JC

Albert Breer in his newest column: What you need to know: Cincinnati’s gone into the past few drafts with an offensive line need and this year’s no different, with the departure of Jonah Williams opening a spot opposite Orlando Brown Jr. at tackle. In a class where seven or eight might go in the first round, it’s hard to get a handle on which ones will be there at 18, but this might be Tyler Guyton or Amarius Mims territory. I also wouldn’t rule out Bowers, if he somehow slips (I can’t imagine he’ll be there at 18) or a receiver (such as LSU’s Brian Thomas) to get ahead of the potential departure (sooner or later) of Tee Higgins.

Murphy Fuaga Mims Fautanu Newton Latham Murphy is oozing with AP potential and would probably play the most out of any of the guys next year. I don’t think Latham or Murphy will be there. Would be over the moon with Fuaga. Mims would make me nervous but potentially a grand slam. Newton looks to have the floor of a solid to really good interior rusher. I just can’t trust Latham without testing. The draft guys on X really seem to like him though. They should get a really good player on Thursday but if they can trade down and get another T100 pick it won’t hurt my feelings either.

JC - Jer'Zhan Newton -125

Nailed it. Don’t have to be big to play the run. Just have to have gap control and enough low center of gravity + lower body strength to hold your ground. Jarrett is a really good comp. Not a big guy but great gap control. Doesn’t seem like he’s going to make it to us though. If he does - I think it’s a slam dunk.

Yeah - that would be solid. I’d belly ache about not taking a WR at 80, but getting two more defensive tackles and a guard that could possibly play right away would be great.

https://www.nfl.com/news/peter-schrager-2024-nfl-mock-draft-1-0-giants-leap-up-for-j-j-mccarthy-vikings-stick-and-pick-cb-qb Schrager has us taking Murphy. Ja’lynn Polk at 32 to the Chiefs was interesting.

I could see the Rams jumping up ahead of the Bengals to get Murphy. It really does feel like the Bengals might be going that route if the tackles do fly off the board quick and Nix/Penix aren’t surprise selections.

My guess on Smith is the medicals and the blood clot disorder he had. Chiefs also snatched George K. a pick before them in 22.

Rumor has it - Frank wanted to draft Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith in 21 and was overrode on both.

Big boy must have taken a shit in the urinal at the precinct.

Yeah - something I thought that was interesting was they mentioned Corley’s average air yard per reception was something like 3.6 yards and the Bengals were the only AFCN team not at his pro day. Imagine they are looking for more inside out versatility than what Corley brings.

Bengals supposedly looking for a guy to replace Stanley Morgan’s blocking but give them more upside as a receiver. Probably a guy high on their list. Lance Z. Also mentioned possibility of Mims slipping into R2. Sure would be nice to drop down and get an extra day two pick.

Another guy to watch R2 now it seems. Michigan guys should be flying off the board on Friday.

Got to listen to this today. 78% of Wilson’s catches went for first downs. Would be a nice replacement for Tyler but Paul keeps harping on the inside/outside versatility and I’m not sure Roman is big enough to not get pressed into the benches. I imagine he would need to be lined up at Z if he played outside which would negate Jamarr and a free release like they want to do when he’s in the slot. Jermaine Burton shout out in this one for later round guy.

BJ Hill and Sheldon Rankins are both making $10M+ to play defensive tackle for this team. They aren’t splitting those snaps 50/50. They are going to be on the field at the same time the majority of the snaps.

I mean Teair Tart and Sheldon Rankins are the same size. Rankins has plenty of A gap experience. I’m pretty sure Rankins was signed to take the majority of the snaps in the A gap for the team this year.

Did they? Because judging from the guy who runs DJ’s charity events - the offer was “disrespectful” and they could have very easily allocated the Rankins money to bringing DJ back instead. They also let Tart leave without an offer. Maybe they have a plan - but as of right now I can’t see it being anything that involves an A gap player outside of Murphy and Murphy being there is dicey at best. I think there’s a chance they could pursue a guy who gets dropped prior to training camp - but would be shocked if two more bodies aren’t added to the room in the draft. It reeks of them either adjusting scheme and running a wider alignment to counter browns wide zone/Lamar or Rankins running the A gap.

BJ Hill and Sheldon Rankins are starting and taking a majority of the snaps this year - so they clearly don’t care about the “roles”. They need more talented bodies and there aren’t any draft able A gap players out there besides Murphy and Sweat and I’d bet my bottom dollar Sweat isn’t even in the conversation until day 3 at this point. If they are serious about A gap alignment then it has to be Byron Murphy. If not - they just need to get more able bodies to rotate. They don’t have to line anyone up in the A gap if they don’t want to. They could run a wide alignment with two guys in the 2 alignment and two guys in the 5 alignment and give up the middle of the field but take away the edges and have the linebackers aligned in the A gap.

I’d love a double up of Jenkins and Hall Jr. on day two. Completely kick Zach Carter out of the rotation.

Decent company. Team captain. NFL pedigree.

And my favorite R2 target Troy Franklin.

Estime. Comp pick?