1 00:00:03,680 --> 00:00:06,559 Speaker 1: Hi, get everybody. I'm Dan Hord and thanks for downloading 2 00:00:06,559 --> 00:00:13,720 Speaker 1: the Bengals Booth Podcast. The it comes all shape sen sizes. Addition, 3 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:16,880 Speaker 1: as I take an in depth look at the top 4 00:00:17,040 --> 00:00:21,040 Speaker 1: offensive and defensive line prospects in this year's draft with 5 00:00:21,239 --> 00:00:25,279 Speaker 1: line play expert Brandon Thorn, and after talking to Brandon, 6 00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:28,360 Speaker 1: I'll do my second version of a three round Bengals 7 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:31,120 Speaker 1: mock draft, detailing who is still on the board at 8 00:00:31,160 --> 00:00:34,360 Speaker 1: the time and why I made each of my picks. 9 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:37,360 Speaker 1: The Bengals Booth Podcast is brought to you by pay Core, 10 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:41,279 Speaker 1: proud to be the Bengals official HR software provider, by 11 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:45,160 Speaker 1: Alta Fiber future proof fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, 12 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:48,920 Speaker 1: business and community to a new level, and by Kettering 13 00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:52,800 Speaker 1: Health the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health 14 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:56,960 Speaker 1: is the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. Now here's 15 00:00:57,000 --> 00:00:59,640 Speaker 1: a quick reminder that you can have the latest edition 16 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:03,160 Speaker 1: of the podcast delivered write to your phone, tablet or 17 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:07,760 Speaker 1: computer by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. It's the 18 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:14,240 Speaker 1: greatest thing since the Alford Packer Restaurant and Grill. My son, 19 00:01:14,360 --> 00:01:17,360 Speaker 1: Sam is a high school senior and we recently took 20 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:20,760 Speaker 1: a campus visit to the University of Colorado, where our 21 00:01:20,800 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 1: tour guide told us an interesting story about one of 22 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:28,080 Speaker 1: the dining halls when it was built. See you, students 23 00:01:28,080 --> 00:01:31,280 Speaker 1: were given the opportunity to name the dining hall, with 24 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 1: one stipulation. They had to choose a famous Colorado The winner, 25 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 1: in a landslide vote was Alford Packer. Who is that 26 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:44,759 Speaker 1: you ask? He is the only man in United States 27 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:50,200 Speaker 1: history ever convicted of cannibalism. It was approved by the 28 00:01:50,280 --> 00:01:54,200 Speaker 1: university's board of regents, and the slogan of the Alford 29 00:01:54,240 --> 00:02:00,520 Speaker 1: Packer Restaurant and grill is have a friend for lunch. Now, 30 00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:04,840 Speaker 1: let's get to football. The NFL Draft is two weeks 31 00:02:04,840 --> 00:02:08,800 Speaker 1: away and the overwhelming consensus of the draft gurus is 32 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:12,040 Speaker 1: that the Bengals are likely to take an offensive or 33 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:16,440 Speaker 1: defensive tackle in the first round. But which one should 34 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:19,919 Speaker 1: they select. I discuss that and the state of the 35 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:24,320 Speaker 1: Bengals offensive line this week with Brandon Thorne, an expert 36 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 1: an offensive and defensive line play who is part of 37 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:32,760 Speaker 1: the draft coverage team at bleacher Report. Brandon, we will 38 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:34,640 Speaker 1: get to the draft in just a bit, but let's 39 00:02:34,639 --> 00:02:39,360 Speaker 1: start with the Bengals offseason acquisition of Trent Brown. When healthy, 40 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:41,160 Speaker 1: you have referred to him as one of the most 41 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:45,359 Speaker 1: effective pass protectors at the position with dominant stretches as 42 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:48,360 Speaker 1: a run blocker. He'll be thirty one this year with 43 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:50,800 Speaker 1: nine years of NFL wear and tear. What do you 44 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 1: think the Bengals are getting in Trent Brown? 45 00:02:52,880 --> 00:02:55,760 Speaker 2: Exactly what you just said, pretty much, assuming that he 46 00:02:55,960 --> 00:02:58,799 Speaker 2: is healthy and you know, at least going to start 47 00:02:58,800 --> 00:03:00,720 Speaker 2: the year healthy. It's a you know, a little bit 48 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:03,840 Speaker 2: of a chore for him or has been, to stay 49 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:07,519 Speaker 2: healthy throughout a season. So that's really why I think 50 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:11,000 Speaker 2: more than anything, he's bounced around at different places throughout 51 00:03:11,040 --> 00:03:13,760 Speaker 2: his career, but pretty much when he's on the field, 52 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 2: you know, I think he's a really good pass protector 53 00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:20,440 Speaker 2: and definitely at least a good run blocker with like 54 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 2: I said, stretches of being able to run behind him, 55 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:26,840 Speaker 2: you know, in the run game, you know, almost quite literally, 56 00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:31,600 Speaker 2: just the way he could cave into defenders and even 57 00:03:31,639 --> 00:03:33,359 Speaker 2: just kind of move as well, you know, to get 58 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:35,240 Speaker 2: up to the second level here and there as well. 59 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:38,640 Speaker 2: So he's yeah, I mean, he's he's one of the more, 60 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 2: if not the most athletic, like three hundred and fifty 61 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:46,080 Speaker 2: plus pound offensive lineman in the league. I think, certainly 62 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:48,680 Speaker 2: in the conversation, I think he's more athletic than you know, 63 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:51,320 Speaker 2: Sara Orlando Brown. On the other side, it's just Orlando's 64 00:03:51,800 --> 00:03:54,600 Speaker 2: you know, like ruthlessly consistent, you know, in terms of 65 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:57,360 Speaker 2: availability and things like that. So that's what makes him, 66 00:03:57,960 --> 00:04:00,160 Speaker 2: you know, you know, as valuable as he is, I think. 67 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 2: But in terms of a skill level athletic ability, I 68 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:07,040 Speaker 2: think Trent Brown is a really quality player at least 69 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:08,200 Speaker 2: in the short term. 70 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 1: Do you view it as an upgrade from Jonah. 71 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 2: Williams, Yeah, I do, Yeah, I do. He hasn't played 72 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 2: right tackle in you know, a few years now, but 73 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:19,280 Speaker 2: he's one of those unique cases where he's he probably 74 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:20,640 Speaker 2: has just off the top of my head, you know, 75 00:04:20,720 --> 00:04:24,360 Speaker 2: thirty starts at left and right tackle at least, that's 76 00:04:24,400 --> 00:04:26,120 Speaker 2: just kind of a number that I'm just thinking of 77 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:27,359 Speaker 2: off the top of my head. But yeah, so he 78 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:30,039 Speaker 2: kind of unique in that regard. But but yeah, I 79 00:04:30,040 --> 00:04:33,520 Speaker 2: do think it's an upgrade really just for what he 80 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:36,279 Speaker 2: can do as a pass protector. I just think it's 81 00:04:36,320 --> 00:04:38,200 Speaker 2: just a little bit a little bit better. He can 82 00:04:38,240 --> 00:04:40,840 Speaker 2: match up better one on one with the higher level 83 00:04:40,839 --> 00:04:43,880 Speaker 2: pass rushers, I think, and that's really the separator there. 84 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:47,200 Speaker 1: So looking at the group as it stands right now, 85 00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:50,760 Speaker 1: and obviously this could change after the draft. Orlando Brown 86 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:54,400 Speaker 1: junior at left tackle, Cordell Volson left guard, Ted Karris center, 87 00:04:54,480 --> 00:04:58,160 Speaker 1: Alex Kappa right guard, Trent Brown right tackle, how would 88 00:04:58,160 --> 00:04:59,159 Speaker 1: you describe that group? 89 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:03,599 Speaker 2: I think that group is pretty good. I would say, 90 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:07,440 Speaker 2: you know, I don't have like rankings in front of me. 91 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:10,200 Speaker 2: I'm not haven't done that yet obviously, you know, with 92 00:05:10,240 --> 00:05:12,720 Speaker 2: all the things that still have to play out, But 93 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:15,200 Speaker 2: you know, just I would say this is a middle 94 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:18,640 Speaker 2: of the pack kind of line probably. You know, I 95 00:05:18,920 --> 00:05:22,600 Speaker 2: have questions that you know, left guard and to a 96 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:24,960 Speaker 2: lesser degree, center, I mean, I know Ted Carris is 97 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:28,279 Speaker 2: he's kind of outperformed what I what I thought, honestly, 98 00:05:28,279 --> 00:05:30,680 Speaker 2: because he's always been, you know, from Miami and New 99 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:34,120 Speaker 2: England just kind of either a spot starter, but you know, 100 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:39,000 Speaker 2: he's definitely performed at a solid level. But I think 101 00:05:39,320 --> 00:05:43,479 Speaker 2: you could probably upgrade that position in this draft. So, uh, 102 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:45,640 Speaker 2: and then left guard, I think you could definitely upgrade 103 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:47,880 Speaker 2: that position in this draft. So those are the two spots. 104 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:50,520 Speaker 2: Maybe kind of weigh it down a little bit, but 105 00:05:51,440 --> 00:05:53,839 Speaker 2: I would say there's no glaring hole, you know, which 106 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:57,920 Speaker 2: is nice, so pretty good solid middle of the pack 107 00:05:58,000 --> 00:05:59,640 Speaker 2: I think is a fair assessment. 108 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:02,839 Speaker 1: Right now. Let's turn the defensive line. The Bengals signed 109 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:06,240 Speaker 1: Sheldon Rankins to a two year contract list offseason to 110 00:06:06,279 --> 00:06:09,679 Speaker 1: try to beef up their interior pass rush. He says 111 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:13,280 Speaker 1: he's underrated against the run. What do you think overall 112 00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:14,320 Speaker 1: of Sheldon Rankings. 113 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:19,799 Speaker 2: I like Sheldon Rankings, you know, I think he's probably solid, 114 00:06:19,839 --> 00:06:22,240 Speaker 2: you know, okay against the run, but more so, you know, 115 00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 2: while you sign him ideally as you know, really just 116 00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 2: because of what he could do as a pass rusher. 117 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:30,599 Speaker 2: He has a really good spin move, you know, really 118 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:33,839 Speaker 2: a variety of counters. I would say he's a very 119 00:06:33,839 --> 00:06:38,360 Speaker 2: crafty pass rusher, and I'm just really excited and glad 120 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:41,240 Speaker 2: that he's able to kind of reclaim some of the 121 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:46,200 Speaker 2: explosiveness that wasn't always there. He had some pretty serious injuries. 122 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 2: I know, he had one real serious injury early on 123 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:51,800 Speaker 2: in his career, and it looked like he may not 124 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:55,280 Speaker 2: regain what he once was. But I you know, after 125 00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:57,680 Speaker 2: the last couple of seasons, I think he's cleared that 126 00:06:57,800 --> 00:07:00,080 Speaker 2: bar and now he's kind of back to what he 127 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:03,640 Speaker 2: was early on. And you know, I think he's definitely 128 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 2: an above average, if not like very good pass rusher. 129 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:10,000 Speaker 2: So yeah, and I don't I don't think Cincinnati's had that. 130 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:12,880 Speaker 2: You know, I think BJ Hill's pretty solid in that regard. 131 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:15,760 Speaker 2: But now you have two guys that are viable threats 132 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:18,960 Speaker 2: rushing the passer interior, you know, on the interior the 133 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:21,600 Speaker 2: defensive line. I don't think Cincinnati's had that. And in 134 00:07:21,720 --> 00:07:22,600 Speaker 2: quite a while. 135 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:25,800 Speaker 1: The Bengals wanted to keep DJ Reader he signed with 136 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:29,240 Speaker 1: the Lions instead. How concerned should we be about the 137 00:07:29,280 --> 00:07:31,640 Speaker 1: Bengals run defense without DJ Reader? 138 00:07:32,760 --> 00:07:35,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean that's that's the trade off here. You know, 139 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:40,240 Speaker 2: you're you're improving the pass rush pretty significantly from you know, 140 00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 2: Reader to Rankins, but then you're also, you know, going 141 00:07:43,760 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 2: in the other direction in terms of run defense. And 142 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:50,760 Speaker 2: it's just it's really a trade off here. And now, uh, 143 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 2: you know, you're gonna have to probably replace Reader by committee, 144 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:57,200 Speaker 2: you know, and I think it's probably honestly easier to 145 00:07:57,280 --> 00:08:00,440 Speaker 2: replace a guy like Reader than it would be to 146 00:08:00,520 --> 00:08:03,960 Speaker 2: lose a similar level player as a pass Rusher, I 147 00:08:04,040 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 2: just think that skill set is more valuable. So as 148 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:09,960 Speaker 2: much as I love DJ Reader, you know, going back 149 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:13,200 Speaker 2: to I think twenty seventeen Houston when I really studied 150 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:15,920 Speaker 2: him and fell in love with his game, yeah, I 151 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:17,760 Speaker 2: think that's just kind of the reality of it. So 152 00:08:18,920 --> 00:08:21,800 Speaker 2: I actually kind of like the direction that they went, 153 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:25,040 Speaker 2: even though you are going to experience some loss in 154 00:08:25,080 --> 00:08:27,080 Speaker 2: the run game or defending the run for sure. 155 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:29,960 Speaker 1: Brandon Thorn is our guest. You can find his articles, 156 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:35,160 Speaker 1: film breakdowns, and podcast at Trench Warfare dot substack dot com. 157 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 1: Let's turn to the draft. Is it a historically good 158 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:41,760 Speaker 1: group of offensive linemen in your opinion? 159 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:44,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think that's probably fair. You know, I've been 160 00:08:44,679 --> 00:08:47,719 Speaker 2: studying every offensive lineman for four years now. This is 161 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:50,520 Speaker 2: my fourth year, so I would say it's the best 162 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:54,120 Speaker 2: class that i've seen, with twenty twenty one being a 163 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:56,760 Speaker 2: fairly close second, you know, and we had a really 164 00:08:56,760 --> 00:08:59,840 Speaker 2: good class the end, but I think it's a little 165 00:08:59,840 --> 00:09:02,760 Speaker 2: bit better than that. And you know, it depends on 166 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:05,040 Speaker 2: how you want to project some of these tackles, you know, 167 00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:07,520 Speaker 2: whether you think they're going to stay at tackle or 168 00:09:07,559 --> 00:09:09,560 Speaker 2: go to guard. I think a few of them go 169 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:12,200 Speaker 2: to guard. So I actually think it's a very well 170 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:16,080 Speaker 2: rounded class. Because of that, you have some high level tackles, three, four, 171 00:09:16,160 --> 00:09:19,400 Speaker 2: five of them that at least high level talent wise, 172 00:09:19,559 --> 00:09:21,840 Speaker 2: probably two three are going to be really good starters 173 00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 2: right away, and another couple could be. And then the 174 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:27,520 Speaker 2: guys that I have projected inside, I think all could 175 00:09:27,559 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 2: be you know, pretty much good guards right away. So 176 00:09:30,679 --> 00:09:34,360 Speaker 2: you have three four really good guards, and then you 177 00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:37,960 Speaker 2: know at center, this class I think is historically deep 178 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:42,480 Speaker 2: in terms of guys who could potentially start games within 179 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:44,520 Speaker 2: the rookie contract. Not that they're going to be full 180 00:09:44,520 --> 00:09:47,720 Speaker 2: time instant starters, but you do have a few of 181 00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:49,839 Speaker 2: those guys as well. I just think there's a lot 182 00:09:49,880 --> 00:09:54,880 Speaker 2: of potential throughout this draft at center, you know, in particular. 183 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:58,719 Speaker 2: So yeah, it's it's a deep, well rounded class, and 184 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:01,800 Speaker 2: it's it's really fun to talk about. I'm not even 185 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:02,960 Speaker 2: done evaluating it yet. 186 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:08,160 Speaker 1: So the Bengals have the eighteenth overall pick. They generally 187 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:10,480 Speaker 1: do not trade up in the first round, so for 188 00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:13,160 Speaker 1: this podcast, we're not even going to consider a trade up. 189 00:10:13,200 --> 00:10:15,600 Speaker 1: We'll just talk about guys that might be there at 190 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:18,840 Speaker 1: number eighteen. I'm assuming there's no way that Joe Alt 191 00:10:18,880 --> 00:10:21,560 Speaker 1: will be there. It seems like every single mock draft 192 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:24,560 Speaker 1: that I've looked at he's long gone by the number eighteen. 193 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:27,600 Speaker 1: But after that, several others will be gone. But it's 194 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:29,960 Speaker 1: hard to tell which guys because there's kind of beauty 195 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 1: in the eyes of the beholder in this draft. So 196 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:34,960 Speaker 1: let's take a look at some of the possibilities, at 197 00:10:35,040 --> 00:10:39,080 Speaker 1: least beginning with JC Latham from Alabama six ' five 198 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:42,120 Speaker 1: three forty. I know you did a film breakdown with him. 199 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:45,240 Speaker 1: What do you think of JC Latham potentially as the 200 00:10:45,280 --> 00:10:47,040 Speaker 1: Bengals right tackle of the future. 201 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:50,199 Speaker 2: I think it'd be a great fit for a lot 202 00:10:50,240 --> 00:10:53,360 Speaker 2: of guys, a lot of teams that right tackle. Cincinnati 203 00:10:53,360 --> 00:10:57,560 Speaker 2: in particular, just with the way that they operate, especially 204 00:10:57,559 --> 00:10:59,640 Speaker 2: in the run game. I think it would fit in 205 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:05,080 Speaker 2: Clement Orlando Brown well. And you know, JC Latham I've 206 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:09,400 Speaker 2: described as probably the strongest offensive lineman in this class 207 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:13,240 Speaker 2: in terms of pure strength play strength. And you know, 208 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:16,080 Speaker 2: the term vice scripts gets thrown around, I think in 209 00:11:16,360 --> 00:11:19,360 Speaker 2: scouting circles a little loosely at times, but it is 210 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:23,040 Speaker 2: as apt for him as anybody that I could recall 211 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:25,320 Speaker 2: over the last four years. Truly, he's one of the 212 00:11:25,360 --> 00:11:29,480 Speaker 2: more difficult guys to work through or to beat going 213 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:33,520 Speaker 2: through him, so you know, just straight line power and 214 00:11:33,559 --> 00:11:37,160 Speaker 2: then his anchor ability as well to stop power is 215 00:11:37,760 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 2: really really good, you know special. I think is fair 216 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:42,920 Speaker 2: to say he's kind of in the mold of the 217 00:11:42,960 --> 00:11:46,880 Speaker 2: Tevin Jenkins or Darnell Wright last year. It's just he's 218 00:11:46,920 --> 00:11:49,400 Speaker 2: bigger than both of those guys in terms of length 219 00:11:49,440 --> 00:11:54,200 Speaker 2: and weight. So you know, I'm a big fan of him. 220 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:57,280 Speaker 2: He's my number three tackle in this class. I have 221 00:11:57,400 --> 00:11:59,480 Speaker 2: a you know, kind of a mid first round grade 222 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:01,400 Speaker 2: on him. I think that's probably where he's going to go. 223 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:05,280 Speaker 2: So yeah, I just think, you know, if all else 224 00:12:05,320 --> 00:12:08,559 Speaker 2: fails and he doesn't really kind of refine the nuances 225 00:12:08,679 --> 00:12:12,440 Speaker 2: in his game, specifically in past protection, he has something 226 00:12:12,440 --> 00:12:14,840 Speaker 2: to fall back on, and that's elite level play strength. 227 00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:18,120 Speaker 2: And I think that that is something that I really 228 00:12:18,120 --> 00:12:20,560 Speaker 2: feel good about betting on with a lot of guys, 229 00:12:20,720 --> 00:12:23,760 Speaker 2: and I think, you know, with Jenkins and Darnel Wright, 230 00:12:23,920 --> 00:12:26,080 Speaker 2: you know, just being able to carve out a role 231 00:12:26,280 --> 00:12:30,160 Speaker 2: even though like with Jenkins, couldn't make tackle work, you know, 232 00:12:30,320 --> 00:12:33,120 Speaker 2: granted he got moved around. That's a whole other thing. 233 00:12:33,480 --> 00:12:37,360 Speaker 2: But he's a quality starter now because he's so strong 234 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:40,440 Speaker 2: and big and physically imposing and it's legit. And then 235 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:43,600 Speaker 2: Darnall Wright what he did last year, I think he's 236 00:12:43,840 --> 00:12:46,000 Speaker 2: going to be probably a quality starter for a while. 237 00:12:46,080 --> 00:12:48,680 Speaker 2: So I see at least that with Latham, he just 238 00:12:48,720 --> 00:12:50,360 Speaker 2: has a little bit more upside than those guys, I 239 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:54,120 Speaker 2: think because of his size, and yeah, so I'm a fan. 240 00:12:54,600 --> 00:12:56,680 Speaker 1: If he's your third tackle, who are one and two? 241 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:01,439 Speaker 2: Olufshanu is number two and then Joe Walt's number one. 242 00:13:02,080 --> 00:13:05,720 Speaker 1: Latham didn't test at the Combine or at his pro day. 243 00:13:06,559 --> 00:13:09,240 Speaker 1: Any red flag there where you're concerned. 244 00:13:09,559 --> 00:13:12,120 Speaker 2: No, not not really, because I think you kind of 245 00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:14,360 Speaker 2: know what you're getting, you know, based on just watching 246 00:13:14,400 --> 00:13:16,840 Speaker 2: him on film. You know, I think he's a If 247 00:13:16,840 --> 00:13:18,920 Speaker 2: he did test, it would probably be like, you know, 248 00:13:19,040 --> 00:13:22,280 Speaker 2: he's a good athlete, not a not a great athlete. 249 00:13:22,840 --> 00:13:26,080 Speaker 2: And everybody's you know, three hundred and forty pounds too, 250 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:30,400 Speaker 2: So not too much of a red flag for me, honestly. 251 00:13:30,520 --> 00:13:33,520 Speaker 2: I just I think, you know, the play strength and 252 00:13:33,559 --> 00:13:37,800 Speaker 2: the power and the anchoring ability is really what you're 253 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:40,480 Speaker 2: paying for, you know, sort of speak in the draft 254 00:13:40,559 --> 00:13:43,160 Speaker 2: and can't really measure that with the testing anyway, So 255 00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:46,000 Speaker 2: I don't think he would have bombed it, you know, 256 00:13:46,120 --> 00:13:46,880 Speaker 2: or anything like that. 257 00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:49,320 Speaker 1: Brandon Thorn is our guest. You can follow him on 258 00:13:49,640 --> 00:13:53,800 Speaker 1: x at Brandon Thorn NFL. Let's talk about Troy fa 259 00:13:53,960 --> 00:13:56,720 Speaker 1: Utanu of Washington next. He's not as big as some 260 00:13:56,800 --> 00:14:01,120 Speaker 1: of the others. Six four three seventeen, mostly played left 261 00:14:01,160 --> 00:14:04,200 Speaker 1: tackle in college. Some see him as a guard in 262 00:14:04,240 --> 00:14:07,960 Speaker 1: the NFL. What do you think of Utanu overall and 263 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:10,440 Speaker 1: and then specifically as a potential right tackle. 264 00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:14,600 Speaker 2: I'm a big fan of Fatanu, and he's my number 265 00:14:14,600 --> 00:14:17,640 Speaker 2: one guard in the draft, and so you know, projecting 266 00:14:17,679 --> 00:14:21,680 Speaker 2: him inside, he's one of maybe two guys who I 267 00:14:21,680 --> 00:14:25,040 Speaker 2: think have true five position flexibility, along with Graham Barton 268 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:29,480 Speaker 2: from Duke. But yeah, I just you know, I said 269 00:14:29,520 --> 00:14:32,240 Speaker 2: this on multiple podcasts already, But it's like every time 270 00:14:32,280 --> 00:14:35,360 Speaker 2: I think about Fatanu, you know, and and I've listened 271 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 2: to you know, some smart people talk about him. You know, 272 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 2: some people see for Sean Slater and I'm like, yeah, 273 00:14:40,440 --> 00:14:43,240 Speaker 2: I could see that. Some people have even said Marquise 274 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:45,440 Speaker 2: Pouncey at center. I'm like, yeah, I could see that. 275 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:48,760 Speaker 2: And then for me, I think the ideal fit for 276 00:14:48,840 --> 00:14:51,800 Speaker 2: him is as guard, and I see him being a 277 00:14:51,840 --> 00:14:54,760 Speaker 2: caliber of player as like Ali Marpette was, you know, 278 00:14:54,840 --> 00:14:57,400 Speaker 2: somebody like that. He's a little bit longer than Marpette was, 279 00:14:57,440 --> 00:15:01,120 Speaker 2: but some similarities in their game, I think. And I 280 00:15:01,200 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 2: just think his play style fits ideally at guard. He's 281 00:15:05,560 --> 00:15:09,240 Speaker 2: very aggressive and that could get him into trouble at tackle, 282 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:12,000 Speaker 2: and it did you know here and there at Washington, 283 00:15:12,360 --> 00:15:13,880 Speaker 2: and I just think that that could be a little 284 00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:16,840 Speaker 2: bit pronounced, you know, in the NFL. That's the difference 285 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:19,600 Speaker 2: between him and Rashaun Slater to me, as Rashawn Slater 286 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:23,960 Speaker 2: was more patient, more tactful in his approach, whereas Fatan, 287 00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:26,479 Speaker 2: who is much more aggressive and kind of a frenetic 288 00:15:26,800 --> 00:15:30,160 Speaker 2: energy that he brings to the to the field that's 289 00:15:30,240 --> 00:15:33,160 Speaker 2: very different than Slater. So I just think that would 290 00:15:33,200 --> 00:15:35,520 Speaker 2: be ideal inside. It would be kind of a seamless 291 00:15:35,560 --> 00:15:38,440 Speaker 2: transition for him, and I see a really high level player. 292 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:40,840 Speaker 2: He's one of the four or five best overall offensive 293 00:15:40,840 --> 00:15:44,080 Speaker 2: linemen in the draft in my opinion. So yeah, I'm 294 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:46,480 Speaker 2: a huge fan of him, and he's you know, he's 295 00:15:46,520 --> 00:15:47,960 Speaker 2: one of the best guys in this class. 296 00:15:48,960 --> 00:15:52,640 Speaker 1: Up next to Lasi Fauaga of Oregon State, another big 297 00:15:52,680 --> 00:15:55,000 Speaker 1: man at six six three twenty four. He's been a 298 00:15:55,040 --> 00:15:57,440 Speaker 1: starting right tackle for the last couple of years, a 299 00:15:57,520 --> 00:16:00,640 Speaker 1: team captain. The Bengals like that. He was excellent to 300 00:16:00,720 --> 00:16:03,240 Speaker 1: during the Senior Bowl. What stands out when you watch 301 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:05,440 Speaker 1: for Waga large frame. 302 00:16:05,880 --> 00:16:10,040 Speaker 2: You know, he's well dispersed, you know, like thickness throughout 303 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:13,320 Speaker 2: his build, big hands, you know, decent adequate length, but 304 00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:17,320 Speaker 2: he's very quick. You know, he operated in a run 305 00:16:17,360 --> 00:16:20,320 Speaker 2: first his own heavy scheme at Oregon State, so it's 306 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:22,720 Speaker 2: kind of you know, fit him maximized what he did 307 00:16:22,760 --> 00:16:24,680 Speaker 2: well in terms of as a run blocker. I think 308 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:26,640 Speaker 2: he has a case for being the best run blocker 309 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 2: in the in the class, so that's really his you know, 310 00:16:30,280 --> 00:16:33,600 Speaker 2: where he wins primarily. Pass protection is good, not great, 311 00:16:33,680 --> 00:16:36,480 Speaker 2: I'd say, I think, really when you dig into his film, 312 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:39,720 Speaker 2: even at the Senior Bowl, he has issues protecting the 313 00:16:39,760 --> 00:16:42,400 Speaker 2: corner against high level speed rushers who know how to 314 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:45,240 Speaker 2: set up their moves, and he's vulnerable to the cross 315 00:16:45,280 --> 00:16:48,400 Speaker 2: chop technique in particular getting that outside hand chopped and 316 00:16:48,440 --> 00:16:52,080 Speaker 2: creating a short corner. You know, I posted ten clips 317 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:55,240 Speaker 2: of that on Twitter. There's more from his tape and 318 00:16:55,280 --> 00:16:58,120 Speaker 2: then their senior Bowl examples as well. So for that reason, 319 00:16:58,320 --> 00:17:02,560 Speaker 2: I have n't projected inside where I see like kind 320 00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:07,199 Speaker 2: of a supercharged Viti who has been a you know, 321 00:17:07,240 --> 00:17:09,679 Speaker 2: a guard in the NFL. He's just more athletic than 322 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:12,159 Speaker 2: he was. You could even see shades of like a 323 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:15,840 Speaker 2: mic you Potty, you know, somebody like that as well. 324 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:19,080 Speaker 2: So I see a high level guard here. He has 325 00:17:19,119 --> 00:17:22,600 Speaker 2: all the makings of it. So I'm a fan. I 326 00:17:22,760 --> 00:17:26,560 Speaker 2: just you know, I have some reservations with him sticking 327 00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:28,600 Speaker 2: a tackle as well. 328 00:17:28,880 --> 00:17:31,560 Speaker 1: One of the players most frequently mock draft to the 329 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:36,120 Speaker 1: Bengals is Amrius Mims from Georgia. He looks like Orlando 330 00:17:36,160 --> 00:17:38,920 Speaker 1: Brown junior and Trent Brown in terms of the size six' 331 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:42,080 Speaker 1: eight three forty. He wouldn't have to start right away 332 00:17:42,119 --> 00:17:44,800 Speaker 1: at right tackle since Trent Brown is signed for a year. 333 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:47,320 Speaker 1: The big thing that everybody always brings up is the 334 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:51,480 Speaker 1: lack of experience only eight college starts. How big of 335 00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:54,480 Speaker 1: a concern is that? And what do you think of Mims? 336 00:17:55,200 --> 00:17:57,399 Speaker 2: For me? You know, Mims is my fourth tackle in 337 00:17:57,400 --> 00:18:00,280 Speaker 2: this draft, and you know I don't have as much 338 00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:03,320 Speaker 2: concerns there. You know, I have a high second round 339 00:18:03,359 --> 00:18:05,480 Speaker 2: grade on him, you know, which for us is a 340 00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:08,359 Speaker 2: potential impact starter, you know, right on the fringe of 341 00:18:08,440 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 2: first round, like late first, early second kind of you know, 342 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:14,280 Speaker 2: he's assuming he's going to go earlier than that. But 343 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:16,000 Speaker 2: but yeah, not as much of a concern with him 344 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:18,040 Speaker 2: because when you watch his film, I don't see many 345 00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:21,840 Speaker 2: bad habits on his film. So it's really truly kind 346 00:18:21,880 --> 00:18:25,159 Speaker 2: of like a blank canvas and you're working with really 347 00:18:25,200 --> 00:18:28,520 Speaker 2: really good tools to make something really special here. In 348 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:31,359 Speaker 2: terms of how he looks, you know, you mentioned Orlando 349 00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:34,760 Speaker 2: and Trent Brown on paper, Yeah, but when you look 350 00:18:34,800 --> 00:18:37,880 Speaker 2: at him, he doesn't look anything like those guys. He's 351 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:41,439 Speaker 2: just much more lean. He carries his weight in a 352 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:45,880 Speaker 2: way that is rare, I would say, you know, at 353 00:18:45,880 --> 00:18:50,320 Speaker 2: his size. So just really truly a physical specimen in 354 00:18:50,359 --> 00:18:54,040 Speaker 2: a way that you don't often see. Natural pass protecting 355 00:18:54,080 --> 00:18:57,240 Speaker 2: ability and movement skills is really what stands out most 356 00:18:57,280 --> 00:18:59,119 Speaker 2: to me and why I you know, kind of jumped 357 00:18:59,119 --> 00:19:02,919 Speaker 2: on his evaluation and graded him. You know, what I 358 00:19:02,960 --> 00:19:05,600 Speaker 2: feel is pretty highly considering your only played eight games. 359 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:09,080 Speaker 2: But yeah, so I'm a fan, you know, I think 360 00:19:09,119 --> 00:19:11,280 Speaker 2: He's one of the four best tackles in the class, 361 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:14,959 Speaker 2: and going to a situation like Cincinnati would be ideal, 362 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:17,040 Speaker 2: you know, in a lot of ways. They were like 363 00:19:17,119 --> 00:19:20,679 Speaker 2: Philly obviously, but yeah, somewhere where you don't have to 364 00:19:20,680 --> 00:19:23,280 Speaker 2: play right away, you have a good offensive line coach, 365 00:19:23,359 --> 00:19:26,440 Speaker 2: a good offensive line room with multiple guys that you 366 00:19:26,480 --> 00:19:28,840 Speaker 2: could learn from that are at least in the ballpark 367 00:19:28,920 --> 00:19:31,080 Speaker 2: of what you look like, you know, and maybe how 368 00:19:31,160 --> 00:19:34,200 Speaker 2: you would play a little bit, you know, at least 369 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:37,120 Speaker 2: to some degree. So yeah, that'd be a great fit, 370 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:39,760 Speaker 2: you know, I think for mims to develop and get 371 00:19:39,800 --> 00:19:40,959 Speaker 2: the most out of them. 372 00:19:41,480 --> 00:19:45,160 Speaker 1: Let's circle back to your number two tackle, Olufashinu from 373 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:48,000 Speaker 1: Penn State six six ' three twelve, the left tackle 374 00:19:48,040 --> 00:19:51,159 Speaker 1: for the Nitney Lions. Probably not going to be there 375 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:54,719 Speaker 1: at number eighteen for the Bengals, but if he somehow was, 376 00:19:55,520 --> 00:19:58,000 Speaker 1: what do you think of that fit playing right tackle 377 00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:01,400 Speaker 1: in Cincinnati since Orlando Brown Junior is pretty much guaranteed 378 00:20:01,440 --> 00:20:03,240 Speaker 1: to be the left tackle for the next three years. 379 00:20:04,480 --> 00:20:07,359 Speaker 2: Yeah, it would be a little bit more peculiar of 380 00:20:07,400 --> 00:20:09,000 Speaker 2: a fit, but I guess if you dropped it, the 381 00:20:09,080 --> 00:20:10,639 Speaker 2: value would be great and you'd have to do it 382 00:20:10,640 --> 00:20:13,719 Speaker 2: in some sense if you're thinking about memes, you know, 383 00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:16,280 Speaker 2: so it's just he's ready to go right now. So 384 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:18,160 Speaker 2: you know, having a guy like that on the bench, 385 00:20:18,280 --> 00:20:21,800 Speaker 2: you know, would be you know, kind of weird, but 386 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:23,560 Speaker 2: but yeah, I mean the value would be great. And 387 00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:26,080 Speaker 2: for Shan who I think first and foremost, it's his 388 00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:28,600 Speaker 2: ability as a pass protector. You know, when he was 389 00:20:28,640 --> 00:20:31,960 Speaker 2: a nineteen year old sophomore last year. You know, he 390 00:20:32,040 --> 00:20:34,240 Speaker 2: turned twenty in season, but he was nineteen years old. 391 00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:37,320 Speaker 2: I remember watching him for the first time and right away, 392 00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:40,400 Speaker 2: you know, wow, like this guy. There's something special about 393 00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:43,000 Speaker 2: him in terms of how he looks, you know, in 394 00:20:43,480 --> 00:20:46,000 Speaker 2: terms of measurable's physical traits, and then how he moves 395 00:20:46,119 --> 00:20:49,159 Speaker 2: in past protection in particular, he's I would say, a 396 00:20:49,160 --> 00:20:54,080 Speaker 2: pretty significantly better pass protector than run blocker, although that 397 00:20:54,160 --> 00:20:57,680 Speaker 2: did kind of even out late this season. You saw 398 00:20:57,760 --> 00:21:00,840 Speaker 2: some some glimmers there of more as a run blocker, 399 00:21:00,840 --> 00:21:03,560 Speaker 2: which was nice to see. But he's definitely a guy 400 00:21:03,560 --> 00:21:07,720 Speaker 2: who wins with his past protection ability. He's he's strong, 401 00:21:08,400 --> 00:21:11,840 Speaker 2: uh and just you know, long, and just his movement 402 00:21:12,040 --> 00:21:15,160 Speaker 2: skills in past protection just sort of has an uncanny 403 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:19,080 Speaker 2: ability to mirror guys that is I think pretty special 404 00:21:19,200 --> 00:21:20,879 Speaker 2: and the best football is in front of him. He 405 00:21:20,880 --> 00:21:24,600 Speaker 2: has twenty twenty one starts. He's pretty inexperienced as well, 406 00:21:24,640 --> 00:21:27,720 Speaker 2: you know, not like Mems, but he hasn't played a 407 00:21:27,760 --> 00:21:30,919 Speaker 2: whole lot of football yet and I still think he 408 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:33,080 Speaker 2: has a lot of a room to improve. He he 409 00:21:33,200 --> 00:21:35,600 Speaker 2: reminds me he's in kind of that similar vein as 410 00:21:35,640 --> 00:21:39,359 Speaker 2: like a Ryan Clady to brickish Off Ferguson, you know, 411 00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:43,280 Speaker 2: those kind of guys who are past protectors first. So 412 00:21:43,320 --> 00:21:44,760 Speaker 2: that that's kind of what I see with him, and 413 00:21:44,800 --> 00:21:47,480 Speaker 2: I you know, I think he's a really quality prospect. 414 00:21:47,480 --> 00:21:50,399 Speaker 2: And like Alton, like Latham and Mems and Guidon and 415 00:21:50,400 --> 00:21:53,200 Speaker 2: all these guys, they're very young. This is a very 416 00:21:53,240 --> 00:21:56,000 Speaker 2: young class at least that top five to six. You know, 417 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:59,040 Speaker 2: they're all twenty one years old. So I mean that 418 00:21:58,800 --> 00:22:01,040 Speaker 2: that's a big part of why this tackle class so 419 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:06,080 Speaker 2: alluring is because these guys are all so young. So yeah, 420 00:22:06,080 --> 00:22:07,040 Speaker 2: that's another part of it. 421 00:22:07,920 --> 00:22:11,119 Speaker 1: So you mentioned Tyler Geyiton from Oklahoma. His name pops 422 00:22:11,200 --> 00:22:13,880 Speaker 1: up on First Round MOX along with some others. Kingsley 423 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:19,639 Speaker 1: Suamataea from Byu Jordan, Morgan from Arizona. Roger Rosengarten popped 424 00:22:19,680 --> 00:22:22,359 Speaker 1: up on mel Kiper's latest mock draft as a first 425 00:22:22,400 --> 00:22:25,160 Speaker 1: round pick. Today, when you look at that other crop 426 00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:27,800 Speaker 1: of guys, do you think that any of them are 427 00:22:27,840 --> 00:22:30,320 Speaker 1: worthy of the Bengals choosing them at number eighteen? 428 00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:34,960 Speaker 2: On my personal board, I think that would be you know, 429 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:37,000 Speaker 2: a little bit of a stretch, you know. With Geyton 430 00:22:37,280 --> 00:22:40,639 Speaker 2: in particular, he'd be the next guy. He's my fifth tackle. 431 00:22:41,560 --> 00:22:45,399 Speaker 2: I have projected Jordan Morgan inside a guard. But Tyler Goydon, 432 00:22:45,800 --> 00:22:48,199 Speaker 2: you know, I have kind of a mid you know, 433 00:22:48,320 --> 00:22:51,040 Speaker 2: or so second round grade. And that's just because as 434 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:54,040 Speaker 2: opposed to Mimes, that was kind of the conversation, you know, 435 00:22:54,119 --> 00:22:57,000 Speaker 2: for me at least, and even Sue Matia is splitting 436 00:22:57,040 --> 00:23:00,280 Speaker 2: that trio up for me. I think Goton he does 437 00:23:00,320 --> 00:23:02,440 Speaker 2: have some bad habits that need to get ironed out, 438 00:23:02,480 --> 00:23:07,479 Speaker 2: and he is very inexperienced as well, so that, you know, 439 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:09,800 Speaker 2: to me is the difference between him and Mims. But 440 00:23:10,320 --> 00:23:12,879 Speaker 2: he's another guy who's about six ' eight, you know, 441 00:23:13,040 --> 00:23:15,280 Speaker 2: close to six ' eight, uh, you know, about twenty 442 00:23:15,280 --> 00:23:18,959 Speaker 2: pounds lighter than Mims, but he moves even better than Mims. 443 00:23:19,480 --> 00:23:22,879 Speaker 2: You know, which understandably so being lighter, but he really 444 00:23:22,920 --> 00:23:24,840 Speaker 2: is truly one of those guys when you watch him, 445 00:23:25,400 --> 00:23:30,040 Speaker 2: he collides across the field and at that size, and 446 00:23:30,080 --> 00:23:33,840 Speaker 2: then he also has a really strong natural anchor. You know, 447 00:23:33,880 --> 00:23:35,800 Speaker 2: typically if you're if you're a really big guy who 448 00:23:35,880 --> 00:23:38,920 Speaker 2: moves really well, you know, anchoring is one of those 449 00:23:38,920 --> 00:23:40,880 Speaker 2: things that's kind of an achilles He will, he can 450 00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:42,720 Speaker 2: do that. He can handle the bull rush, he can 451 00:23:42,720 --> 00:23:47,080 Speaker 2: handle power rushes. It's just in terms of set points 452 00:23:47,200 --> 00:23:50,439 Speaker 2: and not going too far, not setting short, not getting 453 00:23:50,440 --> 00:23:54,520 Speaker 2: beat cleanly, you know, because he misaligns his target. That's 454 00:23:54,520 --> 00:23:57,679 Speaker 2: something that's just kind of reoccurring on his film. So 455 00:23:57,720 --> 00:24:00,240 Speaker 2: he needs to iron more stuff out, I would say, 456 00:24:00,280 --> 00:24:04,160 Speaker 2: than a guy like Mems. But the potential is certainly there, 457 00:24:04,560 --> 00:24:06,800 Speaker 2: you know, to be a potential impact starter, which is 458 00:24:06,840 --> 00:24:09,840 Speaker 2: my grade. It's just a little bit lower on that spectrum. 459 00:24:09,960 --> 00:24:12,600 Speaker 2: And if he goes into the right situation, I think 460 00:24:12,640 --> 00:24:14,560 Speaker 2: that is going to be huge for him, a similar 461 00:24:14,600 --> 00:24:17,480 Speaker 2: situation that Mims is probably going to need with kind 462 00:24:17,480 --> 00:24:19,960 Speaker 2: of a veteran room where you you know, not a 463 00:24:19,960 --> 00:24:22,240 Speaker 2: whole lot of pressure to be the guy right away, 464 00:24:22,640 --> 00:24:25,159 Speaker 2: even if he plays right away you know, just going 465 00:24:25,200 --> 00:24:28,160 Speaker 2: somewhere where he's the second or third or fourth best 466 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:30,760 Speaker 2: offensive lineman, you know, to start, I think would be 467 00:24:30,760 --> 00:24:32,920 Speaker 2: great for him just to kind of ease his transition 468 00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:35,600 Speaker 2: into the league. But I mean there's a lot of 469 00:24:35,640 --> 00:24:37,639 Speaker 2: upside there to be to be a really good starter. 470 00:24:37,760 --> 00:24:40,919 Speaker 2: He has the bones, you know, the foundation there to 471 00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:43,520 Speaker 2: you know that if he won in the first round, 472 00:24:43,520 --> 00:24:44,560 Speaker 2: I wouldn't be surprised at all. 473 00:24:45,400 --> 00:24:48,359 Speaker 1: Offensive and defensive line analyst Brandon Thorn is our guest. 474 00:24:48,440 --> 00:24:51,359 Speaker 1: You can find his work at Trench Warfare dot substack 475 00:24:51,720 --> 00:24:55,600 Speaker 1: dot com. The Bengals also need a defensive tackle. Two 476 00:24:55,680 --> 00:24:58,639 Speaker 1: names pop up most frequently as possibilities for the number 477 00:24:58,640 --> 00:25:02,359 Speaker 1: eighteen overall pick And Murphy of Texas and Johnny Newton 478 00:25:02,480 --> 00:25:04,840 Speaker 1: of Illinois. Do you have a strong preference? 479 00:25:06,119 --> 00:25:09,280 Speaker 2: Not really, No, I mean I haven't really studied these guys. 480 00:25:09,359 --> 00:25:13,080 Speaker 2: I've definitely seen them both play a fair amount of 481 00:25:13,080 --> 00:25:16,640 Speaker 2: studying other offensive linemen, and they both flash. They both 482 00:25:16,680 --> 00:25:20,040 Speaker 2: look like guys who are deserving of this recognition, and 483 00:25:20,600 --> 00:25:23,000 Speaker 2: you know, probably warrant you know, a mid to late 484 00:25:23,200 --> 00:25:27,160 Speaker 2: first round grade. You know, I've always been a little 485 00:25:27,200 --> 00:25:31,080 Speaker 2: bit partial to Newton just because I've watched him more. 486 00:25:31,880 --> 00:25:34,200 Speaker 2: I think that's probably the main reason. And even going 487 00:25:34,240 --> 00:25:36,360 Speaker 2: back to last year, I remember him being a guy 488 00:25:36,400 --> 00:25:38,480 Speaker 2: I was like, Yeah, this is clearly a guy who's 489 00:25:38,480 --> 00:25:41,280 Speaker 2: gonna start in the NFL, and then this year, you know, 490 00:25:41,480 --> 00:25:44,399 Speaker 2: did nothing to change that. He actually reminds me a 491 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:48,000 Speaker 2: lot of Sheldon Richardson, who you know, I got to 492 00:25:48,000 --> 00:25:50,680 Speaker 2: study a good bit throughout his career. He's retired now, 493 00:25:50,720 --> 00:25:53,960 Speaker 2: but yeah, a very similar sort of player. And that's 494 00:25:54,080 --> 00:25:56,600 Speaker 2: the kind of ceiling you know, that I see for 495 00:25:56,680 --> 00:25:59,199 Speaker 2: him as well, which would be outstanding. That's worth the 496 00:25:59,200 --> 00:26:02,600 Speaker 2: first round grade. But with him, his ability to disengage 497 00:26:02,920 --> 00:26:05,960 Speaker 2: and to shed blocks and to deconstruct blocks is really 498 00:26:06,000 --> 00:26:10,760 Speaker 2: what appeals to me so much. So yeah, I really 499 00:26:10,800 --> 00:26:12,400 Speaker 2: like him, and I think both those guys would make 500 00:26:12,440 --> 00:26:16,520 Speaker 2: sense for Cincinnati. And you know, I've been wanting Cincinnati 501 00:26:16,640 --> 00:26:19,440 Speaker 2: to get better on the interior of their defensive line 502 00:26:19,440 --> 00:26:22,520 Speaker 2: for a while now in terms of just more juice there. 503 00:26:22,560 --> 00:26:26,000 Speaker 2: And yeah, I think both those guys would provide, you know, 504 00:26:26,240 --> 00:26:29,480 Speaker 2: some jolt to that room and make it a strength, 505 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:30,920 Speaker 2: you know, which would be awesome. 506 00:26:31,640 --> 00:26:34,920 Speaker 1: After losing DJ Reader, the Bengals would love to add 507 00:26:34,960 --> 00:26:38,080 Speaker 1: a nose tackle type at some point they've got ten 508 00:26:38,160 --> 00:26:41,320 Speaker 1: draft picks to and Andre Sweat didn't help himself with 509 00:26:41,400 --> 00:26:46,000 Speaker 1: his recent DWI. How is this crop in terms of 510 00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:49,320 Speaker 1: run stuffing defensive tackles as far as you know. 511 00:26:50,160 --> 00:26:51,840 Speaker 2: As far as I know, I don't think it's very good, 512 00:26:52,119 --> 00:26:54,120 Speaker 2: you know, in that way. I think for the most part, 513 00:26:54,160 --> 00:26:57,120 Speaker 2: you're getting guys who were going to win as pass 514 00:26:57,200 --> 00:27:01,280 Speaker 2: rushers first, you know, penetrating upfield type of guys who 515 00:27:01,320 --> 00:27:05,000 Speaker 2: rely more on athletic ability than anything else. Some versatile 516 00:27:05,080 --> 00:27:09,120 Speaker 2: pieces here for sure, but yeah, in terms of nose tackles, 517 00:27:09,160 --> 00:27:12,000 Speaker 2: I just I don't think this is a very good class. Sweat, 518 00:27:12,160 --> 00:27:14,080 Speaker 2: you know, being one of those guys who could fill 519 00:27:14,119 --> 00:27:17,359 Speaker 2: that role. McKinley Jackson, I think from Texas A and 520 00:27:17,520 --> 00:27:20,960 Speaker 2: m is another guy who's a nose tackle who's routinely 521 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:24,400 Speaker 2: graded kind of outside the first two maybe three rounds, 522 00:27:24,480 --> 00:27:27,640 Speaker 2: you know. So other than that, as far as guys 523 00:27:27,680 --> 00:27:31,919 Speaker 2: that I've seen, nobody really stands out in terms of 524 00:27:31,960 --> 00:27:35,159 Speaker 2: nose tackles. So maybe there's another guy out there, a 525 00:27:35,280 --> 00:27:36,840 Speaker 2: dark horse that I don't know about. Like I said, 526 00:27:36,880 --> 00:27:39,560 Speaker 2: I'm not you know, kind of grinding through this position. 527 00:27:39,680 --> 00:27:42,439 Speaker 2: Like I am offensive line, but but yeah, just you know, 528 00:27:42,480 --> 00:27:45,119 Speaker 2: for my opinion, I don't think that there is really 529 00:27:45,240 --> 00:27:47,760 Speaker 2: a lot of options, you know, higher end options than 530 00:27:47,800 --> 00:27:48,320 Speaker 2: this class. 531 00:27:49,080 --> 00:27:51,600 Speaker 1: So with ten draft picks, based on what you've been 532 00:27:51,600 --> 00:27:55,480 Speaker 1: telling us on this podcast, the Bengals have the opportunity 533 00:27:55,600 --> 00:28:01,120 Speaker 1: certainly to address right tackle, potentially a Ted Kerra successor 534 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:04,360 Speaker 1: at center, and maybe somebody that can compete competed left 535 00:28:04,359 --> 00:28:05,479 Speaker 1: guard with Cordell Volson. 536 00:28:06,400 --> 00:28:10,880 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, absolutely, yeah. I mean I'm I'm a little biased, 537 00:28:10,880 --> 00:28:14,720 Speaker 2: you know, I'm always partial to uh to strengthening that position. 538 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:18,000 Speaker 2: But at the same time, I like to think that 539 00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:20,119 Speaker 2: I can, you know, I could try to reach you know, 540 00:28:20,280 --> 00:28:23,119 Speaker 2: kind of an objective level, you know, to some degree. 541 00:28:23,160 --> 00:28:25,560 Speaker 2: And I think with Cincinnati, I don't have a lot invested, 542 00:28:25,640 --> 00:28:28,480 Speaker 2: you know, in any team really so, but just looking 543 00:28:28,520 --> 00:28:31,280 Speaker 2: at them as an outside observer, somebody does like offensive 544 00:28:31,280 --> 00:28:34,159 Speaker 2: line play. I don't know that it is like a 545 00:28:34,200 --> 00:28:39,320 Speaker 2: super pressing need. Honestly, Definitely, addressing one spot for sure, 546 00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:41,680 Speaker 2: you know, with with a lot of draft capital first 547 00:28:41,760 --> 00:28:44,680 Speaker 2: round pick would be great, But like you know, restocking 548 00:28:44,720 --> 00:28:47,360 Speaker 2: the position, I don't know that it is super pressing 549 00:28:47,400 --> 00:28:51,520 Speaker 2: for them considering you know, courtA Wolson, although you know, replaceable, 550 00:28:52,680 --> 00:28:56,240 Speaker 2: still pretty young, you know, and you would think that 551 00:28:56,360 --> 00:28:58,280 Speaker 2: he could, you know, kind of touch up some areas 552 00:28:58,320 --> 00:29:01,280 Speaker 2: of his game and still just incrementally get a little 553 00:29:01,280 --> 00:29:06,320 Speaker 2: bit better. So if that's your weakest link, then yeah, 554 00:29:06,400 --> 00:29:09,560 Speaker 2: I mean you're probably not too pressed for resources there, 555 00:29:09,760 --> 00:29:12,160 Speaker 2: although I will say that the depth, you know, is 556 00:29:12,160 --> 00:29:15,240 Speaker 2: certainly in need of a boost, you know, as I 557 00:29:15,240 --> 00:29:17,680 Speaker 2: would say, ninety nine percent of offensive lines are probably 558 00:29:17,760 --> 00:29:21,200 Speaker 2: ninety five percent, So getting a high end kind of 559 00:29:21,200 --> 00:29:23,600 Speaker 2: guy with that first round pick and then addressing it later, 560 00:29:23,920 --> 00:29:26,640 Speaker 2: maybe late Day two or early Day three, you know, 561 00:29:26,680 --> 00:29:28,640 Speaker 2: would probably be ideal. And I think you could get 562 00:29:28,640 --> 00:29:31,520 Speaker 2: a really quality dep player at that spot. So that's 563 00:29:31,560 --> 00:29:34,040 Speaker 2: probably the way I would go in, you know, for 564 00:29:34,120 --> 00:29:37,640 Speaker 2: most teams, honestly, you know, getting a Day one, Day 565 00:29:37,640 --> 00:29:39,640 Speaker 2: two pick and a Day three pick on the offensive 566 00:29:39,640 --> 00:29:42,160 Speaker 2: line every draft, it's probably a pretty good idea. 567 00:29:42,600 --> 00:29:45,360 Speaker 1: All right. A couple more topics for our guest, Brandon Thorn, 568 00:29:45,680 --> 00:29:48,240 Speaker 1: the Bengals first round pick last year, was a pass 569 00:29:48,320 --> 00:29:52,120 Speaker 1: rusher in Miles Murphy. How did he do in his 570 00:29:52,200 --> 00:29:53,840 Speaker 1: limited playing time as a rookie? 571 00:29:54,840 --> 00:29:56,760 Speaker 2: You know, I think that there were some flashes there, 572 00:29:56,880 --> 00:30:00,880 Speaker 2: and you know that's well not maybe deal. You know, 573 00:30:01,000 --> 00:30:03,640 Speaker 2: for for a guy where you drafted him, you'd want 574 00:30:03,720 --> 00:30:07,160 Speaker 2: a little bit more consistency there. I do think that 575 00:30:07,240 --> 00:30:10,680 Speaker 2: there were the flashes that you saw at Clemson as well. 576 00:30:10,800 --> 00:30:12,760 Speaker 2: You know, I remember the game a few years ago 577 00:30:12,800 --> 00:30:15,960 Speaker 2: against ikey Ikwan, who you know from NC State. He 578 00:30:16,000 --> 00:30:18,440 Speaker 2: had a really good game against him, and just he 579 00:30:18,680 --> 00:30:23,280 Speaker 2: has first round ability. It's just a matter of stringing 580 00:30:23,320 --> 00:30:27,880 Speaker 2: it together, consistently, being more consistent with his technique, you know, 581 00:30:27,920 --> 00:30:29,520 Speaker 2: against the run, so he could be on the field 582 00:30:29,520 --> 00:30:31,920 Speaker 2: more so then he could afford himself more opportunities to 583 00:30:31,960 --> 00:30:34,360 Speaker 2: rush the passer. I think it's about reps and time 584 00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:36,960 Speaker 2: and earning that ability to be on the field more 585 00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:41,080 Speaker 2: and once he is, you would just think especially you know, 586 00:30:41,160 --> 00:30:44,760 Speaker 2: being in a good environment like Cincinnati, good coaching. You know, 587 00:30:44,800 --> 00:30:46,719 Speaker 2: you have a guy like Trey Hendrickson to kind of 588 00:30:47,080 --> 00:30:49,160 Speaker 2: you know, follow and emulate. I mean, this is a 589 00:30:49,200 --> 00:30:54,120 Speaker 2: good situation for him to maximize his potential. So you know, 590 00:30:54,240 --> 00:30:56,400 Speaker 2: I would say that it was kind of an uneven 591 00:30:56,480 --> 00:31:01,360 Speaker 2: year as a rookie, but I do see maybe some 592 00:31:01,440 --> 00:31:04,560 Speaker 2: of what Cincinnati sees in terms of like why you're 593 00:31:04,560 --> 00:31:07,560 Speaker 2: so enticed by him because just at his size, some 594 00:31:07,640 --> 00:31:11,440 Speaker 2: of his explosive ability, his ability to string moves together 595 00:31:11,480 --> 00:31:15,200 Speaker 2: at times and really beat guys quickly. I mean, yeah, 596 00:31:15,240 --> 00:31:18,320 Speaker 2: there's there's something there. It's just it's about rounding out 597 00:31:18,360 --> 00:31:21,360 Speaker 2: the edges and being more consistent with technique and things 598 00:31:21,400 --> 00:31:24,480 Speaker 2: like that. So the details. So yeah, I think that's 599 00:31:24,520 --> 00:31:25,640 Speaker 2: kind of where he is right now. 600 00:31:26,520 --> 00:31:29,240 Speaker 1: One of the things you do at Trench Warfare is 601 00:31:29,720 --> 00:31:34,560 Speaker 1: really breakdown pressures. How did Trey Hendrickson fair last year. 602 00:31:34,840 --> 00:31:38,200 Speaker 2: In terms of fewest snaps per pressure? He's like in 603 00:31:38,240 --> 00:31:41,960 Speaker 2: the top twenty, you know, top fifteen twenty or so, 604 00:31:42,400 --> 00:31:46,440 Speaker 2: right around like the Shawan, Gary, Jadavian Clowney, Alex high 605 00:31:46,480 --> 00:31:49,920 Speaker 2: Smith kind of range in terms of efficiency in terms 606 00:31:49,960 --> 00:31:52,640 Speaker 2: of you know, pressure wise, And then you know, I 607 00:31:52,680 --> 00:31:57,200 Speaker 2: have another thing for high quality pressures per snap and 608 00:31:57,880 --> 00:32:01,680 Speaker 2: he's in a similar kind of range as well. So 609 00:32:02,040 --> 00:32:04,560 Speaker 2: I would say it was a good year by his standards. 610 00:32:05,600 --> 00:32:08,440 Speaker 2: Maybe not his best year, but you know, I don't 611 00:32:08,480 --> 00:32:10,400 Speaker 2: recall if he was dinged up a little bit too, 612 00:32:10,680 --> 00:32:13,760 Speaker 2: I don't remember that, But but yeah, I just think 613 00:32:13,880 --> 00:32:16,040 Speaker 2: Trey Henderson is what he is at this point. You know, 614 00:32:16,080 --> 00:32:18,840 Speaker 2: and he's a really good player, a really good pass rusher. 615 00:32:18,840 --> 00:32:21,840 Speaker 2: And even if my numbers in that in those couple 616 00:32:22,480 --> 00:32:26,120 Speaker 2: metrics didn't totally reflect it, you know, being like a 617 00:32:26,160 --> 00:32:28,600 Speaker 2: top ten guy, I think he's a top fifteen or 618 00:32:28,600 --> 00:32:32,160 Speaker 2: so edge rusher in the league. And that may seem 619 00:32:32,200 --> 00:32:34,760 Speaker 2: like it's a slight but I think people need to 620 00:32:34,960 --> 00:32:39,600 Speaker 2: remember just how deep this position is edge rusher that is. 621 00:32:39,680 --> 00:32:43,360 Speaker 2: It's just there's some great players, you know, in the 622 00:32:43,360 --> 00:32:45,800 Speaker 2: top four or five, and then there's some very good 623 00:32:45,800 --> 00:32:49,760 Speaker 2: guys just kind of like in the top twenty. So 624 00:32:50,680 --> 00:32:53,320 Speaker 2: but what I will say about Trey last year, you 625 00:32:53,320 --> 00:32:56,720 Speaker 2: know my I also grade every sack and he finished 626 00:32:56,800 --> 00:33:00,880 Speaker 2: first among edge rushers, tied with TJ. Watt in my 627 00:33:01,040 --> 00:33:05,000 Speaker 2: sack score metric, which measures the quality of sacks. So 628 00:33:05,040 --> 00:33:07,920 Speaker 2: he had twelve high quality sacks last year, which was 629 00:33:07,920 --> 00:33:10,480 Speaker 2: tied with TJ. Watt for the most of the NFL. So, 630 00:33:11,600 --> 00:33:13,760 Speaker 2: you know, he really got after it as a as 631 00:33:13,760 --> 00:33:16,400 Speaker 2: a pass rusher in terms of bringing down the quarterback 632 00:33:16,480 --> 00:33:20,400 Speaker 2: for sacks and you know, three strip sacks and yeah, 633 00:33:20,440 --> 00:33:22,160 Speaker 2: so he was kind of a monster in the sack 634 00:33:22,240 --> 00:33:24,600 Speaker 2: department last year, and pressures were a little bit more, 635 00:33:25,320 --> 00:33:26,920 Speaker 2: you know, top twenty ish range. 636 00:33:27,360 --> 00:33:31,720 Speaker 1: Final question for Brandon Thorn. The Bengals lost their offensive 637 00:33:31,720 --> 00:33:35,080 Speaker 1: coordinator Brian Callahan to the Titans as their new head coach, 638 00:33:35,760 --> 00:33:39,000 Speaker 1: and that means the Cleveland Browns lost his dad, Dull 639 00:33:39,120 --> 00:33:43,560 Speaker 1: Callahan as their offensive line coach. How significant is that 640 00:33:43,640 --> 00:33:44,920 Speaker 1: loss for Cleveland? 641 00:33:45,640 --> 00:33:50,000 Speaker 2: I think is really significant, especially because his assistant, longtime assistant, 642 00:33:50,040 --> 00:33:53,120 Speaker 2: Scott Peters also left, took a head job with the Patriots. 643 00:33:53,920 --> 00:33:57,120 Speaker 2: So you know, even the guy who is his understudy, 644 00:33:57,200 --> 00:34:00,480 Speaker 2: who maybe could have, you know, least care read some 645 00:34:00,560 --> 00:34:03,840 Speaker 2: of what Bill Callahan brought, he's gone too. So it's 646 00:34:03,880 --> 00:34:07,600 Speaker 2: a total clean slate there. So yeah, I think it's 647 00:34:07,600 --> 00:34:11,319 Speaker 2: a significant loss. I think Bill Callahan is really on 648 00:34:11,360 --> 00:34:14,120 Speaker 2: the Mount Rushmore of offensive line coaches, if not all time, 649 00:34:14,239 --> 00:34:17,239 Speaker 2: certainly within the last probably fifteen twenty years, you know, 650 00:34:17,360 --> 00:34:21,239 Speaker 2: with Jeff stout linn Mike Munchek, those are probably where 651 00:34:21,520 --> 00:34:23,919 Speaker 2: be the names where I would start. And so, yeah, 652 00:34:23,960 --> 00:34:25,960 Speaker 2: he's he's one of the very best. He's gonna make 653 00:34:26,000 --> 00:34:28,840 Speaker 2: everybody better, He's going to get the most out of everybody. 654 00:34:29,160 --> 00:34:33,600 Speaker 2: His attention to detail is maybe unrivaled in the NFL. 655 00:34:35,000 --> 00:34:39,160 Speaker 2: He's he's truly a master, you know, tactician, you know, 656 00:34:39,320 --> 00:34:42,279 Speaker 2: and just just his his techniques and his ability to 657 00:34:42,360 --> 00:34:47,239 Speaker 2: teach is tremendous. So losing that is is going to 658 00:34:47,280 --> 00:34:50,040 Speaker 2: be tough, especially because Cleveland maybe going through a little 659 00:34:50,040 --> 00:34:54,360 Speaker 2: bit you know of turnover with their offensive line, not 660 00:34:54,400 --> 00:34:57,719 Speaker 2: at guard, but you know, maybe looking at maybe a 661 00:34:57,760 --> 00:35:00,400 Speaker 2: new left tackle soon potentially, and and they have a 662 00:35:00,520 --> 00:35:03,520 Speaker 2: very young one in Dwan Jones. I know Jack Conklin's 663 00:35:03,560 --> 00:35:06,879 Speaker 2: coming back. So yeah, I mean, you always feel better 664 00:35:06,960 --> 00:35:09,279 Speaker 2: when a Calie Bill Callahan's there and as opposed to 665 00:35:09,360 --> 00:35:11,959 Speaker 2: one he's not. So you know, it's gonna be tough, 666 00:35:12,120 --> 00:35:14,920 Speaker 2: you know, to see how they overcome that and you know, 667 00:35:15,200 --> 00:35:15,839 Speaker 2: figure it out. 668 00:35:16,480 --> 00:35:20,680 Speaker 1: Engels fans certainly hope you are right. I am a 669 00:35:21,080 --> 00:35:25,080 Speaker 1: subscriber to Trench Warfare. It's the only thing like it 670 00:35:25,120 --> 00:35:28,239 Speaker 1: in terms of studying offensive line play in particular. Tell 671 00:35:28,280 --> 00:35:30,560 Speaker 1: folks where they can find it and what they get 672 00:35:30,640 --> 00:35:31,640 Speaker 1: if they subscribe. 673 00:35:32,520 --> 00:35:36,080 Speaker 2: Sure, So Trench Warfare dot substack dot com is where 674 00:35:36,080 --> 00:35:39,520 Speaker 2: you can find me. You could subscribe monthly or yearly 675 00:35:39,600 --> 00:35:43,160 Speaker 2: and throughout the year. I'm studying offensive and defensive line 676 00:35:43,560 --> 00:35:46,520 Speaker 2: in season, watching every game every week, and you know, 677 00:35:46,640 --> 00:35:48,960 Speaker 2: usually focus on one two players at a time, and 678 00:35:49,280 --> 00:35:52,680 Speaker 2: then throughout the offseason I just go back and watch 679 00:35:52,719 --> 00:35:55,520 Speaker 2: it again pretty much, you know, not necessarily every game, 680 00:35:55,520 --> 00:35:57,160 Speaker 2: but certainly a lot of them. I make a lot 681 00:35:57,200 --> 00:36:01,000 Speaker 2: of player highlight tapes throughout the year, four players, so 682 00:36:01,640 --> 00:36:04,720 Speaker 2: that brings me back, you know, to kind of revisit everything, 683 00:36:04,760 --> 00:36:06,960 Speaker 2: and I you know, I just try to find unique 684 00:36:07,000 --> 00:36:09,600 Speaker 2: angles to look at offensive and defensive line through for 685 00:36:09,719 --> 00:36:12,960 Speaker 2: my for my sub stack subscribers, and try to get 686 00:36:12,960 --> 00:36:15,440 Speaker 2: a lot of players on there. I'm hopefully going to 687 00:36:15,480 --> 00:36:18,920 Speaker 2: get some coaches on there soon, but yeah, just trying 688 00:36:18,960 --> 00:36:23,480 Speaker 2: to shine light on the position, help educate people on 689 00:36:23,560 --> 00:36:25,880 Speaker 2: the position, and just enjoy it, you know, because I 690 00:36:25,920 --> 00:36:28,880 Speaker 2: think when people see the real inner workings of the 691 00:36:28,920 --> 00:36:31,640 Speaker 2: position and what it looks like being executed at the 692 00:36:31,680 --> 00:36:34,960 Speaker 2: highest level through video, especially, then they really start to 693 00:36:35,000 --> 00:36:38,279 Speaker 2: appreciate it. It's easy to appreciate offensive line when you're 694 00:36:38,320 --> 00:36:40,799 Speaker 2: being shown it kind of in the right context. So 695 00:36:41,520 --> 00:36:44,680 Speaker 2: just try to do that. And yeah, I mean, thankfully, 696 00:36:44,920 --> 00:36:47,239 Speaker 2: you know, a decent amount of people were interested in that, 697 00:36:47,360 --> 00:36:50,799 Speaker 2: and I just try to serve them as best I can. Well. 698 00:36:50,840 --> 00:36:54,520 Speaker 1: Bengals fans are fixated on the offensive linemen in this draft. 699 00:36:54,600 --> 00:36:56,839 Speaker 1: I know they've been looking to learn more about each 700 00:36:56,880 --> 00:37:00,040 Speaker 1: of these guys, and I really appreciate your expertise and 701 00:37:00,080 --> 00:37:02,320 Speaker 1: I look forward to which guys the Bengals come away 702 00:37:02,360 --> 00:37:05,520 Speaker 1: with during that three day stretch. Brandon, thank you very much. 703 00:37:05,960 --> 00:37:08,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, Dan, thank you for having me. It's always a pleasure. 704 00:37:09,520 --> 00:37:11,400 Speaker 1: More on the draft in a moment, but first, a 705 00:37:11,480 --> 00:37:14,120 Speaker 1: quick reminder that the Bengals Booth Podcast is brought to 706 00:37:14,160 --> 00:37:16,800 Speaker 1: you by pay Corps, proud to be the Bengals official 707 00:37:17,400 --> 00:37:22,000 Speaker 1: HR software provider, by Alta Fiber future proof fiber Internet 708 00:37:22,200 --> 00:37:25,200 Speaker 1: designed to elevate your home, business, and community to a 709 00:37:25,239 --> 00:37:28,799 Speaker 1: new level, and by Kettering Health the best care for 710 00:37:28,920 --> 00:37:32,760 Speaker 1: the best fans. Kettering Health is the official healthcare provider 711 00:37:33,040 --> 00:37:36,879 Speaker 1: of the Bengals. Last week on this podcast, I did 712 00:37:36,920 --> 00:37:40,840 Speaker 1: my first three round Bengals mock draft. That's a total 713 00:37:40,840 --> 00:37:43,759 Speaker 1: of four picks and Cincinnati has an extra pick. In 714 00:37:43,840 --> 00:37:48,920 Speaker 1: the third round. I chose Washington offensive lineman Troy Fatutanu 715 00:37:49,040 --> 00:37:53,080 Speaker 1: in round one, Florida State defensive tackle Brandon Fisk in 716 00:37:53,160 --> 00:37:57,160 Speaker 1: round two, North Carolina wide receiver Devontes Walker with my 717 00:37:57,280 --> 00:38:01,480 Speaker 1: first third round pick, and Florida State cornerback Bernardo Green 718 00:38:01,880 --> 00:38:06,280 Speaker 1: with my second third round pick. Now time for Dan's 719 00:38:06,400 --> 00:38:09,239 Speaker 1: Draft two point zero, and I'm going to use the 720 00:38:09,280 --> 00:38:13,400 Speaker 1: Pro Football Network simulator instead of the Pro Football Focus 721 00:38:13,520 --> 00:38:17,440 Speaker 1: version this time since it's likely to give me different choices. 722 00:38:18,040 --> 00:38:21,920 Speaker 1: Sure enough, Troy fa Utanu is not even an option 723 00:38:22,040 --> 00:38:25,360 Speaker 1: this time around. He was one of four offensive linemen 724 00:38:25,440 --> 00:38:29,000 Speaker 1: taken before the Bengals were on the clock. Joe Alt 725 00:38:29,080 --> 00:38:36,200 Speaker 1: went sixth, Olufashanu seventh, fa Utanu thirteenth, and Talisi Fuaga sixteenth. 726 00:38:36,800 --> 00:38:40,080 Speaker 1: By the way, brock Bowers was gone as well. He 727 00:38:40,160 --> 00:38:44,080 Speaker 1: went fifteenth to the Colts. But that left me with 728 00:38:44,280 --> 00:38:49,400 Speaker 1: great options, including offensive tackles JC Latham and a Marius Mims, 729 00:38:49,960 --> 00:38:54,680 Speaker 1: defensive tackles Byron Murphy and Johnny Newton, and LSU wide 730 00:38:54,680 --> 00:39:00,839 Speaker 1: receiver Brian Thomas. I chose Latham the thirteen overall pick 731 00:39:00,880 --> 00:39:04,759 Speaker 1: in the draft, according to the Athletics Dane Brugler, and 732 00:39:04,840 --> 00:39:08,080 Speaker 1: the Bengals starting right tackle for many years to come. 733 00:39:08,719 --> 00:39:11,040 Speaker 1: It doesn't have to be right away, but the Alabama 734 00:39:11,120 --> 00:39:14,520 Speaker 1: Giant can compete with Trent Brown for the spot this year. 735 00:39:15,000 --> 00:39:18,520 Speaker 1: If the veteran wins the job, Latham is his backup, 736 00:39:18,880 --> 00:39:21,480 Speaker 1: and keep in mind that Trent Brown has missed at 737 00:39:21,560 --> 00:39:24,160 Speaker 1: least five games due to injury in four of the 738 00:39:24,239 --> 00:39:27,640 Speaker 1: last five years, so there's a decent chance that his 739 00:39:27,719 --> 00:39:31,279 Speaker 1: backup will be needed. And if Orlando Brown had to 740 00:39:31,280 --> 00:39:34,480 Speaker 1: miss any time, Trent Brown can move to left tackle 741 00:39:34,800 --> 00:39:38,279 Speaker 1: and Latham can step in on the right side. The 742 00:39:38,320 --> 00:39:41,799 Speaker 1: Bengals would be thrilled if Latham is still there at 743 00:39:41,880 --> 00:39:46,600 Speaker 1: number eighteen in the second round with pick number forty nine. Overall, 744 00:39:46,880 --> 00:39:51,480 Speaker 1: there are some good defensive tackles available, including Rooke or 745 00:39:51,640 --> 00:39:55,120 Speaker 1: Row row Row of Clemson, Michael Hall of Ohio State, 746 00:39:55,480 --> 00:39:59,000 Speaker 1: Chris Jenkins of Michigan, and last week's second round selection 747 00:39:59,120 --> 00:40:02,480 Speaker 1: Brandon Fisk. But I went in a different direction this 748 00:40:02,560 --> 00:40:07,080 Speaker 1: time and chose wide receiver Melachi Corley of Western Kentucky. 749 00:40:07,640 --> 00:40:11,360 Speaker 1: He's a sturdy slot receiver who would immediately replace Tyler 750 00:40:11,400 --> 00:40:14,000 Speaker 1: Boyd in the starting lineup and give the Bengals a 751 00:40:14,080 --> 00:40:18,239 Speaker 1: great yards after catch threat. His nickname at Western Kentucky 752 00:40:18,840 --> 00:40:22,640 Speaker 1: was Yack King. He's not a speedster. Corley ran a 753 00:40:22,680 --> 00:40:25,319 Speaker 1: four five six forty at his pro day, but he's 754 00:40:25,320 --> 00:40:28,080 Speaker 1: so dangerous with the ball in his hands that he's 755 00:40:28,080 --> 00:40:32,240 Speaker 1: been compared to Deebo Samuel. Last year, the Bengals didn't 756 00:40:32,280 --> 00:40:35,920 Speaker 1: go offense until the fourth round. This year, I'm not 757 00:40:35,960 --> 00:40:39,000 Speaker 1: waiting that long to add a weapon. Taking Corley in 758 00:40:39,160 --> 00:40:42,240 Speaker 1: round two with the first of my third round picks, 759 00:40:42,719 --> 00:40:45,320 Speaker 1: I was able to take one of the defensive tackles 760 00:40:45,680 --> 00:40:49,600 Speaker 1: that I was thinking about in the second round, Michigan's 761 00:40:49,719 --> 00:40:52,920 Speaker 1: Chris Jenkins. Frankly, I couldn't believe he was still there 762 00:40:52,960 --> 00:40:57,279 Speaker 1: at number eighty overall. He's number thirty six on Brugler's 763 00:40:57,280 --> 00:41:00,000 Speaker 1: Big Board. Was a team captain for the National Chains 764 00:41:00,760 --> 00:41:05,360 Speaker 1: and has a great nickname, the Mutant. His dad, Chris Senior, 765 00:41:05,480 --> 00:41:08,480 Speaker 1: was a four time Pro Bowl defensive lineman, and while 766 00:41:08,560 --> 00:41:11,680 Speaker 1: Chris Junior is about sixty pounds lighter than his dad 767 00:41:11,719 --> 00:41:15,000 Speaker 1: at two ninety nine, he'll fit in perfectly in the 768 00:41:15,040 --> 00:41:19,440 Speaker 1: Bengals defensive tackle rotation. For my fourth and final pick 769 00:41:19,600 --> 00:41:22,680 Speaker 1: in the first three rounds, I was almost able to 770 00:41:22,719 --> 00:41:27,680 Speaker 1: take cornerback Bernardo Green again, but he went ninety sixth overall, 771 00:41:28,239 --> 00:41:32,640 Speaker 1: one pick before the Bengals were on the clock. Fortunately, 772 00:41:33,160 --> 00:41:36,680 Speaker 1: one of my favorite players in the draft was still available. 773 00:41:37,120 --> 00:41:43,840 Speaker 1: Another member of Michigan's National championship defense slot corner Mikey Sainrastill. 774 00:41:44,440 --> 00:41:48,560 Speaker 1: Saint Rastill is Mike Hilton two point zero. He's undersized 775 00:41:48,600 --> 00:41:51,080 Speaker 1: at five to nine and roughly one hundred eighty pounds, 776 00:41:51,480 --> 00:41:54,479 Speaker 1: but every time I watched a Michigan game last year, 777 00:41:54,560 --> 00:41:58,120 Speaker 1: he was around the ball making big plays. After playing 778 00:41:58,160 --> 00:42:01,680 Speaker 1: wide receiver for his first three seasons, Saintristill moved a 779 00:42:01,680 --> 00:42:05,560 Speaker 1: defense two years ago and last year had six interceptions, 780 00:42:05,840 --> 00:42:10,279 Speaker 1: two forced bumbles, and three interception returns of more than 781 00:42:10,360 --> 00:42:14,919 Speaker 1: seventy yards. He's a two time team captain with experience 782 00:42:15,040 --> 00:42:19,760 Speaker 1: at inside and outside corner and also on special teams. 783 00:42:20,280 --> 00:42:23,440 Speaker 1: He's number forty three overall on the Brugler Big Board, 784 00:42:23,800 --> 00:42:27,480 Speaker 1: so landing him with a ninety seventh pick would represent 785 00:42:28,000 --> 00:42:32,720 Speaker 1: exceptional value. Unlike the PFF simulator, the Pro Football Network 786 00:42:32,800 --> 00:42:35,880 Speaker 1: version doesn't give you a grade, But if the Bengals 787 00:42:35,920 --> 00:42:41,600 Speaker 1: get Latham, Corley, Jenkins and saint Ristill, I can't imagine 788 00:42:41,640 --> 00:42:45,560 Speaker 1: it would be anything other than an A plus. That's 789 00:42:45,600 --> 00:42:47,360 Speaker 1: going to do it for this episode of the Bengals 790 00:42:47,360 --> 00:42:50,040 Speaker 1: Booth podcast, brought to you by pay Corps, proud to 791 00:42:50,080 --> 00:42:54,480 Speaker 1: be the Bengals official HR software provider by Alta fiber 792 00:42:54,560 --> 00:42:57,840 Speaker 1: future proof fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, business 793 00:42:57,920 --> 00:43:01,480 Speaker 1: and community to a new level and by Kettering Health 794 00:43:01,840 --> 00:43:05,400 Speaker 1: the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health is 795 00:43:05,440 --> 00:43:09,000 Speaker 1: the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. If you haven't 796 00:43:09,040 --> 00:43:12,120 Speaker 1: done so already, please subscribe to this podcast and if 797 00:43:12,120 --> 00:43:14,239 Speaker 1: you have a minute, give it a rating or share 798 00:43:14,239 --> 00:43:18,680 Speaker 1: a comment that helps more Bengals fans find us. I'm 799 00:43:18,760 --> 00:43:23,239 Speaker 1: Dan Hord and thanks for listening to the Bengals Booth podcast.