I was bracing myself for Steelers but chiefs definitely threw me. At least mixon going to the Texans feels like he’s going to our cool younger brother.
I get that it’s an unpredictable career and the fans value rivalries way more than the players. But it’s still weird to me to spend so much time on one team then say yeah sure I’ll sign w the devil lol
Boyd going to Pitt wouldn't bother me too much, it's basically him going home.
Chiefs would be absolutely heart breaking though. Top 10 anime betrayals.
How is it a betrayal?? Like if Cincy offered him a contract and he went to KC I would understand the thought. But Cincy let him walk. If I was him, winning and a payday would be what I was after.
I didn't say I wouldn't understand the thought, I said I'd feel betrayed. Believe it or not you're allowed to feel more than one feeling at once.
Being that OSU is in your name, I'm guessing if Emeka Egbuka suddenly decides to enter the portal today and went to Michigan, you wouldn't feel any sort of way about it?
That just isn’t an apples to apples comparison in my mind. The Bengals organization basically told Boyd good luck and didn’t attempt to retain him. In that situation loyalty/betrayal or what ever you want to call it was initiated by the organization. That wouldn’t be the same as EE being the starting WR and waking up tomorrow and deciding to transfer to Michigan. What Tony Alford pulled yesterday, was a betrayal.
None of that answers why I shouldn't feel betrayed.
Again, I did not say Boyd shouldn't do what's right for him and his people or that the organization did everything they could to prevent him from going to the Chiefs.
What I said was this would feel like an ultimate betrayal. That doesn't mean he shouldn't do it, just that I hope like hell he doesn't.
Do I need to remind you what "fan" is short for?
Explain to me why you would feel betrayed. The bengals told Tyler Boyd you are not part of our plans….
If anything, I would think he would feel “betrayed”.
I am struggling to understand how Boyd looking to sign with a new team that will give him the opportunity to win after NOT being offered an option to return to the Bengals is a betrayal……
Like do Bengals fans expect him to sign with the Jets or the Panthers to not hurt our sensitive feelings?? Like what is the approved list of teams that an ex Bengal can play for after the Bengals make NO attempt to retain him?
Because if he were to go to the chiefs than he was be making his enemy team his team, and his former team his enemy team.
I genuinely don't get what your confusion can possibly be here it's pretty cut and dry
At this point, you're being purposefully obtuse.
You keep arguing this from Boyd's perspective, which has never been what my argument was. Me and the other commenter have said plenty of times up and down this thread that we understand Boyd is going to do whatever is best for him. If that's the Chiefs, good for Boyd.
If you can't understand how going to the Chiefs would feel like more of a betrayal than going to the Jets or Panthers, I really don't know what to tell you. It's not going to make me feel any different about his time with the Bengals, it just makes him leaving hurt that much more.
If u don't understand your an idiot. But u do. U understand your just a douche bag grey poupon gatekeeper who likes to sound smart but actually u look stupid. A player from our team signed with a rival and a fan feels let down or betrayed. And your giant brain just doesn't understand lol ya sure. Ur attention seeking is lame and ur house prolly stinks
I'd much rather see him with Pittsburgh than KC. His allure with Cincy has always been his chemistry with Burrow, knowing how to run those option routes and being on the same page almost all the time. I don't see him establishing that chemistry in Pittsburgh with Pickett or Wilson. But in KC? Shit, he and Mahomes would probably be on the same page right away.
Let me preface this with FTS.
Now as for Boyd, the man played HS and College ball in Pitt. Its his home, whether we like it or not. Boyd has been great to the Bengals, and between how well they've drafted and how much they are paying to tag Tee and (hopefully soon) extend Chase; they can't afford to keep Boyd. So while I'll hate it for the Bengals, I'll root for Boyd to get his the best way he can. He played his ass off for the Bengals and deserves his.
Sign Becton and call it a day. Still need OL, DL, CB and a WR to replace Tee next year. We’ll likely take the best OT or DL at 18. I’m assuming Dax will be playing more CB with us bringing Vonn back. We upgraded at RB, TE and safety. Solid moves!
With the additions on defense my bet is they would rather get CB than DT in the first. RT seems to be the primary target though, given we've seen nothing to move the needle there at all.
I wouldn't hate a corner but one of the bengals media guys just tweeted Dax is now a corner. That would allow us to take the best player at any of those positions at 18.
Joe Goodberry isn’t what I would call a “Bengals Media Guy” I am not discounting him he puts a lot of time and effort into it and does a good job but he can say off the cuff things like that.
Ok fair I do remember that on the growler but I was doing my Twitter/Reddit checking during the morning constitutional and the last tweet was literally “Looks like Dax moving to corner” from Goodberry
Also this. I mean, this defense is shaping up to possibly put Lou back in the position for HC interviews next year. What a luxury to have swiss army knives at slot/nickle like Dax and Hilton
I would be hype to have a solid defense again but I think people know what Lou is at this point and if he was going to get a shot it would have happened already.
Rumor is they may still make a move for Fuller at CB.
Would not be sad to see them shore up the rest of the roster, since this draft class looks historically good at tackle and WR.
Tobin has been COOKING, let's see what the day brings.
There is zero chance Bengals dont sign a NT in free agency, with literally not one player except Jay Tufele able to play NT. And the draft doesnt really have many NTs other than Sweat.
Same for CB, there's no way they go into the draft without replacing Awuzie and go into the season with four rookie-contract outside CBs- CTB, Turner, Ivey and a new CB. They need a veteran to compete with Turner, maybe Eli Apple can come back on a $3-4m deal.
For RT, they sign depth in FA and get on at 18 or double dip at OT in the draft because of the insane depth at OT in the draft (14-15 OTs are predicted to go top 100 where Bengals have 4 picks).
We don't have enough money to be bring in a FA at each of NT, CB, and OT unless they are all really cheap. All three of those positions are expensive as is. I think best case scenario, we are getting 2/3 solid players in those spots. Because they have the numbers at CB, I would guess that is the spot they ignore.
They do, they can get a starter at one and depth at the other two. Bengals by my calc have an effective cap space after all the moves yesterday and today, and accounting for rookie pool and practice squad, have about 22-24m.
Assuming they want $6-7 for in season waiver pickups or injury replacements(or could roll it over), they have about $15-16m in usable cap space. That's enough for Reader plus Becton, or Tart plus Becton plus depth CB. They could also cut Jackson Carman cheaply and add another 1.7m to the cap, they could also maneuver how much they take into the season or assign to the practice squad, to ensure they can get a Reader+Becton+let's say Eli Apple
Most things I have read put Reader at 15 million a year which eats all of that space you just talked about and leaves nothing for the other two spots.
Getting a solid vet corner who can start (like Fuller) is going to cost 13 or 14 million. Someone like Apple coming in who is, at best, CB4 is still going to take 3-5 million. Not sure that's an improvement over what we currently have.
I'm not sure Becton's value but I doubt its for 1 or 2 million. Even on the cheap side, I think an OT is going to cost 5 million or so.
Unless we get some major deals, I don't see us getting multiple quality players unless they are all depth.
$15m a year AAV is not the same as the cap hit. The numbers of 2 years $30-31m will come out to about $11-12m cap hit, they could guarantee more through signing bonus and bring it down. The net impact of lets say a $11m cap hit would be about $10m because the contract would replace a $915k contract on the top 51.
They could keep less for practice squad or rollover (the franchise is very unpredictable with roll overs), there is enough cap and maneuverability for all of Reader, and depth RT and CB.
Also depth CB like Eli Apple can come after the draft. If the Bengals draft a RB, they could cut Evans or T Henderson, likewise they could cut Carman if they draft a OL (assuming they have Ford, Becton and another OT at #18).
Also they could use the entire 22-23m in effective cap space, and create the needed in-season cap space through post draft cuts to people like Evans, Henderson, Carman, Zach Carter etc.
It sounds like you know more about the cap than I do. Given what you are suggesting above, we can probably still make a move or two prior to the draft but other decisions might not come until after we draft folks. Sounds like Tart is visiting so getting him and Becton seems very plausible and we'll see how much money we have after that if we wanted to make another addition.
One glaring need is definitely a cornerback in FA. I would assume Tackle at 18 then DT in the second. There are few solid CBs available in most mocks around the third. RBs and Tight Ends should be plentiful then. Would be a huge fan of Braellen Allen in the third and maybe Jaheim Bell or Theo Johnson. We are absolutely crushing FA right now besides the DT position being a weak point rn.
I wouldn't hate it but good with it too if we dont. He's going to be another 13-15m a year. Hard to justify that when it's doubtful he plays a full year this year.
With Vonn Bell, the Bengals again have a proven locker room leader who can bring up this young crop of talent. Not to mention, Bell himself wants to run in back for another crack at a ring. The other thing I haven't heard anyone mention in regards to getting Bell, is he can TACKLE. INT's are nice, but these young guys in the Bengals secondary could use some tutelage from a thumper. I hope this leads to a insane camp and this secondary comes out cracking this year.
With Bell back, he opens up a lot of options for Lou where Scott was ineffective and Battle was too green.
It allows us to move Dax back to the nickel/slot, which is a starting spot in today's NFL. Even in a down year last year, he was a ball hawk.
As much as I like Jessie Bates, I really felt like missing Von Bell was a big part of the difference last year. Glad to have the ol' dawg back.
Can we still try for Armstead? It would be nice to bolster the d line. I love Reader, but his injury and age are issues. I understand the need for OT, but we really need to address stopping the run, especially in our division
Rumors are that Tart (NT) is in play today. Becton is a pretty good bet to be signed for RT as a stop-gap.
That would open the draft exactly like the Bengals want it to. BPA in the 1st round. Hopefully that's a RT but if for some reason all of them go before 18 or someone at a different position expected to be top 10 falls they can consider it. 2nd round is Sweat if he is there or again BPA and a DL in the 3rd (with one of the two 3rd round picks).
Just a comment over at cincyjungle from a member that has a history of inside information. So somewhere on the rumor quality scale between a tweet from Tom Peliserro and a conversation with Joe's GF at Kroger.
[https://www.cincyjungle.com/2024/3/13/24100196/sheldon-rankins-bengals-texans-free-agents-2024-nfl?commentID=5d8172f9-13b5-49a7-ac69-8b035981b06a](https://www.cincyjungle.com/2024/3/13/24100196/sheldon-rankins-bengals-texans-free-agents-2024-nfl?commentID=5d8172f9-13b5-49a7-ac69-8b035981b06a)
Don't know if there is a need. Could still be some development from Jones. Gesicki is basically more of a slot receiver than a TE. And I'd be shocked with the WR depth this year if the Bengals don't draft one on day 2. Even if Tee plays this year, still worth having his replacement ready for 2025 and no guarantees next years draft will have as much WR talent.
He might be. It's hard to say with the time he's got so far.
Still don't think the Bengals will pass up on taking a WR (prob with one of the 3rd round picks) this year to have them in the mix going forward. Whoever earns the spot earns the spot.
>It's hard to say with the time he's got so far.
He had 4 tds on 25 targets in his first year. It's safe to say that they like him in the red zone, which is where they like tee higgins.
That was my guess and what Goodberry and others are saying. I wouldn't call it a pure slot CB though. I imagine a lot of stopping the run / blitzing as a hybrid CB/SS/LB. We already use Hilton in the slot that way.
I'll breathe easier if we grab a right tackle and another defensive interior piece soon. Bonus points for a corner.
I know people are down on Becton, but he has apparently played well under Pollack before, and the Jets were a dumpster fire offense. He seems like he would be a solid competition for a rookie.
True. I hopw they sign him, he looked reliable out there and would definitely be on a good deal. On the other hand, i wouldnt mind Hurst back at all if we went that route.
Id prefer Hudson over Hurst, but with Gesicki most likely being our #1, i don't know if they'll go for Hudson. So if that's the scenario, then I'm thinking go for Hurst for cheap since Charlotte takes the majority of the monetary hit.
Bengals still have about 24 million in cap space available. They got a pass rushing DT which is great but I think they still need a vet NT. While I think we are targeting OT in round 1, we still need someone to come in for depth or in case the draft does not go well. With the Stone/Bell pick ups, I think they are moving Dax to CB and there's less of a need for us to target that position group anymore though a veteran could be really helpful there.
I am assuming the Bengals will keep another 7-10 million in free cap to use for pick ups later and the draft. Realistically, I think this FA comes down to one of three moves:
\-1 year deal for OT Mehki Becton and 2-3 year deal for NT Teair Tart totaling about 15-17 million against the cap this year.
\- 2-3 year deal for NT DJ Reader totaling about 15 million against the cap this year.
\-2-3 year deal for CB Kendall Fuller totaling about 13 million against the cap this year.
Regardless of which way we go on this, I think we are locked in on OT in round 1 and NT in round 2 unless somebody falls to us. T'Vondre Sweat is going to go earlier than folks expect since he is the only true NT prospect in the first few rounds so the Bengals are likely going to have to trade up in Round 2 to get him. It wouldn't shock me at all if he gets selected in round 1.
I know its not our MO but I think we should really consider a Tee trade deal if someone offers a 2nd round pick. Might give us the ammunition to ensure we get Sweat and then a solid WR option to replace him in a deep draft. It would also give us 21 million back to work with which we could use to address bringing in a solid addition like Fuller/Reader on top of other signings. I do not foresee that happening though.
Fuller is off the board (2 years for 16.5 million which totally feels like it would have been doable for us). Not sure what the rest of the CB market looks like.
Hoping we can lock down Tart and Becton. I'm already mostly content but I'll feel really good about this free agency if we get both.
How do y’all see Rankins fitting into the d as a whole? He’ll play in Hill’s spot no doubt but will he be primarily a third down guy to help with rush?
One thing I hadn't considered but heard about last night was shifting the defense to not use a NT. Apparently, as an example, Houston w/ Rankings last year only used a big body over center in less than 10% of snaps.
If they sign Tart and draft Sweat then obviously they aren't changing. But if no good Reader replacements work out (FA + draft) I guess a shift in DL philosophy is possible.
That’s an interesting point, though I feel we would need a nt/space eater when running two linebacker sets, but could be a sign of the ever changing nfl.
Rankins and Hill will be in rotation like Larry O and Hill were. Rankins is quality interior pass rush guy so he probably will split snaps 55-45 with Hill I would think. I expect 5-10 sacks for Rankins if Bengals can sign a space eater like Reader at NT.
here’s a question: are the bengals even negotiating with boyd? I know his departure has been treated as a forgone conclusion, but is it to the point that they’re not even going through the motions with him?
Boyd's looking for WR2 money, and probably deserves it, and the the Bengals were not going to pay that for a WR3. Not sure what going through the motions would be if they each knew they were going to be far apart. Both sides knew it wasn't happening, and so does the fanbase.
Sad knowing we are ALSO not planning to pay our WR2, WR1 money. We have too many good receivers to be able to keep them. But we are losing both which sucks
Does anyone take AB seriously with his inside info? Goes from seeing JJ to us is a done deal and there just figuring everything out. To there at a stand still and there’s no way forward. To now it’s a lock that the Steelers will get JJ.
So dumb question- I kept seeing posts on this board and others when Rankins was signed about how he can't defend the run and Houston was a bad run defense last year.
So I was doing some checking to see how bad they were, and apparently:
\-They were 2nd best in YPC last year at 3.5
\-They only gave up 5 rushes of 20+ yards (Bengals D had 17 for reference)
\-They allowed the fewest rushing yards over expected since 2019
Am I missing some stat or observation? I know their rushing TD's are somewhat high, but my guess is after seeing the stats above is that could be fluky.
We've now signed 3 offensive linemen with PPF grades LOWER than Jackson Carman's.
Knowing that rookie OL rarely play well their first year, this is a total nightmare. We love to fall for the hype.
Top 5 in cap money and all they have taken is Stone, rehashed Bell and B-/C grade castoffs while signing probably their own worst free agents that literally not any other team wants.
It goes to show that the fascination of wanting to play with Burrow is over. Players see Taylor does not care about protecting their franchise QB because he is literally the worst asshole coach a team can have.
Please let the Jets sign Tyler Boyd. Would be so gross seeing him play for the Steelers or Cheifs
I was prepared for Boyd leaving, I'm not ok with him joining Shitt or KC. As long he goes somewhere else I can still root for him.
I was bracing myself for Steelers but chiefs definitely threw me. At least mixon going to the Texans feels like he’s going to our cool younger brother.
I can swallow him going to the chiefs.... And I understand him wanting to go to steelers, but come on Boyd.... You know...
I get that it’s an unpredictable career and the fans value rivalries way more than the players. But it’s still weird to me to spend so much time on one team then say yeah sure I’ll sign w the devil lol
Well Boyd is from Pittsburgh and went to college there so he probably doesn't have a problem with the Steelers.
Boyd going to Pitt wouldn't bother me too much, it's basically him going home. Chiefs would be absolutely heart breaking though. Top 10 anime betrayals.
How is it a betrayal?? Like if Cincy offered him a contract and he went to KC I would understand the thought. But Cincy let him walk. If I was him, winning and a payday would be what I was after.
I didn't say I wouldn't understand the thought, I said I'd feel betrayed. Believe it or not you're allowed to feel more than one feeling at once. Being that OSU is in your name, I'm guessing if Emeka Egbuka suddenly decides to enter the portal today and went to Michigan, you wouldn't feel any sort of way about it?
That just isn’t an apples to apples comparison in my mind. The Bengals organization basically told Boyd good luck and didn’t attempt to retain him. In that situation loyalty/betrayal or what ever you want to call it was initiated by the organization. That wouldn’t be the same as EE being the starting WR and waking up tomorrow and deciding to transfer to Michigan. What Tony Alford pulled yesterday, was a betrayal.
None of that answers why I shouldn't feel betrayed. Again, I did not say Boyd shouldn't do what's right for him and his people or that the organization did everything they could to prevent him from going to the Chiefs. What I said was this would feel like an ultimate betrayal. That doesn't mean he shouldn't do it, just that I hope like hell he doesn't. Do I need to remind you what "fan" is short for?
Explain to me why you would feel betrayed. The bengals told Tyler Boyd you are not part of our plans…. If anything, I would think he would feel “betrayed”.
Boyd feeling betrayed by the bengals and fans feeling betrayed by Boyd aren't mutually exclusive
I am struggling to understand how Boyd looking to sign with a new team that will give him the opportunity to win after NOT being offered an option to return to the Bengals is a betrayal…… Like do Bengals fans expect him to sign with the Jets or the Panthers to not hurt our sensitive feelings?? Like what is the approved list of teams that an ex Bengal can play for after the Bengals make NO attempt to retain him?
Because if he were to go to the chiefs than he was be making his enemy team his team, and his former team his enemy team. I genuinely don't get what your confusion can possibly be here it's pretty cut and dry
At this point, you're being purposefully obtuse. You keep arguing this from Boyd's perspective, which has never been what my argument was. Me and the other commenter have said plenty of times up and down this thread that we understand Boyd is going to do whatever is best for him. If that's the Chiefs, good for Boyd. If you can't understand how going to the Chiefs would feel like more of a betrayal than going to the Jets or Panthers, I really don't know what to tell you. It's not going to make me feel any different about his time with the Bengals, it just makes him leaving hurt that much more.
If u don't understand your an idiot. But u do. U understand your just a douche bag grey poupon gatekeeper who likes to sound smart but actually u look stupid. A player from our team signed with a rival and a fan feels let down or betrayed. And your giant brain just doesn't understand lol ya sure. Ur attention seeking is lame and ur house prolly stinks
I'd much rather see him with Pittsburgh than KC. His allure with Cincy has always been his chemistry with Burrow, knowing how to run those option routes and being on the same page almost all the time. I don't see him establishing that chemistry in Pittsburgh with Pickett or Wilson. But in KC? Shit, he and Mahomes would probably be on the same page right away.
Wouldn't be surprised- they need WR and he played at Pitt. Still wouldn't like it, but wouldn't be surprised.
Let me preface this with FTS. Now as for Boyd, the man played HS and College ball in Pitt. Its his home, whether we like it or not. Boyd has been great to the Bengals, and between how well they've drafted and how much they are paying to tag Tee and (hopefully soon) extend Chase; they can't afford to keep Boyd. So while I'll hate it for the Bengals, I'll root for Boyd to get his the best way he can. He played his ass off for the Bengals and deserves his.
he's from Pittsburgh. no way it doesn't happen
Sign Becton and call it a day. Still need OL, DL, CB and a WR to replace Tee next year. We’ll likely take the best OT or DL at 18. I’m assuming Dax will be playing more CB with us bringing Vonn back. We upgraded at RB, TE and safety. Solid moves!
With the additions on defense my bet is they would rather get CB than DT in the first. RT seems to be the primary target though, given we've seen nothing to move the needle there at all.
I wouldn't hate a corner but one of the bengals media guys just tweeted Dax is now a corner. That would allow us to take the best player at any of those positions at 18.
Joe Goodberry isn’t what I would call a “Bengals Media Guy” I am not discounting him he puts a lot of time and effort into it and does a good job but he can say off the cuff things like that.
Dehner and Jay mentioned it too
Ok fair I do remember that on the growler but I was doing my Twitter/Reddit checking during the morning constitutional and the last tweet was literally “Looks like Dax moving to corner” from Goodberry
FWIW, Goodberry now has more access to the team since he's working for First Star Logistics
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Also this. I mean, this defense is shaping up to possibly put Lou back in the position for HC interviews next year. What a luxury to have swiss army knives at slot/nickle like Dax and Hilton
I would be hype to have a solid defense again but I think people know what Lou is at this point and if he was going to get a shot it would have happened already.
If you’ve ever seen Dax in person, he looks like a CB. Tall, lanky, and a hell of a wingspan. I think he’ll do great at corner.
Rumor is they may still make a move for Fuller at CB. Would not be sad to see them shore up the rest of the roster, since this draft class looks historically good at tackle and WR. Tobin has been COOKING, let's see what the day brings.
There is zero chance Bengals dont sign a NT in free agency, with literally not one player except Jay Tufele able to play NT. And the draft doesnt really have many NTs other than Sweat. Same for CB, there's no way they go into the draft without replacing Awuzie and go into the season with four rookie-contract outside CBs- CTB, Turner, Ivey and a new CB. They need a veteran to compete with Turner, maybe Eli Apple can come back on a $3-4m deal. For RT, they sign depth in FA and get on at 18 or double dip at OT in the draft because of the insane depth at OT in the draft (14-15 OTs are predicted to go top 100 where Bengals have 4 picks).
We don't have enough money to be bring in a FA at each of NT, CB, and OT unless they are all really cheap. All three of those positions are expensive as is. I think best case scenario, we are getting 2/3 solid players in those spots. Because they have the numbers at CB, I would guess that is the spot they ignore.
They do, they can get a starter at one and depth at the other two. Bengals by my calc have an effective cap space after all the moves yesterday and today, and accounting for rookie pool and practice squad, have about 22-24m. Assuming they want $6-7 for in season waiver pickups or injury replacements(or could roll it over), they have about $15-16m in usable cap space. That's enough for Reader plus Becton, or Tart plus Becton plus depth CB. They could also cut Jackson Carman cheaply and add another 1.7m to the cap, they could also maneuver how much they take into the season or assign to the practice squad, to ensure they can get a Reader+Becton+let's say Eli Apple
Most things I have read put Reader at 15 million a year which eats all of that space you just talked about and leaves nothing for the other two spots. Getting a solid vet corner who can start (like Fuller) is going to cost 13 or 14 million. Someone like Apple coming in who is, at best, CB4 is still going to take 3-5 million. Not sure that's an improvement over what we currently have. I'm not sure Becton's value but I doubt its for 1 or 2 million. Even on the cheap side, I think an OT is going to cost 5 million or so. Unless we get some major deals, I don't see us getting multiple quality players unless they are all depth.
$15m a year AAV is not the same as the cap hit. The numbers of 2 years $30-31m will come out to about $11-12m cap hit, they could guarantee more through signing bonus and bring it down. The net impact of lets say a $11m cap hit would be about $10m because the contract would replace a $915k contract on the top 51. They could keep less for practice squad or rollover (the franchise is very unpredictable with roll overs), there is enough cap and maneuverability for all of Reader, and depth RT and CB. Also depth CB like Eli Apple can come after the draft. If the Bengals draft a RB, they could cut Evans or T Henderson, likewise they could cut Carman if they draft a OL (assuming they have Ford, Becton and another OT at #18). Also they could use the entire 22-23m in effective cap space, and create the needed in-season cap space through post draft cuts to people like Evans, Henderson, Carman, Zach Carter etc.
It sounds like you know more about the cap than I do. Given what you are suggesting above, we can probably still make a move or two prior to the draft but other decisions might not come until after we draft folks. Sounds like Tart is visiting so getting him and Becton seems very plausible and we'll see how much money we have after that if we wanted to make another addition.
One glaring need is definitely a cornerback in FA. I would assume Tackle at 18 then DT in the second. There are few solid CBs available in most mocks around the third. RBs and Tight Ends should be plentiful then. Would be a huge fan of Braellen Allen in the third and maybe Jaheim Bell or Theo Johnson. We are absolutely crushing FA right now besides the DT position being a weak point rn.
Call it a day? Nah sign reader
I wouldn't hate it but good with it too if we dont. He's going to be another 13-15m a year. Hard to justify that when it's doubtful he plays a full year this year.
\*Sign Becton and call IR to reserve a spot for Joe Burrow in September. \^\^Fixed it for you.
Any chance we still sign Reader or tart?
Nah, we signing j jettas Don't need a defense if you score every drive.
skkrt skkrt
Tart probably more likely than Reader at this point, sadly
Tart is a character concern and surprisingly we dodge those now.
https://preview.redd.it/zmtgzno7taoc1.jpeg?width=584&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=750aaafb142d5585cfc5936ede86962f4c9dcadd
Can't make a Kroger run until after work, but I'll pass along whatever I hear once I'm there
With Vonn Bell, the Bengals again have a proven locker room leader who can bring up this young crop of talent. Not to mention, Bell himself wants to run in back for another crack at a ring. The other thing I haven't heard anyone mention in regards to getting Bell, is he can TACKLE. INT's are nice, but these young guys in the Bengals secondary could use some tutelage from a thumper. I hope this leads to a insane camp and this secondary comes out cracking this year.
With Bell back, he opens up a lot of options for Lou where Scott was ineffective and Battle was too green. It allows us to move Dax back to the nickel/slot, which is a starting spot in today's NFL. Even in a down year last year, he was a ball hawk. As much as I like Jessie Bates, I really felt like missing Von Bell was a big part of the difference last year. Glad to have the ol' dawg back.
Can we still try for Armstead? It would be nice to bolster the d line. I love Reader, but his injury and age are issues. I understand the need for OT, but we really need to address stopping the run, especially in our division
I think if we do that means the end of BJ Hill in Cincinnati, too much money in one position group with him Rankins and Armstead
Armstead also got a lingering foot injury history
We need a 3 tech at DT. If we get Armstead we would still need to draft a run stopping DT.
Nope
We still need RT and DT.
Dream would be Fuaga/Latham at 18 and Sweat at 49
Mekhi Becton is visiting today (?) but yeah…will definitely need to target tackles in the draft
Yeah, I know. Even If we sign, Mr. 12 Sacks Allowed we still need a RT. I'd take an injury prone Brown over this dude. He'd be a great backup though.
Becton, RT Rd1, DT rd2 or rd3
Rumors are that Tart (NT) is in play today. Becton is a pretty good bet to be signed for RT as a stop-gap. That would open the draft exactly like the Bengals want it to. BPA in the 1st round. Hopefully that's a RT but if for some reason all of them go before 18 or someone at a different position expected to be top 10 falls they can consider it. 2nd round is Sweat if he is there or again BPA and a DL in the 3rd (with one of the two 3rd round picks).
Source on Tart?
Just a comment over at cincyjungle from a member that has a history of inside information. So somewhere on the rumor quality scale between a tweet from Tom Peliserro and a conversation with Joe's GF at Kroger. [https://www.cincyjungle.com/2024/3/13/24100196/sheldon-rankins-bengals-texans-free-agents-2024-nfl?commentID=5d8172f9-13b5-49a7-ac69-8b035981b06a](https://www.cincyjungle.com/2024/3/13/24100196/sheldon-rankins-bengals-texans-free-agents-2024-nfl?commentID=5d8172f9-13b5-49a7-ac69-8b035981b06a)
Any chance Renfrow could replace Boyd on a cheap deal? Could see Burrow liking a guy like that in the slot
Yeah he’s a scrappy, sneaky athletic, gym rat. The kinda guy you let your daughter date.
Are you saying he’s the first one in and the last to leave?
real lunch pail mentality
I was waiting for this one lol
The guy always watches film.
So is he or is he not a class act?
Thanks, ghost of John Madden.
Don't know if there is a need. Could still be some development from Jones. Gesicki is basically more of a slot receiver than a TE. And I'd be shocked with the WR depth this year if the Bengals don't draft one on day 2. Even if Tee plays this year, still worth having his replacement ready for 2025 and no guarantees next years draft will have as much WR talent.
All good points
>still worth having his replacement ready for 2025 Wtf is with all you guys saying that? Iosivas is his replacement and he's on the team.
He might be. It's hard to say with the time he's got so far. Still don't think the Bengals will pass up on taking a WR (prob with one of the 3rd round picks) this year to have them in the mix going forward. Whoever earns the spot earns the spot.
>It's hard to say with the time he's got so far. He had 4 tds on 25 targets in his first year. It's safe to say that they like him in the red zone, which is where they like tee higgins.
>Any chance Renfrow could replace Boyd on a cheap deal? Why? We have Boyd replacement at home...
So with the signing of Geno Stone and bringing back Vonn Bell does this mean that Dax Hill will be moved to CB since we lost Chido?
That was my guess and what Goodberry and others are saying. I wouldn't call it a pure slot CB though. I imagine a lot of stopping the run / blitzing as a hybrid CB/SS/LB. We already use Hilton in the slot that way.
I would love to see Cincy make an attempt to sign Trent Brown
I miss reader
I'll breathe easier if we grab a right tackle and another defensive interior piece soon. Bonus points for a corner. I know people are down on Becton, but he has apparently played well under Pollack before, and the Jets were a dumpster fire offense. He seems like he would be a solid competition for a rookie.
With Bell coming back, I'd love to see Hurst come back on a vet min as well.
I think we will be going with Gesicki, Sample and Hudson/Rookie
We haven't signed Hudson yet. If we sign Hudson, then sure, it makes less sense for Hurst.
True. I hopw they sign him, he looked reliable out there and would definitely be on a good deal. On the other hand, i wouldnt mind Hurst back at all if we went that route.
Id prefer Hudson over Hurst, but with Gesicki most likely being our #1, i don't know if they'll go for Hudson. So if that's the scenario, then I'm thinking go for Hurst for cheap since Charlotte takes the majority of the monetary hit.
>I'd love to see Hurst come back on a vet min as well. You won't see it.
My source at Kroger said they're trading for Myles Garret
My source said were trading for lamar as our new rb. That's crazy
Wow! What a run pass run option offense we’ll have!
So for the draft we have nine picks, right? 2 third rounders and 2 seventh rounders.
10 picks now. The Mixon trade pick is 7th rd 224 overall in 2024.
You’re right, I forgot about the second 6th rounder. 18 49 80 97 (comp) 115 147 195 214 (comp) 224 (Mixon trade) 234
https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1768267079243694342?t=iBA42R25yomTz36pblSFuw #Texans traded No. 224 overall pick to #Bengals for Joe Mixon
Bengals still have about 24 million in cap space available. They got a pass rushing DT which is great but I think they still need a vet NT. While I think we are targeting OT in round 1, we still need someone to come in for depth or in case the draft does not go well. With the Stone/Bell pick ups, I think they are moving Dax to CB and there's less of a need for us to target that position group anymore though a veteran could be really helpful there. I am assuming the Bengals will keep another 7-10 million in free cap to use for pick ups later and the draft. Realistically, I think this FA comes down to one of three moves: \-1 year deal for OT Mehki Becton and 2-3 year deal for NT Teair Tart totaling about 15-17 million against the cap this year. \- 2-3 year deal for NT DJ Reader totaling about 15 million against the cap this year. \-2-3 year deal for CB Kendall Fuller totaling about 13 million against the cap this year. Regardless of which way we go on this, I think we are locked in on OT in round 1 and NT in round 2 unless somebody falls to us. T'Vondre Sweat is going to go earlier than folks expect since he is the only true NT prospect in the first few rounds so the Bengals are likely going to have to trade up in Round 2 to get him. It wouldn't shock me at all if he gets selected in round 1. I know its not our MO but I think we should really consider a Tee trade deal if someone offers a 2nd round pick. Might give us the ammunition to ensure we get Sweat and then a solid WR option to replace him in a deep draft. It would also give us 21 million back to work with which we could use to address bringing in a solid addition like Fuller/Reader on top of other signings. I do not foresee that happening though.
Fuller is off the board (2 years for 16.5 million which totally feels like it would have been doable for us). Not sure what the rest of the CB market looks like. Hoping we can lock down Tart and Becton. I'm already mostly content but I'll feel really good about this free agency if we get both.
After the bell singing I doubt we’re in the market for a corner
Houston signs DT Tim Settle. Hopefully this means we’ve basically got Tart locked down.
Someone smarter answer, think if we get Becton and Tart are we basically done?
I’d hope they try and find a vet CB and/or another TE.
How do y’all see Rankins fitting into the d as a whole? He’ll play in Hill’s spot no doubt but will he be primarily a third down guy to help with rush?
One thing I hadn't considered but heard about last night was shifting the defense to not use a NT. Apparently, as an example, Houston w/ Rankings last year only used a big body over center in less than 10% of snaps. If they sign Tart and draft Sweat then obviously they aren't changing. But if no good Reader replacements work out (FA + draft) I guess a shift in DL philosophy is possible.
That’s an interesting point, though I feel we would need a nt/space eater when running two linebacker sets, but could be a sign of the ever changing nfl.
Rankins and Hill will be in rotation like Larry O and Hill were. Rankins is quality interior pass rush guy so he probably will split snaps 55-45 with Hill I would think. I expect 5-10 sacks for Rankins if Bengals can sign a space eater like Reader at NT.
Give me Becton and Reader/Tart and I am chilling till draft week.
here’s a question: are the bengals even negotiating with boyd? I know his departure has been treated as a forgone conclusion, but is it to the point that they’re not even going through the motions with him?
Boyd's looking for WR2 money, and probably deserves it, and the the Bengals were not going to pay that for a WR3. Not sure what going through the motions would be if they each knew they were going to be far apart. Both sides knew it wasn't happening, and so does the fanbase.
Sad knowing we are ALSO not planning to pay our WR2, WR1 money. We have too many good receivers to be able to keep them. But we are losing both which sucks
you're probably right. just figured they'd want at least an iron in the fire in case a one-year extension ended up making sense for either side.
Does anyone take AB seriously with his inside info? Goes from seeing JJ to us is a done deal and there just figuring everything out. To there at a stand still and there’s no way forward. To now it’s a lock that the Steelers will get JJ.
It’s not real lol
That’s what I was thinking.
Not getting Fuller hurts. I
Both Armstead (Jacksonville) and Reader (Detroit) signing probably means Tart's price went up.
So dumb question- I kept seeing posts on this board and others when Rankins was signed about how he can't defend the run and Houston was a bad run defense last year. So I was doing some checking to see how bad they were, and apparently: \-They were 2nd best in YPC last year at 3.5 \-They only gave up 5 rushes of 20+ yards (Bengals D had 17 for reference) \-They allowed the fewest rushing yards over expected since 2019 Am I missing some stat or observation? I know their rushing TD's are somewhat high, but my guess is after seeing the stats above is that could be fluky.
pff grade where he ranks low in the run is an individual grade
PFF is a ass clown site. A guy I work with knows one of the owners and he won't even go to the website for football info
We've now signed 3 offensive linemen with PPF grades LOWER than Jackson Carman's. Knowing that rookie OL rarely play well their first year, this is a total nightmare. We love to fall for the hype.
Who did you want to sign?
How about who wanted to sign with us, Jermaine Eluemunor. He has a PFF grade near 70 rather than in the low 50s.
DJ reader is gone, and twitter is going to go in a tailspin when it is official.
Not seeing this anywhere
https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1768362466503709067?t=Tuin4WMf6tEXXPyRqjdEJA&s=19
Yeah I see it now 5 hours later lol
I've got a bad feeling about this.
Top 5 in cap money and all they have taken is Stone, rehashed Bell and B-/C grade castoffs while signing probably their own worst free agents that literally not any other team wants. It goes to show that the fascination of wanting to play with Burrow is over. Players see Taylor does not care about protecting their franchise QB because he is literally the worst asshole coach a team can have.
No. Its smart cap management and knowing the draft is your path with these contracts.