Downs is tremendous, as is Reese… this coming from a UM grad. Either would be great. Like Sonny Styles a lot, too.

Really, this defense has major needs everywhere so any level of D needs upgrading. Maybe not CB as much as the front 7, although safety is a clear need. The Bengals are absolutely terrible there.

Sad thing is, other than Turner and Dax Hill, I haven’t seen anyone who you point to as someone who you think is an answer as a future quality defensive starter on this team.

Since for all intents and purposes, the playoffs are a pipe dream, there are 8 games to see if anyone emerges… heck, for that matter, just improves would be nice.

All of that said, Duke is gonna pick them, so… maybe try the dart board instead.

I hope hes gone

1 hour ago, texbengal said:

Downs is tremendous, as is Reese… this coming from a UM grad. Either would be great. Like Sonny Styles a lot, too.

Really, this defense has major needs everywhere so any level of D needs upgrading. Maybe not CB as much as the front 7, although safety is a clear need. The Bengals are absolutely terrible there.

Sad thing is, other than Turner and Dax Hill, I haven’t seen anyone who you point to as someone who you think is an answer as a future quality defensive starter on this team.

Since for all intents and purposes, the playoffs are a pipe dream, there are 8 games to see if anyone emerges… heck, for that matter, just improves would be nice.

All of that said, Duke is gonna pick them, so… maybe try the dart board instead.

Duke will trade down for the next Mild Murphy or Shemale Stewart.

Fun Fact: This season Ja'Marr Chase has more tackles than Shemale Stewart.

via Tony Pike on the radio this afternoon.

Geez

Problem is, if we drafted Downs he would only be here for one contract becuse this teamdoes not pay top dollar for 'lesser' positions.

21 hours ago, HavePityPlease said:

If you OSU fans start getting my hopes up that we can get this guy, I swear to god..... 😓

Bengals aren't likely to win any of the next 4 games. Probably not the Fins either. Cards and Clowns are beatable but Bengals have a good chance at a top 10 pick. Downs' talent would exceed that of players picked ahead of him but safety is considered a non-premium position so he won't be a top 3 player. If Bengals are picking in the top 5, they may have a chance at Downs. But Duke is more likely to pick Faulk or Woods. That's how he rolls.

4 hours ago, sparky151 said:

Bengals aren't likely to win any of the next 4 games. Probably not the Fins either. Cards and Clowns are beatable but Bengals have a good chance at a top 10 pick. Downs' talent would exceed that of players picked ahead of him but safety is considered a non-premium position so he won't be a top 3 player. If Bengals are picking in the top 5, they may have a chance at Downs. But Duke is more likely to pick Faulk or Woods. That's how he rolls.

Guess I'll keep saying this but there's no fucking way Duke Tobin is making all these picks on his own.

24 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

Guess I'll keep saying this but there's no fucking way Duke Tobin is making all these picks on his own.

It seems clear that the consistent draft failures are indeed a team effort.

5 hours ago, sparky151 said:

But Duke is more likely to pick Faulk or Woods. That's how he rolls.

Or Jeremiah Love. I could easily see that happening.

21 hours ago, spicoli said:

Or Jeremiah’s Love. I could easily see that happening.

Yeah, if they sign a couple journeymen defensive players, they'll proclaim everything hunky dory over there and picking Love would save them from paying Chase Brown 8-10 mil per year, ie a Mixonesque number.

3 hours ago, sparky151 said:

Yeah, if they sign a couple journeymen defensive players, they'll proclaim everything hunky dory over there and picking Love would save them from paying Chase Brown 8-10 mil per year, ie a Mixonesque number.

100%

On 11/17/2025 at 9:58 AM, I_C_Deadpeople said:

We will have to search the draft boards for the next looming bust high pick. Gets harder in the top 5 if we make it there.

Step 1: who is the fastest?

ESPN nails it...

Bengals stick with their type in ESPN NFL Mock Draft

Maybe it is time to change things up.

The Cincinnati Bengals have attempted to hit home runs early in the draft recently by taking the approach of drafting high-ceiling players. The problem with many players who get these labels is that they also have low floors and need a ton of work to even get close to reaching their “potential.”

It is a high-risk strategy when a team like the Bengals relies on their first round picks to be major contributors fairly early, and they are potentially relied on to fill a need with little to no plan B.

Following that trend, ESPN’s Matt Miller has the Cincinnati Bengals selecting yet another defensive end who might not see his best football until a couple of seasons have passed:

Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn*

Hendrickson will become a free agent after the season, and his return to Cincinnati is hardly guaranteed considering the acrimonious nature of his preseason holdout. Joseph Ossai and Cam Sample will also be free agents, leaving the Bengals with needs up front despite drafting Shemar Stewart in the first round this year and Myles Murphy in 2023. Neither has had much of an impact, so perhaps Faulk could break through. At 6-6, 285 pounds, Faulk is built in the mold of Hendrickson with the power to lock out offensive tackles and the quickness to get to the quarterback. He has two sacks and 24 pressures this season and can rush from the inside and outside.

To be fair to Faulk, he had seven sacks last season. You just can’t blame Bengals’ fans for rolling their eyes at the thought of going through this yet again.

The Junior EDGE is still trying to prove he is more NFL-ready this season. What he puts on tape will be overanalyzed for months.

However, at this point, the defense probably needs some high-floor guys who are ready to step on the field and contribute. Most of their young guys have looked lackluster at best, so any production is needed.

Thrusting another guy out there who isn’t ready isn’t going to help anyone.

6 hours ago, High School Harry said:

ESPN nails it...

Bengals stick with their type in ESPN NFL Mock Draft

Maybe it is time to change things up.

The Cincinnati Bengals have attempted to hit home runs early in the draft recently by taking the approach of drafting high-ceiling players. The problem with many players who get these labels is that they also have low floors and need a ton of work to even get close to reaching their “potential.”

It is a high-risk strategy when a team like the Bengals relies on their first round picks to be major contributors fairly early, and they are potentially relied on to fill a need with little to no plan B.

Following that trend, ESPN’s Matt Miller has the Cincinnati Bengals selecting yet another defensive end who might not see his best football until a couple of seasons have passed:

To be fair to Faulk, he had seven sacks last season. You just can’t blame Bengals’ fans for rolling their eyes at the thought of going through this yet again.

The Junior EDGE is still trying to prove he is more NFL-ready this season. What he puts on tape will be overanalyzed for months.

However, at this point, the defense probably needs some high-floor guys who are ready to step on the field and contribute. Most of their young guys have looked lackluster at best, so any production is needed.

Thrusting another guy out there who isn’t ready isn’t going to help anyone.

Have to get out of this cycle of drafting to replace vets they don't want to pay or because their contracts have finally expired 2 years after they should've retired. They don't want to sign anyone past their 30th birthday but end up with even older discount FA's out of desperation. Out of all the RBs out there they sign Perine to play half a season, for example, because that's their comfort zone. We still have no NT on defense. The list goes on.

To put it another way.. Let's say this is some other franchise or new owners, a scenario where Duke and Zac and Simmons are gone this offseason. A real thorough housecleaning, no holdovers. On top of that the new coach & GM are given free reign to swing the axe, go on a shopping spree in FA & then make their own draft board ranked primarily on the ability to play football. While we're dreaming, you know.

How many of the current 53 are here next year? I'm saying we could probably count them on our fingers. They could hire 100 scouts tomorrow but it won't matter if the ultimate decisions are still being made the same way by the same people.

I have done multiple mock drafts and I just cant seem to really drfat badly so i will give Dufus Tobin credit as it takes great skill to continually f*ck up each draft.

Yeah, my method of drafting good football players and using free agency or trades to fill holes seems to work better than the Bengals method of wishing and hoping some physical phenom turns into a good football player.

Article in the Athletic today - Dehner talks to Dane Brugler abiut the Bengals first pick.

Comments on Caleb Downs:

The conversation certainly makes sense with Brugler’s No. 3 prospect, Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs.

“Smart, tough, physical, athletic — just checks boxes for what you want in an NFL starting safety,” Brugler said. “In last year’s draft at the combine, talking to Ohio State guys, I like asking about future players and prospects. I remember talking to Jack Sawyer about Caleb Downs. He was just effusive in his praise. He said he’s never seen a player, for a guy his age, his professional approach, the way he attacked everything — meetings, practice — it’s like he’s been groomed for this since he was a young kid just the mindset of, ‘OK, I’m going to get every ounce of talent out of this and make sure I maximize everything.’

“Scouts back that up. Downs is very much a process guy, the way he prepares and the way he can influence the game. He’s not going to get hung up on interceptions and the stats. That’s why coaches love him at Ohio State. NFL coaches will love him as well. The way he works and prepares will help him get on the field early. He will rub off on guys in the room.”

The question with him isn’t being a culture changer, his talent or drive, but positional value. There has been one true safety selected in the top 10 over the last 13 years: Jamal Adams in 2017 (Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons in 2020 was a LB/S hybrid and busted in Arizona).

“You are talking about the top 10 here,” Brugler said. “The NFL has told us how they feel about drafting safeties early.”

2 hours ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

Article in the Athletic today - Dehner talks to Dane Brugler abiut the Bengals first pick.

Comments on Caleb Downs:

The conversation certainly makes sense with Brugler’s No. 3 prospect, Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs.

“Smart, tough, physical, athletic — just checks boxes for what you want in an NFL starting safety,” Brugler said. “In last year’s draft at the combine, talking to Ohio State guys, I like asking about future players and prospects. I remember talking to Jack Sawyer about Caleb Downs. He was just effusive in his praise. He said he’s never seen a player, for a guy his age, his professional approach, the way he attacked everything — meetings, practice — it’s like he’s been groomed for this since he was a young kid just the mindset of, ‘OK, I’m going to get every ounce of talent out of this and make sure I maximize everything.’

“Scouts back that up. Downs is very much a process guy, the way he prepares and the way he can influence the game. He’s not going to get hung up on interceptions and the stats. That’s why coaches love him at Ohio State. NFL coaches will love him as well. The way he works and prepares will help him get on the field early. He will rub off on guys in the room.”

The question with him isn’t being a culture changer, his talent or drive, but positional value. There has been one true safety selected in the top 10 over the last 13 years: Jamal Adams in 2017 (Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons in 2020 was a LB/S hybrid and busted in Arizona).

“You are talking about the top 10 here,” Brugler said. “The NFL has told us how they feel about drafting safeties early.”

Interesting read. Adams was a helluva college player but was never great in coverage and I always felt like he had a big personality, but maybe the ego to match. Downs can do more, and depending on how things go with the Bengals' record and who declares early, he may be available when the Bengals pick. And, the fact that teams seem to de-value the safety position could help that possibility, too.

The article also mentioned Reese, Peter Woods, Keldric Faulk, and the Miami edge guy, Reuben Bain. Guys like Woods and Faulk seem more like traits picks, which Duke tends to gravitate to. Spotty production.

A couple of other guys I really like that will likely be available later in round one are Sonny Styles (LB) and David Bailey of Texas Tech, an edge guy. Texas Tech has sucked on D for a long time but lately, they've improved and they're spending a lot of money in NIL... and it's showing. Bailey can get to the QB and his athleticism really shows up. They've got a really nice team now. Another guy on that team that I really like... later round guy, likely but Jacob Rodriguez, LB - he's #10. Really good! Just finds the ball and makes plays. He's older (23) but he isn't hard to find when you watch that D.

If he's there my personal pick is Arvell Reese. Great LB and great pass rusher. You can move him all over. I'd use him like Micah Parsons. Second pick would be Caleb Downs, if there. FWIW, I am NOT an Ohio State fan.

1 hour ago, Sox said:

If he's there my personal pick is Arvell Reese. Great LB and great pass rusher. You can move him all over. I'd use him like Micah Parsons. Second pick would be Caleb Downs, if there. FWIW, I am NOT an Ohio State fan.

My only issue with Reese would be - can our DC actually employ him in a way that utilizes his strengths?

I'd compare Reese more to Abdul Carter than Micah Parsons.

PFF compares him to Edgerrin Cooper

6 hours ago, sparky151 said:

I'd compare Reese more to Abdul Carter than Micah Parsons.

Not for us, we are looking for a Shemar Stewart clone.

On 11/22/2025 at 10:19 AM, High School Harry said:

ESPN nails it...

Bengals stick with their type in ESPN NFL Mock Draft

Maybe it is time to change things up.

The Cincinnati Bengals have attempted to hit home runs early in the draft recently by taking the approach of drafting high-ceiling players. The problem with many players who get these labels is that they also have low floors and need a ton of work to even get close to reaching their “potential.”

It is a high-risk strategy when a team like the Bengals relies on their first round picks to be major contributors fairly early, and they are potentially relied on to fill a need with little to no plan B.

Following that trend, ESPN’s Matt Miller has the Cincinnati Bengals selecting yet another defensive end who might not see his best football until a couple of seasons have passed:

To be fair to Faulk, he had seven sacks last season. You just can’t blame Bengals’ fans for rolling their eyes at the thought of going through this yet again.

The Junior EDGE is still trying to prove he is more NFL-ready this season. What he puts on tape will be overanalyzed for months.

However, at this point, the defense probably needs some high-floor guys who are ready to step on the field and contribute. Most of their young guys have looked lackluster at best, so any production is needed.

Thrusting another guy out there who isn’t ready isn’t going to help anyone.

I'd stay away from Faulkl..

Gut feeling is hell be mediocre here..

OT Spencer Fano is what they need at LT.

Cut OBJ ..he's now about worthless for the money

12 hours ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

Article in the Athletic today - Dehner talks to Dane Brugler abiut the Bengals first pick.

Comments on Caleb Downs:

The conversation certainly makes sense with Brugler’s No. 3 prospect, Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs.

“Smart, tough, physical, athletic — just checks boxes for what you want in an NFL starting safety,” Brugler said. “In last year’s draft at the combine, talking to Ohio State guys, I like asking about future players and prospects. I remember talking to Jack Sawyer about Caleb Downs. He was just effusive in his praise. He said he’s never seen a player, for a guy his age, his professional approach, the way he attacked everything — meetings, practice — it’s like he’s been groomed for this since he was a young kid just the mindset of, ‘OK, I’m going to get every ounce of talent out of this and make sure I maximize everything.’

“Scouts back that up. Downs is very much a process guy, the way he prepares and the way he can influence the game. He’s not going to get hung up on interceptions and the stats. That’s why coaches love him at Ohio State. NFL coaches will love him as well. The way he works and prepares will help him get on the field early. He will rub off on guys in the room.”

The question with him isn’t being a culture changer, his talent or drive, but positional value. There has been one true safety selected in the top 10 over the last 13 years: Jamal Adams in 2017 (Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons in 2020 was a LB/S hybrid and busted in Arizona).

“You are talking about the top 10 here,” Brugler said. “The NFL has told us how they feel about drafting safeties early.”

Duke would hit a home run by drafting Downs if he's there.

Forget every rated player they need.

Caleb Downs is a future All Pro imo.