - DT.


With the 28th Selection the Cincinnati Bengals select:


   

[Tomcat]

(Yesterday, 12:11 PM)OSUfan Wrote: The Draft:


When the Bengals went on the clock with the 17th overall selection on the board were the following:


#9 Tyler Warren - TE
#13 Shemar Stewart - DE
#14 Mykel Williams - DE
#15 Kelvin Williams - OT
#17 Jihaad Campbell - LB
#21 Malaki Starks - S


Of these players I felt that the highest value targets for the Bengals were Stewart, Mykel Williams, and Starks. Stewart is an anomaly in that his combine numbers and measurables do not match the lack of production. When you watch film on him he is just inches away from having vastly different production. With the proper coaching could he become more of a finisher? He very well could but when you look at the talent on the A&M line there just should have been more output from Stewart. Williams as well is a selection of could be production. I believe that both players could very well end up being outstanding edge players in the NFL but when investing a first round selection I believe most would agree that you are not looking for a project.


Starks to me looks to be the real deal at safety and when you compare him and Jessie Bates the similarities are eerie. I believe most would agree that Bates himself played like a first round safety even thought the Bengals were lucky enough to select him in the second round. 


With the way the board lined up and with apparent needs and available players I felt safe in taking a trade presented by the Detroit Lions, the final trade was a counter by the Bengals, and that the Bengals would get a player that dropped or would still be looking at a high value selection at 28 while adding important capitol later in the draft. The trade is broke down as:


The Bengals and Lions swap first round selections with the Lions as well sending their 2nd and 3rd round selections to the Bengals with the Bengals sending Detroit their 4th round selection in 2026. When the values are calculated it ends up with the Lions giving up a low 4th round selection to move up to 17. With the 17th selection Detroit selected Derrick Harmon - DT.


With the 28th Selection the Cincinnati Bengals select:


I could get onboard with this draft in a heartbeat!

[*ochocincos*]

I appreciate the detail in this, understand your logic, and agree with the overall approach.

I am starting to think more and more that given the lack of activity in FA with (arguably) quality guys brought in, the draft becomes more important, so it could help to have more early-round picks.

You hit on a lot of good positions that need addressed.

The only thing I would have liked to see would have maybe been a TE or RB over WR since they ended up retaining Higgins long-term, but with lack of proven depth behind Chase and Higgins, I can see that route.

We're probably going to have to accept they won't upgrade all of the non-QB positions on offense and defense despite really having some lack of depth at all of them, even if they traded back once or twice to get some extra picks.

[OSUfan]

RD. 1 - 28th Selection:




Malaki Starks - S - Georgia - 6'1" 197


With Starks the Bengals get the most refined safety in the draft as well as a player that appears to compare favorably with former Bengal Jessie Bates. Starks brings elite level football IQ and athleticism to the position to go along with outstanding ball skills and body control. In coverage Starks nearing elite level and while he is not a thumper in the run game he is a sound tackler that wraps up. Starks should be a day 1 starter at safety with Battle and Stone fighting for the second starting position. This selection is a huge value and win with the 28th selection and the gamble nets the Bengals their targeted player at 17 while strengthening their position later in the draft.


RD. 2 - 49th Selection:




Landon Jackson - DE - Arkansas - 6'6" 264

While and extension with Hendrickson may still be worked out the Bengals still need to for the heir apparent to Trey as well as pass rushing improvement across the board. Jackson was a riser prior to the combine and the combine only worked to solidify the feelings many already had for him. He is a high energy player with a motor that goes from whistle to whistle. Jackson has shown what can be described as natural feel for the position with his ability to his moves inside or out. He has the speed to exploit even athletic tackles has continued to add strength and mass thru his collegiate career. Jackson has a tendency to play high so this will be an area that he will need to continue to improve as well he could benefit from training to improve his contact balance. Overall, he is a high end edge prospect that brings real athleticism to the position,


RD. 2 - 60th Selection:




Jonah Savaiinaea - G - Arizona - 6'4" 324

If you were going to build a RG for the NFL they would be built like Jonah. He is thick throughout and has outstanding arm length for the interior while displaying enough athleticism to play tackle as well. He is a pass blocking specialist who will need to continue to work to improve in the run blocking area yet he is still a reliable blocker in the run game. With Jonah they are not selecting a lineman to convert to guard rather they are getting a guard that has played OT. Jonah was the RG for Arizona for all of '22 and started '23 at guard and moved to the edge out of need. Jonah was a team captain for Arizona.


RD. 3 - 81st Selection:




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

In the 3rd the Bengals add another LSU wide receiver via TCU. Bech got his start for the Bayou Bengals before transferring to TCU. With Bech they add a player that they bring back a younger Tyler Boyd. The comparison in measurables between both these players is almost spot on. Bech brings that same tough over the middle presence that they lost when Boyd signed with Tennessee. Like with Boyd he is not a burner but should not be taken lightly running post routes. He is a player that can play inside or out and is as comfortable in traffic as he is in space. His ball skills are elite and it should not shock anyone if he is starting in the slot on week 1.


RD. 3 - 102nd Selection;




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

Parrish is a really refined corner that frankly is an absolute steal at this point in the draft. Parrish brings elite speed and outstanding ball skills to the position as well as having very fluid hips that allow him to transition very smoothly. As with most young corners Parrish needs to continue to improve as a run defender but it is not because he is not willing. He is a good all around outside corner that barring injury will be on the opening day roster.


RD. 4 - 119th Selection:




Ty Robinson - DL - Nebraska - 6'5" 288

The best description I have heard of Robinson is a bully. If you are an offensive lineman lining up across from Robinson you better have your big boy pants on because he plays with pure strength and bad intentions. Robinson's motor never stops running and while you would like to see more length in a guy his size he mitigates some of it with just complete physicality. Robinson brings versatility to the Bengals defense front as a guy that can play the edge or interior.


RD. 5 - 153rd Selection:




Joshua Gray - G - Oregon St. - 6'5" 299

In Gray they find a player that started 3 seasons for Oregon State at LT prior to moving inside for his final season to play LG and looked completely natural at the position. The description that follows Gray is tough, strong, and reliable. In his move to LG in '24 Gray graded out at over a 72 according to PFF and that was in over 800 snaps. Gray has displayed an outstanding football IQ and he was a team captain for Oregon State.


RD. 6 - 193rd Selection:




Luke Kandra - G - UC - 6'5" 320

With their final selection the Bengals continue to bolster the interior of the O line with a local product in the big and physical Kandra who has two straight seasons as a starting RG and was a captain for the Bearcats in '24. Kandra plays with a very nasty demeanor and looks to put any defender he blocks on their back. He is a pure technician at the RG position and drew only a single penalty in over 2000 snaps. With this selection they have another player that will compete to make the starting lineup or to push previous depth off of the roster.

[sandwedge]

I really this draft! Starks isn't my first choice but I could live with it.