JC

Breer: At any rate, if the Chargers and Tennessee Titans stay at 5 and 7, my money would be on one of them getting Alt and the other getting Latham.

Bengals have got to start shelling out Y2 gtd. money if they want a level playing field. Maybe they don’t view Tee worth the money or don’t want to pay both - but it’s tough watching Jessie and Tee escape in the span of 3 years over gtd cash.

McMillan/Coleman guys to watch R2

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.