32 minutes ago, gupps said:

How can they not realize that if they spent more money to get better players they would probably have a better record. Which means they make more money. That's a special kind of stupid right there.

“Now there’s a great idea…lemmie try it”

19 hours ago, T-Dub said:

I don't think there's anyone on the current defense good enough to make them overlook any position.. but they should be taking BPA in general & filling immediate needs in FA. Drafting to fill vacancies is how we end up with a top 10 pick. They need to make up ground now, not in a year or two when the average draft pick hits their stride.

both not true and also not really what anyone means or is talking about. no one is walking into this drafting thinking the bengals need a #1 corner but also everyone is hoping to can replace the worst guys on the defense with a top tallent top 10 pick guy.

8 hours ago, sparky151 said:

Uh, Slaton isn't close to average. PFF rated 129 DTs last year with Hill at 35th, Jenkins at 83rd, Slaton at 114th, and Jackson not getting enough snaps to qualify but scored about where the 56th overall player scored.

DJ Reader is a free agent and scored 36th overall. He might not cost more than we're scheduled to pay Slaton and we should make that swap if possible.

As sure as the sun rises in the East, the team will be pleading poverty during free agency. They'll have Hobson or Dehner tamp down expectations. But the team really could improve the defense dramatically if they update their cap management style. That they won't do so is basically their way of expressing contempt to the players and fans who prioritize winning games and championships over padding the trust fund.

while his "finish to the season" didnt have as long of a improvement streak, only his last 4-5 games were solid. he started so bad that even his rebound didnt save his overall average to even the bad range... but his last 4 games were his best 4 essentially.

he and stone are the two sort of exempt from the "they got settled in and played really solid" list. everyone else tackling improved by 5x, pressure, overall defensive ratings, etc... safety and DT are the gaping wounds we want to stop the bleeding on IMO. and lots of other spots can obviously be improved upon as well.

5 hours ago, T-Dub said:

No, no.. Slaton wasn't completely awful against the Arizona Cardinals so he and Reader are basically the same player.

no no no dj reader being 32 and coming off the two worst seasons of his entire career is a player to strive to ad.

4 hours ago, GoBengals said:

everyone is hoping to replace the worst guys on the defense with a top tallent top 10 pick guy.

Unfortunately they only have one top 10 pick. The defensive roster is bad enough to where later rounds could still yield a better starter than they have at some spots, but obviously that becomes less likely in each round.. particularly if they're looking for an immediate impact.

no no no dj reader being 32 and coming off the two worst seasons of his entire career is a player to strive to ad.

Yeah it really underlines their lack of talent at IDL, doesn't it. A 32 year old vet on the down slope of his career should not be a probable improvement over what they have & I would like to think they'd set their sights higher, but realistically? Better than nothing. If it's him or more Slaton/Jenkins, I'll take old worn-out DJ Reader.

On 1/5/2026 at 3:43 PM, Gary said:

In the 2nd round I would be looking at a guy like Lee Hunter. 3rd round a CB like Colton Hood. In the 4th maybe a hybrid DL like R Mason Thomas.

Who knows.. I didn't get to watch much college FB, but I have been watching vids of the prospects on the defensive side.

How do you all feel about Myles Murphy going forward? In the second half of the season has he shown enough to not draft someone to potentially replace him?

Some good names there. I like Hunter a lot. He was a beast at Tech and he’s not just a space eater inside.

And I know it’s early but I would think Hood and Thomas would go earlier. Both play premium positions and Mason in particular can bring heat on the pass rush, which is always highly valued.

Like others, I would prefer some juice up front, or a chess piece like Downs.

But I’m a big Sonny Styles fan too. I know the Bengals invested pretty heavily at LB last year but I’m not sure either guy is the answer as a FT starter. Speaking of, I could see Carter as a good nickel cover LB type and Knight as a 2-down guy who can blitz on 3rd down.

But I think Styles can do everything. He’s a tone setter. Former safety, sudden, physical, and he gets guys on the ground.

So if they took any of the top D guys - Reese, Bain, Bailey, Downs, or Styles - I’d take it. They just need someone who can make plays and help close out games. Period.

15 hours ago, gupps said:

How can they not realize that if they spent more money to get better players they would probably have a better record. Which means they make more money. That's a special kind of stupid right there.

It is but spending more money comes with the risk that improvements don't follow. If they sit tight and take no risks at all other than having to spend money as required by the CBA, they are guaranteed to be rolling in it, with the ability to extract more than $100 mil per year for the family. Mike and Katie love their family more than the public, doncha know. So get off their backs with this nonsense about fielding the best team they can. They are doing that within the (self-limiting) parameters they have set for themselves. It's not easy and they're doing everything they can (within those parameters) to field a good team. Have a little compassion man!

13 hours ago, GoBengals said:

both not true and also not really what anyone means or is talking about. no one is walking into this drafting thinking the bengals need a #1 corner but also everyone is hoping to can replace the worst guys on the defense with a top tallent top 10 pick guy.

while his "finish to the season" didnt have as long of a improvement streak, only his last 4-5 games were solid. he started so bad that even his rebound didnt save his overall average to even the bad range... but his last 4 games were his best 4 essentially.

he and stone are the two sort of exempt from the "they got settled in and played really solid" list. everyone else tackling improved by 5x, pressure, overall defensive ratings, etc... safety and DT are the gaping wounds we want to stop the bleeding on IMO. and lots of other spots can obviously be improved upon as well.

no no no dj reader being 32 and coming off the two worst seasons of his entire career is a player to strive to ad.

What do you mean that it's not true that good teams fill their needs in free agency and draft the best players they can get. We've seen how the depth on the Bengals has eroded and the ten top 100 draft picks thrown at the defense have mostly busted.

Regarding Slaton, one of these things is not like the other. Slaton's best year in the NFL is worse than Readers worst.

Here's Slaton's career grades:

And here's Readers:

And for giggles, here are Calais Campbell's last 10 years whom the Bengals should have signed when Reader left:

10 minutes ago, sparky151 said:

It is but spending more money comes with the risk that improvements don't follow. If they sit tight and take no risks at all other than having to spend money as required by the CBA, they are guaranteed to be rolling in it, with the ability to extract more than $100 mil per year for the family. Mike and Katie love their family more than the public, doncha know. So get off their backs with this nonsense about fielding the best team they can. They are doing that within the (self-limiting) parameters they have set for themselves. It's not easy and they're doing everything they can (within those parameters) to field a good team. Have a little compassion man!

I apologize for saying the Brown family intelligence is lower than a bag of hammers. I hereby include a pic of their actual mental capacity:

The focus is ensuring their great-great-grandchildren can always walk into well paying, low stress jobs like "Vice President of Nacho Cheese Viscosity".

In order to do that, they must field an NFL team capable of winning a few games here and there. Some years it's 10, some years it's 4. Most years it's somewhere in between. All about managing expectations.