1 hour ago, Griever said:

If he falls he eould be a nice pick best dt in the draft ss long as he is healthy

12 minutes ago, New Jersey Bengal said:

If he falls he eould be a nice pick best dt in the draft ss long as he is healthy

To me he would be a nice pick up for a team with a lot of picks so this one could be a gamble so to speak. Maybe a team with a lot of 3rd and 4th round picks?

Here are some interesting names for day 3. Funny that he mentions RJ Maryland, TE SMU. I really like him - thought he’d be a pretty high pick but then tore his ACL 2 years ago and wasn’t a huge difference maker last fall. But is really talented.

https://open.substack.com/pub/charlieschalkboard/p/my-favorite-day-3-nfl-draft-guys?r=vikmq&utm_medium=ios

Here are Charlie Goldsmith’s thoughts on day 2. He’s all aboard the CB

Train for round 2 which I suspect will be the case. Although LB wouldn’t shock me either.

https://open.substack.com/pub/charlieschalkboard/p/bengals-big-board-why-corner-should?r=vikmq&utm_medium=ios

A list of Day 2 names to watch from Paul Dehner & The Athletic:

Round 2

LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech (40/42/44)

Leader in the clubhouse as a Bengals target in the second round. They will be seeking linebackers, and Rodriguez’s instincts are the best in class this draft. He created 11 turnovers last year for the Red Raiders and shows unique savvy playing the run, stacking tackles for loss. His awareness and feel for the game make him a weapon in coverage. Most importantly, he boasts a mustache that would make Tom Selleck proud.

LB CJ Allen, Georgia (46/32/39)

An instinctive player, excellent tackler and one of the leaders of the Georgia defense. The Bengals love the Bulldogs. Could they make it three drafts in a row with an early UGA pick? The personnel department will love his 30 starts in the SEC, production, maturity and leadership.

LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas (50/37/62)

Posted the lowest missed tackle rate among the Day 2 linebacker group for Texas. Was a top recruit, an immediate impact player and a three-year starter for the Longhorns. Playing downhill is his strength, but he brings versatility and an impressive athletic skill set (4.51 40, 37-inch vertical).

LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati (48/54/71)

The Bengals are looking for a combination linebacker who can set an edge and bring a blitzing presence. Golday, a converted edge, would bring that skill set. He’s fast, explosive and quick to trigger when he sees the play. Still developing and his coverage recognition needs work, but there are high-end traits and a work ethic worth keeping in the city.

CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State (24/35/35)

Could he slip to 41? He’ll be a name worth tracking late in the first and early in the second. More of an outside corner who would probably push Dax Hill back inside, but his instincts and movement skills are starting-level on the outside. The last time the Bengals picked a non-power conference player in the first two rounds was William Jackson III (Houston) in 2016, but Johnson could warrant an exception if he falls.

CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina (45/43/38)

An outstanding athlete who loves covering man-to-man, checks all the size and speed boxes. He brings inside-outside versatility and could provide a nickel option. More developmental than others, but the traits the Bengals love to bet on are all in place as a serious option in Round 2.

DB Treydan Stukes, Arizona (56/48/52)

Versatility and elite athleticism make this appealing. Stukes can play outside, slot or even safety, utilizing his 4.3 speed. He would likely begin his Cincinnati career at slot corner, but much like Hill, could end up anywhere as his career unfolds. His ability to make plays would be an appealing addition to the defensive back group.

CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana (38/50/42)

If the Bengals can get past the size, there’s little to dislike about Ponds’ game. Sure, he’s 5-foot-9, 182 pounds, but much like Mike Hilton, he makes the most of every inch. He’s an elite competitor and playmaker at the core of the Hoosiers’ championship DNA. He’s not shy as a tackler or in coverage. He would need to translate his game to the slot for the Bengals.

CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson (27/38/54)

Can you cross any Clemson player off at this point? Dexter Lawrence, Myles Murphy, Barrett Carter and Tee Higgins are already in Cincinnati, and here comes a quick, instinctual nickel corner. He brings a tenacious play style, impressive blitzing skills and big energy. He’s undersized (5-foot-11, 186 pounds, 31-inch arms) but would likely start the opener inside Hill and DJ Turner if he’s the pick.

DB Keionte Scott, Miami (53/53/59)

He would be the opening day starter at nickel, with positional versatility as a safety. Ran a 4.33 40 and jumped an absurd 44 inches. Played great in the College Football Playoff, including an instinctive pick-six in the victory against Ohio State. Doesn’t miss tackles, brings extreme tenacity and intelligence to the slot. You don’t want him to cover outside, but the Bengals wouldn’t ask that of him. His play style is everything you want your defense to be about.

Round 3

LB Josiah Trotter, Missouri (73/103/81)

His communication, energy and leadership will help sell him as well as his football bloodlines. The Bengals need more leadership qualities like his at linebacker and on defense generally. They would have to work with him in coverage, but as a run-stopping middle linebacker with instincts, he’d be just what they need.

LB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh (75/55/77)

He’s in the Akeem Davis-Gaither mold as a smaller linebacker (6 feet, 220 pounds) who must overcome the power of NFL players; however, his athleticism, speed, instincts and football character make him a player capable of making an impact. It would be a unique skill set to add to the rotation, with fun upside.

OT Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern (65/59/73)

He racked up 44 starts across both tackle positions during his career. He’s still ascending and by all accounts is made of the right stuff. He’s 6-foot-8, 323 pounds, so while not Markel Bell’s size, he fits the profile. His strength as a pass blocker and hand usage fit the priorities of OL coach Scott Peters.

OT Austin Barber, Florida (101/96/74)

A developmental swing tackle prospect who needs work on timing and technique. His size, tools and attitude all match what the Bengals are looking for at the position. He started 39 games for the Gators, logging time at both right and left tackle.

OT Markel Bell, Miami (97/92/90)

How could he end up on any other team? At 6-foot-9, 346 pounds, with rare length, he would fit right in next to Orlando Brown and Amarius Mims. He played in big games during Miami’s College Football Playoff run and performed well. His speciality is in pass protection, and he could immediately learn how to use his size properly from the two starters. Cincinnati selected his teammate, Jalen Rivers, last year. Will he last until pick 110?

OT Travis Burke, Memphis (79/93/125)

Fits the Bengals’ size requirements at 6-foot-9, 325 pounds and plays with nastiness. The Bengals were tracking him closely in the pre-draft process. Not as talented as a pass protector as others in this range, but he has potential to develop into a quality player for Peters.

CB Daylen Everette, Georgia (98/69/87)

Always connect the Bengals to the Georgia Bulldogs. They’ve drafted at least one in each of the last two drafts and three of the last five. Everette would need refinement, but the traits are in place in terms of height, weight, length and speed. He improved last year, was a leader on the defense and broke up 11 passes. Targets to the third-fourth range.

DB Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina (88/76/69)

A safety/linebacker hybrid and he offers the flexibility to cover as a nickel, but would be best used in the box. A riskier pick because his appeal is more about traits than tape. He’s better in coverage against tight ends than receivers, so he doesn’t provide as snug a fit as others in this round. Still, an intriguing athlete to consider.

Edge Keyron Crawford, Auburn (54/67/72)

Crawford racked up five sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss for the Tigers last year, and his style of play fits the common theme the Bengals consistently value. He is reminiscent of Carl Lawson, another rocked-up edge rusher from Auburn whom the Bengals found in the middle rounds in 2017.

Edge Jaishawn Barham, Michigan (100/77/94)

Fits into the combination edge/linebacker category at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds. Was highly productive for the Wolverines, especially after specializing on the edge. He has twitchy explosiveness the Bengals would love, and he doesn’t look out of place dropping in zones. He would be a project to hand to defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery in many ways, but his athleticism and skill set are something the Bengals don’t have.

Edge Romello Height, Texas Tech (80/114/107)

Similar size to Barham and projects more as a designated pass rusher. He racked up 9.5 sacks last year and possesses rare explosion off the edge with a motor that runs hot. Reputation as a hard worker, which is a nice mix with what he brings to the table physically.

13 hours ago, dex said:

Honest question. Isn't there a center worth a 3rd rounder? With Lee gone the cupboard is kind of bare.

6 hours ago, gupps said:

Honest question. Isn't there a center worth a 3rd rounder? With Lee gone the cupboard is kind of bare.

I think there were a couple with 3-4 round grades in The Beast. I don’t believe Lee was even the top rated C in Bruglers list.

18 hours ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

I think there were a couple with 3-4 round grades in The Beast. I don’t believe Lee was even the top rated C in Bruglers list.

He was referring to Matt Lee the former Bengals 7th round draft pick that was released a few weeks ago.

I'm assuming you're thinking of Conner Lew from Auburn who is in this year's draft.

There's a lot of options for picks at C: https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/positions/C/1/2026

I could see them going with one of Slaughter, Lew, Zuhn or Coogan. Plus there's guard converts that aren't in that list.

From The Beast:

2 minutes ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

From The Beast:

Depending on what is there at our pick I could be convinced to trade down to get a extra high 4th/late 3rd. Then address LB, CB, and C before your original 4th round pick.

2 hours ago, Jamie_B said:

Depending on what is there at our pick I could be convinced to trade down to get a extra high 4th/late 3rd. Then address LB, CB, and C before your original 4th round pick.

I am kind of thinking the team also wants an extra4/5 pick to select Landon Robinson whom they seem to love.

3 minutes ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

I am kind of thinking the team also wants an extra4/5 pick to select Landon Robinson whom they seem to love.

Great story but a sub-6’ DT will probably be available in round 7 or as a UDFA.

Howard Cross is on the roster and he’s an undersized 6-1 DT, was a stud at Notre Dame .… and went undrafted.

3 hours ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

From The Beast:

Motley selections there..

I might go Brian Parker in Rd 4.

They won't..

1 hour ago, texbengal said:

Great story but a sub-6’ DT will probably be available in round 7 or as a UDFA.

Howard Cross is on the roster and he’s an undersized 6-1 DT, was a stud at Notre Dame .… and went undrafted.

Yeah, but Landon Robinson goes to the US Naval Academy. So unlike other UDFAs, I think he would have to serve his duty first unless he's drafted (I think they now let the drafted athletes serve as recruitment officers while they play in the pros before serving any time left after their career ends).

2 hours ago, BBR said:

Yeah, but Landon Robinson goes to the US Naval Academy. So unlike other UDFAs, I think he would have to serve his duty first unless he's drafted (I think they now let the drafted athletes serve as recruitment officers while they play in the pros before serving any time left after their career ends).

Gotcha. Didn’t know that.

Thanks for clarifying.