1 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:06,359 Speaker 1: Hi, get everybody. I'm Dan Hoard and thanks for downloading 2 00:00:06,400 --> 00:00:11,039 Speaker 1: the Bengals Booth podcast. The Just Move On Up. Addition, 3 00:00:11,480 --> 00:00:14,880 Speaker 1: as I discussed the Bengals offseason moves with Pro Football 4 00:00:14,920 --> 00:00:19,040 Speaker 1: Focus salary cap and free agency expert Brad Spielberger. And 5 00:00:19,160 --> 00:00:22,840 Speaker 1: after talking to Brad, I'll do a three round Bengals 6 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:25,880 Speaker 1: mock draft, detailing who is still on the board at 7 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:29,000 Speaker 1: the time and why I made each of my picks. 8 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:32,040 Speaker 1: The Bengals Booth Podcast is brought to you by pay Core, 9 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 1: proud to be the Bengals official hr software provider, by 10 00:00:36,159 --> 00:00:40,760 Speaker 1: Alta Fiber future proof fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, business, 11 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:44,120 Speaker 1: and community to a new level, and by Kettering Health 12 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 1: the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health is 13 00:00:47,400 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 1: the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. Now here's a 14 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:53,680 Speaker 1: quick reminder that you can have the latest edition of 15 00:00:53,720 --> 00:00:57,120 Speaker 1: this podcast delivered write to your phone, tablet or computer 16 00:00:57,240 --> 00:01:00,960 Speaker 1: by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. It's the greatest 17 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:05,959 Speaker 1: thing since Ballpark Peanuts. I can't go to the movies 18 00:01:05,959 --> 00:01:09,360 Speaker 1: without getting popcorn, and now the baseball season is back. 19 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:13,039 Speaker 1: I rarely go to the ballpark without getting peanuts. I 20 00:01:13,160 --> 00:01:17,400 Speaker 1: like the whole ritual, cracking them open, gobbling what's inside, 21 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:20,880 Speaker 1: and tossing the shell under your seat. It's not only 22 00:01:20,920 --> 00:01:24,480 Speaker 1: a tasty snack, but a bag generally lasts for most 23 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:26,680 Speaker 1: of the game, and they go well with a cold 24 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:31,080 Speaker 1: beer too. In nineteen oh eight, when Jack Norworth wrote 25 00:01:31,120 --> 00:01:33,399 Speaker 1: the lyrics to take Me out to the ballgame, he 26 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:37,640 Speaker 1: didn't say buy me some sushi and cracker jack. He 27 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:43,399 Speaker 1: started with peanuts. Who am I to argue? Now, let's 28 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:47,120 Speaker 1: get to football. For the past few years, Brad Spielberger 29 00:01:47,120 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 1: has been the lead salary cap analyst for Pro Football Focus. 30 00:01:50,880 --> 00:01:55,360 Speaker 1: He's the guy responsible for PFF's free agency Top two 31 00:01:55,480 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 1: hundred this year, and he's among the PFF experts who 32 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 1: publishes mock drafts. In short, he's well versed on just 33 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:06,760 Speaker 1: about any NFL topic, and he joined me this week 34 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:12,400 Speaker 1: to discuss the Bengals. Brad, you recently graded every team's 35 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:15,120 Speaker 1: free agent class. You gave the Bengals a B plus, 36 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:18,400 Speaker 1: and you don't dole out a's easily. Houston was the 37 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:21,080 Speaker 1: only team in the AFC that was worthy of an 38 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:23,799 Speaker 1: A in your opinion. What were the biggest reasons why 39 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:26,280 Speaker 1: you thought the Bengals class is worthy of a B plus. 40 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:28,560 Speaker 2: Yeah. I think the way I approach it too, is 41 00:02:28,600 --> 00:02:31,280 Speaker 2: trying to look back historically and not fall in love 42 00:02:31,280 --> 00:02:33,720 Speaker 2: with which teams made the biggest splashes, because that's not 43 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:36,120 Speaker 2: really how you win free agency, right, we know that 44 00:02:36,639 --> 00:02:39,040 Speaker 2: over the course of history. So look, the Bengals did 45 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:41,520 Speaker 2: lose some important players. I think DJ Reader has been 46 00:02:41,560 --> 00:02:44,320 Speaker 2: an awesome Bengal but obviously has missed time over his 47 00:02:44,880 --> 00:02:47,919 Speaker 2: Cincinnati tenure. And I was very high in Sheldon Rankins 48 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:50,799 Speaker 2: watching his tape last year. A very good pass rusher 49 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:53,919 Speaker 2: on the interior, I think one of the most important 50 00:02:53,919 --> 00:02:57,680 Speaker 2: positions the Bengals needed to address in free agency, and 51 00:02:57,720 --> 00:02:59,920 Speaker 2: then a couple other spots as well, getting you know, 52 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:02,760 Speaker 2: a true deep third free safety a ball hawk did 53 00:03:02,760 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 2: a ton of interceptions last year for the Baltimore Ravens 54 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:09,680 Speaker 2: like that. That was an important addition to this defense 55 00:03:09,720 --> 00:03:12,600 Speaker 2: where you know, they've been great under Luannarumo, but last 56 00:03:12,639 --> 00:03:14,760 Speaker 2: season they were I want to say, second worst in 57 00:03:14,800 --> 00:03:17,959 Speaker 2: the NFL and explosive pass play rate allowed. So I 58 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:20,680 Speaker 2: don't think I said Geno Stone's name. So Geno Stone, 59 00:03:21,320 --> 00:03:23,400 Speaker 2: you know, look, he's not gonna be the greatest run 60 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:25,840 Speaker 2: defender in the world. But put him back there, have 61 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:28,680 Speaker 2: the versatility of a Jordan Battle of dax Hill these 62 00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:31,640 Speaker 2: young corners, and let him sit back there. The pass 63 00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:33,919 Speaker 2: rush gets home, he will flip the field, turn the 64 00:03:33,919 --> 00:03:35,960 Speaker 2: ball over for you. So you know, on that side 65 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 2: of the line or that's howe the team. I loved it. 66 00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:42,080 Speaker 2: And then you know, Trent Brown look gonna miss some 67 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:44,480 Speaker 2: time part of the equation there, but when he's healthy, 68 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:46,840 Speaker 2: he is still one of the better pass protecting tackles 69 00:03:47,040 --> 00:03:50,600 Speaker 2: in the entire NFL, arguably the best pass protecting tackle 70 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:53,760 Speaker 2: besides Tyron Smith in the entire phraging class. 71 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:58,160 Speaker 1: Was there something or someone that would have elevated the 72 00:03:58,200 --> 00:03:59,960 Speaker 1: Bengals grade to an A. 73 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 2: It's a good question. Probably not, you know. I think 74 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:05,680 Speaker 2: just some of the losses were tough, you know, so, 75 00:04:05,840 --> 00:04:07,640 Speaker 2: and that happens. It's part of being a good football 76 00:04:07,640 --> 00:04:11,119 Speaker 2: team and making these big decisions and having to navigate 77 00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:14,360 Speaker 2: the t Higgins and Jesse Bates of the world. You know, 78 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:16,800 Speaker 2: maybe more at tight end potentially, and they did make 79 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:18,800 Speaker 2: a little move for Mike Kasicki, who I think isn't 80 00:04:18,880 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 2: very interesting component, even if it's just on third downs 81 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:24,080 Speaker 2: in red zone and he's not going to offer much 82 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:26,440 Speaker 2: as a blocker. You still just get a big body 83 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:30,000 Speaker 2: target that, especially if Higgins is elsewhere, you know, in 84 00:04:30,040 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 2: twenty twenty four or later. I'm not saying he's a T. 85 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:35,719 Speaker 2: Higgins replacement, but in those specific areas he is good. 86 00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:37,839 Speaker 2: You know, didn't get a ton of usage with the Patriots, 87 00:04:37,839 --> 00:04:40,440 Speaker 2: but I think they'll be more creative in a heavy 88 00:04:40,440 --> 00:04:43,480 Speaker 2: eleven personnel offense in Cincinnati to just get him out 89 00:04:43,480 --> 00:04:47,640 Speaker 2: there in obvious passing situations. His catch radius is ginormous. 90 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:50,359 Speaker 2: I think guy has the longest arms maybe at the position. 91 00:04:50,480 --> 00:04:52,800 Speaker 2: So no, I think it was just tough for where 92 00:04:52,839 --> 00:04:54,719 Speaker 2: they were at to make a bunch of moves to 93 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:56,919 Speaker 2: kind of counterbalance some of the big losses they did have. 94 00:04:57,640 --> 00:05:00,520 Speaker 1: The Bengals tight ends during the Joe Burrow a have 95 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:04,720 Speaker 1: been c j Uzama, Hayden Hurst, dru Sample and Tanner Hudson. 96 00:05:04,760 --> 00:05:09,279 Speaker 1: Who emerged this past season is Mikeasicki the best receiving 97 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 1: threat at tight end that Joe Burrows had. 98 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:14,200 Speaker 2: It's a fair question, you know, and I think also 99 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:16,160 Speaker 2: just real quick it speaks to you know, you have 100 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:18,719 Speaker 2: to make those tough decisions not paying Uzama, who I 101 00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:20,480 Speaker 2: know was a Bengals favorite, and you know he is 102 00:05:20,480 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 2: a good player, but goes to the Jets and obviously 103 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:24,440 Speaker 2: got cut this past season. I want to say still 104 00:05:24,520 --> 00:05:27,480 Speaker 2: is not a roster and that tough decision they made 105 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:29,880 Speaker 2: to save that money and not keep that player. It 106 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:33,240 Speaker 2: has aged well, so as a pure pass catcher, maybe yeah, 107 00:05:33,400 --> 00:05:36,160 Speaker 2: he really could be. You know, Hurst was a good 108 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:38,520 Speaker 2: all round player and certainly wasn't a bad pass catcher, 109 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:41,640 Speaker 2: but more of a kind of underneath checkdown outlet that 110 00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:44,240 Speaker 2: can pick up some yards after the catch. Kasiki can 111 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:46,800 Speaker 2: be like a vertical threat out of the slot. 112 00:05:46,839 --> 00:05:47,000 Speaker 1: You know. 113 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:50,120 Speaker 2: He calls himself a big slot receiver, you know, and 114 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 2: he is, so yeah, you could probably make that argument. 115 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:56,120 Speaker 1: Let's talk about Zach Moss. He got a two year, 116 00:05:56,160 --> 00:05:59,039 Speaker 1: eight million dollar deal, He's twenty six years old for 117 00:05:59,120 --> 00:06:03,159 Speaker 1: the Bengals. Are is he a better fit than Joe Mixon? 118 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:06,200 Speaker 2: I think the beauty here is that his skill set 119 00:06:06,200 --> 00:06:08,800 Speaker 2: compliments Chase Brown so well. And we saw the last 120 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:11,360 Speaker 2: what six weeks of last season where you're starting to 121 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:14,280 Speaker 2: see more usage for Chase Brown. Was that the Jaguars 122 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:16,280 Speaker 2: game where he had a bunch of catches and a 123 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:18,839 Speaker 2: bunch of yards, and so Moss is your your early 124 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:21,560 Speaker 2: down you know, between the tackles runner he can get 125 00:06:21,560 --> 00:06:23,200 Speaker 2: to the edge and obviously had a lot of great 126 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:26,240 Speaker 2: games for the Colts. So I think that's the big thing, 127 00:06:26,320 --> 00:06:28,880 Speaker 2: is you save some money, and you also you'll use guys. 128 00:06:28,960 --> 00:06:31,800 Speaker 2: You'll use both more right, Mixon is a three down player. 129 00:06:31,839 --> 00:06:34,840 Speaker 2: That's who he is. He wants the volume, he wants 130 00:06:34,839 --> 00:06:37,080 Speaker 2: to touches, he wants to be out there, and he 131 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:39,760 Speaker 2: has that skill set. So I like how they navigated that. 132 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:42,080 Speaker 2: You get a trade for a player you probably were 133 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:44,119 Speaker 2: going to cut, you know, Mixing is a good player, 134 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:45,760 Speaker 2: and honestly, I think it got to a point where 135 00:06:45,839 --> 00:06:48,480 Speaker 2: maybe the narrative of going too far and like, oh 136 00:06:48,520 --> 00:06:50,440 Speaker 2: they got to make make him take a pay cut. Again, 137 00:06:50,960 --> 00:06:53,520 Speaker 2: I don't think his earnings were that bad, but obviously, 138 00:06:53,760 --> 00:06:55,599 Speaker 2: or you know, his pending earnings were that bad. But 139 00:06:55,640 --> 00:06:58,360 Speaker 2: obviously he wanted a new contract and he got that elsewhere. 140 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:00,599 Speaker 2: So I like how they navigated it. Overall. 141 00:07:01,360 --> 00:07:04,320 Speaker 1: Is there anybody out there still that makes sense for 142 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:04,920 Speaker 1: the Bengals. 143 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:07,400 Speaker 2: It's an interesting thought. I mean, I guess you could 144 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:09,560 Speaker 2: continue to add me some depth on the interior of 145 00:07:09,600 --> 00:07:11,840 Speaker 2: the offensive line. There are some players out there. I mean, 146 00:07:11,920 --> 00:07:14,080 Speaker 2: Dalton Risner is a starter in this league. I don't 147 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:16,200 Speaker 2: really know why he's not on a roster at this point. 148 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:18,240 Speaker 2: And Cordella Olsen, you know, I know, he got there 149 00:07:18,240 --> 00:07:20,920 Speaker 2: with the second most extra money performance based pay from 150 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:22,800 Speaker 2: the pool, and I think he's shown growth. I think 151 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:25,600 Speaker 2: he has gotten better over his time in Cincinnati. But look, 152 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:27,520 Speaker 2: Risner would be an upgrade. There's no doubt about that 153 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:29,640 Speaker 2: in my mind, and so he's probably not signing a 154 00:07:29,680 --> 00:07:32,559 Speaker 2: backup deal, although you know, eventually the game musical chairs 155 00:07:32,600 --> 00:07:34,760 Speaker 2: runs out for you in this league in free agency, 156 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:37,080 Speaker 2: so maybe that's one spot you could look into a 157 00:07:37,080 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 2: little bit, prepare for the future a bit if you 158 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:42,840 Speaker 2: want to, and then beyond that, not really, I mean, 159 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:45,520 Speaker 2: they're gonna trust these young corners. Maybe a veteran corner 160 00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:47,080 Speaker 2: There are a bunch of those names out there, but 161 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:49,840 Speaker 2: I think at this point there are more names than 162 00:07:50,200 --> 00:07:53,440 Speaker 2: than high level talents. You know, once once you've hit April, 163 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:54,480 Speaker 2: that's kind of how it goes. 164 00:07:54,960 --> 00:07:57,080 Speaker 1: Well, let me ask you about one of those cornerbacks 165 00:07:57,120 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 1: in particular, Xavier Howard from the Dolphins, four time Pro 166 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:03,360 Speaker 1: Bowler when he was younger. Obviously there's a lot of 167 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 1: tread that's worn off those tires, but he played for 168 00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 1: lou Anarumo early in his career with Miami. He recently 169 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:13,920 Speaker 1: said I already got paid. I want to win a 170 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:17,920 Speaker 1: Super Bowl, which is music to any team's ears when 171 00:08:17,920 --> 00:08:21,000 Speaker 1: it comes to free agency. Is there anything left in 172 00:08:21,040 --> 00:08:22,520 Speaker 1: the tank with Xavier and Howard? 173 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:25,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, I really think there is. Howard's a guy that 174 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:27,120 Speaker 2: has been playing a lot of man coverage in Miami. 175 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:29,840 Speaker 2: Brian Flores obviously way up there in the league over 176 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:32,320 Speaker 2: his tenure with the Dolphins. You know, Vic Fango not 177 00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:33,920 Speaker 2: quite the same, but he's a guy that played up 178 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:37,320 Speaker 2: in press coverage, was battling number one receivers and he 179 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:38,920 Speaker 2: did it at a high level for a very very 180 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:41,120 Speaker 2: long time. And we've seen some of the corners as 181 00:08:41,160 --> 00:08:44,240 Speaker 2: they age, they go to systems that play more zone, 182 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:46,480 Speaker 2: protect them a little bit more, don't ask them to 183 00:08:46,920 --> 00:08:49,000 Speaker 2: take on a one on one assignments against the premier 184 00:08:49,040 --> 00:08:51,760 Speaker 2: players at wide receiver. And obviously there's one hundred new 185 00:08:51,760 --> 00:08:53,839 Speaker 2: ones every year, looks like, but you know, go to 186 00:08:53,880 --> 00:08:57,160 Speaker 2: an Anarrumo defense that's more zone based that has the 187 00:08:57,200 --> 00:08:59,400 Speaker 2: good pass rush and then lets those guys sit back 188 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:02,199 Speaker 2: kind of close, come forward a little bit more as 189 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:05,400 Speaker 2: opposed the trail technique and chasing these dudes around. So 190 00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:07,560 Speaker 2: I do I think Zavin Howard could still have a 191 00:09:07,559 --> 00:09:10,640 Speaker 2: couple more good years in his tank, all right. 192 00:09:10,720 --> 00:09:13,640 Speaker 1: You also graded the other teams in the AFC North. 193 00:09:14,040 --> 00:09:16,360 Speaker 1: In addition to the Bengals getting a B plush, he 194 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:18,600 Speaker 1: gave the Steelers a B plush. He gave the Ravens 195 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:22,880 Speaker 1: and Browns bees. So everybody seemed to do okay. Which 196 00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:26,240 Speaker 1: teams do you think got better? Which teams may have 197 00:09:26,320 --> 00:09:26,920 Speaker 1: gotten worse? 198 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:30,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, so I think, you know, and the Bengals probably neutral. 199 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:32,240 Speaker 2: I'd say the Ravens are going to get a little 200 00:09:32,280 --> 00:09:34,480 Speaker 2: bit worse. They can replace it, They've done it time 201 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:36,760 Speaker 2: and time again. But I mean, Jadevian Clowney had a 202 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:40,040 Speaker 2: career year last season. He was phenomenal for them. His 203 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:42,160 Speaker 2: most pressures I want to say maybe most or second 204 00:09:42,160 --> 00:09:44,120 Speaker 2: most pressures he's ever had in a season for US 205 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:47,520 Speaker 2: at PFF. The top three sacks season for him as well, 206 00:09:47,679 --> 00:09:49,720 Speaker 2: and he's always been a very very good run defender 207 00:09:49,760 --> 00:09:52,400 Speaker 2: on the edge. So him and Kyle van Noy, who 208 00:09:52,440 --> 00:09:54,599 Speaker 2: was an important role player for them too. We just 209 00:09:54,640 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 2: talked about Geno Stone, Patrick Queen. Yes, they trade for 210 00:09:58,080 --> 00:10:01,160 Speaker 2: Roquan Smith and he's an all worldline but Patrick Queen's 211 00:10:01,160 --> 00:10:03,679 Speaker 2: maybe the best blitzing linebacker in the NFL. Now. I know, 212 00:10:03,840 --> 00:10:05,880 Speaker 2: we'll get to him the Steelers in a second, but 213 00:10:06,120 --> 00:10:08,520 Speaker 2: they lost some important pieces there and then the offensive line. 214 00:10:08,520 --> 00:10:10,760 Speaker 2: You trade Morgan Moses, you get a pick cup from 215 00:10:10,840 --> 00:10:14,200 Speaker 2: Ronnie Stanley, which reflects that he was rotating some serieses 216 00:10:14,240 --> 00:10:17,120 Speaker 2: in Baltimore. Unfortunately, that ACL tear I think has slowed 217 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:19,400 Speaker 2: him down a bit. So they got worse. Kevin Zeitler, 218 00:10:19,520 --> 00:10:21,920 Speaker 2: the left guard goes to a right guard, goes to 219 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:24,880 Speaker 2: Detroit Lions. They're still a good organization. They'll they'll find 220 00:10:24,920 --> 00:10:28,080 Speaker 2: their way through, but they did get worse. In my opinion. 221 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:30,599 Speaker 2: The Browns I think kind of got better. You know, 222 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:32,160 Speaker 2: they got to actually show up and have the results. 223 00:10:32,240 --> 00:10:34,080 Speaker 2: I'm sure AFC North fans are sick of hearing about 224 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:36,600 Speaker 2: the Browns winning in March. But you know, I think 225 00:10:36,679 --> 00:10:39,840 Speaker 2: Jerry Judy is still a talented player that can produce. 226 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 2: We tether do his draft stock and yeah, maybe he's 227 00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:44,840 Speaker 2: not a top fifteen pick talent, but he's a seven hundred, 228 00:10:44,880 --> 00:10:47,600 Speaker 2: eight hundred yard guy that can still separate a very 229 00:10:47,640 --> 00:10:50,320 Speaker 2: high level and is a good football player. And they 230 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:52,480 Speaker 2: made a couple other small moves as well. I like 231 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:56,040 Speaker 2: adding some linebacker help some veterans there is always key 232 00:10:56,040 --> 00:10:57,280 Speaker 2: for them. They didn't have a lot of talent there 233 00:10:57,360 --> 00:10:57,920 Speaker 2: last years. 234 00:10:58,600 --> 00:11:02,319 Speaker 1: The Steelers editions of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. How 235 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:05,199 Speaker 1: much does that elevate Pittsburgh if at all? 236 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:06,960 Speaker 2: So it is an upgrader what they had last year. 237 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:09,360 Speaker 2: Like those guys are better than Kenny Pikett, Mitch Trubisky 238 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:12,120 Speaker 2: and Mason Rudolph. They are. But the thing for me 239 00:11:12,200 --> 00:11:14,520 Speaker 2: that I'm curious how it goes is just kind of 240 00:11:14,520 --> 00:11:17,560 Speaker 2: the oil and water nature of what Arthur Smith wants 241 00:11:17,559 --> 00:11:19,960 Speaker 2: to do, which is get the ball up quickly, attack 242 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:22,880 Speaker 2: the middle of the field. I mean those quarterbacks do that. Frankly, 243 00:11:22,880 --> 00:11:25,240 Speaker 2: I think Justin Fields might actually benefit from, Hey, let's 244 00:11:25,280 --> 00:11:27,720 Speaker 2: just start over, clean the slate, change your footwork, tie 245 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:30,760 Speaker 2: your play to under center play action. It's not what 246 00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:32,880 Speaker 2: he's ever done, but I think he does kind of 247 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:35,679 Speaker 2: just need a hard reset. So the talent is better 248 00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:38,520 Speaker 2: in a vacuum, they are better quarterbacks. How they work 249 00:11:38,520 --> 00:11:41,040 Speaker 2: with the offensive coordinator that I think is kind of 250 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:41,559 Speaker 2: a mystery. 251 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:45,520 Speaker 1: Rad Spielberger from Pro Football Focus is our guest. All 252 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:48,360 Speaker 1: indications are the T Higgins will be back in Cincinnati 253 00:11:48,400 --> 00:11:52,080 Speaker 1: for at least more year. On the franchise tag figure 254 00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:56,520 Speaker 1: of twenty one point eight mil. We all assume that 255 00:11:56,679 --> 00:11:59,400 Speaker 1: ultimately they're going to pay Jamar Chase whatever it takes 256 00:11:59,480 --> 00:12:01,839 Speaker 1: more than thirty million dollars a year when it comes 257 00:12:01,840 --> 00:12:05,360 Speaker 1: time for his second contract. With that in mind, you're 258 00:12:05,400 --> 00:12:08,480 Speaker 1: a salary cap expert, what could they pay T Higgins 259 00:12:08,679 --> 00:12:10,560 Speaker 1: if they were really determined to keep them? 260 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:12,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think at this point the floor is like 261 00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:15,160 Speaker 2: the Michael Pittman contract. I think that's probably the biggest. 262 00:12:15,280 --> 00:12:17,960 Speaker 2: You know, everyone talks about overall value, average per year, 263 00:12:18,040 --> 00:12:22,080 Speaker 2: all those things. The receiver trend recently where all these 264 00:12:22,120 --> 00:12:25,400 Speaker 2: deals are now three year extensions. I have to imagine 265 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:27,840 Speaker 2: the Bengals are balking at that as much as any 266 00:12:27,840 --> 00:12:30,800 Speaker 2: other element of this contract. And you can't really push 267 00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 2: back on these league wide trends. Everyone's doing it. Pittman's 268 00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:36,520 Speaker 2: represented by the same agency as T Higgins, So but yeah, 269 00:12:36,559 --> 00:12:39,080 Speaker 2: so right in that range of twenty four twenty five 270 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:42,600 Speaker 2: million dollars a year. And I just wonder if they 271 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:44,439 Speaker 2: think it's worth it to do on a three year 272 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:46,440 Speaker 2: deal if they can't get that fourth year of control, 273 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:49,280 Speaker 2: that's that's the number, that's the floor if anything. And 274 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:51,480 Speaker 2: I'm I'm with you. I think he plays twenty twenty 275 00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:54,319 Speaker 2: four in Cincinnati, but probably just on that tag. 276 00:12:55,360 --> 00:12:58,040 Speaker 1: He's not thrilled with a tag. No player ever seems 277 00:12:58,040 --> 00:13:00,600 Speaker 1: to be thrilled with the tag. They have the ability 278 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:05,000 Speaker 1: to tag them again conceivably. Now he obviously would not 279 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:07,720 Speaker 1: react well to that happening. But that would be for 280 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:13,079 Speaker 1: about twenty six million dollars, so two years at forty 281 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:16,920 Speaker 1: seven million dollars whatever it would be total. Does that 282 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:17,480 Speaker 1: make sense? 283 00:13:18,120 --> 00:13:20,800 Speaker 2: The interesting thing is it never looks great and you 284 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:23,520 Speaker 2: want to get the extra years of control because of 285 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:25,360 Speaker 2: course in theory it works out and then you have 286 00:13:25,480 --> 00:13:28,200 Speaker 2: more flexibility and you have kind of more leverage as 287 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 2: the team side. But like those numbers are what all 288 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:32,760 Speaker 2: those guys that have talked about, you know, DK Metcalf, Deebo, 289 00:13:32,840 --> 00:13:35,520 Speaker 2: Samuel Terry McLaurin, Michael Pittman, they're all going to make 290 00:13:35,520 --> 00:13:37,600 Speaker 2: that amount over the first two years of their deal, 291 00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:40,240 Speaker 2: and as we also know in the NFL, playing through 292 00:13:40,280 --> 00:13:42,559 Speaker 2: the end of a contract isn't all that common now. 293 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:44,760 Speaker 2: Of course, for a three year deal, it's more likely 294 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:47,120 Speaker 2: than a four or five year extension. So I wouldn't 295 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:49,640 Speaker 2: say it's crazy. It's certainly not going to go over well. 296 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:51,880 Speaker 2: You know, we know that for sure, and you know 297 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:54,880 Speaker 2: the Baits corollary also same agent. Obviously they didn't go 298 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:58,560 Speaker 2: the second tag route there. It's interesting because Higgins is 299 00:13:58,559 --> 00:14:01,640 Speaker 2: coming off, you know, probably his worst season, and let's 300 00:14:01,679 --> 00:14:04,360 Speaker 2: say he goes crazy and pounces back and stays healthy 301 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:06,640 Speaker 2: the whole season. Joe Burrow says, healthy the whole season. 302 00:14:06,960 --> 00:14:09,960 Speaker 2: He has better protection now and they have a great year, 303 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:13,000 Speaker 2: and he in particular has a great year. I wouldn't 304 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:15,600 Speaker 2: be surprised if they tag him again, especially because in 305 00:14:15,640 --> 00:14:18,800 Speaker 2: this market, Yeah, there's gonna be I think there's gonna 306 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 2: be three guys making thirty plus mil this offseason in 307 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:24,760 Speaker 2: a new player. So the market's going to continue to 308 00:14:24,760 --> 00:14:25,240 Speaker 2: go crazy. 309 00:14:26,400 --> 00:14:29,320 Speaker 1: So Tyler Boyd is still out there. There reports out 310 00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:32,160 Speaker 1: there today suggesting that a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers 311 00:14:32,280 --> 00:14:36,480 Speaker 1: homecoming for Tyler is not likely. Should the Bengals consider 312 00:14:37,120 --> 00:14:38,400 Speaker 1: bringing him back. 313 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:41,240 Speaker 2: The price point at this point is probably pretty low. 314 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:44,440 Speaker 2: You know, I thought last season when I watched his 315 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:46,520 Speaker 2: tape for the free agent work that I do, I 316 00:14:46,560 --> 00:14:49,080 Speaker 2: was sitting there saying, like, is this guy playing through something? 317 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:52,120 Speaker 2: Is he hurt because he looked so much less explosive 318 00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:55,280 Speaker 2: and elusive than he has in years past, or like, 319 00:14:55,760 --> 00:14:57,960 Speaker 2: when it's to that extreme in that level, I know 320 00:14:58,000 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 2: he's been aging, he's played a lot of football, he's 321 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 2: taking place. It hits, sure, but when it's that drastic 322 00:15:02,520 --> 00:15:04,480 Speaker 2: for me, I almost like have to ask that question. 323 00:15:04,520 --> 00:15:06,480 Speaker 2: I know we haven't heard anything, but obviously we know 324 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:09,680 Speaker 2: guys are playing through stuff all the time. So if 325 00:15:09,680 --> 00:15:12,160 Speaker 2: it's now like, you know, four or five million dollars 326 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:13,600 Speaker 2: because I have it at eight and that's gonna be 327 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:16,360 Speaker 2: too high, then yeah, I mean, I don't see why not. 328 00:15:16,480 --> 00:15:19,720 Speaker 2: He's been been in Cincinnati forever, obviously loves Joe Burrow 329 00:15:19,720 --> 00:15:22,480 Speaker 2: and vice versa, the receiver room. They're obviously super close. 330 00:15:23,320 --> 00:15:25,640 Speaker 2: If he circles back around, he's open to taking a 331 00:15:25,680 --> 00:15:28,760 Speaker 2: deal that is way cheaper than probably even they expected 332 00:15:28,760 --> 00:15:31,160 Speaker 2: coming into this offseason. I don't see why he closed 333 00:15:31,160 --> 00:15:31,440 Speaker 2: the door. 334 00:15:32,520 --> 00:15:35,240 Speaker 1: All right, let's turn to the draft. He came out 335 00:15:35,280 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 1: with a mock draft about a week ago. You have 336 00:15:37,560 --> 00:15:42,120 Speaker 1: the Bengals selecting the people's choice Georgia tight end Rock Bowers. 337 00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:44,360 Speaker 1: What's the likelihood that he's there at eighteen. 338 00:15:44,960 --> 00:15:47,760 Speaker 2: I think it's higher than people might expect. I do. 339 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:49,440 Speaker 2: I don't think he's gonna be a top ten pick. 340 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:52,280 Speaker 2: I know everyone loves mocking into the Jets, and maybe 341 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:54,440 Speaker 2: the Jets now that they've added Mike Williams at receiver 342 00:15:54,520 --> 00:15:56,920 Speaker 2: and they've added both starting tackles and you know, Moses 343 00:15:56,920 --> 00:16:00,000 Speaker 2: and Tyron Smith, like, maybe they do just take that swim. 344 00:16:00,160 --> 00:16:01,600 Speaker 2: It's kind of a pick they didn't expect to have. 345 00:16:01,680 --> 00:16:04,240 Speaker 2: They obviously were hoping to be sending the Packers, you know, 346 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:06,840 Speaker 2: the sixty fourth overall pick, and instead they send, you know, 347 00:16:07,480 --> 00:16:09,400 Speaker 2: or I guess you should say, the thirty second overall pick 348 00:16:09,720 --> 00:16:11,880 Speaker 2: and instead because the whole Rodgers condition all that they 349 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:13,800 Speaker 2: get to keep their own first and it's a top 350 00:16:13,800 --> 00:16:15,480 Speaker 2: ten pick. So I just I don't know if I 351 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:17,520 Speaker 2: see it though, because it's not actually a short term move. 352 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:19,640 Speaker 2: I mean, tight ends, even the great ones they get 353 00:16:19,640 --> 00:16:22,320 Speaker 2: taken super early. They generally take a year or two 354 00:16:22,360 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 2: to get going. Like, let's not get Samuel Porta, you know, confused, 355 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:28,280 Speaker 2: that's not the norm. Mean TJ. Howkinson is kind of 356 00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 2: the most recent. I guess Kyle Pitts had a thousand 357 00:16:30,920 --> 00:16:34,040 Speaker 2: year od rookie season. But anyway, I think the thing 358 00:16:34,120 --> 00:16:37,640 Speaker 2: is after that eleven through fifteen, I don't really see it. 359 00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:39,240 Speaker 2: I see them mock to the Colts a bunch. I 360 00:16:39,240 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 2: don't really know why they have a bunch of tight 361 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:43,200 Speaker 2: ends on their roster. None of them are Brock Powers. 362 00:16:43,240 --> 00:16:46,240 Speaker 2: But anyway, long answer short, I think it's more feasible 363 00:16:46,240 --> 00:16:48,080 Speaker 2: than some people realize. That Maybe they're on the clock 364 00:16:48,120 --> 00:16:50,360 Speaker 2: at eighteen and Bowers is still available, so. 365 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:53,640 Speaker 1: You have six offensive tackles going before the Bengals go 366 00:16:53,960 --> 00:16:58,560 Speaker 1: select at number eighteen. If say the third best tackle 367 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:01,240 Speaker 1: or fourth best tackle we're still on the board, would 368 00:17:01,240 --> 00:17:03,720 Speaker 1: you choose that guy over Brock Bowers, Or if Brock 369 00:17:03,760 --> 00:17:07,000 Speaker 1: Bowers is there, should the Bengals pounce. 370 00:17:07,320 --> 00:17:09,119 Speaker 2: I'd probably go to tackle in that scenario. For me, 371 00:17:09,160 --> 00:17:11,160 Speaker 2: the third or fourth guy you're talking about, like Troy 372 00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:15,000 Speaker 2: u Fatanu at a Washington, maybe JC Latham at Alabama. 373 00:17:15,040 --> 00:17:17,879 Speaker 2: They're all ranked differently and fit each scheme differently. But 374 00:17:18,600 --> 00:17:21,080 Speaker 2: you know Tyren Smith is a temporar. Uh, It's not 375 00:17:21,119 --> 00:17:25,439 Speaker 2: Tyrn Smith Brown. Trent Brown is a temporary solution and 376 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:27,600 Speaker 2: again a guy that you really can't expect to play 377 00:17:27,600 --> 00:17:29,480 Speaker 2: a thousand snaps in a season. And then even if 378 00:17:29,480 --> 00:17:31,840 Speaker 2: he does, you can again and one of these guys 379 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:35,240 Speaker 2: could be rotating in at guard or maybe even overtaking 380 00:17:35,280 --> 00:17:37,560 Speaker 2: the left guard spot, like Troy Fatan, who I think 381 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:39,600 Speaker 2: probably comes in just starts at left guard, and you 382 00:17:39,640 --> 00:17:42,600 Speaker 2: make volsin your interior swing guy out of the gate. 383 00:17:42,760 --> 00:17:45,320 Speaker 2: So if those guys are available, I do it. I 384 00:17:45,320 --> 00:17:48,119 Speaker 2: think it's more a question of like if a Marius Mims, 385 00:17:48,160 --> 00:17:51,000 Speaker 2: who's super talented but has played like eight hundred college 386 00:17:51,040 --> 00:17:54,040 Speaker 2: snaps his entire career, Like, if those guys are there, 387 00:17:54,080 --> 00:17:56,359 Speaker 2: it becomes more of a tough question. Or you know, 388 00:17:56,400 --> 00:17:58,000 Speaker 2: the interior defensive lineman as well. 389 00:17:58,840 --> 00:18:03,639 Speaker 1: So let's say Powers is gone and tackle six, seven, eight, 390 00:18:03,720 --> 00:18:07,439 Speaker 1: whatever number you know you want to guess at, is 391 00:18:07,480 --> 00:18:10,800 Speaker 1: still available at number eighteen. Do you think that's more 392 00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:13,639 Speaker 1: likely than a defensive tackle, which is obviously still an 393 00:18:13,680 --> 00:18:14,240 Speaker 1: area of need. 394 00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:16,880 Speaker 2: See that's where it gets intering to me is that 395 00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:19,600 Speaker 2: I think the drop off from the top two guys 396 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:22,480 Speaker 2: you know, in Byron Murphy at Texas and Johnny Newton 397 00:18:22,480 --> 00:18:26,159 Speaker 2: Gerson Newton at Illinois is pretty steep to the next players. 398 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:27,920 Speaker 2: There's some guys I like, but I'm not sure I 399 00:18:27,920 --> 00:18:29,760 Speaker 2: would take any in the second round. They'll go in 400 00:18:29,760 --> 00:18:32,320 Speaker 2: the second round, but I think it's really a pretty 401 00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:34,080 Speaker 2: steep drop off. And so if the Bengals look at 402 00:18:34,119 --> 00:18:36,320 Speaker 2: it from that perspective and just say we can get 403 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:39,439 Speaker 2: a talent that is well above the next tier of 404 00:18:39,440 --> 00:18:42,280 Speaker 2: players at this position, I'd probably go that round. I 405 00:18:42,320 --> 00:18:44,679 Speaker 2: think Byron Murphy's a special talent. I think he is 406 00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:49,600 Speaker 2: an incredibly shifty, bursty, quick interior defensive lineman. Yeah, he's 407 00:18:49,600 --> 00:18:52,040 Speaker 2: a little bit undersized, but look in today's NFL, they're 408 00:18:52,040 --> 00:18:54,000 Speaker 2: all under side. We probably stop saying that the league 409 00:18:54,040 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 2: is different. And he's also he's still a good run 410 00:18:56,520 --> 00:18:58,680 Speaker 2: defender for his size, Like it's not an issue. It's 411 00:18:58,680 --> 00:19:01,240 Speaker 2: such a strong base and anchor that he doesn't get 412 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:03,480 Speaker 2: blown off the ball against the run. And then Johnny 413 00:19:03,480 --> 00:19:06,200 Speaker 2: Newton too, love him. I probably haven't marked a little 414 00:19:06,200 --> 00:19:09,240 Speaker 2: bit below, but go watch the the Wisconsin tape or 415 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:11,400 Speaker 2: the Penn State tape of Johnny Newton. He's the best 416 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:13,560 Speaker 2: player in the football field. I mean, he is undoubtedly 417 00:19:13,640 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 2: the best player on the field in both of those games. 418 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:18,040 Speaker 2: And Penn State's gonna have multiple first round picks, so 419 00:19:18,320 --> 00:19:19,840 Speaker 2: I personally probably go that route. 420 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:24,959 Speaker 1: So I think in your mock draft you had alt Waga, 421 00:19:25,080 --> 00:19:29,120 Speaker 1: Batanu Latham as the top four. If those guys are 422 00:19:29,119 --> 00:19:33,000 Speaker 1: gone and your next two were Fashu and Barton, do 423 00:19:33,080 --> 00:19:35,679 Speaker 1: you go Murphy and Newton over those guys. 424 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:38,720 Speaker 2: I go Fashu at that point. I like Barton a lot. 425 00:19:38,760 --> 00:19:40,679 Speaker 2: But to me, and it's I guess, I don't know 426 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:42,880 Speaker 2: my opinion is relevant. Everyone in the NFL is telling 427 00:19:42,960 --> 00:19:44,920 Speaker 2: us he's a guard center, so I'll take their word 428 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:48,320 Speaker 2: for it, you know. And he's a good player, great player. 429 00:19:48,320 --> 00:19:49,520 Speaker 2: I think he's gonna go earlier than a lot of 430 00:19:49,560 --> 00:19:52,840 Speaker 2: people expect. But fash to me, is fascinating where I mean, 431 00:19:52,880 --> 00:19:55,239 Speaker 2: there are people saying last year or if you think 432 00:19:55,320 --> 00:19:57,480 Speaker 2: he wasn't eligible to declare, but if he did declare, 433 00:19:57,520 --> 00:19:59,280 Speaker 2: he would have been the first tackle taking was like 434 00:19:59,320 --> 00:20:02,960 Speaker 2: the consensus opinion. He had some rough outings, No question 435 00:20:03,040 --> 00:20:05,160 Speaker 2: the Ohio State game for him was not a good game. 436 00:20:05,760 --> 00:20:08,960 Speaker 2: But he is probably still the cleanest path protector in 437 00:20:09,040 --> 00:20:11,679 Speaker 2: this class at tackle, and he's a clear left tackle, 438 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:14,919 Speaker 2: has great footwork, can handle it, can absorb power for 439 00:20:14,960 --> 00:20:17,960 Speaker 2: the most part. That was not on display against Ohio State. 440 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:19,679 Speaker 2: So I would still take him. I would say, you 441 00:20:19,680 --> 00:20:21,720 Speaker 2: know what, he's fallen too far. He could have been 442 00:20:21,760 --> 00:20:24,040 Speaker 2: a top ten to seven pick last year as a 443 00:20:24,080 --> 00:20:26,280 Speaker 2: twenty year old. Now he's twenty one, he's gonna fall 444 00:20:26,359 --> 00:20:28,560 Speaker 2: to US eighteen. I probably take it. But if it 445 00:20:28,600 --> 00:20:30,840 Speaker 2: becomes the Bartons and the other, you know, the other 446 00:20:31,280 --> 00:20:34,680 Speaker 2: kind of flex inside outside guys, then I would go detackle. 447 00:20:35,320 --> 00:20:40,720 Speaker 1: So you still had Mims Geiden and Sue Matia Matia 448 00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:44,560 Speaker 1: from BYU going in the first round. So it seem 449 00:20:44,680 --> 00:20:47,320 Speaker 1: like you concur with the many people who seem to 450 00:20:47,320 --> 00:20:50,399 Speaker 1: think this is a historically good offensive tackle draft. 451 00:20:50,720 --> 00:20:52,879 Speaker 2: I really do. I really do like Mims. The talent 452 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:54,920 Speaker 2: is insane. Like you watch some of the games, he's 453 00:20:54,960 --> 00:20:57,439 Speaker 2: clearly just the best athlete on the field, and like 454 00:20:57,840 --> 00:21:00,320 Speaker 2: his technique is even super sound, but it doesn't really matter, 455 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:01,960 Speaker 2: and some of the best players get away with that, 456 00:21:02,040 --> 00:21:04,560 Speaker 2: and obviously you want to refine that and get better there, 457 00:21:04,960 --> 00:21:06,840 Speaker 2: but you do have question marks, but not only missing 458 00:21:06,880 --> 00:21:09,280 Speaker 2: time during the seasons. You then go to the combine. 459 00:21:09,320 --> 00:21:10,960 Speaker 2: He pulls up lame after I want to say a 460 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:14,040 Speaker 2: forty and doesn't finish the combine that day. I don't 461 00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:16,439 Speaker 2: think anything's been a severe injury, if I'm not mistaken. 462 00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:18,439 Speaker 2: I don't think he's had like a ligament tear. But 463 00:21:18,560 --> 00:21:20,520 Speaker 2: you do want to see, you know, availability is the 464 00:21:20,520 --> 00:21:23,160 Speaker 2: best ability and all those things, especially at offensive line, 465 00:21:23,160 --> 00:21:25,240 Speaker 2: you need to be a durable player. So the talent 466 00:21:25,320 --> 00:21:28,359 Speaker 2: is truly undeniable. He looks like his build, he's a 467 00:21:28,400 --> 00:21:29,960 Speaker 2: freak like he's six foot eight and there's not a 468 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:33,680 Speaker 2: bad pound of weight on his body. And there are 469 00:21:33,720 --> 00:21:35,919 Speaker 2: some games where you're like chuckling as you watch him play. 470 00:21:36,119 --> 00:21:40,119 Speaker 2: But it's certainly scary there to me guidance a total project. 471 00:21:40,160 --> 00:21:42,399 Speaker 2: My mocks are not my opinion. They're what I'm hearing 472 00:21:42,560 --> 00:21:45,600 Speaker 2: and what I'm seeing elsewhere from people I respect and trust. 473 00:21:46,280 --> 00:21:48,639 Speaker 2: I get why people like the tools. I don't think 474 00:21:48,680 --> 00:21:50,240 Speaker 2: he's a guy you want to start really out of 475 00:21:50,240 --> 00:21:52,200 Speaker 2: the gate. And then so I'm Tella, I think is 476 00:21:52,240 --> 00:21:54,000 Speaker 2: a guy that I am way high. He's probably not 477 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:55,800 Speaker 2: going to the first round. But I just love him. 478 00:21:56,040 --> 00:21:58,639 Speaker 2: Smooth mover for his size byu tackles a little bit 479 00:21:58,720 --> 00:22:02,280 Speaker 2: scary though too. It's a system that protects their offensive line. 480 00:22:02,320 --> 00:22:03,879 Speaker 2: They don't play a lot of great pass rushers in 481 00:22:03,880 --> 00:22:06,000 Speaker 2: the Mountain West, and you know, they've had some guys 482 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:07,320 Speaker 2: come out and not really be as good as they 483 00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:09,879 Speaker 2: were in college. But but he's awesome to me. 484 00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:14,440 Speaker 1: The Bengals had ten picks, including two third round picks. 485 00:22:14,800 --> 00:22:17,200 Speaker 1: Should they be wheeling and dealing and try to move 486 00:22:17,280 --> 00:22:19,440 Speaker 1: up in this draft, they. 487 00:22:19,280 --> 00:22:21,320 Speaker 2: Are one of the teams that Stan pat more than 488 00:22:21,320 --> 00:22:24,199 Speaker 2: anybody else. They rarely ever moved up or down. They 489 00:22:24,320 --> 00:22:27,520 Speaker 2: rarely move. But I don't know. I mean, maybe if 490 00:22:27,560 --> 00:22:29,480 Speaker 2: a guy that you think is just like can't miss 491 00:22:29,520 --> 00:22:32,280 Speaker 2: one hundred and ten percent at either tackle or detackle, 492 00:22:32,880 --> 00:22:34,879 Speaker 2: and I guess maybe Bowers. But I probably would move 493 00:22:34,960 --> 00:22:37,119 Speaker 2: up for Bowers personally. But yeah, let's say if it's 494 00:22:37,160 --> 00:22:40,080 Speaker 2: a small move up. For example, the Steelers trade last 495 00:22:40,119 --> 00:22:42,240 Speaker 2: year is probably the perfect analogy, right, They were from 496 00:22:42,280 --> 00:22:46,200 Speaker 2: seventeen to fourteen to get Broderick Jones. They also viewed 497 00:22:46,200 --> 00:22:48,200 Speaker 2: the you know, the tackle drop off from your Darnell 498 00:22:48,280 --> 00:22:50,760 Speaker 2: Wrights and those guys and Broderick Jones down to the 499 00:22:50,800 --> 00:22:53,920 Speaker 2: next tier, you know, not as a pretty steep drop, 500 00:22:53,920 --> 00:22:55,679 Speaker 2: and I would I agree with him. Last year, that 501 00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:57,479 Speaker 2: wasn't that expensive a trade. I want to say they 502 00:22:57,480 --> 00:22:59,880 Speaker 2: give a third to the Patriots for that move up. 503 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:02,680 Speaker 2: It may have been a fourth if I'm not mistaken. 504 00:23:02,760 --> 00:23:05,600 Speaker 2: So I would do that. I'm not trying to catapult 505 00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:08,280 Speaker 2: in like the top ten or anything like that, but yeah, 506 00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:10,240 Speaker 2: you have the ability to maybe be a little bit 507 00:23:10,240 --> 00:23:12,560 Speaker 2: aggressive because you have ten total picks and he probably 508 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:15,000 Speaker 2: don't have ten roster spots you know, available right now. 509 00:23:15,760 --> 00:23:19,879 Speaker 1: What other tight ends do you like other than Brock Bowers. 510 00:23:18,960 --> 00:23:20,560 Speaker 2: You know, the one I would say is probably Ben 511 00:23:20,560 --> 00:23:23,960 Speaker 2: Sonata Kansas State. Who is is? He set himself at 512 00:23:23,960 --> 00:23:26,040 Speaker 2: the Senior Bowl the most versatile tight end in the class. 513 00:23:26,119 --> 00:23:27,800 Speaker 2: I would agree with him. He can be an h 514 00:23:27,880 --> 00:23:30,320 Speaker 2: back in the backfield, it can be a legit just 515 00:23:30,359 --> 00:23:33,200 Speaker 2: true fullback, can play in line, he lined up out wide, 516 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:36,639 Speaker 2: sometimes in the slot. He's a fun, versatile weapon that 517 00:23:36,680 --> 00:23:39,120 Speaker 2: you can move all over the formation do different things with. 518 00:23:39,880 --> 00:23:41,360 Speaker 2: But I still probably wouldn't take one of the first 519 00:23:41,359 --> 00:23:45,760 Speaker 2: two rounds. And then you know THEO Johnson a Penn State. 520 00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:47,400 Speaker 2: I think you didn't see a lot of him because 521 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:50,920 Speaker 2: it's not a pass heavy offense. But his testing was insane, 522 00:23:51,520 --> 00:23:53,280 Speaker 2: and maybe he's a guy who's a developmental player. We 523 00:23:53,280 --> 00:23:55,159 Speaker 2: don't hear about him for two years and then he 524 00:23:55,280 --> 00:23:57,840 Speaker 2: kind of is that classic like third year breakout tight end. 525 00:23:57,880 --> 00:24:00,720 Speaker 2: But yeah, outside of brock Bowers, I'm probably not using 526 00:24:00,800 --> 00:24:02,960 Speaker 2: a Day two pick on any ted end in his class. 527 00:24:03,359 --> 00:24:06,600 Speaker 1: A couple more questions for Brad Spielberger from Pro Football Focus. 528 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:10,439 Speaker 1: You did a story recently where you talked about a 529 00:24:10,480 --> 00:24:13,040 Speaker 1: team's best move in free agency or the movie you 530 00:24:13,119 --> 00:24:15,239 Speaker 1: like the most, and then the move that you liked 531 00:24:15,280 --> 00:24:17,920 Speaker 1: the least, and where the Bengals were concerned. You didn't 532 00:24:17,960 --> 00:24:20,800 Speaker 1: really criticize any of their moves, and you had a 533 00:24:20,840 --> 00:24:24,639 Speaker 1: sentence that kind of implied that that's generally how you 534 00:24:24,680 --> 00:24:27,359 Speaker 1: think the Bengals do in free agency. Is this a 535 00:24:27,440 --> 00:24:30,840 Speaker 1: team that you feel consistently does a good job in 536 00:24:30,840 --> 00:24:31,600 Speaker 1: that area. 537 00:24:31,880 --> 00:24:33,800 Speaker 2: At least in recent history, Right the last four or 538 00:24:33,800 --> 00:24:36,119 Speaker 2: five years, I think they've been great in that regard. 539 00:24:36,160 --> 00:24:38,679 Speaker 2: We'll be talking to j reader Trey Hendrickson, probably one 540 00:24:38,680 --> 00:24:40,520 Speaker 2: of the better free agent signings of the for any 541 00:24:40,560 --> 00:24:43,359 Speaker 2: team in the NFL the last five years. You know, 542 00:24:43,680 --> 00:24:45,520 Speaker 2: like you know, Nick Scott didn't totally work out, but 543 00:24:45,560 --> 00:24:48,239 Speaker 2: it's obviously a you know, one year ended up being 544 00:24:48,240 --> 00:24:50,760 Speaker 2: like four million dollars, not a huge deal. So they 545 00:24:50,800 --> 00:24:53,399 Speaker 2: don't take those swings all the time. When they do, 546 00:24:53,520 --> 00:24:56,639 Speaker 2: they've hit a lot recently. Obviously, Shelby Woozier was a 547 00:24:56,640 --> 00:24:59,239 Speaker 2: great istion Mike Hilton's been a phenomenal player still is 548 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:02,479 Speaker 2: you know. Yeah, They've been really really good how they 549 00:25:02,560 --> 00:25:04,960 Speaker 2: navigate free agency the last couple of years, balancing kind 550 00:25:04,960 --> 00:25:08,080 Speaker 2: of the short term needs with the young, foundational draft 551 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:10,200 Speaker 2: pick core they have. They've been great. 552 00:25:11,080 --> 00:25:13,159 Speaker 1: All right, final question for you. I reached out to 553 00:25:13,200 --> 00:25:15,960 Speaker 1: see if you were available for this podcast. You said yes, 554 00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:19,040 Speaker 1: and then shortly after that you shared the news on 555 00:25:19,080 --> 00:25:22,560 Speaker 1: social media that you are leaving Pro Football Focus. What 556 00:25:22,680 --> 00:25:23,200 Speaker 1: is next? 557 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:26,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, so glad we can squeeze this in. I 558 00:25:26,560 --> 00:25:28,479 Speaker 2: will not be doing a whole lot of media going forward. 559 00:25:28,680 --> 00:25:30,840 Speaker 2: I'm going to work at an agency to be a 560 00:25:30,880 --> 00:25:34,760 Speaker 2: contract negotiator called Grand Central Sports Management, So I'll be 561 00:25:34,840 --> 00:25:37,440 Speaker 2: negotiating the deals for all of our clients in the 562 00:25:37,560 --> 00:25:40,040 Speaker 2: NFL at least and I'm very excited for it. I 563 00:25:40,080 --> 00:25:42,639 Speaker 2: appreciate the question and looking forward to finally, you know, 564 00:25:42,640 --> 00:25:45,840 Speaker 2: getting directly involved and entering the arena, so to speak. 565 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:49,000 Speaker 1: Is this something that you've always had a desire to 566 00:25:49,040 --> 00:25:51,080 Speaker 1: do or did it just kind of fall into your lap? 567 00:25:51,680 --> 00:25:53,359 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, I think I always knew that I 568 00:25:53,400 --> 00:25:56,399 Speaker 2: wanted to be directly involved in some capacity. Obviously I 569 00:25:56,480 --> 00:25:58,720 Speaker 2: do all the contract projections and so much work in 570 00:25:58,760 --> 00:26:01,080 Speaker 2: that space at PFF, and you know, being able to 571 00:26:01,080 --> 00:26:03,760 Speaker 2: actually apply that to the real world and also just 572 00:26:03,840 --> 00:26:05,440 Speaker 2: kind of you know, use my latter you a little 573 00:26:05,440 --> 00:26:07,600 Speaker 2: bit more for my parents are happy, I'll actually be 574 00:26:07,640 --> 00:26:09,399 Speaker 2: you know, using that a little bit more, and you know, 575 00:26:09,440 --> 00:26:11,840 Speaker 2: reading the fine print of language and truly you know, 576 00:26:11,840 --> 00:26:14,600 Speaker 2: putting those skills to work. Yeah, it's something I've always 577 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:16,919 Speaker 2: wanted to do. I wasn't trying to leave PFF, but 578 00:26:17,000 --> 00:26:20,199 Speaker 2: but the opportunity has been phenomenal or is phenomenal, and 579 00:26:20,359 --> 00:26:21,159 Speaker 2: I just couldn't say no. 580 00:26:21,920 --> 00:26:24,440 Speaker 1: Well, you will be missed at PFF. Your salary cap 581 00:26:24,480 --> 00:26:28,280 Speaker 1: analysis and free agent rankings have always been very valuable 582 00:26:28,359 --> 00:26:30,560 Speaker 1: to those of us who love reading about the NFL, 583 00:26:30,680 --> 00:26:32,639 Speaker 1: So thank you for your hard work and best of 584 00:26:32,720 --> 00:26:34,439 Speaker 1: luck and you're a new endeavor going forward. 585 00:26:34,640 --> 00:26:35,960 Speaker 2: Thank you so much. I appreciate it. 586 00:26:36,720 --> 00:26:38,760 Speaker 1: More on the draft in a moment, but first, here's 587 00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:41,480 Speaker 1: a quick reminder that the Bengals Booth podcast is brought 588 00:26:41,480 --> 00:26:43,880 Speaker 1: to you by pay Corps, Proud to be the Bengals 589 00:26:43,920 --> 00:26:48,760 Speaker 1: official HR software provider, by Alta Fiber future proof Fiber 590 00:26:48,840 --> 00:26:52,159 Speaker 1: Internet designed to elevate your home, business and community to 591 00:26:52,240 --> 00:26:55,680 Speaker 1: a new level, and by Kettering Health the best Care 592 00:26:55,880 --> 00:26:59,400 Speaker 1: for the best fans. Kettering Health is the official healthcare 593 00:26:59,440 --> 00:27:03,680 Speaker 1: provider of the Bengals. This year, the Bengals have ten 594 00:27:03,800 --> 00:27:07,119 Speaker 1: draft picks, two in the top fifty and four in 595 00:27:07,160 --> 00:27:09,840 Speaker 1: the top one hundred. Since they have an extra pick 596 00:27:10,080 --> 00:27:12,640 Speaker 1: in the third round, I thought it would be fun 597 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:14,879 Speaker 1: to get on a mock draft simulator this week and 598 00:27:14,960 --> 00:27:18,439 Speaker 1: take a stab at those first four picks, sharing my 599 00:27:18,640 --> 00:27:22,320 Speaker 1: options at the time, and then the rationale for each 600 00:27:22,359 --> 00:27:25,199 Speaker 1: of my selections. We start in round one with the 601 00:27:25,280 --> 00:27:29,119 Speaker 1: eighteenth overall pick going in. I'm on the lookout for 602 00:27:29,320 --> 00:27:34,639 Speaker 1: offensive tackles, defensive tackles, and tight end brock Bowers, although 603 00:27:35,080 --> 00:27:38,159 Speaker 1: there are wide receivers, cornerbacks, and edge rushers that I 604 00:27:38,240 --> 00:27:42,960 Speaker 1: would consider if they somehow fell to number eighteen. When 605 00:27:42,960 --> 00:27:45,960 Speaker 1: I started the simulator, four quarterbacks went in the top 606 00:27:46,119 --> 00:27:46,960 Speaker 1: six picks. 607 00:27:47,280 --> 00:27:47,720 Speaker 2: Hooray. 608 00:27:48,320 --> 00:27:51,000 Speaker 1: Since the Bengals aren't the market for a QB, that 609 00:27:51,200 --> 00:27:54,640 Speaker 1: means I'm going to get one of my top fourteen players. 610 00:27:55,240 --> 00:27:58,960 Speaker 1: Four tackles were off the board before I selected Joe 611 00:27:58,960 --> 00:28:03,679 Speaker 1: Alt from Notre Dame, Olufashanu from Penn State, Talisa Fuaga 612 00:28:03,680 --> 00:28:07,879 Speaker 1: from Oregon State, and JC Latham from Alabama. And the 613 00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:10,840 Speaker 1: four picks immediately before the Bengals were on the clock 614 00:28:11,280 --> 00:28:15,760 Speaker 1: were all guys worthy of consideration. Brock Bowers went fourteenth, 615 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:20,600 Speaker 1: cornerback quin Yon Mitchell from Toledo, fifteenth, wide receiver Brian 616 00:28:20,640 --> 00:28:24,840 Speaker 1: Thomas from LSU sixteenth, and cornerback Terry and Arnold from 617 00:28:24,880 --> 00:28:30,400 Speaker 1: Alabama seventeenth. That left me and the Bengals with plenty 618 00:28:30,520 --> 00:28:35,320 Speaker 1: of great options, including offensive lineman Troy fought Utanu from 619 00:28:35,520 --> 00:28:40,240 Speaker 1: Washington and Amarius Mims from Georgia. My top defensive tackles, 620 00:28:40,320 --> 00:28:43,320 Speaker 1: Byron Murphy and Johnny Newton are still there, along with 621 00:28:43,560 --> 00:28:48,720 Speaker 1: edge rusher Leatu Latu from UCLA. It came down to 622 00:28:48,760 --> 00:28:53,280 Speaker 1: two guys for me, the offensive tackle faugh Utanu and 623 00:28:53,320 --> 00:28:57,640 Speaker 1: the defensive tackle, Murphy. Now you might be asking why 624 00:28:57,760 --> 00:29:02,320 Speaker 1: fought Utanu instead of Mims at offensive tackle. After all, 625 00:29:02,640 --> 00:29:05,680 Speaker 1: Amarius Mims looks like he was made in a right 626 00:29:05,800 --> 00:29:11,360 Speaker 1: tackle lab. He's six' eight three forty with gigantic arms 627 00:29:11,360 --> 00:29:16,680 Speaker 1: and hands. He definitely has star potential, but there's risk involved. 628 00:29:17,040 --> 00:29:19,160 Speaker 1: He missed most of last year with an ankle injury 629 00:29:19,480 --> 00:29:21,959 Speaker 1: and made a total of eight starts in his career 630 00:29:22,360 --> 00:29:26,840 Speaker 1: at Georgia. I favored Troy faugh Utanu because he's more 631 00:29:26,840 --> 00:29:29,680 Speaker 1: of a sure thing. He's big enough at six four 632 00:29:29,800 --> 00:29:33,720 Speaker 1: three seventeen and is an excellent athlete who plays. 633 00:29:33,400 --> 00:29:34,360 Speaker 2: With a mean streak. 634 00:29:34,920 --> 00:29:39,120 Speaker 1: Greg Cosel from NFL Films said the following about fa Utanu. 635 00:29:39,680 --> 00:29:42,480 Speaker 1: I wouldn't be surprised if he develops into one of 636 00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:47,440 Speaker 1: the better offensive linemen in the NFL relatively soon. That's 637 00:29:47,520 --> 00:29:52,400 Speaker 1: high praise from Greg. Fautanu played tackle and guarded Washington 638 00:29:52,640 --> 00:29:56,280 Speaker 1: and could conceivably compete with Cordell Vohlsen for the left 639 00:29:56,280 --> 00:30:00,160 Speaker 1: guard spot as a rookie before eventually kicking out to tack. 640 00:30:00,680 --> 00:30:02,960 Speaker 1: So then it comes down to him or my top 641 00:30:03,040 --> 00:30:07,280 Speaker 1: defensive tackle on the board. Byron Murphy from Texas According 642 00:30:07,320 --> 00:30:11,960 Speaker 1: to Coseel, Murphy's twitchy, almost freaky, and plays low to 643 00:30:12,000 --> 00:30:16,600 Speaker 1: the ground, maximizing his power. He's often compared to Falcons, 644 00:30:16,600 --> 00:30:20,240 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl or Grady Jarrett because he's similarly sized at 645 00:30:20,280 --> 00:30:24,600 Speaker 1: six feet tall two hundred ninety seven pounds Alas that 646 00:30:24,720 --> 00:30:27,720 Speaker 1: means he's not a three hundred and thirty pounder like 647 00:30:27,840 --> 00:30:31,840 Speaker 1: DJ Reader. So forced to choose between offensive tackle and 648 00:30:31,920 --> 00:30:36,360 Speaker 1: defensive tackle, I went with fa Utanu. This is a 649 00:30:36,520 --> 00:30:40,400 Speaker 1: historically good offensive tackle draft, and free agent right tackle 650 00:30:40,440 --> 00:30:44,200 Speaker 1: Trent Brown only signed for one year. Protecting Joe Burrow 651 00:30:44,200 --> 00:30:47,120 Speaker 1: and giving him weapons is always the number one priority, 652 00:30:47,480 --> 00:30:50,600 Speaker 1: and the Bengals can't go wrong with the offensive lineman 653 00:30:50,880 --> 00:30:54,200 Speaker 1: out of Washington. So I made that pick on the 654 00:30:54,200 --> 00:30:58,760 Speaker 1: simulator and get this. The next three picks were offensive 655 00:30:58,760 --> 00:31:03,400 Speaker 1: tackles mim at nineteen, Tyler Geiden out of Oklahoma at twenty, 656 00:31:03,640 --> 00:31:07,000 Speaker 1: and Graham Barton from Duke at twenty one. And before 657 00:31:07,040 --> 00:31:10,200 Speaker 1: the first round was over, Jordan Morgan from Arizona went 658 00:31:10,240 --> 00:31:15,960 Speaker 1: thirty first and Kingsley Sua Mattia from BYU went thirty second. 659 00:31:16,760 --> 00:31:21,280 Speaker 1: In short ten offensive tackles were selected in the first round. 660 00:31:21,800 --> 00:31:24,720 Speaker 1: If the Bengals want one of those guys, they'll probably 661 00:31:24,760 --> 00:31:29,000 Speaker 1: have to select him at number eighteen. Now, let's move 662 00:31:29,040 --> 00:31:32,000 Speaker 1: to the second round and pick number forty nine. There 663 00:31:32,040 --> 00:31:34,160 Speaker 1: are a couple of good slot receivers on the board 664 00:31:34,200 --> 00:31:37,640 Speaker 1: in Roman Wilson from Michigan and Ricky pearsall from Florida, 665 00:31:38,000 --> 00:31:40,560 Speaker 1: along with my number two tight end in the draft, 666 00:31:40,880 --> 00:31:45,120 Speaker 1: Jatavian Sanders from Texas. But my pick came down to 667 00:31:45,160 --> 00:31:49,080 Speaker 1: a pair of defensive tackles, Bryden Fisk of Florida State 668 00:31:49,480 --> 00:31:53,240 Speaker 1: and Chris Jenkins of Michigan. I went with Fisk, one 669 00:31:53,280 --> 00:31:56,200 Speaker 1: of the stars of the NFL Combine this year, placing 670 00:31:56,320 --> 00:32:00,200 Speaker 1: first among defensive tackles in the forty the broad jump 671 00:32:00,360 --> 00:32:04,600 Speaker 1: and the vertical jump. Daniel Jeremiah from the NFL Network 672 00:32:04,840 --> 00:32:08,960 Speaker 1: ranks Fisk thirty seventh overall in this year's class, making 673 00:32:09,040 --> 00:32:12,000 Speaker 1: him a good value at pick number forty nine, and 674 00:32:12,040 --> 00:32:14,800 Speaker 1: he said the following about the six four, two hundred 675 00:32:14,880 --> 00:32:19,720 Speaker 1: ninety two pound lineman. He's disruptive in every game I've studied. 676 00:32:20,160 --> 00:32:25,560 Speaker 1: Fisk is a competitive, athletic and impactful defensive lineman capable 677 00:32:25,560 --> 00:32:29,680 Speaker 1: of starting right away. So in the first two rounds, 678 00:32:29,720 --> 00:32:32,080 Speaker 1: I stayed in the trenches, going O line in round 679 00:32:32,160 --> 00:32:36,440 Speaker 1: one and D line in round two. The Bengals first 680 00:32:36,440 --> 00:32:40,280 Speaker 1: third round pick is number eighty overall. Sanders, the tight 681 00:32:40,400 --> 00:32:43,240 Speaker 1: end from Texas, went late in the second round, and 682 00:32:43,320 --> 00:32:47,200 Speaker 1: his college teammate Mammoth three hundred and sixty six pound 683 00:32:47,280 --> 00:32:51,360 Speaker 1: defensive tackle to Andre Sweat went five picks before the 684 00:32:51,440 --> 00:32:55,160 Speaker 1: Bengals round the clock at number seventy five. My best 685 00:32:55,240 --> 00:32:58,840 Speaker 1: options are offensive weapons like speedy Florida State running back 686 00:32:58,880 --> 00:33:03,920 Speaker 1: Trey Benson, our wide receivers Devontes Walker, Javon Baker, or 687 00:33:03,960 --> 00:33:08,000 Speaker 1: Malachi Corley. I went with Walker, who finished his college 688 00:33:08,040 --> 00:33:11,560 Speaker 1: career at North Carolina after starting out at Kent State. 689 00:33:12,280 --> 00:33:14,720 Speaker 1: We know the Bengals are looking to be more explosive 690 00:33:14,800 --> 00:33:18,040 Speaker 1: on offense, and Walker can fly. He ran a four 691 00:33:18,040 --> 00:33:21,080 Speaker 1: to three six forty at the Combine, and his nineteen 692 00:33:21,160 --> 00:33:25,880 Speaker 1: touchdown catches in college averaged more than thirty yards. He's 693 00:33:25,880 --> 00:33:28,560 Speaker 1: got decent size at six one and a half and 694 00:33:28,680 --> 00:33:32,120 Speaker 1: is one of the smoothest, most fluid receivers in this class. 695 00:33:32,680 --> 00:33:35,480 Speaker 1: With a likely departure of Tyler Boyd this year and 696 00:33:35,600 --> 00:33:39,480 Speaker 1: perhaps te Higgins next year, it's important to add another 697 00:33:39,520 --> 00:33:43,520 Speaker 1: receiver to the mix. Finally we get to the Bengals 698 00:33:43,600 --> 00:33:46,880 Speaker 1: second pick in the third round, number ninety seven overall. 699 00:33:47,280 --> 00:33:49,640 Speaker 1: I thought there was a chance that Benson might still 700 00:33:49,680 --> 00:33:54,520 Speaker 1: be there, but he went ninety third. Fortunately, there are 701 00:33:54,520 --> 00:33:57,240 Speaker 1: some good cornerbacks on the board and the Bengals need 702 00:33:57,280 --> 00:34:01,000 Speaker 1: one after losing chitabey O Wouje in free agent. They 703 00:34:01,000 --> 00:34:04,000 Speaker 1: have Cam Taylor, Britt and DJ Turner as the likely 704 00:34:04,080 --> 00:34:07,719 Speaker 1: starters on the outside, but they need to add depth 705 00:34:08,160 --> 00:34:11,720 Speaker 1: and I see two good options, Ronardo Green from Florida 706 00:34:11,800 --> 00:34:16,960 Speaker 1: State and Chris Abrams Drain from Missouri. I chose Green, 707 00:34:17,120 --> 00:34:20,200 Speaker 1: who has decent height and length, ran a four four 708 00:34:20,320 --> 00:34:24,480 Speaker 1: nine forty and, according to Pro Football Focus, graded number 709 00:34:24,600 --> 00:34:28,400 Speaker 1: one in Manda man coverage of any corner in this 710 00:34:28,520 --> 00:34:29,240 Speaker 1: year's draft. 711 00:34:29,960 --> 00:34:32,200 Speaker 2: So how did I do? Overall? 712 00:34:32,960 --> 00:34:36,600 Speaker 1: My first two picks, fa Utanu and Fisk got A 713 00:34:36,760 --> 00:34:41,040 Speaker 1: plus grades from PFF, my third rounder Walker got a 714 00:34:41,080 --> 00:34:45,000 Speaker 1: B plus, and my second third rounder, Green earned a B. 715 00:34:45,800 --> 00:34:50,480 Speaker 1: My overall grade was an A. So if Duke Tobin 716 00:34:50,520 --> 00:34:54,000 Speaker 1: and his staff are looking for volunteer help, they know 717 00:34:54,080 --> 00:34:54,719 Speaker 1: how to reach me. 718 00:34:55,640 --> 00:34:56,400 Speaker 2: That's going to do it. 719 00:34:56,440 --> 00:34:58,759 Speaker 1: For this episode of the Bengals Booth podcast brought to 720 00:34:58,760 --> 00:35:01,360 Speaker 1: you by pay Corp Out to be the Bengals Official 721 00:35:01,920 --> 00:35:06,640 Speaker 1: HR software provider, by Alta Fiber future proof fiber Internet 722 00:35:06,840 --> 00:35:09,799 Speaker 1: designed to elevate your home, business and community to a 723 00:35:09,840 --> 00:35:13,399 Speaker 1: new level, and by Kettering Health the best care for 724 00:35:13,440 --> 00:35:17,040 Speaker 1: the best fans. Kettering Health is the official healthcare provider 725 00:35:17,400 --> 00:35:20,279 Speaker 1: of the Bengals. If you haven't done so already, please 726 00:35:20,280 --> 00:35:22,439 Speaker 1: subscribe to this podcast and if you have a minute, 727 00:35:22,480 --> 00:35:25,440 Speaker 1: give it a rating or share a comment that helps 728 00:35:25,719 --> 00:35:29,760 Speaker 1: more Bengals fans find us. I'm Dan Horde and thanks 729 00:35:29,760 --> 00:35:32,919 Speaker 1: for listening to the Bengals Booth podcast.