Cincy Bengals Talk - Top Defensive Players Bengals Could Target

[Okeana]

(04-07-2025, 02:20 PM)ochocincos Wrote: James Rapien posted a video this morning defining players he think Bengals could target for defense in Rd 1.

Walter Nolen, DT Ole Miss - Bengals bringing him in for a visit, so maybe DT isn't off the table.

Jihaad Campbell - LB Alabama - Elite and would really elevate the LB unit. Not only off-ball LB but also as a pass rusher.

Derrick Harmon, DT Oregon - Another pass rushing DT Rapien likes other than Nolen.

Nick Emmanwori, SAF South Carolina - Rapien loves NE. He thinks his young age, great size, elite athleticism, and versatility should allow for Bengals to easily find a good role for him, even if it's not as deep safety 100% of the time. Bengals bringing him in for a pre-draft visit as well.

Malaki Starks, SAF Georgia - Deep, athletic safety, but maybe not in the mix over Emmanwori.

Jahdae Barron, CB Texas or Will Johnson, CB Michigan - Not expecting CB but these two guys could be great if they do.

Note - Rapien is thinking Bengals are not looking at DE in Rd 1 and will likely more look at on Day 2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUB1-hzy2Oo

ranked


Blue Chip

Jahdae Barron
Jihaad Campbell

Elite

Nick Emmanwori

Plus Starter

Malaki Starks
Derrick Harmon

Too many issues on and off the field

Walter Nolen

[Tomcat]

(04-08-2025, 03:52 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Eh, I think if anything the John Ross pick makes us shy away from a player like Stewart...


Agree. Develop Myles Murphy, the End we took in the 1st a couple years ago who actually had more production in college than Stewart.

I hope you're right!

[Tomcat]

(04-08-2025, 03:21 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: I think we're done drafting on emotion because that was a Mike Brown-style move and he's out of the picture now. 

I hope you're right, but i hope i'm not telling you "told you so" April 25th!

[Whatever]

(04-08-2025, 03:21 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: I think we're done drafting on emotion because that was a Mike Brown-style move and he's out of the picture now. 

Ross was ultimately a Brown pick, but only because he had to break the deadlock between Tobin, who wanted Ross, and Lewis, who wanted Reuben Foster.  Foster turned out to be a complete PoS off the field and washed out of the league within 2 years, so we would've gotten a bust, either way.  

Ross actually produced on the field in college when he wasn't injured and put some nasty stuff on tape.  He was a lot more coming out than a 40 time, though he shot up boards because of it.  However, he fell apart in the pro's.  Seems he stopped caring once he had several million in the bank.

[Bilbo Saggins]

Barron seems like a guy who would do best in a conservative zone defense. Same as Stone and Hilton. The current CBs seem to skew toward being better at man - especially CTB. Good prospect just seems like an awkward fit. 

No edges being listed is funny. I've officially done a 180 on Pearce. His QB just came out and said that the character concern stuff is hogwash. Sounds like Pearce is intense/introverted and it rubs some people the wrong way. That might've been part of why Geno Atkins fell to the fourth. 

[*ochocincos*]

Locked On Bengals just released a video a couple hours ago mentioning Bengals are doing 30 (formerly called Top 30) visits with James Pearce Jr. (DE Tennessee) and Jonah Savaiinaea (OL Arizona), two guys I have mocked to Bengals before - Pearce in Rd 1, Sav in Rd 2.

It's extremely likely Bengals take someone in Rd 1 that they have met with.

[SunsetBengal]

(04-08-2025, 08:35 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Locked On Bengals just released a video a couple hours ago mentioning Bengals are doing 30 (formerly called Top 30) visits with James Pearce Jr. (DE Tennessee) and Jonah Savaiinaea (OL Arizona), two guys I have mocked to Bengals before - Pearce in Rd 1, Sav in Rd 2.

It's extremely likely Bengals take someone in Rd 1 that they have met with.

Yes, and they have met with a bunch of other players as well, across a spectrum of positions. 

[Essex Johnson]

(04-08-2025, 02:07 PM)Whatever Wrote: They did the same with Burton last year.  Sadly, they seem to have misread that situation.

Im not sure if they misread Burton, he dropped in draft this is different than the DE they are bring in since they will go in 1st round, less concern vs more concern with Burton

[*ochocincos*]

(04-08-2025, 08:42 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Yes, and they have met with a bunch of other players as well, across a spectrum of positions. 

Kind of, but not all. I haven't seen them meet with any WRs or QB for example.
All I'm saying is if people are thinking who the Bengals might draft, look at the list of players they have met with.
It will extremely likely be one of them.

[Whatever]

(04-09-2025, 09:17 AM)ochocincos Wrote: Kind of, but not all. I haven't seen them meet with any WRs or QB for example.
All I'm saying is if people are thinking who the Bengals might draft, look at the list of players they have met with.
It will extremely likely be one of them.

They met with Egbuka and several Day 3 WR's at the Combine.

[*ochocincos*]

(04-09-2025, 09:37 AM)Whatever Wrote: They met with Egbuka and several Day 3 WR's at the Combine.

I forgot about Egbuka, but I don't count the Day 3 guys. No one should expect those will end up being 1st round picks, but I get your point. You were helping me realize I spoke in an absolute :)

But also, Egbuka was before they got the long-term deal with Higgins done, so I pretty much rule out a WR early now.
The top 3 options in the passing game for the next 3 years will be Chase, Higgins, and Gesicki.

I do expect the 1st round pick to be a defensive playmaker or OL based on recent visits Bengals have been having.

[Goalpost]

Brief summary....The receivers, as far as I can see, who they met with are ....

Emeka Egbuka...likely insurance if Tee didnt sign
Mathew Golden...likely insurance if Tee didn't sign
Isaac TeSlaa..Arkansas Pro day. He seems to be ranked 3-5 range.
Andrew Armstrong..Arkansas Pro day. I'm guessing he is 6th round or later.
Sam Brown...Miami. Spoke to at the combine. He looks to be a FA type.

I could see if they did a trade, and got an extra pick, then the last 3 would be options they'd consider. What's happening behind the scenes with Burton...who knows.
Overall though, the needs are greater at other positions than WR.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

I think the names are known:

Thrilled if they drop: Walker (LB/DE), Johnson (CB)
Need fillers:
DT: Nolen, Harmon, Grant
S: Emmanwori, Starks
DE/OLB: Green, Pearce, M. Williams (I hope not,)
LB: Campbell
DE: Stewart (I hope not)

Barron at CB would not be ridiculous. Nor would TE if there, a G, or and OT to G guy

[Whatever]

(04-09-2025, 09:50 AM)ochocincos Wrote: I forgot about Egbuka, but I don't count the Day 3 guys. No one should expect those will end up being 1st round picks, but I get your point. You were helping me realize I spoke in an absolute :)

But also, Egbuka was before they got the long-term deal with Higgins done, so I pretty much rule out a WR early now.
The top 3 options in the passing game for the next 3 years will be Chase, Higgins, and Gesicki.

I do expect the 1st round pick to be a defensive playmaker or OL based on recent visits Bengals have been having.

From what I've seen, the Bengals haven't met with a single OL that projected to go in the 1st.

The projected 1st rounders they've met with are...

RB-Jeanty
TE-Warren, Loveland 
WR-Egbuka
EDGE-Williams, Pearce, Stewart Green
DT-Nolen
CB-Johnson
S-Starks, Emmanwori 

[Hammerstripes]

(04-08-2025, 03:21 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: I think we're done drafting on emotion because that was a Mike Brown-style move and he's out of the picture now. 

I don't think that was an emotional pick, they wanted a deep threat and Ross was the best one.  He actually flashed a couple times when he was here.  I just think mentally he was a train wreck.

If anything, it shows that Bengals still take medical evaluations very seriously as they passed on Jonathon Allen because of his potential knee issues - and we've seen how that worked out.

[*ochocincos*]

(04-09-2025, 10:33 AM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: I think the names are known:

Thrilled if they drop: Walker (LB/DE), Johnson (CB)
Need fillers:
DT: Nolen, Harmon, Grant
S: Emmanwori, Starks
DE/OLB: Green, Pearce, M. Williams (I hope not,)
LB: Campbell
DE: Stewart (I hope not)

Barron at CB would not be ridiculous. Nor would TE if there, a G, or and OT to G guy

Is there a separate thread for the visits?
If not, would be great if there were.
I didn't notice one, but maybe it was embedded in some other and I missed it.

Out of the group above, I lean toward - Nolen, Emmanwori, Starks, Pearce (if red flags check out), or Campbell. I can be on board with Grant too, but hard to prefer him over the other guys I just mentioned, as I see them as being more playmakers than Grant. I think Grant will be very solid, but I don't think he'll bring the pass rush juice I would want to see from a Rd 1 prospect.

Personally, I don't see a new CB making enough difference, especially in the AFC North. But I do like both Johnson and Barron as CBs.

[SunsetBengal]

(04-09-2025, 12:40 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Is there a separate thread for the visits?
If not, would be great if there were.
I didn't notice one, but maybe it was embedded in some other and I missed it.

Out of the group above, I lean toward - Nolen, Emmanwori, Starks, Pearce (if red flags check out), or Campbell. I can be on board with Grant too, but hard to prefer him over the other guys I just mentioned, as I see them as being more playmakers than Grant. I think Grant will be very solid, but I don't think he'll bring the pass rush juice I would want to see from a Rd 1 prospect.

Personally, I don't see a new CB making enough difference, especially in the AFC North. But I do like both Johnson and Barron as CBs.

I think that he's listed most every Bengals visit in this thread.

https://thebengalsboard.com/thread-40090.html

[Goalpost]

(04-09-2025, 12:40 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Is there a separate thread for the visits?
If not, would be great if there were.
I didn't notice one, but maybe it was embedded in some other and I missed it.

 

I tend to follow Walter for this although it doesn't update every day.

https://walterfootball.com/ProspectMeetingsByTeam2025.php

edit...I thought someone had a thread, not surprised it was Synric's.

edit #2...Here's another one found

https://thebengalsboard.com/thread-40258.html

[*Synric*]

(04-09-2025, 12:48 PM)Goalpost Wrote: I tend to follow Walter for this although it doesn't update every day.

https://walterfootball.com/ProspectMeetingsByTeam2025.php

edit...I thought someone had a thread, not surprised it was Synric's.

Someone had a thread but I couldn't find it yesterday so I just threw up the updated list in one of my dump threads lol.


Dale from the Bengals & Brews podcast does a great job keeping an updated list. 

What I currently have for visits and meetings for the Bengals. Newest additions to this list are the ones highlighted. pic.twitter.com/oiJibMNolt

— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) April 7, 2025

 


Edit: Add Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott to the visit list.

[*ochocincos*]

(04-08-2025, 04:13 PM)Okeana Wrote: ranked


Blue Chip

Jahdae Barron
Jihaad Campbell

Elite

Nick Emmanwori

Plus Starter

Malaki Starks
Derrick Harmon

Too many issues on and off the field

Walter Nolen

Let's play a hypothetical - Bengals do draft either Will Johnson or Jahdae Barron.
Which of CTB, Hill, or Turner either rides the bench or switches positions?
CTB and Hill both are in final year under contract.
Turner has 2 years left.

I would maybe lean Hill since we know he played a lot of SS in college and was really good at it (bump down Battle), or try to convert CTB to safety (which may be better suited to his skill set). Either way though, both players in final year under contract, so that's likely not enough time for them to adjust to new position and do well enough to earn a new contract.

Or does the 1st round CB play more of a reserve role this year while CTB and Hill play out their rookie contracts, then the 1st round CB shifts into starting role next year?

And does a new 1st round CB move the needle more for the defense than a safety, DL, or LB?