Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - Demetrius Knight poised for Bengals LB job - but can anyone open up the right guard competition?

Episode Date: June 24, 2025

Is rookie linebacker Demetrius Knight poised to be a day one starter for the Cincinnati Bengals? Jake Liscow and James Rapien analyze Knight's potential impact alongside veterans like Logan Wilson and... Oren Burks. Then, they dive into the heated right guard competition, exploring whether Jalen Rivers or Matt Lee could challenge veterans Cody Ford and Lucas Patrick for the starting role, and the complications of depth. We wrap up with the latest news in the ongoing contract negotiations with rookie Shamar Stewart, dissecting the implications of his agent's recent interview, and a fun hypothetical draft of AFC North players, debating top picks like Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Myles Garrett. Join the Locked On Bengals Insider Community! https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonbengalsFind and follow Locked On Bengals on your favorite podcast platforms:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/locked-on-bengals-daily-podcast-on-the-cincinnati-bengals/id1159723162Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7AObc0lh0WmQl5fJVgtajsGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vbG9ja2Vkb25iZW5nYWxz?sa=X&ved=0CAYQrrcFahcKEwio_sXtj8nuAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAgStitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/locked-on-bengalsSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!RugietHead to Rugiet.com/LOCKEDONNFLand use code LOCKEDONNFL to get 15% off today.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelRight now, new customers can get $150 in BONUS BETS when your first $5 BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnfl for 50% off your first year.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Starting point is 00:00:01 Rookie linebacker, Demetrius Knight is primed to win a starting job with the Bengals. Let's break it down. You are Locked on Bengals, your daily Cincinnati Bengals podcast. Part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. What on, Bengals fans, and welcome to another episode of the Lockdown Bengals podcast. Part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. I'm Jake Liskow. He's James Rapine.
Starting point is 00:00:34 We're your host of Lockdown Bengals here. on the Lockdown Podcast Network, which we've been doing collectively since 2016. That's a long time to be covering the Cincinnati Bengals here on one, and a one-stop shop for everything you need to know about the Cincinnati Bengals. So if you're new to the show, you can become an everydayer so easily enjoying the many everydayers out there who have those good listening habits of not missing an episode. Just hit that subscribe button on YouTube or wherever you get your podcast, and it'll help you not miss an episode.
Starting point is 00:01:05 and maybe it'll even help you make Lockdown Bengals your first listen of the day. Today, James, we dive into a vintage offseason Lockdown Bengals mailbag that we're going to start with a few questions about some Bengals rookies. We are going to get to the interview that Zach Hiller, Samar Stewart's agent, gave on Sirius XM as well. But we're not going to start the show there. Instead, we're going to start with a question from Sincisie. Buck Guy on
Starting point is 00:01:37 Twitter, a Cincinnati Ohio State Buck guys fan, I think, here James. And he has a question about rookie expectations that linebacker is Oren Burks a starter right now. I think, honestly, I think a lot of people would
Starting point is 00:01:54 have loved that idea if that meant getting Tate Rat Legend round two. But I'll digress in backpedal here. And look, I think that the Bengals like what Orrin Burke's brain. But clearly they felt like they needed to add a starting linebacker in the draft. And that's why they took Demetrius Knight where they did. They believe he's going to be a plug-and-play starter.
Starting point is 00:02:17 That doesn't mean he doesn't have to earn it in publicly. They're going to say that's a competition going into camp. I don't think they're handing him a job. But you talk to people around the team and he's handled everything well. He's practiced well. And the belief, the feeling is that 44 is going to start. And that feeling has really started the moment he was the 49th overall pick in the draft. And you're talking about a guy who's 25, about to be 25 in like a week and a half, two weeks.
Starting point is 00:02:50 This is someone you're drafting to play right away. And you think he's mature enough on and off the field. You think he's physically ready to go, mentally ready to go. So all signs are pointing to that being the case. I think he still needs to cement that, and that means playing well in training camp and in the preseason, there's going to be lumps and bumps and things that he has to learn on the fly. But at this point, I would be pretty shocked if your two starting linebackers aren't Logan Wilson and Demetrius Knight Jr. Yeah, and I think that in an instance where they have a third linebacker, I think you should prepare yourself to see a lot of Barrett Carter in some of those situations.
Starting point is 00:03:31 And maybe it will be situational. maybe they will have sub-packages that feature Barrett Carter and other personnel packages that feature Orrin Burks and maybe still other personnel packages that go with some other combination of players. But I agree with you 100%. I think we've talked about this in a recent episode as well. There are a couple of rookies who look like they are the odds-on favorite to win starting jobs. And Demetrius Knight, one of them. Dylan Fairchild left guard, I think the other one right now. but what competition, what degree of competition will we see? I think Demetriusite would have to fall pretty flat on his face in training camp for that competition to really open up.
Starting point is 00:04:12 He's been working with the starters, and you can correct me if I'm wrong there, James, but throughout the offseason program, as far as I understood it, he was working with Logan Wilson in the starting defensive unit when they had such a unit on the field. And it seems like it's been his job to lose. like you said, since he was drafted, but certainly since we've seen them on the field. There's never really been a firm indication that there's a tremendous competition brewing there.
Starting point is 00:04:41 And like Corner last year was one where we saw throughout the process, this is going to be a competition. Daxville rose up in training camp and took a job away at the time from DJ Turner, who he had assumed was going to win that job. I haven't really had that feeling so far at lineback. No, not at all. I think it would take a Herculian camp for Barrett Carter to get in the mix, not that they don't like him and not that he won't play some on defense, but it's just,
Starting point is 00:05:14 it's tough. In Orrin Berks, they clearly signed him as the Akeem Davis-Gaither type of replacement, a veteran that if you need him to start fine, you're not banking on it. It gives you some insurance there at linebacker. And look, I think they're pretty deep there overall. But to me, when you invest a second round pick in a guy like Demetrius Knight, considering who was available and knowing what we know, they really, really like Tate Ratlidge. Like, that's not, we're not mentioning that because of our evaluation. It's because we know they like them.
Starting point is 00:05:52 And so for them to hold Demetrius at that, level and view him that way. You're right. I mean, what is he going to have to do, knowing he's going to do everything right off the field, knowing he's going to bring the right mentality, knowing he's going to have the right mindset? I think really the only realistic path outside of health, which is always a factor for anything we say, for Demetrius Knight, not being the day one starter is some weird thing with the contracts
Starting point is 00:06:19 of these second round picks just goes off the rails. Like, you know, like goes off the rails completely because there's only two second round picks that have signed as of Tuesday early afternoon. And so that would be it. I think that's it more so than it's his play because I think he'll have flashes of good play, flashes of bad play, and you hope that you get all the kings out by week one. The second round pick contracts just.
Starting point is 00:06:46 Lingering. Yeah. People are not talking about it very much. I think I saw an article about it recommended to me by the algorithm this week. But we've talked about it a few times, those guaranteed contracts for the first couple of second round picks really delaying things as there is a battle brewing on guarantees for second round rookies between agents and NFL teams across the league. And that's not specific to the Bengals or anything. I know we're going to have to touch on some agent drama again today. I know there's some fatigue around that issue.
Starting point is 00:07:20 I'm trying to put this into context that says this should not be an issue of fatigue for Demetrius Knight. is doing all the work, I think it will work out. It is a league-wide issue. That is not a Bengals-specific issue, the way that whatever is going on with Shamar Stewart seems to be specific to the Bengals. Before we get to that Shamar-Stewart topic coming up next, let's talk about the right guard competition and whether that competition will open up beyond the veterans on this team. We'll go to that topic as we continue the mailbag coming up next. guys you've probably heard of Viagra, Cialis, and maybe you've even tried them. But if you're looking for something beyond the usual pill, it's time to meet Ruggiet Reddy.
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Starting point is 00:08:58 Individual results may vary with prescription treatment. Compounded drugs are permitted to prescribed under federal law but are not FDA approved and do not undergo FDA safety effectiveness or manufacturing review. Please visit the Ruggiet website for full safety information. James, throughout the offseason program, there was an assumption. And we saw it play out on the field that the right guard battle looks like it's between at least right now, Cody Ford and Lucas Patrick. Zach, at Bengals underscore Zach, wants to know if that competition will open up.
Starting point is 00:09:37 Will Jalem Rivers get involved? Well, we see Matt Lee get involved in that competition. Jackson Kirkland, maybe Seth and Glockland, if he's healthy and participating in training camp, what are your thoughts on whether we have any real belief that this Bengal staff is interested in opening that competition up to some of the youth? It doesn't feel like it. It doesn't feel like it. And the reason I say that is Jalen Rivers.
Starting point is 00:10:03 I think Jalen Rivers is the prime example because on draft day, and even pre-draft, but on draft day when he's picked, we're like, I think I even said, I'd love for him to get a shot at right guard. I think they're almost identical to what if you go back and listen to that show. and it's because when you read all these analysts and how they're viewing him, it's like, oh, well, it could be a heck of a guard in the NFL. But as of now, he's only worked at tackle. And the Bengals have a need for a swing tackle. I don't think they want to go the Cody Ford route. I think they would like Cody to work right guard.
Starting point is 00:10:40 And they signed Lucas Patrick for a reason. I think that would be their logic. My logic would be, how great would it be if Dillon Fairchild is exactly what you want? and does deliver. And then you look at this guy, Jalen Rivers, who's as experienced as any offensive lineman from a college standpoint. I mean, a ton of experience at multiple different spots, a bunch of starts, just a real, a real dude in the trenches in college.
Starting point is 00:11:07 Like he has a ton of experience. It's like, oh, well, why don't you give him a shot there? So I hope so. I want that to be the case. And then if a veteran wins it, a veteran wins it. Fine. I'm not against that at all. but to have the door not shut because I think you have to move on the fly,
Starting point is 00:11:26 especially in season, but to not open it wide when you have Lucas Patrick and Cody Ford and pretending that those guys should prevent you from looking at all options at guard, I think that's where it comes up a bit short for me. Yeah. And we've watched this guard issue play this team for years, one way or another. Literally, you mentioned that the show started in 2016. Well, Kevin Zaitler left in 2016 after that season.
Starting point is 00:11:57 So basically the entire existence of Locked on Bengals. And there have been spells of decent guard play. Clint Bowling was good. He's been gone for a while now, too. Yeah, 2019, yeah. Alex Kappa had some good years before injuries took a toll or some good periods of play, certainly at least one year. And then some injuries started to pile up.
Starting point is 00:12:17 and then he was okay, but not what you would have liked to have seen from a persistent perspective. You mentioned Jaylon Rivers. I understand the plan if they're like, Jalen, we would like you to be the swing tackle here. You don't really have another good swing tackle option on the team. And you dealt with some injuries in college. And so in the interest of keeping you as healthy as you can be this year. And I guess also speaking, to the fact that he was drafted a little bit later,
Starting point is 00:12:50 let's see if we can develop you as a swing tackle. I would love it if there were a better option at swing tackle and a better option at right guard. Not that I think Jaylorvers can't be a good swing tackle, but he's still a rookie offensive line. And it's hard for rookie offensive linemen in the NFL. And so when we're talking about these young guys, what stands out to me is, and maybe this is just, you know,
Starting point is 00:13:17 the hopeless optimism for Matt Lee is can Matt Lee get some reps at Wright Guard in the preseason where maybe they don't want to put him out there with Joe Burrow at Wright Guard. Maybe they don't trust him that way yet. But can he do something to earn that trust, right? Can he? Matt Lee. You think Matt Lee is more likely. I'm not saying it's likely.
Starting point is 00:13:40 I'm saying it's something I would like to see from a past protection perspective. Every time we've seen Matt Lee, he looks like he can do it in the NFL. it's been at center, fair. But can he at least get a shot to show whether or not he has the chops to play guard? Can he show that same sort of pass protection prowess at guard as we've seen from him in center? And given it's only been in the preseason, we haven't seen it against real dudes very often. But can he have the chance to do so because he did it against real dudes in college? And so that's all I'm asking is can we see him have the chance to do that in preseason games?
Starting point is 00:14:15 Can he go out there, play some guard and say, hey, guys, you should consider me for this job, too, at least at some point. Yeah, and that's how I feel about Jalen Rivers. I think that's what so, you know, is the Lucas Patrick signing, what's preventing them from doing that? Like, because Patrick could play center too. Like, he could be your backup center if you'd rather go that route. Let's say if Matt Lee won the job.
Starting point is 00:14:42 Cody Ford has shown that he can play tackle if needed, say if Jalen Rivers won the job. I it's tough it's just tough but I do think that Matt Lee is a certainly a Bengals Twitter favorite we liked him we thought it was a great value pick last year him showing that he can play another spot even if it's in a reserve role is huge for him making the team which I I think is pretty good we still got to make it and so yeah I think if I'm him
Starting point is 00:15:14 I'm pushing to get some guard reps and who knows maybe you you end up running with him. I don't think Cordell Volson thought he would be a day one starter a few years ago. Stranger things have happened than Matt Lee, a former seventh round pick winning the starting right guard job. The only reason that I look at Lee instead of Rivers, and I
Starting point is 00:15:31 agree with a lot of what you're saying about Rivers, right? Like, let's see what he can do. Why not? Is the other tackle options on this team right now are Devin Cochran, Andrew Cochre, Andrew Cocher, and Andrew Stuber.
Starting point is 00:15:45 I don't think Jackson Kirkland's playing tackle. Like you said, Cody Ford is in the guard competition right now. I think he's another guy they see as a potential flexible, versatile backup lineman, if that's a role he ends up in. But their tackle depth is non-existent. And I know it's hard in the NFL to build good tackle depth. But Orlando Brown and Marius Mims, and if you think Jaylon Rivers is a good swing tackle, great.
Starting point is 00:16:12 You have three guys. and beyond that you i don't think any of those guys are making the team so that that's where it's like can somebody else get into that competition at guard because they might need jaylon rivers to be that swing tackle yeah i think uh i was looking at free agent guards dante smith is available if you're uh you're interested no but it's tough it's uh i get that i do get that and when you look at the injuries, like he's going to play. Like if he's the first tackle off the bench, he's going to play this year. Mm-hmm.
Starting point is 00:16:47 And it's tough. But I want the best five out there day one. Yeah. And that's what you're balancing, right? Is like, can you shuffle guys around? How much do you want to ask Jaylen Rivers a rookie to shuffle around? Even though he did some shuffling around in college. I'm going to say the word shuffle one more time and then I'm going to stop talking.
Starting point is 00:17:05 Icky. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Those are the decisions. The Bengals are working through here with training camp around. the corner we have to discuss I think hopefully for the last time for a bit maybe not it's never ending the agent for Sharmaur Stewart Zach Hiller gave an interview on serious X the prompts of the question from one of our listeners so we will answer coming up next ever check
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Starting point is 00:18:16 and even plan long-term goals with Monarch Money in one app. And managing money with your partner is super easy with Monarch Money. You can set goals and stay on the same page without the stress, take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code locked on NFL at Monarch Money.com for 50% off your first year. That's monarchmoney.com code locked on NFL for half off your first year. James, we have discussed pretty much every angle of what's going on with Shemar Stewart and the Bengals. And unfortunately, we discussed it again because Zach Hiller, the agent for Shemar Stewart, did that serious XM interview. We've got a question from Dean at D.D. Merritt. And Dean is wondering if the Bengals ever talked to agents about potential contracts pre-draft,
Starting point is 00:19:06 if they talked to Samar Stewart's agent pre-draft about the clause that's a hold of. up. Is that an issue if they didn't? And we can get into that topic in addition to what Hiller had to say with this most recent interview. Yeah. First off, because I have seen some of this, and it's not just from Dean. Shout out the Dean. He listens all the time. I think this idea that the Bengals should have known or could have known, one, that they were taking Shamar. They didn't know that. They knew it was a possibility, but you don't know who's going to be there, who's not going to be there. And so that's one. Two, it's not like you can get ahead of it and meet with his representation and explain how things are going.
Starting point is 00:19:53 Like, none of that, like, that didn't even happen like Jamar or Joe, for example. Like, you're not doing that. And you knew for months you're taking Joe. And it was weird with COVID and stuff, but like, that didn't happen. And so that's, that's unrealistic and that no team does that. They couldn't have known. That doesn't mean that they're not aware of his agent or anything like that. But this is one of those things that has become very loud, and it's led to questions like this.
Starting point is 00:20:22 And it's not a bad question. But because things are so loud, everyone's looking at the process and thinking about it and wondering, like, what did the bank go screw up here? Are they making a mistake? Should they have done something differently? And I really don't know what they could have done differently. I've seen some say, oh, well, they should have met with him outside of the comments. by and they should have met with him or they should have went to the pro day and they should have vetted him more and it's like fine but they're fine with his character like there's no question there it has
Starting point is 00:20:51 nothing to do with that so you think that because the agents mad about a clause that they want to insert that they haven't in the past but other NFL teams have used the Bengals sort of treated him differently pre-draft and done more homework to know that they were going to be in the situation like it's just it's a really tough thing to say oh well I blame this person person for not doing more pre-draft. I don't really think anything was wrong pre-draft. And I'm not really sure anything's wrong now. It's just really, really loud, which is leading to us talking about it and obviously
Starting point is 00:21:22 plenty of attention. Yeah, I think there's a couple things there. One, is there anything wrong now? I do think that there's a significant chance the Cincinnati Bengals front office took note of what Shamar Stewart said at his locker and didn't like it. Sure. I think we... I think that's factual, yes.
Starting point is 00:21:43 I think we have commented that the way he talked about the team would potentially be seen as language that would cause him to be in default of his contract, saying that they care more about winning negotiations than winning, or contracts and winning, or whatever exactly that quote was. I don't remember the verbatim quote. But that quote is a disparaging comment to the team that for most NFL teams, based on language that they use and the Bengals have had instances of this
Starting point is 00:22:15 in their history, they would consider that to potentially be a breach of contract. Of course, he wasn't under contract when he said it, so he's fine. But that doesn't mean the team's going to like it. So that's the one thing. Now I think pre-draft, there were no character questions.
Starting point is 00:22:36 First of Mar Stewart, I agree. The Bengals, to my knowledge, did not have any character flags on Shamar Stewart pre-draft. So the character stuff is all maybe revealing itself now, if they consider this to be a character concern for Shamar Stewart. And I can guarantee you, like you said, they don't like the way he's talked about the team's negotiators at his locker. The other thing here is go ahead.
Starting point is 00:23:03 Just real quick. And I do wonder, because one, they did not like that, 100%. Is that a Shamar thing or is that his representation? Like how they view it. Like are they like, man, yeah, this agent has, you know, talked a ton publicly. Imagine what he's saying privately and did Shamar just repeat it. Like, I, so my point is for those listening and watching,
Starting point is 00:23:26 I'm not sure that they're going to hold it against Shamar, but it's definitely like noted, if that makes sense. You're going to maybe get a talking to about that. If he hasn't already or he and his agent, haven't received a letter already or an email if they've switched to emails. But like the contract language of Bengals use around that is you're going to get a formal written warning if you do that when you're under contract. So not under contract, not not counting as one of his strikes in terms of he, you get one
Starting point is 00:23:59 free pass for those sorts of comments for the Bengals. Anyway, the other thing you mentioned is, or in the question is pre-draft contact with the agents. And I think that most players have agents that the Bengals have worked with before. So this shouldn't even be necessary. If you really wanted to nitpick, or maybe this is a valid criticism, you could say, you know what, Bengals runoff, you've never worked with Zach Hiller before, if that's true. And I'm pretty sure it's true. Maybe it's not true. Maybe there's some smaller player that Hiller represented in the past that the Bengals worked with him on a contract for.
Starting point is 00:24:41 But relatively small client list, we've talked about his client list on the show. And I didn't see any former Bengals on the list. Could you maybe lay some groundwork with agents you haven't worked with before to a more significant degree? It took you until getting a one year, prove it deal done for Joseph Osai to get a deal done with David Malageta. Like, that is something that potentially. you can say the Bengals front office should do.
Starting point is 00:25:08 Maybe they could hire somebody, an agent relations individual to work with the front office. You know what I mean? Like somebody to lay the groundwork and establish normal communications with agents. Maybe that's something this team needs, given their communication issues. But I don't know if that's a normal thing around the NFL either. I'm just shooting ideas out there that, again, I don't think it's normal. When a new or small agent comes along that now you're working with for the first time, You're not expecting him to go public with all this stuff the way that this has happened.
Starting point is 00:25:40 So I think that it's hard for me to be upset with the Bengals for not anticipating this coming. Yeah. Who knows? Right. But yeah, I don't think you can anticipate it. And I don't think you could anticipate the, again, the loudness of everything. And that's, you say, oh, well, you should have. You should have been able to do it.
Starting point is 00:26:03 You should have been able to vet. And it's like, oh, well, should you? Like, should you know? And it doesn't matter if it gets done. So get it done by July, let's say 22nd. Rookies report a day or two before that. And that's when it gets interesting then. You want Shamar on the field for the rookie workouts,
Starting point is 00:26:27 and then the veterans show up, and then it's hit in the ground running. So hopefully that happens, Jake. And to get there, however you get there, that's what everyone should want. and I hope it happens so we can start talking about Shamar Stewart's the football player. That's way more fun to me than whatever the heck has gone on
Starting point is 00:26:46 over the past month plus. Well, and yeah, how's he performing in the early looks we have at him and talking about him getting ready for preseason games? And yeah, the football conversation is hopefully going to be much more fun, much more interesting. We have one more topic here that we are not going to, to get to the degree to which I thought we would get to it today, James. As usual, we're talking about some things for a little bit longer than we anticipated. I guess we're
Starting point is 00:27:15 both just long-winded, but John Callison, at John Callison for on Twitter, had a fun idea. We're just going to start it. Maybe we will have to revisit it at this point. But he wanted us to go through a startup draft of ASE North players. The top guys we're taking for real football, not fantasy football. Who's your number one pick, James? Is it Joe Burrow? Are you starting? starting your team with Joe Burrow here as we start drafting AFC North players. If you think I'm taking Lamar Jackson on lockdown Bengals, you're crazy. I'm taking Joe Burrow. What you're talking?
Starting point is 00:27:46 I mean, I would take Joe anyways, but yeah, go ahead. And that puts me in a position where, like, do I have to pick Jamar Chase and say, well, you got your quarterback. Can I, are you going to double down at quarter? Maybe you will. Yeah. Go ahead and take Jamar. See what happens.
Starting point is 00:28:02 Go ahead. I hope you enjoy Aaron Rogers and Shador, baby. Go ahead. That's right. So you take Lamar Jackson because you need a quarterback. Oh, do I get to snake? No, you're taking Lamar. I'm taking Lamar.
Starting point is 00:28:16 Do I get to snake, though? No, no, let's just take. Because it doesn't, we're not comparing the teams. Let's just draft them. I'll take Jamar. Now you go. This is one gets more interesting. I think it's really hard at this one because there's all these defensive linemen
Starting point is 00:28:31 that are really good in the AFC North, but they're all a little bit older. Like, do I think I can get four years out of Miles Garrett? Or, you know, he's turning 30 in December. I think it's Miles Garrett, I think. That's what I'm going to go here. I'm going to go Miles Garrett here. Okay.
Starting point is 00:28:50 I'll take Kyle Hamilton. That was the next guy I was considering. Yep. Those are the two for me, too, who's Miles and Kyle. I was going to go either way. Because Hamilton's younger, but he plays safety. So, you know, how do you differentiate? No doubt.
Starting point is 00:29:04 And then again, I'm in this spot where it's like, oh, man, Cam Hayward is 36, but he's awesome. He's so good. Can't pick him, though. And I don't know if I like T.J. Watt enough. I got Miles Garrett, so do I want Miles and Trey and just say, okay, I got Miles and Tray? I was like, man, you better mention Trey, you know, where you were at. You better mention T. Or is this a point where you go, you know, Tyler Linderbaum, T. Higgins.
Starting point is 00:29:34 And just get a dude, Ronnie Stanley, just get a dude for your offensive line. Ronnie Stanley, again, the age thing, becoming a factor there. He's 31. It gets really hard at this point, I think. I will take Linderbom. I'll get a guy who's young on the offensive line. Linderbom. All right.
Starting point is 00:29:59 Interesting. Interesting. I wish Roquan was better last year because it would have been easy. I'll just take Roquan. I think, let me make sure. Let me make sure here. I need to look at,
Starting point is 00:30:13 oh, you know what I should do. I'm just making sure I'm not missing anyone. There's a guy in Cleveland that's really darn good still. But do I take Denzo Ward over T.J. Watt? I think I'm going to take Denzo. I think I think I'm going to just take Denzo Ward over T.J. Watt or Trey Hendrickson because then that way no one can know who I would actually take. Joe Jomar, Kyle Hamilton, and Denzo Ward.
Starting point is 00:30:45 There you go. There's the four for me. And I'll take, I'll take Trey because this is locked on Bengals after all. And I'll just say, you can't throw the ball anymore because I have Miles Garrett and Trey Hendrickson. Yeah. No, that's what's interesting about.
Starting point is 00:30:58 I would, two elite secondary pieces and two elite pass rushers, I would have probably, if we were drafting a team and fielding a team, it would be interesting. But that's fine. I think, see, I think there's more there. I think there's more. Well, and if I'm, we wanted to. And if I'm building a team, I mean, obviously, if you're building a team around
Starting point is 00:31:17 Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase, you're going to go a certain way. And if I'm building a team around Lamar Jackson, Miles Garrett and Trey Hendrickson and Tyler Linderbaum, I'm going to go a different way. You know, you're going to, you're probably taking Derek Henry pretty soon. Yeah, I'll probably take Derek Henry pretty soon. Because he fits Lamar perfectly. I mean, it's like, oh, my God. Meanwhile, I'm not, I'm not touching Derek Henry, but it's way.
Starting point is 00:31:37 Way down that. Well, yeah. And I mean, you're probably looking at Mark Andrews, Isaiah, like maybe one of these tight ends pretty soon. At Friarmouth. And T. Higgins is still hanging out. Like, T. Higgins has got to be picked soon. Cam Haver, T.J. Watt at some point, you got to pick a stealer in this exercise, I guess. I guess.
Starting point is 00:31:58 So AFC North after all. Yeah. Well, it'd be their defensive linemen. It'd be their defensive linemen for sure. Yeah. Well, and Minka, maybe at some point. maybe i got kyle yeah you do but i don't that's right and like zach fraser certainly a draftable player from in an isa samolu draft of you know stone that's a fun one that's a fun team building
Starting point is 00:32:29 exercise and like trying to figure out you know the order because the age thing is like he higgas not getting picked a little surprising to me well the denzil award one's very question like there's probably you know i didn't i didn't spend much time on it i didn't look up his age or you know he's been in the league a while now he's pushing 30 wasn't a ton of thought like deep thought here we're doing this he's 28 he's young 28 he's got a couple years that's fun thanks for that one that one again from john callison that's a fun one fun little exercise there to try to draft the a fc north curious to know who you would draft what what order would the draft picks go for you if you were drafting the afc north if you're listening or watching in a place
Starting point is 00:33:08 or you can leave comments. Let us know in the comments. Until next time, that's going to do it for this episode of the Blockdown Bengals podcast. Thanks for listening. Ho day. And have a good.

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