Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - TOBIN TALKS | Bengals de-facto GM drops hints to Bengals' plans in pre-draft presser

Episode Date: April 21, 2025

Duke Tobin's annual pre-draft presser always includes bits of insight when you can read between the lines. And as we get closer and closer to Thursday, Jake Liscow and James Rapien are gathering more ...and more information about how the Bengals will approach the draft, with more specific insights about particular players. The guys break down Tobin's pre-draft presser takeaways as we're trying to work out who the Bengals will prioritize this weekend.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!Amazon Fire TV Stick 4kDid you know your Fire TV is also an Xbox? Turn any TV into your gaming and entertainment hub with Fire TV Stick 4K devices — no console required. Head to Amazon.com/firetvlockedon to get started. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription and compatible controller required.GametimeDownload 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.

Transcript
Discussion (0)
Starting point is 00:00:00 Duke Tobin delivered his annual cryptic pre-draft remarks and his pre-draft presser. Let's decipher what the Bengals de facto GM had to say. 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 Lusco, along with your host, James Rapine. We've been covering the Bengals here on. Lockdown Bengals since 2016 daily.
Starting point is 00:00:40 Part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. Welcome back to the everydayers. Welcome back to those of you who make us your first list. And we appreciate all of the loyal listeners out there. So very much at this time of year when we will not have a day off until maybe Sunday after the draft. We'll be here with you after each round of the draft this week. And going into the draft, we'll get our official predictions out there in our last show before Thursday.
Starting point is 00:01:08 And if you're new to the show, we'll hit that subscribe button. We've got you covered all year round here on lockdown Bengals. This is not just a draft. There are plenty of other narratives we're tracking throughout this offseason, including some non-updates, let's say, on some veterans with various trade requests that have been submitted on the Bengals defense this year. But today, Duke Tobin spoke to the media, James.
Starting point is 00:01:32 James, welcome back. We're going to decipher some of the more. interesting takeaways from Duke's pre-draft presser. And we're starting to get a better idea of who's in play for the Bengals at Pick 17. We've had a long list of names for quite a while, but this is the week where the Intel that is, for the most part, crystallized inside the building starts to trickle its way out to us in the media. But we're going to start, James, with that Duke Tobin Presser.
Starting point is 00:01:58 What were your top takeaways? I've got a couple of my own, but I want to see where you're going to go first. Yeah, I think it was a lot of normal Duke stuff. The main takeaway is, and I've, well, there are a bunch. You're right. And the defense is part of it, certainly. But I'm going to start offense because offense wins championships. Zink.
Starting point is 00:02:21 Guard, the guard that they draft is probably going to have played tackle at some point in college, maybe as recent as a few months ago. Prepare yourself. That's a very high possibility. The fact that he, it was, I think Caleb Noah of WCVO, Channel 9 asked, but it's like, hey, you open to drafting an offensive tackle with the plan that he's going to play guard right away. And we've talked about this for months here on the podcast. And he said, yeah.
Starting point is 00:02:49 And that was it. Because the odds are pretty good that that's the case. And so when you look at the Bengals' biggest need, like a lot of us agree it is guard. And there's a decent chance. that that's going to be a guy that last played offensive tackle in college. Maybe not always, but certainly something that they have to be open to, and they should be open to, of course, as they look to continue to protect Joe Burrow and bolster the offensive line.
Starting point is 00:03:19 Now, if they go two straight guards in the first two rounds, as Joe and I did in Machtapped Monday yesterday, that would be something. And that comes with its own issues as you try to navigate the draft after that. But as we got to that point in the mock draft, draft yesterday for everyone who didn't watch it was essentially like if anyone really going to be mad if they doubled down on building an offensive line to finally actually protect Joe and actually invest those resources if you tell me they get Kelvin Banks Jr. and Tate Ratledge right and those are
Starting point is 00:03:51 their first two picks you can burn the fourth rounder for me that that's because that's such a huge boost to the team, huge boost to their roster. Like I know everyone's focused on defense and I get it. But if you could have two young guards that should bring not just stability, but high-end talent and athleticism to your offensive line, sign me up all day long. So yeah, I thought you guys nailed that. And that's one of the higher end scenarios. If you want to go down different scenarios for the Bengals, if they end up with back-to-back
Starting point is 00:04:27 guards and it's Kelvin Banks Jr. and Tate Ratledge, I would be giving them an A plus for their drafting. It does things for you in the run game too. And sometimes I think we kind of lose the forest for the trees when we get to this part of the draft or just deep into draft season. We're trying to micro-analyze, you know, how can the Bengals maximize value and get the best value at positions of need with the best players in every round? And when you start doing that, then you start to talk yourself into, well, you can get a guard. in the second round. So you obviously don't take an offensive
Starting point is 00:05:01 linemen in the first round. I don't think that's the way the NFL teams tend to approach it. I think they do this a little bit. But I think as people on the outside, this is a more common trend where you go through these simulators and you do them a hundred times.
Starting point is 00:05:17 And the ones that you remember are the ones where, oh yeah, I got, you know, Nolan in the first round. And in the second round, Donovan Jackson was there. So obviously, or in the third round, Tate Routledge is there every time. So obviously, you know, the simulators, I think, cause you to get into that world
Starting point is 00:05:33 where instead you take a step back, you think about the Bengals as a team. And this is a big tangent that we weren't planning. But this is an offense first team, right? This is a team that runs through Joe Burrow and its receivers and its past game and has been undone by issues on the interior offensive line for years.
Starting point is 00:05:54 So taking two guards to start the draft, I don't think should be something that is met with derision, which it is by some fans. Some fans are like, got to go defensive tackle first round, something like that. And I get it. Like, I understand that from a value perspective. And I just think that we shouldn't be closed off to any possibility. As Duke Tobin is climbing, they're wide open in the first round. I don't necessarily believe it.
Starting point is 00:06:15 But that's what he said. Let's go over that because I do think that's interesting. He did say we're wide open. Zach Taylor kind of doubling that. backing that up saying, hey, we're looking for the best offensive player, defensive player, special teams player. Obviously, they're not going to take a special teams player only. The point is, I do think they're open past defense.
Starting point is 00:06:38 How many positions realistically do you think they could address in round one today? Like what we're, yeah, but let's go over. Defensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker, safety, tight end. Yep. Guard. Six. Guard. Okay.
Starting point is 00:06:54 Guard slash offensive tackle. you know, because they, I think, I think that's right. I don't think they're going corner. I don't think they're going Will Johnson. It's possible, but unlikely, yeah. Jadae Barron, same thing. Like, I just think, like the supernova nickel. I think really, if they trade back, some of those other corners coming to play a little bit.
Starting point is 00:07:21 So you couldn't rule it out entirely. But if you're talking about 17, I think the corners that would be. pick there just aren't perfect fits for what Al Gold wants to do. So six, six positions. Four on defense, two on offense. It makes sense to me. And I would agree with that. And I think when you look at linebacker, that's one player, tight end is two players. Like it's easy to narrow down some of these positions. Others edge, not as much. Defensive tackle, I think and we'll get into it. it is more narrow. Safety, it's two guys. And so maybe three, I guess, if you want to think that Xavier Watts is in the mix as a potential trade-down candidate or something like that,
Starting point is 00:08:06 I would be, I would rip them for taking Xavier Watts 17 overall. And I don't think they would. But that's what I think he means by open. But I hope they're open. I really don't want them to have blinders on and say we have to go defense or we have to go guard. Because I think that whatever path the draft takes them, and it's going to be a weird draft, I just have a feeling it's going to be a unique draft. There's going to be some surprises. Maybe Walter Nolan's long gone by the time the Bengals are on the clock. I think he's going to be mocked to the Bengals lap. Maybe he's long gone. And so the Bengals are going to have to pivot. But whatever route they go, as long as they get it right and get a really good player at one of those positions you mentioned,
Starting point is 00:08:51 there are going to be guys at linebacker or guys that you can target at defensive line or guys that you can target at insert whatever position that they don't get early. Even with six picks, they're going to be able to fill in some of their needs. And that's the important part to me is hopefully they are really open. And it isn't just we have to go trenches here or defensive playmaker here. Because maybe it's different. I don't know the scenario. But maybe it throws them a weird curveball and they have to pivot.
Starting point is 00:09:26 And if they do, they need to be okay with that and not zero in on one spot. Speaking of six picks, Duke Tobin was asked about trading back about the number of picks that the Bengals have in this draft. And it was a bit of a contradictory answer. But we're going to continue to parse what Duke Tobin had to say, including his comments about a desire to add picks if they can as we continue the conversation coming up next. There's nothing like the atmosphere of an NBA playoff game. Every bucket, every defensive stop, every moment feels huge. It's electric in the arena. And with game time, you can be part of it without the stress of last minute ticket hunting.
Starting point is 00:10:07 And maybe you're thinking of going up 71 if you live in Cincinnati and going to a Cavaliers playoff game. Or maybe you're thinking, I'm going to go I-74 to Indianapolis and watch the Pacers and the Bucs. Regardless, game time is going to make it fast and easy to get playoff tickets, even when demand is sky high, all NBA playoffs long. And of course, it's not just the NBA playoffs. It is every live event you could think of, concerts, all spring, all summer. Maybe you're thinking of getting ahead of things when it comes to the NFL season. Game time is going to give you all of the last minute deals, all of the convenience in one app.
Starting point is 00:10:46 And right now, with the game time app, prices go down as the event gets closer. So let's say you drive to Indianapolis, you're waiting on. on that playoff game to start. We'll go have a cold one, have that app open, and see prices start to drop and take advantage with game time. Take the guesswork out of buying tickets with game time. Download the app, create an account, use code locked on NFL for $20 off your first purchase. Again, it's the game time app.
Starting point is 00:11:11 Terms apply. Again, create an account and redeem code L-O-C-E-D-O-N-N-FL-L-N-FL-L-N-FL-L-L-T off. Download game time today. Last-minute tickets, lowest price, guaranteed. I was really amused with the way Duke Tobin talked about. the idea of adding picks because he's talking about how hard it is a tradeback and how the opportunities don't come up all that often and it's actually less often than you would think he made sure to say and then he said we have six picks in this draft we would like to have a few more
Starting point is 00:11:42 after he's talking about how hard it is and how the opportunities don't come up and later on he says something else about we'll see if we can do it or not what was your impression of the way duke tobin talked about the idea of adding picks in this draft that he's open. And I don't expect them to move up in the first round just because of the cost that comes with that. But I think that when you go into a draft, you have to be prepared for every scenario. And not just in round one, of course, rounds two through six in this scenario because they don't have a seventh rounder. And so, yeah, I think in an ideal world, they would have more than six picks.
Starting point is 00:12:21 They feel that way. They like more bites at the apple. at the same time, I think he knows the situation. We certainly do. There are going to be a lot of teams that want to trade down. The Denver Broncos, there's rumors of them wanting to trade up. Do they just want to get the 17? Do they want to go higher?
Starting point is 00:12:40 I think that's interesting. If you could move from 17 to 20, you stay ahead of the Steelers at 21 and still get your guy, that would be the worst thing is if you drop behind the Steelers and then your division rival gets the guy you wanted at 21. So yeah, I think there are going to be potential opportunities to trade down. The Bengals just don't trade up in round one. We've seen them trade up in the draft before. But I think if there were Fandau odds on this, Jake, standing pat and picking at 17
Starting point is 00:13:09 would be the odds on favorite by a lot. Because I just, I think trades are really hard to come up with and really hard to make, especially in a draft where, again, I think that they're the great. Rades are going to be sort of all over the place by the time you get to pick 17 or maybe earlier, maybe pick 13 or 14, where teams view these guys much, much differently. And when that happens, it could mean a team gets super aggressive and tries to move up or it could be the other way where everyone kind of sticks and picks. Yeah, that will be the Bengals way. Stay at 17, make the selection. And then where are you adding picks?
Starting point is 00:13:49 We had a mock from Deonté Lee, was it, at the ringer? that had the Bengals trading, Trey Hendrickson for 28? Yeah, what team was it? Lines. Yeah, Lions. It was a late first round pick, Detroit Lions. They picked Donovan and Ziriakou at 17, trade the pick or trade, tray for first rounder and go Trey Amos in that situation. That's the way to add picks.
Starting point is 00:14:16 And I don't think that anything has necessarily changed on the tray front. Duke Tobin was asked about Trey Hendrickson as well and Jermaine Pratt and very non-committal on both guys, I think, but had nice things to say about Trey Hendrickson, whereas with Jermaine Pratt, it was more of a, we'll see, we'll see if Jermane fits, talking up Orrin Berks and the starting experience that Warren Berks had, talking up his free agency class, talking about adding a starting level nose tackle, a linebacker with a lot of starting experience and interior offensive line with a lot of starting experience and knowing exactly how Somaget Pirine fits in with us, liking the roles they have carved out for BJ Hill and the return of Joseph Osai. So some free agency comments in there,
Starting point is 00:14:59 along with a couple of players that could get traded. I know that's a lot. That was a lot of different topics that won. The Pratt thing, I joked in the media room afterward. I was like, and by the way, I don't, I have no idea if they're going to draft Jehad Campbell, but I was like, Roger Goodell goes and says with the 17th pick, the Bengals select Jahad Campbell, lineback out of Alabama. And they also release Jermaine Pratt, former Bengals linebacker who set the sign. Roger Goodell announced us a release in the first round of the NFL draft. That's right.
Starting point is 00:15:34 You know, like I, that was my takeaway of Duke's comments is it's like, yeah, we've tried to trade him. We have it. We don't have his replacement yet. But that certainly could be coming. And it might not be John Campbell, of course. Carson Swessinger is certainly someone if he's there at 49 could be in the mix. But yeah, I think Trey is far more likely to be a Bengal than Jermaine Pratt. I don't think I'm uncovering anything here. I do think and I do wonder if there's going to be a team or two. Maybe it is the Lions that say, screw this draft, 28 overall. Let's go get Trey Hendrickson. Let's be aggressive. Let's put some more chips in. Like from the Lions perspective, it would make sense. would, can they do enough to make it make sense for the Bengals? Because if that that would be the question. I think so much of it just depends on how the draft goes, right?
Starting point is 00:16:28 Like if the Bengals do go edge at 17, that probably is a signal to the rest of the league, whether it means this or not that like, hey, if you want to call us about Trey and get that first round pick offer in, we drafted a guy. Yeah. So it might signal to the league, like how maybe we should check on that again. and if you're picking late in the first round like the Detroit Lions and you wanted an edge rusher and those headrushers are gone and you have an opportunity to turn your first round pick into Trey Hendrickson, maybe that is very appealing, right?
Starting point is 00:16:56 And so it just depends on how things shake out, I think, for a scenario like that to come to fruition, as unlikely as it is. Let's be real. Like we're talking about a minuscule chance for something like that, right? I mean, it's possible, but. Yeah, they'll pick up the phone. You know, I just, if the lion's called an offer, 28.
Starting point is 00:17:16 Don't you think the Bengals would be like, yeah, well, we want your fifth, too. Like, it would be like, yeah. And again, maybe the Lions go that route and they make it worth the Bengals while. I will say this. If the Bengals give up, you said they got Azaraku at 17 and then they get Trey Amos at 28 in that mock. I would not feel good about giving up Trey Hendrickson to get those two guys. Like, and I think Amos is pretty good player in a nice prospect, really not
Starting point is 00:17:46 a knock against him, but it it would feel like a huge, huge risk. And that's something that Bengals, even with the draft capital, if it got to a first rounder, I think they would say this is a huge swing that we just don't need to make because we know what
Starting point is 00:18:01 Trey is. And so we'll see. But that's where I think they would be like, I don't know about that. You know? The nice thing would be is that that trade offer would probably happen when the team was about to be on the clock. Like they would be like, hey, if this is the way it goes, we'll do this pick.
Starting point is 00:18:21 This is my nightmare. From the coverage standpoint, oh my God. Oh, yeah, we're going to have to be on our toes for that first shot. Well, just writing-wise, I don't know how, I mean, it would be. Trey Hendrickson traded. They picked this guy. It would be wild. Great, great day for content, though.
Starting point is 00:18:40 Oh, my God. It would be unbelievable. No, I just. Oh, could you. imagine if they, oh, if they did that deal and they didn't even end up with a defensive player and with either of those picks. It was back to back. It was Colston, Loveland and Donovan Jackson or something.
Starting point is 00:18:57 Donovan Jackson. Josh Simmons. Yeah. Could you? Wow. Wild. This is what happens when it's draft week. We start to come up with these crazy scenarios.
Starting point is 00:19:09 I don't think any of that's happening. Their offense would be so good, though. That would be something else. Could sell me on that. Let's get back to a couple more takeaways I've got here from Duke Tobin, and what we think might be in play for the Cincinnati Bengals at 17. We'll continue, of course, to hone in on that first round board as we get closer and closer to the draft until we get our predictions in on Wednesday.
Starting point is 00:19:32 We'll continue the conversation with Duke Tovin and those first round potential players coming up next. Did you know that your fire TV is also an Xbox? Turn any TV into your gaming and entertainment hub with. fire TV stick 4K devices. No console required. Just grab your paired controller, subscribe, or sign into Xbox GamePass Ultimate with EA Play included and you're ready to play. Dive into hundreds of premium titles from EA Sports College Football 25 to Call of Duty Black Off 6. As easily as you stream your favorite shows, you can game. It's gaming made simple and it's all on your fire TV. This is a way to play high quality Xbox games at a fraction of
Starting point is 00:20:15 the cost of a console. I already have a console. A fire TV stick 4K device is more affordable and easier to travel with you, allowing you to take you or your kids games wherever you plug in. So if you're like me and you travel every fall, while you take your fire 4K TV stick with you, and boom, you're going to be able to game on the run. Head to Amazon.com slash fire TV locked on to get started. Xbox GamePass ultimate subscription and compatible controller required. Again, that's Amazon.com slash fire TV locked on available on select devices, including Fire TV stick 4K, second generation, Fire TV stick 4K max, and Fire TV, Cube. Had a couple more takeaways I wanted to hit from the Duke Tobin conversation that might give
Starting point is 00:21:04 us some hints about some of the players they're interested in, and there were some comments about defensive tackle. You asked him about the Guard to Tackle transition. We covered that earlier, but the traits that he talked about things. I want to circle back to as well. On defensive tackle, he was asked, do you feel a need for a pass rushing defensive tackle? He took that opportunity to say that they have high expectations
Starting point is 00:21:28 for their second year players, Chris Jenkins and McKinley Jackson, and also that any defensive tackle they pick, they want him to be able to defend the run. So if you're thinking about the guy that came to mind for me was Enneas Peebles in like the fourth round as a guy that will be a pass rush first kind of player on the interior defensive line, they're looking for a guy with run defense ability as well. That does not eliminate in any way, shape, or form Walter Nolan or Derek Harmon in the first round.
Starting point is 00:21:54 I think both of those guys do defend the run at a high level. I think they're really going to like Walter Nolan. We've been kind of suggesting that throughout the process, but that stood out to me on the defensive line. They need the defensive tackle, it would be a viable run defender as well. The other thing that I found very interesting when he was talking about the guards, James, when you asked him about the tackle guard transition or the traits that he emphasized. And one of them was lateral agility. In addition to that, quick recognition, ability to drop your weight and anchor.
Starting point is 00:22:23 But quick recognition because things happen faster inside than they happen on the edge, a more direct path to the quarterback, right? And what was interesting to me there, James, was the fact that they're talking to talk about the traits that you would hope to see a guard. And we continue to see them employ guards that don't have that lateral agility and are getting beat across their face or getting driven into Joe Burroughs' lap. So I would like to see them walk the walk
Starting point is 00:22:49 on those traits that they're talking about in April before the draft. Yeah, well, last year, Marius Mims and Matt Lee, they got some athletes there. And so you want to see them do it again here on the interior with a couple of guards. And that's why I would be so excited about Kevin Banks Jr. and Tate Ratledge.
Starting point is 00:23:05 You're talking about two dudes that they certainly would lock that walk if you're going that route. And there are guards that do, that and they're going to be tackled to guard converts that do that and and hopefully they can get one or two of them i don't think anyone's going to complain if they get more than one and and who and how they view these guys is going to be really interesting because tyler booker doesn't fit that and yet i do think that they're still in on tyler booker i think there are scenarios where
Starting point is 00:23:33 tyler booker is a bengal on thursday night maybe at pick 17 maybe that changes over the next day or two, I'll keep you posted. That's part of why you should join our subtext if you haven't yet. Join subtext.com slash locked on Bengals. Our subtext people are locked on Bengals insiders. They've known that about Booker now for over 24 hours. But yeah, I think the Bengals are in on Tyler Booker. Doesn't mean they'll pick him, but he doesn't necessarily fit those traits from a testing standpoint. But I think that from a film standpoint, the Bengals are could really like what they see. So how does he end up ranking and stacking up? That's one of the many intriguing things. And I do think the other thing that you mentioned, you mentioned the defensive
Starting point is 00:24:19 tackles. I asked him about Edge as well. And that's going to be a huge factor here when they as they finalize this draft board when it comes to the edge position. Do they think Mike Green can hold up against the run? James Pierce, Jr. What do they think about those guys off? the field, but also how do they feel about those guys on the field? And are you really taking a rotational piece at 17th overall that you don't really project to be a really good player against the run? Maybe they think Mike Green could be good against the run or one of these other guys could be good against the run. Or maybe Shamar Stewart is ahead of all of them. And I don't want to sleep on Shamar Stewart because I do think that of all those guys, the James Pierce Jr., Mike Green,
Starting point is 00:25:06 Nick Scarton, and then Shamar Stewart, I think that they, could have Stewart ranked higher than all of these guys. And he could just be gone. I think the likelihood is honestly that he's not available to the Bengals. But the interesting thing that you mentioned there, Mike Green, got a number of reports that the Bengals might be more interested in Green than I previously thought. It was Benjamin Albright. And I think Todd McShay, who have both connected the Bengals to Mike Green,
Starting point is 00:25:37 Mina Kimes just did her last mock draft walkthrough where she's giving her guest this time it was Daniel Jeremiah, two choices. And Jeremiah landed on green for the Bengals of Pick 17. So there's certainly a little bit of smoke there that I find interesting. The other couple notes that I think are interesting, as we're talking about the players that are in consideration for Pick 17, I remember a week where we felt like every day we're talking about there's no clean prospect at 17. You're picking which flaw you want to live with, right? Is it a lack of production for Samar Stewart?
Starting point is 00:26:22 Is it a lack of athleticism for Tyler Booker? Is it does this guy really love football? That's what you continue to hear asked about Walter Nolan. Is it, you know, Mike Green's off-field concerns? that he's denied. And is it a lack of tested athleticism? Is it that they didn't do agility? Is it that they don't necessarily have a clear position transition to the NFL?
Starting point is 00:26:48 Is it that they can't tackle? It seems like everybody that you could throw out for 17 is pick your flaw. Pick which flaw you are willing to live with for a bunch of players that are otherwise very, very good prospects. But there's one thing. And Duke Tobin talked about this too during his press. that like they've got all their flags, they knock all the guys down and then they build them back up
Starting point is 00:27:10 when they're like, these are the things that they can do, right? After we've talked about the character, because Tyler Booker on the one hand didn't test like a good athlete, is not a good athlete on tape even. But gleaming character reports, right? We went through the beast
Starting point is 00:27:23 looking at character notes for a lot of those offensive linemen about a week ago. And so that also applies then to Derek Harmon with a lot of, injury notes and medical concern flags surfacing early this week, early in draft week. So it seems like everybody you could mention at this point is which flag are you willing to
Starting point is 00:27:50 deal with? Yeah. Yeah, I think that's, that to me is so interesting because there are there guys on day two at Edge that I like more than taking a James Pierce Jr. who might be there at 49 by the way. I think the league is kind of fading him a little bit. Doesn't mean that he won't go 14th. You know, or 15th, Atlanta may love him. But I think that there's going to be mixed stuff there. And if you, it's one thing to take a rotational piece at 17. It's a whole other one to do it on day two. Right. And so hopefully one of those guys that they have hold in high regard, whatever they end up going with at 17 falls. And we're talking about because I really do. I think that there are going to be a lot of mixed really mixed in different grades where the Bengals could look up at pick 49 and for what they have on
Starting point is 00:28:44 their board, there might be someone there that's 25th on their board that somehow gets to 49. Like that wouldn't shock me or 28th on their board because of how all over the place some of these grades could be. Yeah, I think 25 to 45 for most teams is going to be a lot of very similarly graded players this year, maybe even to 50. Yeah, I think. exactly and so where do you have them slotted right
Starting point is 00:29:10 and so it can just be wild and I think that's the other the other takeaway here it's just that I haven't been on with you in a little bit and just talking to people in the know chaos could be coming and that's
Starting point is 00:29:26 mighty mighty fun and it might not be involving a huge blockbuster trade for the Bengals but it can certainly impact them and you got Duke saying they've got the most draftable graded players in quite some time talking about the potential for undrafted free agency. The last thing that I wanted to get to here, and we'll have to be, I guess, quicker about it. Maybe we'll circle back to this topic. As Duke Tobin said, I don't think
Starting point is 00:29:46 our team absorbs a bunch of young rookie starters. I think we have starters across the board. He also said, seconds later, gone are the days where you take guys for three years from now. You need quick development and production with the implication that it's even if it is situational. So it's kind of talking of himself in circles there a little bit, but I don't buy that you don't need rookie starters, Duke? I think you do. I think that would be ideal at a couple of spots, even though we know that rookies
Starting point is 00:30:12 and a lot of solid outcomes are only average to above average players. What did you think about that? Because that one really stood out to me, but maybe we will have to circle back to it. Yeah, we will, but I mean, guard. If you're taking a guard on day one or day two, he should be a starter.
Starting point is 00:30:30 So taking Jahad Campbell. I mean, come on. He's starting. Yeah. By the way, everyone hates the Colston-Levelin thing, but if you're taking him at 17, guess what? Sorry, Drew Sample, but you're not starting anymore, right? Like, I think, honestly, I think safety. I think if you're taking Malachi starts, he's starting.
Starting point is 00:30:49 I think Nikki Monroe, even if he isn't starting, your whole defense is now tweaked to where he's playing starter-level snaps and playing a ton for you. And so I think that that's, that has to happen. And so like, let's say it's Campbell or even worry or even one of these defensive tackles. They're going to play a lot, even if they aren't starters. And then the guard is a starter, should be. And so you should be talking about multiple players in this draft that are either starters by designation or playing starter level snaps. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:31:25 I'm just not buying that they don't have starting spots available. Like they have like three at least. Full. At least three. What are you talking? They're full. They don't need any starters. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:31:39 We'll probably come back to that comment. That one really does stand out to me. Really buried the lead with that one because I don't know. It just doesn't, I mean, you would like to think you have starters, Duke. But you can't tell me who some of your starters are right now. So I don't buy it. The other thing that we didn't get to today that we'll have to circle back to is Kelsey Conway's report that the Bengals have a plan for slot corner that involves Josh Newton.
Starting point is 00:32:03 What does that mean for the other corners on the team? Dax Hill, DJ Turner, Cam Taylor Britt. I think that deserves some additional conversation that we won't get to today because that's it. That's going to do it for this episode of the James has one more thing. Derek Harmon. Some medical things. I said that earlier. We got that.
Starting point is 00:32:21 Did you? Did you? I did. I missed it. Okay. That's going to do it for this episode of the lockdown Bengals. podcast. Until next time, thanks for listening. Ho-Day. And have a good one.

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