01-16-2017, 04:10 PM
The Bills have Tyrod, but there are many articles that the team likely wants to move on from him. They are 9th lowest on remaining cap space for 2017, so they don't have a lot of room to invest in FAs. By trading for McCarron, it gives them a QB that could help them win now and invest remaining cap space for a good FA or two.
I think McCarron's trade value has gone down now that he only has a year left and didn't play at all this year, so I'm predicting McCarron to Bills for their 2nd round pick (42)
Also, I think the Bengals need and can make every effort to retain their top 3 FAs (Whitworth, Kirkpatrick, Zeitler). I think, though, that in order to do that, they will not be able to re-sign LaFell or Burkhead. It's also time to cut Maualuga once and for all. I also think that the Bengals need and want to see if Fisher can handle the RT duties as the starter. Because of that and re-signing of Zeitler, I don't see the Bengals bringing in any outside FAs other than a kicker.
1: Derek Barnett, DE Tennessee (6'3", 265 lb) - I've been pretty much all in on Reuben Foster for some time now, but this team's defense depends primarily on the performance of its DEs, UT, and WILL. Barnett has produced each year, tallying double digit sacks and TFL every season. Barnett would be the heir behind MJ, competing for snaps right away.
2: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR USC (6'2", 220 lb) - I believe that in order for the Bengals to retain Zeitler, they will not have sufficient funds to keep LaFell. Therefore, I think this team could pick up a WR early that could come in as a WR2/3. JJSS has good size, great footwork, good enough speed, and solid route running and hands to be a good WR2 in the NFL.
2(BUF): Jarrad Davis, LB Florida (6'1", 238 lb) - If the Bengals don't get Foster in the first, Davis in the second makes sense. He's very athletic, instinctive, and tough. He'd be an upgrade in coverage over the other MIKEs the team has, allowing Davis to become a 3-down LB to pair with Burfict.
3: Jaleel Johnson, DT Iowa (6'3", 310 lb) - I liked the Hardison pick, but he's constantly hurt. I also like DeShawn Williams, but he's just not shown enough to warrant a lock as backup DT behind Geno. Johnson has been a stud pass rusher from the DT position and could be that third down interior rush specialist while he improves his run defense.
4: Joe Mixon, RB Oklahoma (6'1", 226 lb) - Mixon has the talent to be a second or third round pick. He can run, catch, and has good size to be a bell cow. However, Mixon has to address his domestic violence charge from college, and that will result in many teams having him as a late round pick or off their boards completely. Regardless, Mixon has talent and could be the starter that we hoped Hill was going to be.
EDIT - If you have a problem with Mixon because of his domestic violence charges, there are plenty of other good RBs to take here. Either way, a RB makes sense in the 4th.
4comp1: Stacy Coley, WR/KR Miami (6'1", 193 lb) - Coley is the burner that this team has been missing. I'm honestly torn between him and Josh Reynolds out of TAMU, but Reynolds is more a long strider and bigger WR whereas Coley is faster and shiftier, and I think the Bengals have a Reynolds-type of WR in Cody Core. Coley should have enough height to stay outside, but his speed is what matters most.
4comp2: Dan Skipper, OT/OG Arkansas (6'8", 319 lb) - Skipper played LT for the hogs, but is more suited as a smashmouth RT. He struggles at times with faster rushers, but gets good movement in the run game and can seal off rushers with his big size and long arms. A move inside to RG could also be possible for Skipper.
5: Jon Toth, C UK (6'5", 310 lb) - Toth is bigger than a traditional C, but has done well for the Wildcats. While not overly strong, Toth surprisingly plays with really good leverage to win battles inside and open holes in the run game. I don't expect this team to move away from Bodine right away, but they need a backup that can pressure Bodine for playing time.
6: Fabian Moreau, CB UCLA (6'0", 200 lb) - CB depth. Moreau has been a PBU machine and finally turned a couple of those into INTs with two this year. The Bengals like to take a CB seemingly every year and this will be no different. If needed, send Moreau to the PS until a spot opens up.
6comp1: Chad Kelly, QB Ole Miss (6'2", 224 lb) - A QB with a big arm and a lot of confidence to compete with Driskel as the backup QB. Other to PS.
6comp2: Xavier Woods, SS LA Tech (5'11", 219 lb) - Woods is a Bengals style safety, as he has the skill set to play either safety position. He can tackle, hit, and cover. What will keep him down is his level of competition. Given this team just extended Williams and Iloka, see what Shaw can do with more reps at safety, and see more of Smith and Fejedelem, I don't see them going after a safety early in the draft.
7: Josh Tupou, DT Colorado (6'2", 325 lb) - Many touted Tupou last year, but Tupou decided to return to Colorado to try to boost his stock. Unfortunately, he didn't really show increased production. He is a talented run stuffer at NT with some pocket collapsing potential. Given the Bengals have Peko hitting FA, Billings returning from IR, and Sims entering a contract year, Tupou makes sense to groom a year on the PS and then bump up to backup Billings in 2018.
I think McCarron's trade value has gone down now that he only has a year left and didn't play at all this year, so I'm predicting McCarron to Bills for their 2nd round pick (42)
Also, I think the Bengals need and can make every effort to retain their top 3 FAs (Whitworth, Kirkpatrick, Zeitler). I think, though, that in order to do that, they will not be able to re-sign LaFell or Burkhead. It's also time to cut Maualuga once and for all. I also think that the Bengals need and want to see if Fisher can handle the RT duties as the starter. Because of that and re-signing of Zeitler, I don't see the Bengals bringing in any outside FAs other than a kicker.
1: Derek Barnett, DE Tennessee (6'3", 265 lb) - I've been pretty much all in on Reuben Foster for some time now, but this team's defense depends primarily on the performance of its DEs, UT, and WILL. Barnett has produced each year, tallying double digit sacks and TFL every season. Barnett would be the heir behind MJ, competing for snaps right away.
2: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR USC (6'2", 220 lb) - I believe that in order for the Bengals to retain Zeitler, they will not have sufficient funds to keep LaFell. Therefore, I think this team could pick up a WR early that could come in as a WR2/3. JJSS has good size, great footwork, good enough speed, and solid route running and hands to be a good WR2 in the NFL.
2(BUF): Jarrad Davis, LB Florida (6'1", 238 lb) - If the Bengals don't get Foster in the first, Davis in the second makes sense. He's very athletic, instinctive, and tough. He'd be an upgrade in coverage over the other MIKEs the team has, allowing Davis to become a 3-down LB to pair with Burfict.
3: Jaleel Johnson, DT Iowa (6'3", 310 lb) - I liked the Hardison pick, but he's constantly hurt. I also like DeShawn Williams, but he's just not shown enough to warrant a lock as backup DT behind Geno. Johnson has been a stud pass rusher from the DT position and could be that third down interior rush specialist while he improves his run defense.
4: Joe Mixon, RB Oklahoma (6'1", 226 lb) - Mixon has the talent to be a second or third round pick. He can run, catch, and has good size to be a bell cow. However, Mixon has to address his domestic violence charge from college, and that will result in many teams having him as a late round pick or off their boards completely. Regardless, Mixon has talent and could be the starter that we hoped Hill was going to be.
EDIT - If you have a problem with Mixon because of his domestic violence charges, there are plenty of other good RBs to take here. Either way, a RB makes sense in the 4th.
4comp1: Stacy Coley, WR/KR Miami (6'1", 193 lb) - Coley is the burner that this team has been missing. I'm honestly torn between him and Josh Reynolds out of TAMU, but Reynolds is more a long strider and bigger WR whereas Coley is faster and shiftier, and I think the Bengals have a Reynolds-type of WR in Cody Core. Coley should have enough height to stay outside, but his speed is what matters most.
4comp2: Dan Skipper, OT/OG Arkansas (6'8", 319 lb) - Skipper played LT for the hogs, but is more suited as a smashmouth RT. He struggles at times with faster rushers, but gets good movement in the run game and can seal off rushers with his big size and long arms. A move inside to RG could also be possible for Skipper.
5: Jon Toth, C UK (6'5", 310 lb) - Toth is bigger than a traditional C, but has done well for the Wildcats. While not overly strong, Toth surprisingly plays with really good leverage to win battles inside and open holes in the run game. I don't expect this team to move away from Bodine right away, but they need a backup that can pressure Bodine for playing time.
6: Fabian Moreau, CB UCLA (6'0", 200 lb) - CB depth. Moreau has been a PBU machine and finally turned a couple of those into INTs with two this year. The Bengals like to take a CB seemingly every year and this will be no different. If needed, send Moreau to the PS until a spot opens up.
6comp1: Chad Kelly, QB Ole Miss (6'2", 224 lb) - A QB with a big arm and a lot of confidence to compete with Driskel as the backup QB. Other to PS.
6comp2: Xavier Woods, SS LA Tech (5'11", 219 lb) - Woods is a Bengals style safety, as he has the skill set to play either safety position. He can tackle, hit, and cover. What will keep him down is his level of competition. Given this team just extended Williams and Iloka, see what Shaw can do with more reps at safety, and see more of Smith and Fejedelem, I don't see them going after a safety early in the draft.
7: Josh Tupou, DT Colorado (6'2", 325 lb) - Many touted Tupou last year, but Tupou decided to return to Colorado to try to boost his stock. Unfortunately, he didn't really show increased production. He is a talented run stuffer at NT with some pocket collapsing potential. Given the Bengals have Peko hitting FA, Billings returning from IR, and Sims entering a contract year, Tupou makes sense to groom a year on the PS and then bump up to backup Billings in 2018.
Zac Taylor 2019-2020: 6 total wins
Zac Taylor 2021-2022: Double-digit wins each season, plus 5 postseason wins
Zac Taylor 2023: 9 wins despite losing Burrow half the season
Zac Taylor 2024: 3-5 so far. If he can turn this into a playoff appearance, it will be impressive.
Sorry for Party Rocking!
![[Image: 4CV0TeR.png]](https://i.imgur.com/4CV0TeR.png)
Zac Taylor 2021-2022: Double-digit wins each season, plus 5 postseason wins
Zac Taylor 2023: 9 wins despite losing Burrow half the season
Zac Taylor 2024: 3-5 so far. If he can turn this into a playoff appearance, it will be impressive.
Sorry for Party Rocking!
