Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - Pearce and Savaiinaea visits confirm Bengals' interest in juicing up the pass rush and adding a guard early in the draft

Episode Date: April 8, 2025

As the Cincinnati Bengals' official pre-draft visits are reported, we're getting more and more clues about how they're approaching the 2025 NFL Draft. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down what we've learned from pre-draft visits for James Pearce Jr. and Jonah Savaiinaea - that the Bengals are almost certainly drafting a guard before day 3, and are seriously looking for a shot in the arm for the pass rush. The guys also get into a debate over where and how running back could fit into the Bengals' draft plans.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!ChewyChewy has everything you need to keep your pet happy and healthy. And right now you can save $20 on your first order and get free shipping by Clicking this link: https://prf.hn/click/camref:1011l3Huc8/creativeref:1011l164602GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year.FanDuelRight now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.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.

The Cincinnati Bengals are giving us plenty of clues about their draft intentions. Now with pre-draft visits for James Pierce Jr. and Jonah Savatanaia. 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. I'm your host, Jake Liskow. He's your host, James Rapine. we are Locked-on Bengals on the Lockdown Podcast Network,

your team every day. Thank you so much for making Lockdown Bengals your first listen and a shout out to all the everydayers out there. If you're looking for a place to get daily Bengals coverage, we've been doing it since 2016 here on Lockdown Bengals. You are in the right place. You can hit that subscribe button to make sure you don't miss an episode and you can become an everydayer here on Lockdown Bengals.

Today we've got a couple more top. 30, I guess we're not supposed to call them that, 30 visits to talk about for the Cincinnati Bengals, the official pre-draft meetings where they bring prospects in and get to talk to them in person at Paycor Stadium. And what clues those give us about what the draft intentions really are for the Cincinnati Bengals? We spent some time in mock draft Monday this week, James, talking about what if there's a priority at linebacker, what if there's a priority at safety? then when you look at their pre-draft visits and the trends there, we'll talk specifically about James Pierce Jr. and Jonas Savatanaia to start today's episode.

It doesn't seem like there's a huge priority on linebacker, for example, but there is certainly a priority on a guard talking to numerous guards throughout this process, Savatanaia just the most recent, and a variety of different types and positions on the defensive front. Yeah, and I think the defensive front element is interesting. The past couple of shows, what have we talked about? Well, we talk about Walter Nolan. And he's a guy that I think a lot of our listeners and viewers would want. And now James Pierce, Jr., another guy that should come in,

and you would hope be able to bolster your pass rush right away. A freakish athlete, someone that you don't really question from a pass rush or a juice standpoint. It's everything else. and that's why I think when you look at these two guys and Nolan and Pierce, not only did they meet with them at the combine, but they're bringing them in for pre-draft visits. And it's because there's a lot of questions. And I'm not sure it's just football. I think the off the field is certainly matter. It's certainly a topic and it certainly matters.

It's a character discussion. At the same time, I have football questions about James Pierce, Jr. And I think the Bengals will too. I think they're going to openly wonder, all right, how are you going to hold up against the run? How are you going to hold up against the AFC North? Are you going to be able to be someone that we can rely on? Or are you just a guy that comes in on third and 16? Which they can use that, but you've brought this up.

Do you invest the 17th overall pick? Do you use the 17th overall pick on a guy that's just giving you some juice on passing downs? And I think that's what they have to work through. it's it's something that if they feel like with time he's 21 years old with time he can build the play strength and the the ability to contain the run and defend the run the way they're going to ask their defense events to do it and we know they're going to ask their defense events to do it well then I think they could certainly be in on James Pierce Jr because he checks a lot of boxes but that is a big football question and then just the the

general feel from a character standpoint, I think is going to be crucial in these meetings and these visits with these guys because that could be the determining factor. Hey, let's go James First Jr. at 17. Let's go Walter Nolan at 17. Let's pivot and go with another position at 17. This is the first notably 30 visit or official visit that the Bengals have hosted for an edge rusher as far as I know this year. We know they've talked to a number of interior defensive linemen. You mentioned Walter Nolan. We talked about that one yesterday. We've talked about Darius Alexander, so a couple of interior defensive linemen there. And like Walter Nolan, James Pierce Jr. is another one of those 30 visit plus combine points of contact for the Cincinnati Bengals, which is typically in recent years

a very strong indicator of interest from the team that they are seriously considering this player with one of their picks. Now, go back to last week, we looked at Matt Miller's mock over at ESPN.com. He did a seven-round mock, and James Pierce Jr. was a second. second round pick in that mock for the Cincinnati Bengals. Is this a visit that is setting the stage for Pierce's potential first round pick, a potential tradeback candidate, a potential second round pick? I think that range of outcomes is all in play because as you're talking about James, there are some questions around his profile in general.

Now, where those questions don't exist are his burst, his ability to get off the line, his ability to beat the tackle to the spot. And if he gets there before you, you're laid off the ball. You're trying to block him in a pass-ratching situation. And he times up that snap better than you as an offensive tackle. You're done. He's just at your quarterback before you've taken three steps. He's got that kind of get-off.

And obviously, everybody saw him run the 40 in his hoodie because he forgot his shirt. And it was a crazy 40. So like the acceleration, the burst, the explosion off the line, all awesome. And you can even see that in the run game, too. when he's a backside defender. When he's unblocked on the backside, he's chasing down that running back if you're able to hold up on the front side

and force that running back to read things out and make a cut. He's chasing that doubt. You don't want to leave James Pierce unblocked on the backside, at least on his college tape. So those things are there, but how well is he turning the corner? He didn't do his agility testing. So while we're talking about him as this hyper-athletic player

that's had great past rushing success in college against a higher-quality level of tackle in the NFL that he wasn't really tested against much in his college football days. When he played against better competition, his productivity did go down. You would expect that to be the case. But like a lot of players in this class, when I went and looked at a lot of the pass rushers in this class that you're looking for an injection of pass rush juice for this Bengals defensive line, so many of them did not face any players you're expecting to be drafted,

at least in the first couple of days of this draft. And he did have a game against Ohio State. He did have a game against Georgia. Those were not his best games, to put it lightly. And there are times where I wonder against a higher level of competition, will he be that consistent pass rusher, that pass rusher in those situations where you need a win, third and ten, two minute drills, end-of-game situations where you're bringing him off the bench to get after the passer?

I think he could do a lot of that. Don't get me wrong. but it's just some projecting required there. And since he's young, that's fine. You know, he can get better. He can improve the pass rush moves. He can fill out a little bit. But I think that's why there is this range when you're looking at where he could be drafted.

And that's why I wonder, you know, is this a first round visit or is this a first to second round visit? It could be both, right? And that's what's so tough about where the Bengals are picking in general. You're going to see a theme. Like, you could look at Gray's able, right? And I'm sure we'll spend time on him. And he tested really well. And you look at him and it's an elite athlete at guard.

And it's like, man, do you consider him at 17? And if they took him, there's going to be a lot of people that say, man, that's early. With James Pierce, they'll see Tennessee. They'll see the measurables. And they'll see, oh, man, he's going to give you some juice on the edge. But it may be early. and the unknown factor. The character stuff is like medicals.

Sometimes it's tough to figure out. We'll get some hints at it, but never the full picture. Never. Like Jahad Campbell is dealing with the labrum issue. And it's like, all right, well, is that it? Because if that's it, that doesn't really scare me. Is there more there? Is there not more there?

I don't know. Teams know. But like, I would really like Jahad Campbell if it's just to fix your labrum and get the heck out there and play linebacker for the Cincinnati. Bengals and we'll get to more in the linebacker in a bit, but that's what's tough as a lot of these guys you talk about, you're going to say, yeah, but. And the Bengals are probably going to end up with a yeah, but. And that doesn't mean it's the wrong prospect.

It's just what they're doing, what they're meeting about, probably right now as we're recording this on Tuesday afternoon at Paycor Stadium, on the non-flooded side of Faylor Stadium, handling what is some in-depth draft meetings. Yeah, I think that no matter what they're picking a direction and they're going to have to pick something they can live with, whether that's a tackle that they have to move into guard, whether that's a safety that you need to project a little bit into how they're going to fit into the defense, whether that's an edge rusher that has some questions about the way they defend the run, has productivity questions, didn't complete their athletic profile because guys more and more aren't doing all of the testing, especially if they're expecting to go in the first. first round. That's the nature of this year's draft. I think that's the nature of a lot of drafts. That's why you have to make the best bet you can, using all the information available to you that gives the player you pick the best chance of success. Let's continue with the themes of these 30 visits, the official visits for the Cincinnati Bengals, Jonas Savatanaia, the latest

in potential interior offensive line candidates with some tackle experience for the Cincinnati Bengals. We'll discuss that visit and that point. player coming up next. Today's show is brought to you by Fandall. Fandall is America's number one sports book. And the NBA playoffs are almost here. Fandall is giving new customers an incredible way to get in on the action right now when you join Fandall and place your first $5 bet.

You get $250 in bonus bets if your bet wins. And the NBA might be the most unpredictable sport, Jake. It really might be. I mean, the fact that the Denver Nuggets, who won the championship just a couple of years ago and have Nicole Yokic, who's going to be second in MVP voting, I think he's going to lose at the Shea Gilchus Alexander. By the way, you can use Fandle to wager on that. It's wild to see that they fired their head coach, Michael Ballone, that they fired their GM as well. They clearly didn't like the direction they were going. Maybe you think that's going to give the nuggets the boost

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They will be drafting, can I say this? Can I make a prediction here that is this definitive? They will be drafting an offensive lineman in their first three rounds. Do you think that that's 100% at this point? It's 100%. It's 100%. You can't do what they've done or not done. And by not done, I mean add a starting guard if you don't really like day one and day two of this guard class.

And that's what I think is we're seeing right now for sure. The visits really suggest they would really like to pick one of these guys probably on day two. but I think we'll see if there's a late visit for Kelvin Banks that could tell us that they're hoping he makes it to their pick and they're holding in there. Josh Simmons would be interesting in Ohio State. Those Ohio State visits don't count against their allotment for 30. So Josh Simmons would be interesting,

but they have met with Josh Connerley. They've met with Arionte Ursary. Those are both tackles, college tackles, from Oregon and Minnesota, respectively, Ursuli, almost certainly for the Bengals would kick into guard, would be a second round idea. Josh Connerly, kind of in that one-two range again, where I wonder if that's maybe a tradeback visit

or maybe they just think really highly of him. In addition to that, we know they've had a 30 visit with Charles Grant, William and Mary tackle, who will project into the guard position in the NFL. And now Jonas Savatayanaia is another one of those. combine and 30 visit guys, which again tells you about a serious level of interest for the Cincinnati Bengals, almost certainly a second round consideration, a third year player junior from Arizona whose strength as a tackle was in pass protection and would be asked to, for the Bengals, play Garg, where a lot of that stuff is different, but the athleticism requirement

not quite as high, but had a great shuttle, especially if he was playing guard. really good size for the position at 6-4, 324, nearly 34-inch arms. So a lot of things there that you really like. The hole in his profile right now was his run-blocking production, at least according to PFF. Maybe that gets easier for him. Maybe he's a more natural run-blocker when you get him in a phone booth, when you get him at guard instead of tackle.

But another one of these guys, James, is a college tackle that would project to guard in the NFL, which I know we've talked. about we've spent time on this topic i think i talked about with joe goodberry a week ago is is scary for a lot of bengals fans thinking about some of their failed experiments in this area but is a common pathway for some of the really good guards in the nfl yeah it is and it's about time the bengals get it right at some point i hope when it comes to that no i think uh when you read if you just read what lanserline wrote about seva ania durable three-year starter who is built like a right

but has valuable protection experience as a college tackle. Saba Anaya doesn't have the athleticism to stick at right tackle in the NFL, but can play there in a pinch with some help. He's wide and can engulf smaller opponents as a base blocker, and he goes on and on and on. But they're looking for a right guard. That's exactly what they're looking for. I think they likely view, not that they're not open to offensive line in round one,

I think they view the meat of where they need to get a guard in rounds two and three. And that's why they're doing their homework, in-depth homework on these guys. I think in an ideal world, they would get a defensive playmaker in round one in their minds. And maybe that changes over the next couple of weeks. But I think if the draft were today, they're thinking, defensive playmaker round one, rounds two and three, got to leave with a guard. And probably the next best defensive player, but open. because they are meeting with the Ohio State guys like you mentioned.

Trevionn Henderson and Judkins as well. Yeah, Quinshawin Judkins. Sorry, it took me a second. Anyways, Quentin Jenkins? Yeah. Quentin Jenkins. Quentin Jenkins. So I was right.

All right. You got me questioning my names. Quinshon Judkins. That's my job. Don't take my job, James. It's ridiculous. I know. I can't believe it.

Pretty soon I'm going to be saying, who day have a good one. And that's just going to be. you know, wild. And anyways, in the middle of the show, though, I just won't know when to say it. But they're doing these, their due diligence on these guys

because the draft can break in a much different way. And what if it breaks where they don't have a real, like legitimate offensive line option that they value at 49? And then the same thing happens at 81. They can't just reach and take one. And that's what's tough. And same thing goes at pick 17.

you can't just take a defensive player to take a defensive player. What if they really, they love Kelvin Banks or they love Josh Simmons and they're comfortable with the medicals or insert whoever and there are other prospects to name. The point is, though, is I think that you're starting to see their game plan. And usually that plan, they're going to try to stick to it. But you just never know how the draft is going to unfold. There were multiple years where they thought they were taking a tight end on date. on day two or early day three.

And it just never fell their way. And that's why up until last year was like, man, they haven't drafted a tight end in forever. And so we'll see if their plan that they formulate can, they can stick to it and get the guys they're targeting. Yeah. And Savahanaia is a guy that could be second round, could be third round depending on where you look.

PFF has them at 90 on their board right now. Brandon Thorne has a second round grade on Savanaya, a potential impact player second round grade, 7.5 out of 10 over at Bleacher Report. That's 59 on their board overall. His consensus ranking as we're tracking it so far is it 57. We'll get the Beast tomorrow Wednesday. It's beast miss eve as we're recording this one.

Looking forward to seeing how he fits into Dame Brugler's massive publication over the athletic as well. But as a player that has a strength in pass blocking that you're talking about moving inside to play to his strengths where he has the size, he has the power, he has the, as Brandon Dorn writes, initial quicks to earn him a starting role at the best suited position for him, which he says is a guard in the NFL. That seems like it would fit. And so there might be some development to do. There might be some technical refinement there that needs to happen.

That would be Scott Peter's job. and Scott Peters, this is, you know, talk about all the pressure on Al Golden to find the right guys for his defense and to rehabilitate this defense that fell off and find ways to get these guys to perform at that level. There's also a lot on Scott Peters plate right now to be part of this process that is identifying a player in this draft who is going to have to start almost certainly very early in his career, if not immediately in Cincinnati, and be an adequate. acquit pass protector right away. That is a hard thing to do for any player. There's often a transition we've talked about with most rookies guard no exception. But if you can get it right there, you can get a huge value add to this team. And so it's nice to see. And I would expect them to continue to do. It's nice to see them doing this homework on their options for guards early in the draft. Sure. And let's say they really like Seva and I.

And he does fall to pick 81, but they've taken Josh Simmons in round one. Let's just, or Kelvin Banks or whatever. Okay. You really like them. Still take him. I'm fine with two. One is a must. You must do it.

But if they, the value that Amarius Mims brings, knowing that you can drop back and feel confident that he's going to be a quality pass protector, think about how. having that at guard with a rookie that you know is going to be under contract for four, maybe five years for a first round or at least four years in Seva and I is case. Like that would be great. So yeah, totally with you there. And the double dip on offensive line, I don't necessarily think that'll be a huge part of the plan.

But you can't rule it out, especially given where they're at and how much homework they're going to be doing on these guys. Yeah, we'll finish up the show with a little bit more on that topic as far as what they'll leave the draft with holes. I think no matter what. but there's a bit of an absence of pre-draft linebacker visits. And if that is expected to be a priority with Jermaine Pratt still on the roster, when we see that change, let's discuss that topic a little bit more

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Minimum purchase required new customers only. Terms and conditions apply. See site for complete details. The idea of taking two offensive linemen in this draft should be exciting. Yeah. It should be, we have two young guys that we think can anchor the interior of this offensive line going into the future. We've got Matt Lee on the roster.

We like our depth there. They gave Cody Ford a deal. They signed Lucas Patrick. Cordell Volson still on the roster, maybe wouldn't be if that was the case, given the contract situation there in his likely role if they were to draft two offensive linemen who would be competing for those interior spots. But the idea of a better-than-average offensive line, some athleticism on the interior, some youth to go along with the Marius Mims should be appealing.

But with six picks and obviously the missing pick is the seventh. with them with their own pick, so it's not like you're finding a starter there most likely, but you're giving something up. And we've talked about the need for them to add players on the defensive interior, on the edge, at safety, perhaps, at linebacker most likely. If you can find a tight end in this class, that would be great. If they can find another running back in this class, think that would be a potential benefit to the team as well.

And you can't do all those things. And if you double dip, you can do even fewer of those things. And so when we're looking at where the Bengals are spending their pre-draft resources to get more information about players, that's why these things are so relevant because it's telling us, okay, these are their priorities. They are looking at the edge. They are looking at the interior defensive line. They are looking at plenty of offensive linemen. They've looked at some safeties and some depth. But the only significant interest they've shown externally in any linebackers is they met with Barrett.

Carter, Clemson linebacker at the Combine, then Nicholas Martin, Oklahoma State linebacker in for one of their 30 visits. That's it. And he's, you're talking about a guy that's, that's day three. And so I wouldn't be mad at that, by the way. Like if they wait till day three to get a linebacker, like, fine, I, I would probably say guard, safety, pass, right? Like, there are a lot of things that if you really wanted to rank what would be ahead of linebacker. I think a lot of people would have linebacker and just the thirst for another playmaker on defense ahead of running back. But running back's a need. And this is an awesome class. So if you leave the draft without a running back, that is going to suck to be quite honest with you. I think it could be fine.

Personally, I think we might disagree a little bit on this one. Like, it'll be nice to get one. So my JP run is the worst RB2 in the NFL today. Worse thing. Absolutely. Absolutely. He's the worst. I'm not arguing. I mean, I might argue that. I would have to look. I'm just saying worst things have happened.

Can he pass protect? Absolutely. But you're not going to like want to hand the ball off to him 15 times. And I like Piron, but he's, he's an RB3 where he's going to contribute on special teams and run block or in pass protect for you when you need it. But you want someone out of this class. And so because there's just, there are guys like Trayvion Henderson is RB1 last year. RB one. And it's probably not even close. And so that's just giving you an idea of how these

classes can go up and down. So if you take a running back in the fourth round this year, well, that's a day two guy last year. And that's where I'm at with it. So odds are at some point running back will be the best player available. Maybe not. And if it doesn't fall, it doesn't fall. I'm not saying force it for a running back. But it would be nice to take advantage of this class because I'm not sure there's a stronger position in this class. I think defensive line has been overblown. I think offensive line is, at least that guard is better than we realize, but it's a lot of tackle to guard converts.

Safety is not nearly as deep as it may feel to some people, because we're talking about the same like six names, to be honest with you. So that's where it gets, it's lean. And this draft doesn't feel great at a lot of spots. We haven't really talked about receiver at all, but it doesn't feel great there. And by the way, if the Bengals wanted to go to their patented day three receiver, I don't know how they could, really, in this draft.

It wouldn't feel good if they did. I've done it to give you a few bucks. I've managed it. I'm not picking a running back in this. Sure. And so that receiver better be able to contribute as RB or as wide receiver three. Because I'd say a lot of running backs in this class come in as your second best runner behind Chase Brown.

There are a decent amount of guys that can do that. And that's all I mean is you don't want to be in the middle of the year next year. And it's Samad J.P.R. and Trevion Williams as you're one, too. Like that, that feels rough, to be honest. I get it. Running back might not be valued as high for some people. But that would be kind of scary, I would say. It's just a concern that if they were to not have Chase Brown for any period of time.

Because if they have Chase Brown, just like last year, It's fine. Sure. A really good player. He also can't play. He also can't play and have the workload he had last year when he was having that workload. Like that's very, that's extremely unrealistic. Maybe.

Is it? Why? Tell me more. You think Chase Brown is going to play 50 plus snaps every week and get, well, it was like, it was more than, it was like 85% or 90% of the offensive snaps. It's just unrealistic. What other running back is doing that? I mean, I'm not saying it's ideal, but again, if it's Chase Brown and Somagri Piron, and those two guys are healthy the entire year.

Well, I think it's fine. Yeah. If you go in Madden and turn injuries off, well, sure, but this isn't that way. Like, we saw, Chase Brown got hurt last year. I know. It's an injury risk situation. How much are you willing to invest in a position that won't play more than like 10 snaps a week unless there's an injury?

I disagree there. I think the only reason why Brown played that much is because their running back room sucked. It was the worst in the NFL behind Brown. But you're assuming that they're trusting the rookie running back to play over Samajai P.Riam right away, which they wouldn't. I think they absolutely, as a runner, 100%. As a runner, which is like five snaps a week. Like taking Chase Brown off the field? I think that there are guys.

No. This idea that Chase Brown is this all pro, he should split time. He's a fifth round running back. Yes. But you're talking about a guy like running snaps for a rookie. That's what you're talking about being worried about right now. I'm not worried. See, this is you're twisting my words.

What I'm saying is I'm not taking, I'm not passing on Travian Henderson for a defensive lineman that's 90th on my board. Or a linebacker. But 65th on my board, fine. That's not that extreme. Because Trayvion Henderson's going to probably be in the Bengals top 40. Spoiler. Would not be shocked at all.

He's even higher than that. And so that's my point is a lot of people would say, oh, well, you have to take the line. You have to take offensive line there. And it's like, all right, well, who's there? And the running back is coming in. Travion Henderson, for sure, would come in right away. And it would be like, I bet it would be like 40.

60. It wouldn't need to be 80, 20. It's 80, Chase Brown, 20 everybody else when everybody else isn't good enough to eat more snaps and play more snaps. That's why. The interest of Bengals have shown in running back, regardless of what we think, is a combine meeting with Ashton Genti, who almost certainly will not be available to them, a combine meeting with Can Scatabo from Arizona State, who would probably be available to them in the third round or so. Maybe, maybe, maybe He doesn't quite get to their third round pick. Maybe he does. Tramiont Jenkins, the two Ohio State running backs do not count against their 30 visit limit,

but they have had them in for meetings in Cincinnati. That is the extent of their interest in running back. And there are interesting players there. I have a hard time imagining any of the premier running backs being significantly better than there are other options in round two and round three. But you can certainly see it just in terms of, where the overall player would be on the board, plus the need adjustment and the value adjustment for the position.

I'm not saying, you know, versus your 65th player, I'm saying I can see very well a scenario where, you know, you're 40 to 45. And it's a position that you value more highly in a position that is a need for a starter. And that's a very easy way to go. And it would still be at some point not getting a running back in this, Because again, that... What are you giving up to that question?

Like, what thing are you just saying, like, we're just not going to do it? I'm not saying that. I'm not saying that at all. What I'm saying is that running back is the best position in this draft, the best, and it's not even close. I don't even know what would rival it. I don't know if I agree with that. What's better?

I mean, I just don't think it's an extremely good running back class. Just looking at the grades we have so far, defensive tackle certainly is better. Maybe, yeah. At the top, sure. Through like the third round. Okay. Well, no one wants a running back in the first three rounds. So if the Bengals take a running.

You're talking about Trayvian Henderson for the last five minutes. No. See, you and everybody else that does this is taking it wrong. This started with me saying that if the Bengals don't leave the draft, the draft with a running back. Then you started talking about Trayvian Henderson. Because they're interested in him. Uh-huh. And I would be open to it too.

but that doesn't mean that I'm going to be mad if we're leaving the draft Friday night and they haven't addressed running back. They at all these spots, guard, well, they could sign Brandon Shurf. Running back, well, they could go out and get J.K. Dobbins. Like, they can address it after the draft too. And so you can sell me on that idea if you miss out on the running backs and you go out and get someone that can actually run the football. Right now they have one guy who can do that.

It does still matter. They suck it. Undercenter runs on. third and fourth and one. Part of that's guard. Part of that is they need someone that can actually do that. And so they're, that that's an element that they should address. When they address it, maybe it isn't the draft. Maybe the draft doesn't fall their way and they do it in free agency. There aren't a ton of guys out there, but Dobbins is the one that could certainly help in that department.

Started this with how they haven't necessarily been super active, at least as far as we know, with linebackers. ended up on a tangent. That's a fun tangent, though. I just think ultimately, well, philosophically, I'm not opposed to a running back. I think in context, it might be very hard

to find a place where running back is screaming as a BPA and you're not giving up something else significant to take it this year if you're the Bengals. I would be shocked. I'd be shocked if that's the case because running back's just so much,

it's deeper. You think very highly of this running back, class, I think, compared to me, where I see a few players at the top end and I don't really see a bunch of depth players that I'm very excited about. Like, there are a couple guys on day three. But, and that's where I think it would fit would be day three, to be clear. You're like on an island here. Everyone loves this running back class.

The sheet does not love the running back class. I'll tell you that. All right. Well, when the beast comes out tomorrow, it's going to love the running back class. Sure. I'm not saying like there's a number of players a lot of a lot of the sheet the problem is is a lot of these guys didn't do everything so that's part of it but Henderson's high on the sheet to give you an example yeah he is but he's also tied for what would have been first in last year's class with jonathan brooks is how that works out but that's what I'm saying he'd be the first and he's not hurt so he'd be the first one off the board last year that's all regardless I again have a hard time imagining it

the best option for the Bengals before day three. Sure. No, but I would be shocked if there isn't a running back at some point on day three where they're like, yeah, just like they did with Chase Brown. And that was a bad running back class. Could be. The first couple guys. Knowing them, I would think they would likely, not entirely,

but likely want to check off several boxes before they get there. I even think linebacker, it could be one of those boxes, unless they feel really good about getting a guy they really like. in the following route or they're doing some maneuvering that we Day 3 linebacker isn't starting either. We'll just keep debating, but day three linebacker won't start. I think there's a better chance of that happening than a day three running back starting. Well, starting, sure, starting.

I mean, as in the first player on the field for that, but playing more snaps, I think the running back would. I think there's a solid chance. They have an awful running back room. They don't have a second starting line. I'm backer if Jermaine Pratt isn't on the team. He's on the team. And will he be on the team?

He wouldn't be on the team right now if it were me, but, you know, it's one of those things. Let's get the episode. Let's do tomorrow's show right now. Let's just roll this into the next show. We're going to wrap up there. That's going to do it for this episode of the Lockdown Bengals podcast. Until next time, thanks for listening. Who day and have a good one.