2022 Draft

[I_C_Deadpeople]

February 17, 2022 at 4:42 PM CST

What is the deepest position in this draft?

What do you feel is the deepest position in this year’s draft? — Dave C.

 

It has to be pass rusher. I have five in my top 15. Nine in my top 40. And then another eight in the 51-100 range. And that doesn’t include other intriguing pass rushers who could all go in the first four rounds like Virginia Tech’s Amare Barno, Oklahoma’s Nik Bonitto, Ohio State’s Tyreke Smith, Kentucky’s Josh Paschal or Texas A&M’s Michael Clemons.

Dane Brugler·

Staff Writer, NFL Draft

 

February 17, 2022 at 12:49 PM CST

The depth at OL and pass rush

How deep is this draft in offensive linemen and edge rushers? Is there good value say down in rounds three and four? — Dave P.

 

Pass rushers, absolutely. Not only are there talented pass rushers with early day three grades, but there are so many in the top 100 that a few are bound to slip a little bit, which will be a steal for some teams.

 

Offensive line is a little tougher. I do think there are some talented offensive linemen who probably won’t be drafted until the fourth round (like UTSA’s Spencer Burford or Southern Utah’s Braxton Jones). But so many teams need OL help that it will be a position that is picked apart quickly.

Dane Brugler·

Staff Writer, NFL Draft

 

February 17, 2022 at 11:49 AM CST

Who can help the Bengals' offensive line early in the draft?

I’ve jumped on the Bengals bandwagon during the playoffs. Realistically, what OL help could be there for them in the first couple rounds? — Randall M.

 

Does Tyler Linderbaum make it to pick No. 31? It’s not as crazy as it sounds. Linderbaum is an undersized, scheme-specific center-only. That eliminates a number of possible landing spots among the top-30 picks. He could easily go top-15, but it wouldn’t be surprised if he lasts until the 20s and possibly to No. 31.

 

Boston College OG Zion Johnson would be a great fit. Really stout player with excellent muscle twitch and reaction skills. Plug and play guard who can play center in a pinch. If the Bengals want to upgrade the right tackle spot, Central Michigan’s Bernhard Raimann could be in the mix. He is fluid and balanced with terrific play strength. If the goal is to draft OL at No. 31, the Bengals should be in position to draft a good player.

 

(Photo: Jeffrey Becker / USA Today)

 

Dane Brugler·

Staff Writer, NFL Draft

 

February 17, 2022 at 11:46 AM CST

Raimann's and Penning's OL draft

Are Bernhard Raimann and Trevor Penning first-round picks after their Senior Bowl showings? — Andrew L.

 

Both had first-round grades going into the Senior Bowl, and I think they both do after the Senior Bowl. With Penning, guys his size and length with his movement skills just don’t last very long on draft day. He could easily go top 20. Raimann's a little tougher because he is older and has some limitations laterally, but he is still a really good player. With the OL need around the league, there is a very good chance both go top 32.

Dane Brugler·

Staff Writer, NFL Draft

 

February 17, 2022 at 11:20 AM CST

How the OT crop stacks up

This draft seems to have more OT talent at the top than others in recent memory. Is it a lack of overall talent, or is this group potentially special? — Virgil W.

 

The OT class we had two years ago (Wirfs, Wills, Becton, Thomas) was more special than this year. Last year’s OT class might beat this year’s too because Sewell and Slater both have higher grades than any OT in this class, in my opinion. This is a really solid OT class, and the lack of blue-chip talent props it up a little more than normal.

Dane Brugler·

Staff Writer, NFL Draft

 

February 17, 2022 at 9:14 AM CST

The deepest and most shallow positions in this draft

In which areas is this draft the deepest? The most shallow? It feels like a thin year for WRs this year, am I wrong? — Alexander R.

 

Maybe the easiest and most accurate way to answer this is to break down my updated top-100 by position.

17 EDGE

14 WR

11 CB

10 LB

10 OT

9 IOL

7 SAF

7 DT

6 QB

5 RB

4 TE

 

Pass rusher is the top position this year both in terms of top talent and overall depth. And then I think you can make an argument for wide receiver, cornerback, linebacker and offensive tackle for the order of the next four spots. We could see as many as six receivers go first round. And then there is a handful of really interesting pass catchers on day two. I don’t love the depth of this receiver position on day three, but the top-100 talent is what makes it one of the better positions this year.

 

This tight end class is very similar to the 2015 tight end draft class. Only four tight ends were drafted in the top 100 (none in the first round) in 2015, but there were 15 tight ends drafted on day three (19 drafted overall). This year should be similar. I doubt we see one in the first round and should see four to five drafted on day two before more than a dozen are taken on day three.

 

(Photo: Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today)

Dane Brugler·

Staff Writer, NFL Draft

 

 

 

[|BlackJesus|]

A prospect to watch ... a huge nasty tackle who could kick in to guard. 

 

 

WHY YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH TYLER SMITH AHEAD OF 2022 NFL DRAFT

BY: RYAN FOWLER  

JANUARY 5TH, 2022  

THE DRAFT NETWORK

 

Road grader, mauler, interior mover, when you think about Tulsa’s Tyler Smith, a bevy of adjectives that describe his physical style of play often come to mind. But for Smith, dominating his opponent isn’t enough; winning the rep isn’t enough. He looks to staple your back to the dirt, and let you know about it, too. 

 

A freshman All-American selection in his redshirt campaign last fall, Smith was the driving force for the Golden Hurricane front five this season. Primarily working outside at left tackle, his truly nasty skill set has introduced an athlete that you, the reader, will fall in love with as we move closer to April. Trust me.

 

When you look up the word ‘offensive lineman’ in the dictionary, Smith’s game exemplifies everything that is a quarterback protectant. Power? Check. Tenaciousness? Bold check. But, his game is much more than just impressive muscular endurance in which he has been able to physically impose his will on opposing defenders. Take a few of his reps against Cincinnati in 2020 for example.

 

 

While his hands need work, what makes Smith such an intriguing prospect is his lower half, and the fluidity with which he works to smoothly kick step and maintain angles on edge defenders. While you initially get a glimpse of his elite vigor in the run game where he shows the ability to immediately seal his defender toward his outside hip, the NFL is a passing league and is where he will garner the most attention as an anchor for a signal-caller's blindside. 

 

However, as impressive as his tape has been with free space to his outside shoulder, and despite Smith offering ideal length for the position at 6-foot-6, his best days as a pro look to be on the inside, where TDN’s own Joe Marino believes Smith’s skill set will have team executives ‘pounding the table’ for his services when the draft rolls around.

 

 

While it’s not a foregone conclusion that Smith will officially declare, thus forfeiting his remaining seasons of college eligibility, a soon-to-be 21-year-old with the fundamental traits he offers should warrant a large amount of interest from offensive line coaches begging to get their hands on the Tulsa product.

 

While nailing down his true projection of where he will align at the next level has become an overbearing question regarding Smith this season, if teams opt to keep him outside at left tackle or over to the right side, at 335 pounds, that positional versatility and maneuverable, pro-ready frame is what has welcomed Smith into the conversation as a potential early day-two selection. While comparisons of his game have been made to Andre Smith of the 2009 class, who transitioned from left tackle to right tackle following his collegiate days at Alabama, a look back to last years draft in Landon Dickerson—who slid from center at Alabama to guard in Philadelphia—and Kelechi Osemele (2012), an impressively built interior presence who was dominant during his days in Oakland, both offer similar measurables to that of Smith to present a floor for just how impactful he could be before sprinkling in his enticing blend of traits. 

 

A class that is expected to see a handful of linemen come off the board on day one, grabbing a prospect like Smith after the headliners in Tyler Linderbaum, Evan Neal, Ikem Ekwonu, and Charles Cross come off the board could represent the steal of the entire class. One of the most physically dominant prospects on either side of the ball, his tape slots second to none of any draft-eligible prospect in this year's pool of talent.

 

https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/tyler-smith-2022-nfl-draft-profile-skill-set

[snarkster]

5 hours ago, BlackJesus said:

A prospect to watch ... a huge nasty tackle who could kick in to guard. 

 

 

WHY YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH TYLER SMITH AHEAD OF 2022 NFL DRAFT

BY: RYAN FOWLER  

JANUARY 5TH, 2022  

THE DRAFT NETWORK

 

Road grader, mauler, interior mover, when you think about Tulsa’s Tyler Smith, a bevy of adjectives that describe his physical style of play often come to mind. But for Smith, dominating his opponent isn’t enough; winning the rep isn’t enough. He looks to staple your back to the dirt, and let you know about it, too. 

 

A freshman All-American selection in his redshirt campaign last fall, Smith was the driving force for the Golden Hurricane front five this season. Primarily working outside at left tackle, his truly nasty skill set has introduced an athlete that you, the reader, will fall in love with as we move closer to April. Trust me.

 

When you look up the word ‘offensive lineman’ in the dictionary, Smith’s game exemplifies everything that is a quarterback protectant. Power? Check. Tenaciousness? Bold check. But, his game is much more than just impressive muscular endurance in which he has been able to physically impose his will on opposing defenders. Take a few of his reps against Cincinnati in 2020 for example.

 

 

While his hands need work, what makes Smith such an intriguing prospect is his lower half, and the fluidity with which he works to smoothly kick step and maintain angles on edge defenders. While you initially get a glimpse of his elite vigor in the run game where he shows the ability to immediately seal his defender toward his outside hip, the NFL is a passing league and is where he will garner the most attention as an anchor for a signal-caller's blindside. 

 

However, as impressive as his tape has been with free space to his outside shoulder, and despite Smith offering ideal length for the position at 6-foot-6, his best days as a pro look to be on the inside, where TDN’s own Joe Marino believes Smith’s skill set will have team executives ‘pounding the table’ for his services when the draft rolls around.

 

 

While it’s not a foregone conclusion that Smith will officially declare, thus forfeiting his remaining seasons of college eligibility, a soon-to-be 21-year-old with the fundamental traits he offers should warrant a large amount of interest from offensive line coaches begging to get their hands on the Tulsa product.

 

While nailing down his true projection of where he will align at the next level has become an overbearing question regarding Smith this season, if teams opt to keep him outside at left tackle or over to the right side, at 335 pounds, that positional versatility and maneuverable, pro-ready frame is what has welcomed Smith into the conversation as a potential early day-two selection. While comparisons of his game have been made to Andre Smith of the 2009 class, who transitioned from left tackle to right tackle following his collegiate days at Alabama, a look back to last years draft in Landon Dickerson—who slid from center at Alabama to guard in Philadelphia—and Kelechi Osemele (2012), an impressively built interior presence who was dominant during his days in Oakland, both offer similar measurables to that of Smith to present a floor for just how impactful he could be before sprinkling in his enticing blend of traits. 

 

A class that is expected to see a handful of linemen come off the board on day one, grabbing a prospect like Smith after the headliners in Tyler Linderbaum, Evan Neal, Ikem Ekwonu, and Charles Cross come off the board could represent the steal of the entire class. One of the most physically dominant prospects on either side of the ball, his tape slots second to none of any draft-eligible prospect in this year's pool of talent.

 

https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/tyler-smith-2022-nfl-draft-profile-skill-set

Sugar Tits II?

[claptonrocks]

7 minutes ago, snarkster said:

Sugar Tits II?

Needs lots ofwork on techniques.

Hands, balance timing all raw.

An off-season Oline guru Duke Manyweather pupil if he can get into his camp..

 

 

[Jungletiger]

 

[sparky151]

On 2/20/2022 at 6:25 PM, BlackJesus said:

A prospect to watch ... a huge nasty tackle who could kick in to guard. 

 

 

WHY YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH TYLER SMITH AHEAD OF 2022 NFL DRAFT

BY: RYAN FOWLER  

JANUARY 5TH, 2022  

THE DRAFT NETWORK

 

Road grader, mauler, interior mover, when you think about Tulsa’s Tyler Smith, a bevy of adjectives that describe his physical style of play often come to mind. But for Smith, dominating his opponent isn’t enough; winning the rep isn’t enough. He looks to staple your back to the dirt, and let you know about it, too. 

 

A freshman All-American selection in his redshirt campaign last fall, Smith was the driving force for the Golden Hurricane front five this season. Primarily working outside at left tackle, his truly nasty skill set has introduced an athlete that you, the reader, will fall in love with as we move closer to April. Trust me.

 

When you look up the word ‘offensive lineman’ in the dictionary, Smith’s game exemplifies everything that is a quarterback protectant. Power? Check. Tenaciousness? Bold check. But, his game is much more than just impressive muscular endurance in which he has been able to physically impose his will on opposing defenders. Take a few of his reps against Cincinnati in 2020 for example.

 

 

While his hands need work, what makes Smith such an intriguing prospect is his lower half, and the fluidity with which he works to smoothly kick step and maintain angles on edge defenders. While you initially get a glimpse of his elite vigor in the run game where he shows the ability to immediately seal his defender toward his outside hip, the NFL is a passing league and is where he will garner the most attention as an anchor for a signal-caller's blindside. 

 

However, as impressive as his tape has been with free space to his outside shoulder, and despite Smith offering ideal length for the position at 6-foot-6, his best days as a pro look to be on the inside, where TDN’s own Joe Marino believes Smith’s skill set will have team executives ‘pounding the table’ for his services when the draft rolls around.

 

 

While it’s not a foregone conclusion that Smith will officially declare, thus forfeiting his remaining seasons of college eligibility, a soon-to-be 21-year-old with the fundamental traits he offers should warrant a large amount of interest from offensive line coaches begging to get their hands on the Tulsa product.

 

While nailing down his true projection of where he will align at the next level has become an overbearing question regarding Smith this season, if teams opt to keep him outside at left tackle or over to the right side, at 335 pounds, that positional versatility and maneuverable, pro-ready frame is what has welcomed Smith into the conversation as a potential early day-two selection. While comparisons of his game have been made to Andre Smith of the 2009 class, who transitioned from left tackle to right tackle following his collegiate days at Alabama, a look back to last years draft in Landon Dickerson—who slid from center at Alabama to guard in Philadelphia—and Kelechi Osemele (2012), an impressively built interior presence who was dominant during his days in Oakland, both offer similar measurables to that of Smith to present a floor for just how impactful he could be before sprinkling in his enticing blend of traits. 

 

A class that is expected to see a handful of linemen come off the board on day one, grabbing a prospect like Smith after the headliners in Tyler Linderbaum, Evan Neal, Ikem Ekwonu, and Charles Cross come off the board could represent the steal of the entire class. One of the most physically dominant prospects on either side of the ball, his tape slots second to none of any draft-eligible prospect in this year's pool of talent.

 

https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/tyler-smith-2022-nfl-draft-profile-skill-set

Here we go again. Let's not draft a college tackle to become an NFL guard. Let's also not draft a raw guy to develop him. We have enough to those already. 

 

[|High School Harry|]

12 hours ago, sparky151 said:

Here we go again. Let's not draft a college tackle to become an NFL guard. Let's also not draft a raw guy to develop him. We have enough to those already. 

 

Max Montoya (a personal all time favorite Bengal) begs to differ with the "draft a college tackle to

be a guard" theory.

[Le Tigre]

13 hours ago, sparky151 said:

Here we go again. Let's not draft a college tackle to become an NFL guard. Let's also not draft a raw guy to develop him. We have enough to those already. 

 

Or, better yet, try and make them a center. 

[sparky151]

5 hours ago, High School Harry said:

Max Montoya (a personal all time favorite Bengal) begs to differ with the "draft a college tackle to

be a guard" theory.

 

So a guy from 40 years ago is your argument to counter recently unsuccessful projects like Carman, Adeniji, Johnson and Smith?

[UncleEarl]

43 minutes ago, sparky151 said:

 

So a guy from 40 years ago is your argument to counter recently unsuccessful projects like Carman, Adeniji, Johnson and Smith?

 

I wouldn't relegate Carman and Smith to "unsuccessful projects" just yet. 

[New Jersey Bengal]

35 minutes ago, UncleEarl said:

 

I wouldn't relegate Carman and Smith to "unsuccessful projects" just yet. 

Agree 100 %

[claptonrocks]

1 hour ago, UncleEarl said:

 

I wouldn't relegate Carman and Smith to "unsuccessful projects" just yet. 

To be blunt..

I believe Carman NT Shelvin and possibly Tre Hill were huge players that could throw their weight around in college without the techniques others 

worked at..

 

Fat ass players who were not ready for the NFL opponents who could overmatch their strength and totally out maneuver them in games..

 

Pollack worked hard with them but 

1 season was not enough to see vast improvement in them..

 

Year 2..

All 3 will have ti get in nfl shape and 

work hard on techniques..

I think its possible all 3 will show improvement.

Its really up to them to advance or bust.

 

 

 

 

[Jungletiger]

 

[Jamie_B]

29 minutes ago, claptonrocks said:

To be blunt..

I believe Carman NT Shelvin and possibly Tre Hill were huge players that could throw their weight around in college without the techniques others 

worked at..

 

Fat ass players who were not ready for the NFL opponents who could overmatch their strength and totally out maneuver them in games..

 

Pollack worked hard with them but 

1 season was not enough to see vast improvement in them..

 

Year 2..

All 3 will have ti get in nfl shape and 

work hard on techniques..

I think its possible all 3 will show improvement.

Its really up to them to advance or bust.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelvin had a pretty good game against Tenn in the playoffs on the short yardage stuff designed to stop Henry 

[sparky151]

3 hours ago, UncleEarl said:

 

I wouldn't relegate Carman and Smith to "unsuccessful projects" just yet. 

 

Would you agree it's fair to call them "underachieving"? Carman was expected to seize a starting job but the team had to bench him for Adeniji who was rated 81st of 82 guards by PFF. He also couldn't beat out Prince for the starting RT job after Reiff got hurt. 

[spicoli]

1 hour ago, Jamie_B said:

 

 

Shelvin had a pretty good game against Tenn in the playoffs on the short yardage stuff designed to stop Henry 

Yeah Shelvin will come along just fine, I have no worries about him. He’s the likely heir apparent to Reader whenever that time comes. 

[UncleEarl]

53 minutes ago, sparky151 said:

 

Would you agree it's fair to call them "underachieving"? Carman was expected to seize a starting job but the team had to bench him for Adeniji who was rated 81st of 82 guards by PFF. He also couldn't beat out Prince for the starting RT job after Reiff got hurt. 

Yes, Carman underachieved.  He gets a second year to make a change.  Pretty high draft pick to give up on him this fast.  He now gets an off-season knowing what he needs to do.  Will he do it?

 

Smith was considered a project when drafted.  I liked what I saw from him vs. Cleveland.  
 

I didn’t disagree with you about Adeniji.  

[|High School Harry|]

5 hours ago, sparky151 said:

 

So a guy from 40 years ago is your argument to counter recently unsuccessful projects like Carman, Adeniji, Johnson and Smith?

So you're ignoring perhaps the best ORG the Bengals ever had who played OT in college and was moved inside to guard.

Just a little Bengals History 101 to correct your "Here we go again. Let's not draft a college tackle to become an NFL guard."

 

[|westside bengal|]

By year 3 maybe even year 2 players either need to be moving up or moving out.

[Jamie_B]

 

[sparky151]

2 hours ago, High School Harry said:

So you're ignoring perhaps the best ORG the Bengals ever had who played OT in college and was moved inside to guard.

Just a little Bengals History 101 to correct your "Here we go again. Let's not draft a college tackle to become an NFL guard."

 

 

The fact something happened once doesn't make it replicable. Other teams have also had success at moving college tackles to pro guards. But the Bengals have struck out repeatedly under the current administration. If something isn't working, try something else.

[claptonrocks]

51 minutes ago, sparky151 said:

 

The fact something happened once doesn't make it replicable. Other teams have also had success at moving college tackles to pro guards. But the Bengals have struck out repeatedly under the current administration. If something isn't working, try something else.

There's allways good OTs in college

that teams project as guards for alot of reasons

 

Harry is right about tackles to guards

fitting there ..it does happen.

 

Best do extension homework on the player before drafting him to convert though..

Otherwise you may have an Adenijji on your hands..

 

 

 

 

 

[Jungletiger]

 

[|High School Harry|]

11 hours ago, sparky151 said:

 

The fact something happened once doesn't make it replicable. Other teams have also had success at moving college tackles to pro guards. But the Bengals have struck out repeatedly under the current administration. If something isn't working, try something else.

Further up the thread Black Jesus is speculating about an OT named Tyler Smith being moved to guard if drafted and this morning there is speculation of moving Jonah Williams inside.

 

https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2022/02/23/bengals-moving-jonah-williams-new-position/

 

And Ge-off Hobson says this:

 

“ If they ever moved Jonah Williams from left tackle, it would probably be inside. He’s not a big guy, but he’s very smart and athletic and you wonder what kind of center he would make.”

 

 

 

[sparky151]

The reason college tackles get projected to pro guard is their lack of movement skills. Especially if they aren't from a top program that regularly sees future NFL edge rushers. Penning and Raiman will stay at tackle because they move well for their size. Smith is being projected inside because Tulsa doesn't see a lot of NFL speed rushers and he's more of a straight-ahead player.

 

What's doubly damning for the Bengals failed guard projections is that none of them could play tackle better than Isaiah Prince. One might think that Carman could have cleared that low bar. But none of our drafted guys were better than street free agent Prince.