oldschooler Posted April 21, 2019 Report Share Posted April 21, 2019 Bengals need a linebacker, but what if a QB is there? By JOE KAY April 18, 2019 CINCINNATI (AP) — Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick looked around the locker room on the first day of the Bengals’ voluntary workouts and noted that not all that much had changed. “Certain new faces, but it’s still kind of the same team,” Kirkpatrick said. A third straight losing season prompted the Bengals to finally end coach Marvin Lewis’ run at 16 seasons without a playoff victory. Zac Taylor and a youthful coaching staff were brought aboard and handed a team closely resembling the one that finished at the bottom of the AFC North last season. The draft will be an important chance to fill some big holes overall, and maybe even pull a big surprise in the first round when the Bengals pick No. 11 overall. Cincinnati’s needs are obvious. With Vontaze Burfict gone after a subpar season, the Bengals have to get a starting linebacker. They also could use an offensive tackle and a defensive end early in the draft. At some point, they’ll get a tight end, a running back and yes, another quarterback for depth behind Andy Dalton, who’s entering his ninth season. Unless the Bengals pull a surprise and take a quarterback in the first round, their draft will be more about filling holes than going in a different direction with the roster. Most of the changes will be in the playbooks, not on the depth chart. “We’re going on a new journey,” Kirkpatrick said. Some things to watch with the Bengals during the three days of the draft: QB INTRIGUE When Lewis became head coach in 2003, the Bengals took Carson Palmer first overall and let him learn behind Jon Kitna for a season. While it’s unlikely the Bengals will have a chance for one of the top quarterbacks at No. 11, it will be interesting to see what owner Mike Brown decides if, say, Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins is still available at that spot. Most likely, the Bengals will end up taking a quarterback on the third day of the draft for depth behind Dalton and Jeff Driskel. BURFICT’S REPLACEMENT Cincinnati’s most noteworthy offseason move was releasing its most volatile player. Burfict had another suspension, more injuries and a subpar seventh season. Preston Brown and Nick Vigil return, but the Bengals need another linebacker. Either LSU’s Devin White or Michigan’s Devin Bush could move into a starting role immediately, and at least one of them will likely be available at the No. 11 pick. OH THAT LINE The Bengals gave right tackle Bobby Hart a three-year deal and added guard John Miller from the Bills, but the offensive line still needs work. They’ll look for a tackle in the early rounds. They’re also in the market for another defensive end. The line struggled to get consistent pressure last season, when the defense finished among the worst in franchise history . TIGHT END TIPPING POINT The Bengals have been at their best offensively when Tyler Eifert is healthy. He set a club record for tight ends with 13 touchdown catches in 2015, the most recent time Cincinnati reached the playoffs. He’s been limited to 14 games the past three years by various back and ankle injuries. Eifert returns on a one-year deal, and C.J. Uzomah got a three-year deal after leading Cincinnati’s tight ends last season. The Bengals will add another tight end at some point. TAYLOR’S TIME The Bengals lean heavily on their coaching staff to scout draft picks. They had to assemble a coaching staff late because Taylor was with the Rams through the Super Bowl. The draft will provide some insights into how the new coaching staff evaluates players and how it’s moving ahead with new coordinators on both offense and defense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 Needs: ILB, QB, OL What I know: The Bengals have been connected to Bush for as long as the Broncos have, so I think there’s a possibility he’s the pick. But he’s not there in my mock. I was tempted to give Dwayne Haskins to the Giants at 6, but he’s now dropped out of the Top 10. With Andy Dalton going into a contract year, and the franchise resetting behind new coach Zac Taylor, other teams are connecting Cincinnati to Haskins. We will too. With the 11th pick: Dwayne Haskins, QB Ohio State Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|SF2| Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 1 hour ago, oldschooler said: Needs: ILB, QB, OL What I know: The Bengals have been connected to Bush for as long as the Broncos have, so I think there’s a possibility he’s the pick. But he’s not there in my mock. I was tempted to give Dwayne Haskins to the Giants at 6, but he’s now dropped out of the Top 10. With Andy Dalton going into a contract year, and the franchise resetting behind new coach Zac Taylor, other teams are connecting Cincinnati to Haskins. We will too. With the 11th pick: Dwayne Haskins, QB Ohio State Not sure why the talking heads see QB as a need unless it is purely a strategic salary cap move. Certainly we need a backup but it isn't a huge need position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 11. Cincinnati Bengals | LB Devin Bush, Michigan Devin Bush (Darron Cummings / Associated Press) Kyler Murray being available is a wild card the Bengals couldn’t be anticipating. That said, still don’t think the Bengals take him. They have plans to fix the front seven and offensive tackle. Bush is an ideal fit for what their defense lacked last year. — Paul Dehner, Cincinnati Enquirer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 I wouldn't trade up for Murray, but if he's there at 11, I think I'd take him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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oldschooler Posted April 22, 2019 Report Share Posted April 22, 2019 ESPN draft expert Todd McShay is hearing that there’s a real chance Cincinnati goes with a quarterback in the first round. He also mentions Devin Bush as a target if the Bengals address linebacker. After talking to people across the league, there is a real possibility the Bengals make a splash with a quarterback in the first round. With Baker Mayfield in the division and a new coach for the Bengals, Cincinnati might opt for a pick that would sell some tickets. The Brownshave all the AFC North buzz right now, and going QB here would help Cincinnati keep pace. If not, Bush is the name to remember. He would immediately fill a need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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akiliMVP Posted April 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 According to rumors Murray is both going #1 and not going #1. Schroedinger's quarterback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|ArmyBengal| Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 44 minutes ago, akiliMVP said: According to rumors Murray is both going #1 and not going #1. Schroedinger's quarterback. well played Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooky Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 4 hours ago, oldschooler said: They haven't talked to me either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_C_Deadpeople Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 This is a very interesting article on draft information: https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/04/23/nfl-draft-information-trade-media-adam-schefter-ian-rapoport-rick-gosselin But It makes me think the Bengals dont engage much in this due to (a) scouting staff size and (b) Mikey probably does not care for operating in this manner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Tigre Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 1 hour ago, Hooky said: They haven't talked to me either. Well doggone...I thought I was the only other one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akiliMVP Posted April 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 Lap was supposed to be on 700 at 4. I missed it. Anyone listen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 46 minutes ago, akiliMVP said: Lap was supposed to be on 700 at 4. I missed it. Anyone listen? Not posted yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akiliMVP Posted April 23, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 Just now, oldschooler said: Not posted yet Dang it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBR Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 I'm not sure how far Bryce Love will slide, but this is the type of attitude you want these guys to have though. https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/bryce-love-nfl-draft I'd be fine with them scooping him up and stashing him on the PUP list for the first half of the season. I mean, we can't possibly just toss 11 rookies on the roster and expect them all to be ready from day 1 of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 7 minutes ago, akiliMVP said: Dang it! Dan Hoard made that post 9 hours ago. A lot of people are asking about it. It should be up shortly I'm excited about hearing what he thinks for the first 3 rounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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oldschooler Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 20 minutes ago, akiliMVP said: Dang it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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