26 minutes ago, sparky151 said:

That's the problem. Downs is a great diagnostician and sure tackler. Bain or Bailey or maybe Reese would be worthy replacements for Trey. But they'll likely be off the board by 10. Maybe Bain falls, and if so, he would be a solid pick for the Bengals. But knowing how Duke operates, he'll reach for Keldric Faulk or Peter Woods at 10 instead of taking a much better player at another position. It's a dumb way to operate but it's how he rolls.

That is 100% not Duke's decision, no how, no way. His job is not making draft picks. His job is taking the blame for them.

2 hours ago, T-Dub said:

That is 100% not Duke's decision, no how, no way. His job is not making draft picks. His job is taking the blame for them.

He does not take the blame becuse the draft board is a 'consensus'. Build a consensus with no single person accountable, it is the Bengals scouting staff MO.

"Mr. Borown, we did our best but those picks did not work out"

"I know, but keep trying"

44 minutes ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

He does not take the blame becuse the draft board is a 'consensus'. Build a consensus with no single person accountable, it is the Bengals scouting staff MO.

If only it was limited to the "scouting staff", as in both of them.

"Mr. Brown, we did our best but those picks did not work out"

"I know, but keep trying"

He's far more involved than that, "Katie's team" is more cope.

On 3/2/2026 at 8:43 PM, spicoli said:

If he's there at 10, He's the Precious!!!😂😂😂😂

3 hours ago, kennethmw said:

If he's there at 10, He's the Precious!!!😂😂😂😂

If they sign a legit replacement for Stone before the draft, sure.

Brugler has us taking Downs.

https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2026/03/04/nfl-mock-draft-bengals-sprinting-podium-caleb-downs/88979263007/

On 3/4/2026 at 12:14 PM, Jamie_B said:

Brugler has us taking Downs.

https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2026/03/04/nfl-mock-draft-bengals-sprinting-podium-caleb-downs/88979263007/

Would solve the deficiency in center field.

Another Bates in the making..

On 3/2/2026 at 9:47 AM, texbengal said:

Big hopes for him. Such a talented player.

Would be a huge bonus if he contributes.

1 hour ago, dex said:

If he's still on the field in December I'd be stoked.. otherwise, good for him but it shouldn't stop them from taking another TE if the midrounds fall that way.

42 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

If he's still on the field in December I'd be stoked.. otherwise, good for him but it shouldn't stop them from taking another TE if the midrounds fall that way.

Good point hes talented just has to stay healthy

2 hours ago, New Jersey Bengal said:

Good point hes talented just has to stay healthy

When I did a deeper dive & read some of the older pieces on his injury history, the transfer etc it sounded pretty bad, still think he would've been there in later rounds but that hardly matters now. I don't want to see the dude get paralyzed in a game & I don't want this to drag out like Eifert. Best of luck to him because the skillset was top tier.

This is a fairly deep draft at TE. The combine had 27 invited, more than most years. Getting Raridon or Roush on day 3 would improve the room.

On 3/3/2026 at 3:22 PM, Jamie_B said:

His biggest asset is how smart he is, and that's not to say he doesn't have other assets. I very seriously doubt he would be a project, I think he is a day 1 starter and maybe even the guy calling the plays the way Jessie Bates did.

He's who I want, but the way the Bengals are talking about wanting to get better at pass rush (After letting Trey go), I suspect it's going to be a Dlinement at 10

If he needs ACL surgery he qualifies as a project. We need this first rd pick to be able to contribute immediately and hopefully have an impact

5 minutes ago, Sea Ray said:

If he needs ACL surgery he qualifies as a project. We need this first rd pick to be able to contribute immediately and hopefully have an impact

If he has the injury at all.

It's lying season remember.

1 hour ago, Sea Ray said:

If he needs ACL surgery he qualifies as a project. We need this first rd pick to be able to contribute immediately and hopefully have an impact

If this is referring to Caleb Downs, that rumor was already debunked. Signing Cook probably takes Downs off the Bengals board but he should be an immediate starter in the league.

4 minutes ago, sparky151 said:

If this is referring to Caleb Downs, that rumor was already debunked. Signing Cook probably takes Downs off the Bengals board but he should be an immediate starter in the league.

Maybe it takes Downs off the board. Battle still missed alot of tackles last year too. I don't think he can't be replaced.

Well certainly Battle can be upgraded from. It's just not likely to be with Downs. Instead of Caleb or Thienman in round 1, maybe the team goes for McNeil-Warren at 41 or Haulcy.

9 hours ago, sparky151 said:

If this is referring to Caleb Downs, that rumor was already debunked. Signing Cook probably takes Downs off the Bengals board but he should be an immediate starter in the league.

I hope that's not how they look at it. Their draft board should not be based on their roster. He's either their best option at #9 or he's not. DGAF if they already have Fulcher lining up next to Ed Reed.

Take the BPA or trade down. This drafting for need stuff is a big part of how they dug themselves into the hole in the first place.

11 hours ago, Jamie_B said:

If he has the injury at all.

It's lying season remember.

Funny how other teams report unrecorded injuries to drop a player to them

10 hours ago, sparky151 said:

If this is referring to Caleb Downs, that rumor was already debunked. Signing Cook probably takes Downs off the Bengals board but he should be an immediate starter in the league.

Yes ..now on to

Sonny Styles ..🤞

10 hours ago, Jamie_B said:

Maybe it takes Downs off the board. Battle still missed alot of tackles last year too. I don't think he can't be replaced.

What if Caleb Downs is there at 10 and the Bengals draft him?

What would our deep backfield contribute?

Between Sonny Styles and Caleb there if a available

I'd pull the trigger on Styles...

Wouldn't be easy though.

48 minutes ago, claptonrocks said:

What if Caleb Downs is there at 10 and the Bengals draft him?

What would our deep backfield contribute?

Between Sonny Styles and Caleb there if a available

I'd pull the trigger on Styles...

Wouldn't be easy though.

If the offense keeps running up 40 or so a game there will be plenty of work for as many DBs as they want to carry on the 53. If Downs is half the player he's made out to be he will get his opportunity somehow. If he has to earn it by outplaying a pair of vets, so much the better. Like I've been saying.. I think this is how the draft is supposed to work? Counting on rookies to start from game one is how the defense got into this hole. Having to come in and earn that spot is better for both the player and the mindset of the team in general. Depth chart can't be built around where someone was drafted or their cap hit. The best 22 get to play the most. Why should it ever be anything but that?

I think people forget that Al Golden does like to employ a 3 high safety look. Not as base, but he does utilize it. I don't think Downs is off the boar din any way shape or form.