🐯 Bengals will soon be on the clock ... Speak now or forever hold your peace.

My order of who I want by preference ...

1. Bain

2. Styles

3. Downs

4. Love

5. McCoy

6. Sadiq

But I think the most likely choice for the Bengals is McCoy, as it will allow them to move Dax into the slot (his best position I think).

Really like Bain but think Styles is a little better.

The biggest draft need is an owner that understands rookies aren't going to fix a bad defense. They just fielded 2 of the worst LBs ever and one of them isn't even a bad player. They asked way too much out of both, got burned, and have seemingly learned nothing from it.

Yeah, that's part of what's so disappointing about this offseason. They could have easily fixed the LB corps at low cost but they didn't want to sign 2 qualifying free agents because it might cost them the 2027 comp pick they expect to get for Hendrickson. So they double down on the stupidity of not tagging and trading him by fielding a worse team. That'll show him, right?

Downs

Styles

Bain

McCoy

That's my order

Styles

Bain

Downs

OT (sorry but I believe we still need to load up on both lines)

3 minutes ago, sparky151 said:

Yeah, that's part of what's so disappointing about this offseason. They could have easily fixed the LB corps at low cost but they didn't want to sign 2 qualifying free agents because it might cost them the 2027 comp pick they expect to get for Hendrickson. So they double down on the stupidity of not tagging and trading him by fielding a worse team. That'll show him, right?

A pick in, at best, basically the 4th round.

How is anyone supposed to look at that and think they care about winning games? The impression is they're happy to get along on star power & hoping to go 9-8.

2 minutes ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

Styles

Bain

Downs

OT (sorry but I believe we still need to load up on both lines)

This OL class doesn't sound that great as a whole but top of the 2nd round might be a good place to pick up a center. Nothing against Karras, just that he's obviously wearing down & Lee can't stay on the field.

It's not a strong group at center. Lew from Auburn is probably the top rated one but he's returning from injury and has questions about his strength. Hecht, Slaughter, and Jones will be drafted as centers but will need to develop to become NFL starters.

1 minute ago, sparky151 said:

It's not a strong group at center. Lew from Auburn is probably the top rated one but he's returning from injury and has questions about his strength. Hecht, Slaughter, and Jones will be drafted as centers but will need to develop to become NFL starters.

Doesn't seem like that strong an OL group overall. Needing time to develop is typical for anyone outside the first round, though. Mims is progressing and I like what I've seen out of Fairchild as a rookie so I've actually got some faith in Peters. Be nice to have a real college scouting department to go with him but at least he seems competent so far.. Rather get them started now before it becomes another dire need to fill.

Generally for drafting OL/DL early & often, regardless.

This is just not a strong year for O-linemen. The interior group is relatively deep but not much top tier talent. Tackle group is very thin. DT is also pretty thin, as is RB and QB. Plenty of TEs, WRs, LBs, and safeties though.

Latest mock I saw ...

6 hours ago, BlackJesus said:

But I think the most likely choice for the Bengals is McCoy, as it will allow them to move Dax into the slot (his best position I think).

Yep .

13 hours ago, sparky151 said:

This is just not a strong year for O-linemen. The interior group is relatively deep but not much top tier talent.

I like the G class much better than the OT class. There's not many dancing bears 🐻 (human genetics doesn't produce many like Mims), but we have a few snow plow trucks.

17 hours ago, BlackJesus said:

But I think the most likely choice for the Bengals is McCoy, as it will allow them to move Dax into the slot (his best position I think).

Except Zac has already stated that Hill will stay on the outside?

Yeah, Hill has played well outside. Moving him as the result of taking a CB at 10 would be dumb. It's entirely possible they draft a CB at 10 but it won't be because he's a better player in 2026 than Hill or Turner, it will be because he'll be cheaper in 2027 than either of our current CBs.

The team ought to wait at CB and take a slot guy like Ponds or Abney or Stukes later.

59 minutes ago, BlackJesus said:

I like the G class much better than the OT class. There's not many dancing bears 🐻 (human genetics doesn't produce many like Mims), but we have a few snow plow trucks.

BJ, I got you covered. Here's the guy who should be your 2026 draft crush: Uar Bernard.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7168307/2026/04/03/uar-bernard-nfl-draft-prospect-nigerian-village/

He's 306 pounds but ran a 4.63, has a 39" vertical, 10-10 broad jump and 35+ inch arms. Only 21 years old.

Not sure why he's in the draft instead of collecting NIL money somewhere that would teach him how to play football.

1 hour ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

Except Zac has already stated that Hill will stay on the outside?

Has he?

Seems like there is a lot of talk about CB at 10. While they do need a slot guy I’d rather not move Hill over… they’ve whipsawed him since he’s been there.

Just when he’s settling in and playing well, you’re gonna move him again… and piss him off because near the end of his rookie deal, you’re gonna make him a nickel? Leave him there.

I would prefer a nickel guy on day 2. If Duke and crew are yapping about pass rush, get a DL. That’d be my preference but I’d be fine with Styles or Downs too.

But are the Bengals gonna sign both Hill and Turner to 2nd deals? Not sure I see it, which is why they’ll likely take a CB.

7 hours ago, Jamie_B said:

Has he?

His comments on that matter were in a Dehner article I believe.

Bain appreciation highlights ...

8 minutes ago, BlackJesus said:

Bain appreciation highlights ...

It would be great if he falls to us

38 minutes ago, New Jersey Bengal said:

It would be great if he falls to us

Bain is like a ball of knives that just wrecks everything he comes in contact with.

In some ways it's like his compact length and short arms actually aid him in fitting between gaps easier. Truly an anomaly.

Downs appreciation highlights ...

Styles appreciation highlights ...