Arkansas Bengal

The Bengals promoted Pitcher to offensive coordinator last week. JAMES RAPIEN 1 HOUR AGO CINCINNATI — Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is still recovering from surgery after he had a ligament in his right wrist repaired in November. The surgery ended Burrow's season. The injury has led to plenty of speculation about the Bengals' offense and how it could change when the 27-year-old is back on the field. Will they go under center more? Will they run the ball consistently and be a more balanced offense like they were with Jake Browning at quarterback? "There's been a lot made of what did the offense look like over the final part of the season, and I really just think that's a product of us looking at it on a week to week basis, who do we have available to us, who are we playing and what do we need to do to win, and that's something we'll always do," Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said. "We'll look at some of those things that we did well at the end of the year, and certainly Joe Burrow is capable of doing anything you ask him to do, and so that's what we'll do this offseason is do a great job of deciding who we need to be moving forward, and then have the adaptability to adjust if we need to." The Bengals expect to have one of the best offenses in the NFL next season. They also know that the roster could look much different in May. They'll build around what they add and what they're able to retain, in hopes of becoming a contender once again. https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/dan-pitcher-praises-joe-burrow-capable-doing-anything-you-ask

The veteran wants to beat the Chiefs in a game that matters. JAMES RAPIEN 1 HOUR AGO CINCINNATI — The Bengals could be in the market for a new starting right tackle this offseason with Jonah Williams set to become a free agent. Will they go after Raiders veteran Jermaine Eluemunor? The 29-year-old has been a solid player for Las Vegas over the past couple of years. Eluemunor wants to join a team that can beat the Chiefs when it matters. "You can call me a hater, I don't care," he tweeted. "I don’t like the Chiefs at all … We beat them this year. Yeah cool, but I want to beat them when it matters. Don’t care who comments on this players, fans, I don't care. Congrats to them for making another Super Bowl, but I hope I get the opportunity to beat you when it matters. Joe Burrow is the only active quarterback that has beat Patrick Mahomes in the postseason. Tom Brady is the only other player that has led his team past the Chiefs in the Mahomes era and he retired last offseason. Eluemunor may want to help the Ravens overcome the Chiefs. That may be what he's implying especially after Baltimore's 17-10 loss to Kansas City on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game. It's worth noting the Ravens did take Eluemenor in the fifth-round (159th overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft. There's also a chance he sees a potential opportunity to join a Bengals team that has shown they can beat the Chiefs in the postseason. Eluemunor could certainly fill one weakness on Cincinnati's roster. Check out his tweet below: https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/jermaine-eluemunor-sort-of-hints-at-potentially-signing-with-bengals

Ben Baby, ESPN Staff WriterJan 29, 2024, 11:00 AM CINCINNATI -- One day after the Cincinnati Bengals' season officially ended, scenes inside their locker room offered reminders about the team's upcoming reality. Players traded jerseys with personalized messages, a tradition generally observed after games between players from opposing teams who are friends. Others bagged or boxed up their belongings and said their goodbyes before leaving town. And some offered words about an uncertain future. One of them was defensive tackle DJ Reader, a cornerstone of Cincinnati's rebuild. A right quad injury in Week 15 ended Reader's fourth season with the Bengals and the final one under his current contract. Standing on crutches, Reader pondered the end of this current iteration of the Bengals and what free agency might look like for him. And he had no idea. "It's kind of interesting," Reader said Jan. 8. "I'm in the middle of [the COVID-19 pandemic] last time. This time, I'll be in the middle of this [injury situation]. You never know. I don't know how it'll be." When free agency begins March 11, Reader will be one of a few key Bengals who could sign with a new club. According to OverTheCap.com, the Bengals will have a little less than $60 million in cap space. And Cincinnati will have some important decisions to make ahead of a pivotal 2024 season. DJ Reader Position: Defensive tackle Age: 29 2023 stats: 14 games, 20 tackles, one sack Outlook: Don't be fooled by the numbers. Reader was the first player the Bengals signed in 2020 free agency, a couple of months before drafting quarterback Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick. Reader signed a four-year deal worth $53 million in what was then the most the Bengals had ever given to an external free agent. Quad injuries ended his 2020 and 2023 seasons. But when he was healthy, he was a massive piece of Cincinnati's success. "He's just such a leader, such a consistent force on the defensive line," Bengals coach Zac Taylor said after Reader's season-ending injury. Reader carried a $15.6 million cap charge in 2023, according to Roster Management System. It's unclear what kind of market he will have coming off the injury. With Cincinnati incurring steep costs to maintain its offensive core, the Bengals will have to decide whether they can afford to have Reader back. Tee Higgins Position: Wide receiver Age: 25 2023 stats: 12 games, 42 catches, 656 receiving yards, five receiving touchdowns Outlook: Multiple factors led to Higgins' least productive year with the Bengals. He battled a couple of serious injuries -- a fractured rib in a Week 4 loss to the Tennessee Titans and a hamstring injury he suffered in a practice later in the season. He also had to contend with not getting a long-term deal done before the start of the season. Higgins caught 54.5% of his targets, the lowest catch rate of his career, according to ESPN Stats & Information. But his value was underscored in a Week 15 win over the Minnesota Vikings. With star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase leaving the end of the game because of a shoulder injury, Higgins stepped up and had four catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns, including an acrobatic 21-yard reception that was one of the top catches of the year. Higgins is a prime candidate to receive the franchise tag, which the Bengals have used in two of the past three offseasons. In 2020, Cincinnati receiver A.J. Green played on the tag. Two years later, safety Jessie Bates III played on the tag and cashed in 2023, when he signed a four-year deal worth $64 million with the Atlanta Falcons. Even with Chase in line for a massive contract extension soon, the Bengals can give Higgins a tag that is estimated to be worth $21.7 million by OverTheCap. Chase will be in the final year of his rookie contract in 2024, and Burrow's cap charge doesn't balloon until 2025. Burrow has already stated his desire to have Higgins back for at least one more season. "I expect him to be back," Burrow said Jan. 8. "I know everybody in the locker room wants him back." Joe Mixon is due a $3 million roster bonus on March 18, the fifth day of the new league year. If the Bengals cut him before then, they will gain $5.8 million in cap savings. Joe Mixon Position: Running back Age: 27 2023 stats: 17 games, 257 carries, 1,034 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns The outlook: Mixon faces an uncertain offseason for the second straight year. In 2023, Mixon accepted a renegotiated contract that lowered his salary cap charge to $8.4 million. The new deal featured a couple of important incentives, and he cashed in at the end of the season. He scored 12 total touchdowns, earning $350,000. And by the numbers, he was certainly productive. Mixon amassed 1,410 scrimmage yards. Since 2015, that is the eighth-highest total posted by a running back in his seventh NFL season or later, according to ESPN Stats & Information. But Mixon lacks the explosiveness that Cincinnati needs to punish opponents who are defending against Burrow and the Bengals' passing game. Among running backs with at least 100 carries, Mixon ranked 15th on runs of 10 or more yards against light defensive boxes (six or fewer defenders). That remains a point of emphasis for the Bengals this offseason. The Bengals will have to decide on Mixon's contract early. He is due a $3 million roster bonus on March 18, the fifth day of the new league year. If the Bengals cut him before then, they will gain $5.8 million in cap savings. While Mixon has been productive, Cincinnati is looking for more big plays on the ground in 2024, which could play a role in whether Mixon returns for his eighth season with the Bengals. "I think this offseason we'll be able to take a step," Burrow said. https://africa.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39387004/bengals-biggest-decisions-include-tee-higgins-joe-mixon

Detroit choked this one away…

Dan Campbell is a friggin moron.

Goodnight Baltiwhore!!! You SUCK!!! Losers!

Bwahahahahahaha. Lamar chokes again!!! nice INT you fucking LOSER!!!

Way to go flowers you suck

The ravens are pure scum - Go Chiefs!

Chris Roling Sat, Jan 27, 2024, 7:55 AM CST·2 min read The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the more interesting teams to watch in the 2024 NFL draft. Which makes 2024 NFL mock drafts must-see material. The thing about the Bengals — picking 18th this year — is that much of what they do in the first round hinges on how they handle premium positions in free agency. Lose offensive tackle Jonah Williams and the odds the team goes that way in the first round massively jump. Or, lose wideout Tee Higgins, no matter how unlikely that is, and taking a wide receiver is suddenly a likely thing. Here’s a look at what some of the top mock drafts have the Bengals doing near the end of January. ESPN Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Bengals addressing the offensive line with right tackle prospect JC Latham out of Alabama: NFL.com Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah also has the Bengals going with Latham: NFL.com Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks, though, has the Bengals going back to LSU wide receivers with Brian Thomas Jr.: Draft Network Syndication: Tuscaloosa News Draft Network’s Brentley Weissman goes right back to Latham: Pro Football Network Syndication: Online Athens Pro Football Network’s Joe Broback goes to the skill positions with Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, one of the most popular theories for Bengals fans: Sporting News Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer brings up a good point about the defense, with the Bengals certainly known for early-round defensive backs, having them take Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry: CBS Sports Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso also likes the idea of the Bengals going back to LSU talent with Thomas Jr.: FOX Sports Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports FOX Sports’ Rob Rang with one more suggestion about an LSU wideout: https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-nfl-mock-draft-roundup-135525987.html

Agree 100%!!!

Chris Roling Fri, Jan 26, 2024, 3:37 PM CST·1 min read Not too long ago, we suggested that the Cincinnati Bengals need to take the tight end position much more seriously in order to improve next season. One of the reasons for that idea was simply how well the position had performed for winning playoff teams over the first two rounds of the postseason. Fast forward to now, that same logic very much still applies ahead of the AFC and NFC title games. As Pro Football Network pointed out, all four teams taking part in championship weekend boast a top-10 tight end in terms of receiving yards at the position this year: Receiving metrics aren’t the only thing that matters, but it just goes to show that having a top-tier player at the position is a big deal for the NFL’s best right now. That’s important for a Bengals team that likes to be up on league trends, if not ahead of the curve. And it’s especially important for a team that seems likely to lose Tyler Boyd to free agency and franchise tag Tee Higgins, keeping him for at least one more season. Sure, finding a Travis Kelce or George Kittle isn’t easy. But spending bigger resources in an attempt to find one seems to be a good idea. https://sports.yahoo.com/more-proof-bengals-must-attack-213730458.html

He was willing to trade AJ McCarron to them, but Cleveland fucked up the paperwork...

I dislike the Chiefs, but I DESPISE the fucking Ravens. GO KANSAS CITY!!!

Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor Considered Giving Up Play Calling to Brian Callahan Taylor has been the Bengals offensive play caller since being named head coach in 2019. JAMES RAPIEN 2 HOURS AGO CINCINNATI — The Bengals officially introduced new offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher on Thursday. The 37-year-old takes over for Brian Callahan, who spent the past five years in Cincinnati. Callahan became head coach of the Titans earlier this week, which paved the way for Pitcher's promotion. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is expected to call plays again in 2024, but he considered making a change before Callahan landed a head coaching job according to Dave Lapham. "I heard that Zac Taylor was considering giving up the play calling role to Brian Callahan next season," Lapham told Lance McAlister on 700 WLW. "That changed when Brian Callahan moved on." Callahan will call plays for the Titans next season. And Taylor will likely remain the Bengals' play caller. This does show Taylor's willingness to change. He's open to ideas, which aligns with what Lapham said later in the interview. "It is done by democracy, it is not a dictatorship. Everybody has a voice and everybody has a big voice," Lapham added. "If you show that your voice merits it, you're gonna get a bigger voice and that's what happened with Dan Pitcher." Taylor and the Bengals are hoping to rebound after finishing 9-8 in 2023. Injuries to Joe Burrow and other key players derailed their season, but they're clearly open to making changes in hopes of maximizing their offense. https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/bengals-head-coach-zac-taylor-considered-giving-up-play-calling-to-brian-callahan

Jason Williams Cincinnati Enquirer Subject: Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator role Message: “The Bengals have a new offensive coordinator after Brian Callahan was named the Titans’ new head coach this week. Is this really that big of a deal? Zac Taylor calls the plays. The OC position doesn’t seem as important to the Bengals as it does other teams.” Reply: It’s not a huge deal, and that’s no slight against new offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, Callahan or anyone else who may hold the OC title during Taylor’s tenure. The Bengals could probably go without having someone with the OC title, and fans wouldn’t notice. How many times did you curse Callahan’s name when the offense sputtered this past season? That’s right, never. It’s Taylor’s offense. He calls the plays. Joe Burrow has a big say in the offense. The Bengals don’t have a passing game coordinator. And offensive line coach Frank Pollack is the run-game coordinator. It was no surprise the Bengals went in-house and promoted Pitcher on Thursday after he spent the previous four seasons as quarterbacks coach. Pitcher is a rising star in NFL coaching and having the OC title puts him on track to potentially being a head coach someday. Pitcher has been Burrow’s position coach since Day 1 of the star QB’s NFL career, and they have a fantastic relationship. Pitcher also has helped backup Jake Browning develop from a practice-squad player to potentially becoming an NFL starter someday. Pitcher’s duties probably won’t drastically change. He’ll continue to play a big part in helping to develop Burrow and Browning and have a big voice in planning the passing scheme. The Bengals aren’t alone in not having a traditional offensive coordinator who calls the plays. Entering the 2023 season, 14 other head coaches were also their team’s primary play-caller, according to ESPN. Half the teams still alive in the playoffs have their head coach calling the plays – Kansas City’s Andy Reid and San Francisco’s Kyle Shanahan. Reid has been calling plays for most of his head-coaching career with Kansas City and Philadelphia. The trend of younger head coaches handling play-calling has partly been inspired by 38-year-old offensive innovator Sean McVay’s success calling plays as the Los Angeles Rams head coach. Taylor is a member of McVay’s growing coaching tree. Bengals offensive coordinator takes backseat to Zac Taylor, Joe Burrow (cincinnati.com)

Playing a LAST PLACE schedule in 2024 instead of the HARDEST schedule in 2023 should help a lot.

Chris Roling Thu, Jan 25, 2024, 12:00 PM CST·1 min read The Cincinnati Bengals certainly feel like the top team that missed the playoffs this year, meaning they also feel like the likeliest to get back to the postseason in 2024. Despite a brutal injury bug that cost the team a top-five quarterback for all but four games this past season, the Bengals finished 9-8 — a record that sent other teams to the playoffs in other divisions (all three non-Bengals AFC North teams made the playoffs). Experts would agree with the idea, with The Athletic’s Mike Jones ranking the Bengals as the top team that missed the playoffs likeliest to get back next season: Given the injury to Joe Burrow and a host of other factors, it’s one of the easiest years to make such rankings. And just to show how stacked the AFC is, the Jaguars, Chargers and Jets are the first three teams in the rankings after the Bengals. Cincinnati still needs to properly navigate a critical offseason, but there’s no question that with a healthy Burrow, they’re the most likely to make a postseason return. https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-top-list-non-playoff-180037928.html

Zac Taylor: I’m excited for Dan Pitcher to increase his role on our staff By Myles Simmons Published January 25, 2024 09:40 AM The Bengals have made it official, announcing that they’ve promoted Dan Pitcher from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator. Pitcher has been with the Bengals since 2016, beginning as an offensive assistant. He was retained under head coach Zac Taylor in 2019 as assistant quarterbacks coach before being promoted to QBs coach in 2020 — just before the team drafted Joe Burrow. “I’m excited for Dan and his opportunity to increase his role on our staff,” head coach Zac Taylor said in a statement. “He has excelled in his job of helping develop our quarterbacks over the past five years. He has been a top contributor to our scheme and that role will now increase. I look forward to seeing him continue to grow in this new position.” Taylor serves as the offensive play-caller in Cincinnati. Still, the offensive coordinator role is still crucial for implementing the team’s scheme. “I couldn’t be more excited and energized by this opportunity,” Pitcher said. “I love this organization and am so grateful to Mike Brown, the Brown and Blackburn families, Duke Tobin and Zac Taylor. That they see me fit for this responsibility means the world to me, and I will work tirelessly to provide every ounce of value I can to this team.” Pitcher did receive interest from other teams as an offensive coordinator candidate, but elected to stay with Cincinnati and continue to work with Burrow. “Our relationship is as good as it gets,” Burrow said. “I wouldn’t be the player I am today without him. He’s been preparing for this for years. He takes his job very seriously and does it with a lot of passion.” Former Cincinnati offensive coordinator Brian Callahan was named head coach of the Titans earlier this week. Profootballtalk.com

I'm tired of Kansas City, but I DESPISE the Ravens. I will never forget the game September 24, 2000 at Baltimore. We were losing 37 - 0 in the 4th quarter, and Brian Billick still had the first string offense in the game, passing the ball trying to score more points. Bruce Coslet was so humiliated that he resigned the next day. So when Joe Burrow lit them up in Baltimore 41 - 17 in 2021, it was payback. FUCK THE RATBIRDS!!! I hope KC DESTROYS them Sunday.

ahoo Sp Tue, Jan 23, 2024 at 7:50 PM MST·1 min read The Cincinnati Bengals will have two additional selections in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft due to the compensatory pick process. So says the final projections from Over The Cap’s Nick Korte, which projects the Bengals land an extra fifth-round pick and an extra seventh-round pick, bringing their overall count in the draft to nine selections. The fifth would arrive due to the loss of safety Vonn Bell to the Carolina Panthers in free agency, while the seventh would be due to running back Samaje Perine to the Denver Broncos. Compensatory picks are awarded by weighing a team’s new signings vs. outgoing players on the market. So in the cancellation chart, the signing of Orlando Brown Jr. negated a possible third-round comp pick for losing Jessie Bates, while the arrival of Nick Scott canceled out the loss of Hayden Hurst. https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-net-2-draft-picks-025004167.html

Chris Roling Tue, Jan 23, 2024, 5:30 AM CST·6 min read 1 The Cincinnati Bengals enter the offseason with a host of questions to answer and free agency possibly providing major solutions. Granted, free agency presents some hurdles too, considering Cincinnati’s own such as Tee Higgins and Jonah Williams are currently slated to hit the open market. Still, the cap-savvy Bengals have once again juggled the cap well and currently boast roughly $59 million in free space, the sixth-highest mark in the NFL. Let’s rank the top free agents the Bengals could target on the open market when it opens, for now looping in all players slated for free agency before extensions and tags happen, including their own. 25. RB Derrick Henry Syndication: The Tennessean Great fit? Debatable. But it’s a fun one to have near the end of the rankings, as imagining defenses having to worry about Henry bulldozing them and accounting for Joe Burrow’s passing game seems like a nice mix. He’s slowing down, but still a threat. 24. DL Daquan Jones Syndication: Democrat and Chronicle Jones can rush from anywhere and excelled in Buffalo for that reason. He’s an ideal rotational piece, especially if DJ Reader isn’t back. 23. OT Mike Onwenu Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports Onwenu is massive and found a home at right tackle this year, possibly making him a budget Jonah Williams replacement. But the experience at other spots sure doesn’t hurt if injuries occur, too. 22. Edge Jadeveon Clowney Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports It looks like Clowney is going to finish out his career on one-year pacts. He’s coming off a career year with the Ravens and would look pretty good on the same line as Trey Hendrickson. 21. TE Hunter Henry Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports The market is pretty weak for tight ends but Henry just scored six more times in a bad New England passing attack and would be a nice option for Burrow. 20. TE Noah Fant Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports A former first-rounder yet to fully live up to potential, Fant is an interesting fit because of his ability after the catch. 19. RB Tony Pollard Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports Pollard’s slowing down too, but it’s pretty hard to ignore his explosive plays as a runner or receiver and how that might fit with Joe Mixon, provided the veteran returns as the main back again. 18. RB Austin Ekeler Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports Possibly more expensive than Pollard (but who knows, given how the league treats RBs), Ekeler remains the blueprint for an ideal pass-catching back and would fit great. 17. G Dalton Risner Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports Risner would arrive and make for an interesting bit of competition for Cordell Volson at left guard. 16. CB Steven Nelson Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports Going on 31 years old, Nelson is one of those reliable veterans the Bengals would probably love to add. 15. DL Teair Tart Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports The Bengals were one of the few teams to attempt to claim Tart on waivers earlier this year, which says it all about the team’s interest and fit. 14. Edge Denico Autry Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports Autry might turn 34 next year, but what he’s able to do across a defensive line remains impressive and will interest a Bengals team that needs to upgrade the entire rotation. 13. TE Dalton Schultz (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) Schultz is the best tight end possibly headed to market, reliable down the field and a solid run blocker, making him a pricer option than Cincinnati usually takes. 12. CB Chidobe Awuzie Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports Awuzie never got all the way back from his injury the year prior, clearly. But if he’s willing to return as a backup and rotational guy, the Bengals would probably love to retain his knowledge and example for a younger developing secondary. 11. OT Trent Brown Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Brown is over 30 years old but might be one of those Jonah Williams replacements that makes sense, especially because of his experience at other positons if the injury bug strikes. 10. DB Antoine Winfield Jr. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports Hey, do the Bengals want to go all out in correcting the Jessie Bates mistake? It would be impossible to not find a role for a player as talented as Winfield, provided the team is willing to pay. 9. OT Jonah Williams Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Williams enjoyed a career upswing at right tackle, even if he preferred to play on the left side. Finally finding a right tackle is surely appealing to the Bengals, though they will need to see what the market pays him like — and if it’s left tackle numbers instead. 8. DL Leonard Williams Syndication: The Record Williams continues to enjoy an upswing in pass-rush efficiency in a way that might appeal to the Bengals, depending on if the market goes wild for his services. 7. DE Chase Young Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports Young makes this list pretty much strictly because there’s a chance he needs to settle for a one-year, prove-it deal. That would certainly be a great buy for a Bengals line already sporting Hendrickson. 6. DL DJ Reader Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports Reader has been one of the biggest, yet underrated components of Cincinnati’s contention over the last few years. The season-ending injury makes this complicated, but if the market decides he only gets a one-year, prove-it deal, there’s zero reason to not bring him back when he’s ready. 5. CB L’Jarius Sneed Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports Sneed is a high-end No. 1 cornerback and about to be paid like it. But we’ve got to list him on the off chance the Bengals get impatient with the young secondary and pull a Trey Hendrickson-type move. 4. DL Justin Madubuike (AP Photo/Terrance Williams) Swiping a producer like Madubuike (half sack in 13 of 17 games this season) from a rival like the Ravens would be a no-brainer of a move. 3. DL Christian Wilkins Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports Wilkins probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves as an all-around player and would make for a fantastic, versatile option on the Cincinnati front. 2. DL Chris Jones (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) One of the most popular Twitter theories out there, Jones is one of the best interior pass-rushers and defenders of his generation, which Bengals fans know all too well. The logic here is simple: If Jones does leave the Chiefs, he’ll at least want to play for a contender and he and the Bengals know a thing or two about each other. 1. WR Tee Higgins (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) Who else? The Bengals are almost guaranteed to place the franchise tag on Higgins, making him their No. 1 target. There’s no sense in giving up that year of control and risking the championship window if they can’t find a way to work out an extension. https://sports.yahoo.com/top-25-free-agent-targets-113012101.html

Chris Roling Tue, Jan 23, 2024, 8:29 AM CST·1 min read It doesn’t feel like draft dseason gets officially underway until Mel Kiper Jr. issues his first mock draft. That arrived Tuesday and in Kiper’s first effort, the Cincinnati Bengals get a little risky. Risky, because the Bengals are willing to start over at a key spot on the offensive line again, standing still at No. 18 and selecting Alabama offensive lineman JC Latham: Not that Latham isn’t a good prospect and the fit makes sense if the team can’t or won’t pay Jonah Williams to stick at right tackle. But to be blunt, the Bengals have a horrific track record drafting offensive linemen, something they’ve quietly admitted in recent years by paying huge amounts of money to free agents other teams have drafted and developed instead. Granted, there’s a scenario where the Bengals simply can’t afford what the market pays Williams. But his solid play after making the transition to the right side might just be worth investing in so that the team doesn’t have to go back to an unknown at an offensive tackle spot as Joe Burrow comes back from another season-ending injury. https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-risk-mel-kiper-first-142918863.html

Published: Jan 22, 2024 at 10:54 AM Headshot_Author_Bucky_Brooks_1400x1000 Bucky Brooks NFL.com Analyst Here's my first projection of how the entire first round will play out in Detroit when the 2024 NFL Draft begins on April 25. NOTES: As of this writing, the draft order for picks 1-28 is set. The order for picks 29-32 will be determined by postseason results. Those picks are ordered in this mock based on regular-season record, with strength of schedule as the tiebreaker. Pick 1 Chicago Bears (via CAR) Caleb Williams USC · QB · Junior GM Ryan Poles should take the best quarterback in the draft, with or without Justin Fields on the roster. The Bears could recreate the Alex Smith-Patrick Mahomes scenario for a season (with Williams enjoying a redshirt year before taking over) or they could move on from Fields this offseason to usher in a new era with a young -- and cheap -- franchise quarterback. Pick 2 Washington Commanders Drake Maye North Carolina · QB · Sophomore (RS) The Commanders could take Maye and sit him behind his former North Carolina teammate, Sam Howell, until he is ready to assume control as the franchise quarterback. Maye offers immense talent and potential, but with only two years of starting experience at UNC, he would benefit from an apprenticeship before taking over as QB1 down the road. Pick 3 New England Patriots Jayden Daniels LSU · QB · Senior If new head coach Jerod Mayo is serious about upgrading the most important position on the team, he cannot afford to bypass the Heisman Trophy winner at pick No. 3 in this exercise. The spectacular dual-threat playmaker would add some sizzle to an offense that lacked explosiveness under Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. Pick 4 Arizona Cardinals Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State · WR · Junior The Cardinals add a Larry Fitzgerald-like playmaker to a lineup that desperately needs a No. 1 receiver on the perimeter. The Ohio State standout is a plug-and-play prospect with superstar potential. Pick 5 Los Angeles Chargers Brock Bowers Georgia · TE · Junior If the Chargers are committed to upgrading the supporting cast around Justin Herbert, Bowers could be the perfect pick as a playmaking tight end. Pick 6 New York Giants Rome Odunze Washington · WR · Senior If the Giants are going to continue with Daniel Jones as their QB1, they must add a legitimate No. 1 receiver to help the quarterback thrive. As a catch-and-run specialist with superior strength and power, Odunze could make the game easier for Jones. Pick 7 Tennessee Titans Olumuyiwa Fashanu Penn State · OT · Junior (RS) After dealing with a season of offensive woes, the Titans prioritize the front line with the selection of Fashanu. Pick 8 Atlanta Falcons Dallas Turner Alabama · Edge · Junior The need to upgrade the pass rush makes Turner the ideal pick at this point. The Alabama standout is an athletic speed rusher with outstanding first-step quickness. Pick 9 Chicago Bears Laiatu Latu UCLA · Edge · Senior Pairing an energetic pass rusher with Montez Sweat could help the Bears' defense continue to improve under Matt Eberflus. This ultra-athletic QB hunter routinely wins with an assortment of finesse moves off the edge. Pick 10 New York Jets Joe Alt Notre Dame · OT · Junior Fixing the offensive line is the top priority for GM Joe Douglas and Co. The Notre Dame standout is a Day 1 starter with strong hands and nimble feet. Pick 11 Minnesota Vikings Jared Verse Florida State · Edge · Senior Adding an athletic pass rusher to the lineup will enhance the Vikings’ aggressive schemes under Brian Flores. The Florida State standout flashes double-digit potential as a sack artist. Pick 12 Denver Broncos Terrion Arnold Alabama · CB · Sophomore (RS) The Broncos pair Pat Surtain II with Arnold, a polished cover corner. With exceptional instincts and awareness, the former Tide star is a scheme-friendly defensive playmaker on the perimeter. Pick 13 Las Vegas Raiders Taliese Fuaga Oregon State · OT · Junior (RS) Beefing up the offensive line is a top priority for a team that wants to control the trenches. Fuaga is a mauler/brawler with the size, strength and nastiness to help the Raiders dominate the point of attack. Pick 14 New Orleans Saints JC Latham Alabama · OT · Junior The Saints’ uncertainty at offensive tackle could lead the team to take another player at the position in Round 1. Latham is a massive brawler with the strength, power and length to punish defenders in the run game. Pick 15 Indianapolis Colts Malik Nabers LSU · WR · Junior Michael Pittman Jr.’s impending free agency could ultimately force GM Chris Ballard to take a No. 1 receiver early in the draft. Nabers is a baller with the ability to shine as a featured playmaker in the Colts’ scheme. Pick 16 Seattle Seahawks Byron Murphy II Texas · DT · Junior Fixing the defense is a must for Seattle after the unit struggled down the stretch. Murphy is a disruptive interior presence with the speed and quickness to dominate against the run or pass. Pick 17 Jacksonville Jaguars T'Vondre Sweat Texas · DT · Senior After watching the defense crumble over the second half of the season, the Jaguars are intent on upgrading the front line. Sweat is a massive interior defender with the strength, power and heavy hands to snuff out the run at the point of attack. Pick 18 Cincinnati Bengals Brian Thomas Jr. LSU · WR · Junior The potential loss of Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd in free agency could force the Bengals to take an offensive weapon early in the draft. Thomas is an athletic playmaker with the size and ball skills to thrive as a WR2 opposite Ja’Marr Chase. Pick 19 Los Angeles Rams Bo Nix Oregon · QB · Senior As Matthew Stafford heads toward his age-36 season, the Rams could target his eventual replacement early in the 2024 draft. Nix’s experience and maturity fits a locker room that takes a business-like approach to preparation. Pick 20 Pittsburgh Stealers Amarius Mims Georgia · OT · Junior A commitment to retool the offense could prompt the Stealers to add a massive blocker to the lineup. Mims’ size, athleticism and movement skills make him an intriguing option for a team that excels in player development. Pick 21 Miami Dolphins Jackson Powers-Johnson Oregon · IOL · Junior Beefing up the line could help the Dolphins upgrade an offense that struggled against physical defensive fronts. Pick 22 Philadelphia Eagles Nate Wiggins Clemson · CB · Junior The Eagles’ secondary woes will force GM Howie Roseman to address the situation in the draft. Wiggins is an athletic freak with the tools to flourish early in his career. Pick 23 Houston Texans (via CLE) Troy Fautanu Washington · OL · Senior With C.J. Stroud blossoming into a franchise quarterback, the Texans must make a concerted effort to keep him protected. Fautanu would give the team the flexibility to reshuffle the O-line and put its five best pass protectors in front of the emerging superstar. Pick 24 Dallas Cowboys Tyler Guyton Oklahoma · OT · Senior The Cowboys must prepare for left tackle Tyron Smith’s eventual departure. Guyton is ideally suited to play on the right side, but his presence would give the 'Boys options for a potential reshuffle if Smith leaves Dallas this offseason. Pick 25 Green Bay Packers Kool-Aid McKinstry Alabama · CB · Junior Adding a dynamic cover corner would upgrade the Packers’ depth in the defensive backfield. McKinstry flashes CB1 skills, but needs some time to refine his technique before assuming that role as a pro. Pick 26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Keon Coleman Florida State · WR · Junior Mike Evans’ age (will turn 31 before next season) and impending free agency pushes WR1 to the top of the Buccaneers’ needs list. Coleman is a pass-catching phenom with outstanding ball skills and leaping ability. Pick 27 Arizona Cardinals (via HOU) Jordan Morgan Arizona · OT · Senior The Cardinals commit to building up the front line. Morgan is a gritty player with the potential to fill a role on the interior or outside at tackle. Pick 28 Buffalo Bills Cooper DeJean Iowa · DB · Junior Sean McDermott loves versatile defensive backs with instincts and a high football IQ. DeJean is an A+ athlete with experience at multiple positions in the secondary. Pick 29 Kansas City Chiefs Kris Jenkins Michigan · DT · Junior (RS) The Chiefs’ surging defense has thrived with a collection of young players slotted into prominent roles. Jenkins is an intriguing prospect with the bloodlines -- his father, Kris Sr., was a four-time Pro Bowler -- and physical tools to blossom into a star. Pick 30 Detroit Lions Chop Robinson Penn State · Edge · Junior The Lions need to find a complementary pass rusher to place opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Robinson is a freak athlete. Pick 31 San Francisco 49ers Quinyon Mitchell Toledo · CB · Senior The sensational MAC standout possesses the prototypical dimensions and playmaking attributes to flourish for the 49ers. Pick 32 Baltimore Ravens Bralen Trice Washington · Edge · Senior The Ravens have a knack for selecting prospects who outperform their athletic-testing numbers. Trice is a standout football player with the polished pass-rushing skills to create problems for blockers. https://www.nfl.com/news/bucky-brooks-2024-nfl-mock-draft-1-0