Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - Bengals Make BLOCKBUSTER TRADE for Dexter Lawrence

Starting point is 00:00:00 In an absolutely shocking turn of events, the Bengals have given up the 10th pick for sexy Dexie Dexter Lawrence. You are Locked on Bengals, your daily Cincinnati Bengals podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. What up Bengals fans and welcome to another episode of the Locked on Bengals podcast, one that James Rupin and myself, Jake Lusco, we're not expecting to do. At any point in time, the Cincinnati Bengals have given up their first round pick, a top 10 pick for a superstar in Dexter Lawrence and the New York Giants.

Starting point is 00:00:47 The Bengals and the Giants know strangers when it comes to trading for defensive tackles. And now Dexter Lawrence, BJ Hill's former teammate, and presumably the subject of all of those vague tweets from BJ Hill since April 7th is now a Cincinnati. Benko, Dexter Lawrence, come on down the number one player on this defense on paper. Dexter Lawrence. Now anchor the Cincinnati Bengals defensive line. What a huge move, Jake. I mean, this is, I was thinking about it. I've had some text conversations about it.

Starting point is 00:01:25 I think it's the biggest move. Trade, whatever you want to say, the biggest trade in franchise history. No doubt. And this is someone who wrote a book about the Bengals. And like you could think of Kajana Carter and that was a huge trade, but it was in the 90s and that's the 90s. The, uh, the big, the Dan Big Daddy Wilkinson trade is huge. You get a first round pick. It's a big deal.

Starting point is 00:01:45 The first overall, uh, former first overall pick, you do that. But that, again, 90s disclaimer there. They didn't make any splash move like this during the Carson era or the until they traded him. Traded Carson was a pretty big trade. Yeah. And not like this though, because that, that was about resetting, not winning. Yeah. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:02:03 And Andrew, we were. has, yeah, Andrew Whitworth has talked about this during the Andy era. And by the way, I kind of get why they didn't do it with Andy, but you have Joe Burrow. And how much have we talked about Joe Burrow? And man, he's going to be 30 in December. They've missed the playoffs three straight years. And there's so many layers to this. But the big one is, my God, they said, you know what?

Starting point is 00:02:24 We will give up the 10th pick. And we will go get this 342-pound nose tackle who's probably one of one when it comes to being a nose tackle and getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Extremely rare. Not something that you're going to find certainly on trees, but really find in many draft classes and you go get him and you're willing to give up

Starting point is 00:02:45 a major asset to do it. It's just mind-blowing, exciting, and a really wild move in the best way that I don't think any of us saw coming. Even if we talked about it, I don't think anyone really thought that this move was going to happen

Starting point is 00:03:00 and yet it has happened. I don't know if we even talked about it. It was so out there. So out of character. People talked. I don't think we like did a topic. People were talking about it. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:03:11 But we didn't dedicate a segment to like, ah, what if BJ Hill is tweeting about Dexter Lawrence, you know, because it was just impossible to buy. Yeah. And we're thinking about what do the Bengals do? They stick and pick.

Starting point is 00:03:24 In the episode that will not go to air, we were talking about the Bengals proclivity to stick and pick in the first round if there's a guy that they think is in that bucket and not wanting to. to trade back in all those things, but instead they just trade out of the first run all together for Dexter Lawrence and they get a guy who, if he's healthy, and that's going to be the disclaimer is what's going on with that elbow. It looked pretty good in the film that I watched in the last hour in terms of you try to block him one on one. He is tossing you into your quarterback and moving

Starting point is 00:03:50 your quarterback off his spot. They're just aren't guys that can anchor against the Dexter Lawrence pass rush. Those guys just aren't out there. And he's obviously at his size and with his ability. Excellent against a run as well. The only knock would be that he doesn't necessarily finish sacks as you would like to see him finish some plays and sometimes get away from him and the quarterback's able to evade him. But again, he's 340 pounds. So he's there to help move the quarterback off the spot, win one-on-ones and create opportunities for the other guys on this Bengals defensive line. There should be a lot of one-on-ones available to the Bengals head rushers to Jonathan Allen because you're going to set your protection in a huge way to Dexter Lawrence.

Starting point is 00:04:35 You're going to slide to Dexter Lawrence. It gives you so many options as a defensive coordinator, as a person designing your pass for us to say, well, if we set up this blitz, we can get a one-on-one for Dexter Lawrence. And if we don't set up this blitz and we just line up with our four guys, they're going to slide to Dexter Lawrence, and I'm going to get a one-on-one over here. And then I can run this stunt or game or just let my defensive end pin his ears back

Starting point is 00:04:58 and go in a one-on-one with the tackle. And those are the kinds of opportunities that it creates for you when you have this guy. And how many times have I said, James, with on and off air? I think the hardest thing to find in football outside of quarterback is a true game-changing defensive tackle. Sure. And that's what the Bengals have taken the swing to do here in sending the 10th pick for Dexter once. They have. And just so you know, in team history, dating back to 1968, this is what I call it the biggest trade.

Starting point is 00:05:26 They've never traded a top 10 pick for a player ever. like ever. This has never been a thing. They've never done it for a quarterback. They've never done it. And that's, I mean, that's a long time. That's a long time closing it on 60 years. And I just, I think that you're right. Like it's, it's so hard to find. And they looked around. And they've been in on the hunt. They've been on the hunt for a defensive tackle like this. We could talk about the draft in the 10th pick in a second. But let's talk about the defensive tackle thirst. They've had it. You're you're not alone. Like, they know it. Like, if I call it Zach Taylor right now and I'm like, man, what's the thing that you hate the most is an offensive play caller? He'd be like, a defensive tackle that can get after Joe because it sucks.

Starting point is 00:06:11 Like if you have a defensive tackle that can stop the run, command double teams and make you double team, but then also get after your quarterback and you're a pass first team, it really sucks. And Zach hates it. And they've wanted that. They've wanted some interior push. That's why they went out and got Sheldon Rankin's, whether or not that was a wise move at the time. That was their thought process behind it.

Starting point is 00:06:32 They were in on Walter Nolan. We can say that now. It's been a year plus. I think they would have taken Walter Nolan 17th overall if he was there. He wasn't. There are other options. Of course, I'm not hitting all on all of them, but they go get Jonathan Allen. And that doesn't, like that helps,

Starting point is 00:06:47 but that doesn't solve the issue. We knew that. Why weren't we talking about defensive tackle? Because there just weren't any that were worthy of the 10th pick. And so they're like, oh, wait, Dexter Lawrence is available. Well, let's try to get this done. And that's usually when a guy like that becomes available. I've covered the team for a decade and a half in some form or fashion.

Starting point is 00:07:09 And whether it was on a site that nobody read or sites that read. It's been a long time now. And I write those articles. I discuss those topics. I'm like, hey, they should try this or they should do this. They did it. The thing that everybody says they never do, they did, that this is. And I don't know.

Starting point is 00:07:28 Like obviously there's risk involved and we have plenty of time to dissect it and all of those things, not just on today's show, but moving forward. But I don't know how you can't smile at the move and get excited about it because it very much is put your chips in. And he fits really well like you mentioned. I mean, there's a lot to like about this move because of how aggressive it is, because of the mindset, because of the fit, because of how rare a player like this is and because of where the Bengals are at as a franchise. There are so many topics to discuss with this trade. It's going to be unpacking more what the direction is for the defense, talking about the 10th pick and the opportunity cost here, talking about how exactly this is going to look for the next week for the Bengals

Starting point is 00:08:14 and the impact on the draft and the impact on the players on the team, the impact on guys like B.J. Hill and Jonathan Allen and T.J. Slayton and Chris Jenkins and the very uphill battle at this point for McKinley Jackson to make the roster now, because they're not keeping six defensive tackles. Are they going to go more three, four, and keep three defensive tackles on the field and rotate primarily? T.J. Slayton and Jonathan Allen, depending on what's going on in terms of the situation, if it's a pass down or a rundown.

Starting point is 00:08:44 The other note here, James, before we continue the conversation, is the last time the Bengals didn't have a first round pick was 1989. Wow. Last time the Bengals did not have a first round pick because they traded out of the first round. They're picking at the back of the round. They traded out of the first round entirely in 1989. And that is the last time they didn't have a first round pick. And maybe the only time they didn't have a first round pick because I guess I haven't gone all the way back.

Starting point is 00:09:14 But going back to at least 1970, they had at least a first round pick. And Greg Cook was our first round pick in 69. Bob Johnson in 68. So that's all their drafts. they've not had a first round pick once in team history in 1989. Yeah. And we'll see. You never know.

Starting point is 00:09:35 But it's a good way to tee it up. What it says about how the Bengals feud the 10th pick. We've spent months talking about the 10th pick. What defenders, Downs, Bain, all of these things. I got to say Jeremiah love a lot. Well, you're not going to hear that anymore. But what does it say about the 10th pick? We will get to that coming up next.

Starting point is 00:09:59 Matt Derry here from the Lockdown Lions podcast. You know, life insurance is one of those things you don't really think about until you have a reason to. For me, it really hit home when my father passed away over 20 years ago. You start thinking less about yourself and more about the people who depend on you, making sure they're taking care of no matter what. That's why I like ethos. They make getting life insurance simple. It's 100% online, no doctor visits, no needles, none of that.

Starting point is 00:10:24 You can get a quote in seconds applying just a few minutes. minutes and even get same-day coverage. And honestly, that's huge because life gets busy. You can get up to $3 million in coverage, and some plans are as low as just $30 a month. It's just one of those things that gives you peace of mind, knowing your family is protected. Take 10 minutes to get covered today with life insurance through ethos. Get your free quote at ethos.com slash lockdown NFL. That is, eththos.com slash lockdown NFL.

Starting point is 00:10:52 Applications may vary. Rates may vary. Today's show is brought to you by Indeed. Workplace, chaos, deadlines, stacking up, inbox overflowing. Well, you need to fill that spot. You need to fill that gaping hole in the middle of your defense. The Bengals did with Dexter Lawrence and you can with Indeed sponsored jobs. Here's a stat that says it all in the minute that we've been talking.

Starting point is 00:11:18 Well, Indeed has found 27 hires according to Indeed data worldwide. So if you're hiring, spend less time searching, more time interviewing candidates. that fits your need like game wrecking defensive tackles that weigh 340 pounds and get a bunch of pressures and make opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable with Indeed. Listeners of Lockdown Bengals get a $75 sponsor job credit to help get your job. The premium status it deserves. All you have to do is go to Indeed.com slash podcast. That's Indeed.com slash podcast right now and support Locked on Bengals by saying we sent you

Starting point is 00:11:50 Indeed.com slash podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Need to hire. This is a job for Indeed, a sponsor job. all right jake let's keep it rolling here with some draft discussion and by the way if you are we are live on youtube and we will get some of your comments coming up in a bit here after we uh wrap up the the first portion of the audio portion of our show but um this says a lot about the draft for me and in the bengals they obviously have their intel we've played the game oh well obviously

Starting point is 00:12:26 we know rvel reason david bailey are gone well what about styles well he's probably going to go? Is it going to be Ruben Bain? Is it going to be downs? Are they in on both corners? The episode that we had to scratch that we were recorded today for tomorrow had to do with our locked on mock draft where it was McCoy and Love were the two players there and making a decision there. And Love wouldn't be there. I don't think there's any real scenario where he makes it to 10. And when they weighed it and they probably said Delane McCoy, maybe Bain makes it, is that guy going to have an impact? Maybe. Is Dexter Lawrence for sure going to have an impact and change the way we're built and change the way of opposing

Starting point is 00:13:03 offensive coordinators have to deal with our defense and treat our defense. I think this is very much as much about the 10th pick and what will or won't be there as much as it was about, hey, we can get this game wrecker. And it says a lot about what they thought would be there at pick 10 overall. Yeah, there are a few thoughts around the draft in general this year that go hand in hand with this. One is this Daniel Jeremiah tweet. he was on the phone with the general manager less than an hour ago, he tweeted,

Starting point is 00:13:30 going through the top 10 scenarios. And the way they had it going, they both said he and the general manager, the Bengals are screwed because of the way they saw the top 10 going. And because of the situation where the Bengals clearly must have felt this way, they didn't think they had a chance to get one of these defensive players. They coveted with the 10th pick versus, oh, we can give up that 10th pick and take that $20 million. We were going to pay that first round pick this year.

Starting point is 00:13:56 We'll give that and a little bit more. to Dexter Lawrence, we'll figure out the deal. And they're going to work out a new deal, obviously, with Dexter Lawrence. They'll sign a new deal as soon as he passes his physical, which is also part of why this move probably happens today and not Thursday. So we can come and take the physical and make sure that that all clears before the draft, right, because the draft pick is involved. And it's going to be subject to a physical, which we have to say now because of what the Ravens did.

Starting point is 00:14:21 But they're going to redirect that money from a draft that is. seen as a weaker draft class in general, right? This is not a draft class that is highly touted. This is a draft class that a lot of people are saying isn't very good. And Dave Hellman from the athletic points us out. If this is a bad draft class, you can't be mad at the Bengals for giving up a pick for the best no-sackle in football. And that's what Dexter Lawrence says. He is a one-of-one player, like you said, James. He is a no-sackle who affects the passer in ways no-sackles do not affect passers. He is a nose tackle with excellent pass-rushing ability, with the every downability.

Starting point is 00:14:59 I mean, you go back to what year was in, 2022, played nearly a thousand snaps that year for the Giants. Just didn't come up the field as a 340 pound nose tackle. I mean, that's crazy. That's also his best year in his career, was really good the next year or two, and continues to be that same guy.

Starting point is 00:15:18 Just such a huge swing for them, given that we were really hoping one of those defensive players fell, but one of the most common sentiments that you see was, what do you do if all these guys are gone? Then who do you pick? Jeremiah loves picked. All the defensive players are picked.

Starting point is 00:15:34 Who are you picking? And they just extended Orlando Brown. Well, now, not something the Bengals are thinking about. No, not something they're thinking about. There is not a Dexter Lawrence in this draft. Like maybe one of these guys becomes Dexter, but they're saying, hey, we want to win now. We want to win now.

Starting point is 00:15:51 And if you want to win now, you have to be aggressive. You have to push your chips in. you have to take a risk. Which we've been asking them to do for years. Years. Like how many scenarios do I, and I throw out scenarios all the time because, one, it's fun. Two, these are the conversations they should be having. And it's like, yeah, yeah, but they would never.

Starting point is 00:16:13 They would never do this. And there's a disclaimer. There's an asterisk. Like, yeah, but it's the Bengals. This is one where like, yeah, I get it. The 10th pick is a lot. but it addresses a need. It's a premium position.

Starting point is 00:16:28 It's something that you can't realistically find in this draft. Like maybe one of those guys become, maybe Peter Woods is the next Dexter Lawrence eventually, but he's not that size, obviously. But maybe he ends up being a good player. Maybe McDonald is a really good player out of Ohio State. Like maybe. But right now, there's no one that you could point to and be like,

Starting point is 00:16:48 all right, they're going to make an impact right now that this Bengals team needs. and it really fits. Like when you look at what they've done this offseason, my God, does it fit? Like it fits to a T like this. To me, if you would have told me this two months ago, hey, they're going to get Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen. And now they have BJ Hill as well.

Starting point is 00:17:12 Like, boy, oh boy, do those three fit together really well. Is T.J. Slateon an expensive backup nose? Yeah, but that's, those are four real dudes now on the interior. and now you have two first round picks at edge, you bring in Boyet Mafé, you get Brian Cook on the back end, and suddenly it's coming to get the pieces come together. Like there's not a linebacker in free agency,

Starting point is 00:17:35 I would have taken over this Dexter Lawrence move because of the impact it could have. So when we did our grades, it was like, yeah, but you never know, but we didn't feel like a move like this was coming, and it really fits with everything they've done this offseason. And I'm not sure they saw this coming.

Starting point is 00:17:51 I don't think anyone really thought Dexter Lawrence was going to be so unhappy three weeks ago that he was going to force his way into a new deal with John Harbaugh. But clearly he wanted out of New York. Clearly, B.J. Hill knew that the wheels were turning, that the wheels were in motion. And man, maybe he did some recruiting. And I'm glad he did. If so, because, yeah, B.J. Hill played well last year. No one realized it because he was on the field a ton and his playing through injury. And no one else could do anything on defense.

Starting point is 00:18:19 Well, now that defensive front feels a lot different. Jake, and it feels like it can hold up against anyone because of Dexter Lawrence being that anchor in the middle. And it should really change the way the Bengals approach things with their defensive front. A couple of tidbits here, Albert Breer pointing out the last time a veteran non-quarterback was traded for a top 10 pick was 21 years ago when the Vikings traded Randy Moss to the Raiders for the seventh overall pick and a seventh rounder. So the Giants did get a good return here.

Starting point is 00:18:51 There are people that are critical of what the Bengals gave up thinking this shouldn't have cost a top 10 pick and could they have gotten like a third or fourth round pick back. In general, you have to give up to get Dexter Lawrence is an incredible player and should be an incredible player for the Bengals. They'll have to work out the extension and all those things. But it is interesting when you think about the Bengals history of not giving up their first round picks. and the league's history of not trading top 10 picks for non-quarterbacks. And it is an interesting and essentially unprecedented trade in NFL history. And Adam Schaeft are also tweeting the first time in the common draft era the Bengals have ever traded a top 10 pick for a player.

Starting point is 00:19:36 I think that could probably be said for more than just the Bengals. But the Bengals have had their first round pick in all but two years, including this year, as we just went back. and I looked at every single year. I got one other thought about what the Bengals might have been thinking about with the 10th pick. And then we can wrap up with the rest of the conversation that we have here because there's plenty more to get to in terms of like, what are the Bengals going to do on day two of the draft?

Starting point is 00:20:01 Does this change your priorities? Yeah. I mean, there's so many layers this week. If you're watching live, hit that subscribe button on YouTube. Make sure that you subscribe. Ring the bell just in case we do go live because there's other news. but yeah, let's get to Jake's other thought on the draft. And this Dexter Lawrence trade will continue the conversation coming up next.

Starting point is 00:20:25 Today's show is brought to you by Quo. Quo, well, is here for you. It's going to help you and your business. Spring is a natural reset point and the Bengals hit reset on their defense this spring in a big way on Saturday by making a deal for Dexter Lawrence. But miss calls, scattered text, and no clear thread of communication. Well, the Bengals certainly have their communication in order and you can't do with Quo. QUO, the smarter way to run your business communication.

Starting point is 00:20:53 Quo is the number one rated business phone system with G2 with over 3,000 reviews, trusted by more than 90,000 businesses and everything lives in one clean thread. Calls, text, voicemails, stay organized with quote. It makes your business feel more organized, more responsive, and allows you to get work done, get big deal. deals done and accomplish your goals. Make this season all yours. Don't waste an opportunity.

Starting point is 00:21:22 Don't waste any time. Make sure you try a quo right now. And you can try it for free. Get 20% off your first six months with quo by going to quo.com slash locked on NFL. That's QUO.com slash locked on NFL. Quo. No miss tackles. No miss customers.

Starting point is 00:21:40 I have two thoughts bouncing around in my head that are pretty unrelated. First. Jeremiah, I love. Oh, no. I wouldn't. Last time I'll say his name. Last time I'll say his name. I don't believe you.

Starting point is 00:21:54 One, did the Bengals have the same offer on the table to the Raiders for Max Crosby? And could that have still been on the table as late as this week? I think yes. I think that the Bengals did not close that door and were still open to that idea. And the fact that they were willing to do it for Dexter Lawrence means that they're probably willing to do it for Max Crosby. And they're willing to do this new deal and all these things. I think that that was on the table too. if they need to make cap space,

Starting point is 00:22:20 and they do, either in the way they're going to do Dexter Lawrence's deal, is they're going to redo that deal, or they're going to have to go restructure Joe? Well, you can definitely safely restructure Joe now, because if you're worried, and I know that there are fans out there that are worried about it, if you're worried about the Bengals,

Starting point is 00:22:38 letting Joe Burrow down, I don't know if you saw Joe's Instagram story, James. It's pretty out there. But the tires? Yeah, the tires. I didn't see. like I saw a screen grab. What was it?

Starting point is 00:22:50 I'll explain it in a second. But the point I'm trying to make here is that this is the all-in move. You can't be mad now, Joe. The Bengals went out and got Dexter Lawrence. So you can safely restructure Joe Burrow. He's not going to force his way out because you tried. You did what we asked you to do. You made the move.

Starting point is 00:23:05 The Instagram story was a bunch of guys in wheels at a target. I don't really know what was going on. It was really weird. It was around the same time as the BJ Hill tweet. And it was probably when this thing was like coming together. You know? The wheels are turning. I think, yeah, the wheels are turning or like the guys were rolling out, you know, I don't

Starting point is 00:23:24 know. It's pretty bizarre Instagram story, though. Yeah, who knows? A couple things. One, yeah. I think the Bengals very much aware of the pressure that's on them. And there's a whole show about the pressure that's now on this coaching staff. Because for multiple years, like, we know, like, we were very critical of their free agent

Starting point is 00:23:44 moves because we know that there were people in the building that were also frustrated. And so it wasn't just us. We weren't a low. And then this opportunity arises and they struck and they went after it. And they deserve credit for that. Whether or not it works out, they deserve credit for this move. And I do think it's a lot to give up. I do.

Starting point is 00:23:59 Like the 10th pick, regardless of what you think is going to be there, giving up the 10th pick straight up for a 28-year-old nose tackle. You just say it out loud. It's a lot. He's going to get a new contract. We don't have details. We'll cover all of that this week. It's a lot.

Starting point is 00:24:12 But I get it. I understand it. I think you have to pay a premium to get a premium back. and it makes sense. And usually the things that are worth it cost a lot. And sometimes you do have to splurge and risk it. And I think that this is a risk worth taking. The max thing is interesting that you bring that up.

Starting point is 00:24:31 So let's do what would you rather? I would rather have Dexter Lawrence than Max Crosby. And so if it's picked 10 for Dexter Lawrence or pick 10 for Max Crosby, I would have taken Dexter Lawrence. I think he's harder to find. I think you can build around him much easier. It doesn't have the injury stuff. that Max has had, even though I do think Max is healthy enough to pass a physical and that

Starting point is 00:24:51 the Ravens just had buyer's remorse. What do you say? Yeah, I mean, I'm on record. And I said earlier in this show, I think defensive tackle, game changing defensive tackle is the second hardest thing to find in football behind the elite quarterbacks. Elite defensive tackle, second hardest thing to find in my opinion. So you're taking Lawrence over Crosby, though, like, yeah, or no. Yeah, that's where I'm going with it. It's harder to find. And Crosby's production for a couple years now has fallen off. And I guess you could say the same thing about Dexter Lawrence, but he had 10 sacks in 24, PFF sacks, which is different from your traditional counting sacks, a lot of half sacks in there. But Dexter Lawrence is unique. He is a unicorn of a nose tackle who can affect the passer

Starting point is 00:25:35 from that spot, who you cannot block one-on-one because he will toss you into your quarterback. There's a play I watch against the San Francisco 49ers. He gets a one-on-one with a guard. and he's walking that guard back as fast as a quarterback is dropping back. Like the pace of that guard losing ground to Dexter Lawrence is as fast as the quarterback's drop back. Those two speeds should not be the same. Guys cannot anchor.

Starting point is 00:26:01 You cannot anchor against Dexter Lawrence and then it'll hit you with a swim move. And then it'll hit you with crossing your face because you think he's going to try to crash on your inside shoulder and he's going to hit your outside shoulder. And he has those moves. in addition to being a 340-pound nose tackle who is going to make a difference for you in run defense

Starting point is 00:26:21 and has been an elite run defender in his career. So, yeah, I mean, I think both he and Max Crosby are very well-rounded players, very, very good players. You're talking about two elite guys that are commanding potential 10th pick offers from the Bengals and a contract in addition to that price. But I do think that it's harder to find a defensive tackle and especially a truly generational no tackle in Dexter Lawrence.

Starting point is 00:26:49 That's what he is. If you're carving him out as separate from all the other defensive tackles because he's playing a slightly different position playing no tackle. Like there are not no tackles that affect the game and haven't been for at least a generation that affect the passer like Dexter Lawrence can get after the passer and be an every down player for you. And that's why that, yeah, I mean, I'm not thinking too hard about that, to be honest. And both of them have their health questions with Dexter, it's the elbow,

Starting point is 00:27:13 with Max. It's all the stuff that he's dealt with the last couple of years. But he was still good last year, man. And so that's what you're counting on. He is now your centerpiece on the defensive line. Yeah. He is. And it, it fits so well. Like, it fits so well. Like, now the Allen Hill combo and rotating and you got Lawrence. And the three defensive tackle packages you're going to get where they're all in the field. That's a good point. Because you can get, juice like you have the juice to do that. You're going to see them do three, four stuff with those guys and they're going to rotate

Starting point is 00:27:49 Slaten and Allen based on run pass. And that's it, yes, and that's awesome. Like, Slatens your DT4. Like, if you, I know I get it, nose tackle one, nose tackle two, and then you have your two. I get it. But like Chris Jenkins is fighting now, man. McKinley Jackson

Starting point is 00:28:07 is fighting now. And that, that's what you want. Those guys need to be fighting. He can't be gifted. anything and uh and i i it just fits the veterans fit are they old in that room sure i mean lawrence is he's younger than slayton right so like he's turning 29 in november yeah so lawrence is 29 i'm trying to think of slayton's uh slaten j it doesn't really matter they're close age wise but it just it it fits that so 28 so slayton's just a little younger but if he's your your backup nose like that's a

Starting point is 00:28:43 a much different conversation, even though you're spending a decent amount on him. And you can put, yeah, the three, four thing is pretty fun. And that fits in a lot of ways and could open things up for what you do from a draft standpoint. If you get another safety potentially, or if you get obviously linebacker-wise, I'm just, now the wheels are turning.

Starting point is 00:29:05 Obviously, you have a, you have a, why am I forgetting safety three now? They just signed him. It's a long night. Yeah, Dugger fits that, like in some way. So yeah, I'm just, what do you think Jerry Montgomery is doing right now? Dancing, drinking, party and watching film, all of the above. He's out there flight tracking, man. He's like, all right, what's the flight number?

Starting point is 00:29:29 What's the tail number on Dexter Lawrence's flight to get in here? My man might be party, like music on watching film, drinking bourbon and dance all at the same time, just watching sexy, dexy, Dan. How about T. Higgins busting out that dance at the pro bono? Did he know? Did he know at the Pro Bowl, James? Did he know? It's a good point because, one, the sexy dexy dance, two, Jamar and T were so loud at the Super Bowl, like, go get a dude.

Starting point is 00:29:59 Trade this pick and go get a freaking guy. Jeff Simmons and Max Prosby were the two that they were talking about. Yeah. And because I don't think, I don't think they knew that Lawrence was available. Because as cool as Simmons would be, as Jeffrey Simmons would be, he is 305 he's not 340 like 340 like you're a beast in the middle

Starting point is 00:30:20 in the north and you know the Bengals are are looking for those those AFC North bodies always and should have some good matchups the guards in the AFC North I got to I got a look again maybe I'm maybe I'm forgetting some people but it's not the Eagles offensive line out there the Cowboys got pretty good guards too and have had pretty good guards during Dexter Lawrence's career so

Starting point is 00:30:40 that that should be an upgrade for for Lawrence in terms of the quality of competition he's facing. And heck, I mean, if you're the Ravens picking 14, the Browns picking in the top 10, they're going to try to trade back. Are you going to see some of those picks used on offensive linemen now in a quick scramble response to Dexter Lawrence entering the division? What we didn't get to today, James, what we well get to between now and the draft is we are reorienting our entire week that was going to be dedicated to the first round

Starting point is 00:31:11 pick and what we thought the Bengals were going to do throughout the draft. Well, now the draft starts for the Bengals most likely up front, unless there's another shocking move coming. The draft will start for the Bengals on Friday night in the second round. And so how does this change the Bengals second round priorities? Well, the obvious answer is that Peter was and Caleb Banks probably aren't players that the Bengals are picking at this point, but the rest bears a longer conversation. And we will get to that and so much more this week on Lock. on Bengals as we wait for Dexter Lawrence to pass that physical and be introduced in Cincinnati. Until then, that's going to do it for this episode of the Lockdown Bengals podcast.

Starting point is 00:31:50 Thanks for listening. Ho-Day and have a good.

Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - Bengals Make BLOCKBUSTER TRADE for Dexter Lawrence

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.