If I were GM 2.0

[OSUfan]

I know we all like to imagine would could be if we had just one draft for this franchise. I did a previous if I were GM draft and this is version 2.0 with a bit more film watching and data to apply to my selections.

When the Bengals went on the clock with the 17th selection on the board were the following players with their draft ranking:

14) Jahdae Barron - CB
17) Mike Green - DE
18) Jihaad Campbell - LB
19) Colston Loveland - TE
20) Matthew Golden - WR
21) Malaki Starks - S
22) Kenneth Grant - DT

When I looked at fitting need and value for the team I came down to Mike Green and Malaki Starks. K.C. was offering a trade to move up which I did not think benefited the Bengals enough to move down so I countered with the following offer which was accepted by K.C. :

K.C. received the 17th overall selection as well as a 2026 3rd round selection.
Bengals received the 31st overall selection as well as selections 2-63 and 3-66.

K.C. used the 17th overall selection to draft James Pearce Jr. defensive end.

When the Bengals went on the clock with the 31st selection on the board were that following players by ranking:

21) Malaki Starks - S
24) Omarion Hampton - RB
28) Gray Zabel - OL
30) Tyler Booker - OG
32) Donovan Ezeiraku - DE/LB
33) Emeka Egbuka - WR
34) Luther Burden - WR

With the way the draft had fallen to this point and with the needs of the Bengals at certain positions relative to the value of the players at those positions I felt using the capital acquired in the K.C. trade to move up in the 2nd round would be a priority. The Bengals offered the following trade to he Titans and it was accepted.

Titans receive selections 2-63 and 3-66.
Bengals receive selections 2-35 and 5-167.

Below are the trades and the Draft:

   
   

[OSUfan]

RD. 1 - 31st:



Malaki Starks - S - Georgia - 6'1" 197
When you look at measurables, traits, skillsets, and draft profiles you can virtually swap them back and forth for Starks and Jessie Bates. The Bengals go with the no brainer selection and best safety in the draft with the 31st selection. Starks brings high football IQ, sound tackling, coverage ability, and excellent ball skills to the Cincinnati secondary. He need to continue to work on his awareness in pursuit angles but this should be coachable as well as improve with maturity and experience. Starks will be looking to take starting on day 1 next Jordan Battle unless someone else steps up to take the job from Battle. Starks was a finalist for the Thorpe Award and led the Bulldogs in tackles.


RD. 2 - 35th:



Donovan Mitchell - OG - The Ohio State - 6'4" 315
Jackson was the 5th highest graded player on the board with the 35th selection with the only edge rusher grading higher being Donovan Ezeiraku, who I really like. The Bengals hit possibly the biggest immediate pre-draft need with a very high value selection. Jackson is built to play guard with his broad frame and elite length for the interior of the line. He plays with outstanding athleticism and fluidity for pulling and getting to secondary targets. While he may not be considered a road grader he does look to finish every block with physicality. Jackson needs to clean up his hand usage a bit as sometimes he allows his hands to go wide, however, he is a day 1 starter at LG and a huge upgrade at the position for years to come. Jackson showed his team first mentality by moving to LT, a position he had never played, and helping to carry the Bucks to a Natty.


RD. 2 - 49th:



Nic Scourton - DE - A&M - 6'3" 257
The Bengals hit another huge value score with the second highest graded player on the board (Luther Burden - WR highest graded). Ironically, the NFL comparison that Nic draws is Trey Hendrickson, which I feel is a great comparison, and I feel that Nic may even be a better run defender than Trey. He consistently drew double teams and chip help from opposing OCs as he plays with excellent power and aggression while keeping his awareness of where the play is going. He plays with controlled violence and a nasty demeanor which DCs covet. While I would like to see higher sack totals at the collegiate level when you watch film on him you see a player that is consistently disruptive leading to turnovers, forced errors, and failed offensive possessions. Like with Trey I believe you will see the sack totals climb as he gains experience and maturity within the system. Nic was a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.


RD. 3 - 81st:

Jonah Savaiinaea - OG - Arizona - 6'4" 324
The Bengals select the highest graded player on the board and score big again with need and value while solidifying the interior of the offensive line, which many felt was the biggest weakness for this team. When watching film on Jonah the focus should be on '22 and early '23. Just as Jackson is a natural LG , Jonah is a natural RG who like Jackson gives the team a player with the ability to kick out to tackle in an emergency. He is thick and densely built and brings elite length to the inside of the line. He has displayed excellent hand usage as a pass blocker but needs to continue to improve his hand placement as a run blocker. Jonah will need to continue to improve his stance and technique when sitting down to anchor against power rushers but this should be coachable. Jonah was a team captain for the Wildcats.


RD. 4 - 119th:


Jacob Parrish - CB - K State - 5'10" 191
The Bengals need to improve all the way across the secondary and that is with starters and depth. The Bengals do just that when the select the highest graded player on the board and they hit again with high value in regard to need. Parrish is an outstanding addition to the secondary bringing elite speed and fluidity to go with outstanding technique and ball skills. He is still a work in progress against the run but has absolutely displayed the willingness and this should improve with with playing time and strength training in an NFL program. Parrish should push for early snaps for this defense.


RD. 5 - 153rd:


Sai'vion Jones - DE - LSU - 6'5" 280
The Bengals select the 3rd highest graded player on the board (Danny Stutsman - LB/ Lathan Ranson - S) as they continue their defensive overhaul. If you want to play the D line for the Bengals you are going to have to start strapping on your big boy pants and tune up your motor if you want to see the field. Jones brings the NFL traits to with the NFL size and NFL motor. Many feel that his best football is shortly ahead of him. Jones plays with violence and relentlessness but needs coached up to add rush control to the package as sometimes his straight ahead charge can lead to missed sack and tackle opportunities. The more film you watch on this kid the more you like him. Al Golden and Jerry Montgomery should be licking their chops to unharness what this kid could be.


RD. 5 - 167th:


Nick Nash - WR - San Jose St. - 6'2.5" 203
Just as Chase won the receiving Triple Crown in the NFL, Nash completed the same feat at the collegiate level. What makes this so impressive for Nash is that he did it in only his second season as a starting WR as he came to San Jose as a dual threat QB. Nash displayed elite football IQ and competitiveness to go along with outstanding ball skills and leaping ability in his transition. However, what may be his most impressive traits are his elite character and competitiveness as talked about by his coaching staff and teammates. Not only is Nash an excellent leaper but he has shown a natural timing while learning to play the position. He has much to refine but his rapid growth shows that it should not be an issue.


RD. 6 - 193rd:


Cody Simon - LB - The Ohio State - 6'2" 230
When the stage was the biggest for the Buckeyes Simon rose to the occasion. Cody Simon was the Defensive MVP for both the Rose Bowl and the National Championship games. Simon is an extremely sound football player who plays with good instincts and awareness. His skills went a long way in helping the Bucks to cover TEs and backs out of the backfield and his speed, sub 4.6 40, is apparent in his range. He is a good tackler but his short arms mean he needs to constantly play with good tackling form to make sure he is wrapping up.

[sandwedge]

I honestly like this draft from top to bottom! I could see every one of these players contributing at some point. Your last 2 picks could be steals! Love Cody Simon

[Speedy Thomas]

I would have jumped on Zabel or Booker at 31, but your savviness and patience were rewarded with not one, but two plug and play guards.  Plus hitting all the other positions needed.

I nominate you for GM.  You're a forkin genius.

[OSUfan]

(04-12-2025, 09:30 AM)Speedy Thomas Wrote: I would have jumped on Zabel or Booker at 31, but your savviness and patience were rewarded with not one, but two plug and play guards.  Plus hitting all the other positions needed.

I nominate you for GM.  You're a forkin genius.

I like Booker a lot but I am not sure that he fits in the offensive scheme that the Bengals employ. He seems to be more fitted for a team that uses a lot of power runs.