Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - Zac Taylor on Bengals' Linebacker Concerns & Need for More Talent on Defense

Starting point is 00:00:00 Zach Taylor broke down the Cincinnati Bengals free agent additions and priorities for this offseason at owners meetings in Arizona. 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 up, Bengals fans, and welcome to another episode of the Lockdown Bengals podcast. He's James Rapine. I'm Jake Lisco. And today we're going to dive into everything Zach Taylor had to say in Arizona.

Starting point is 00:00:36 where a group of Bengals media were present to hear from Zach Taylor, the Bengals head coach, the AFC coach's breakfast on Tuesday morning, Kelsey Conway, Paul Dana Jr. and Jeff Hobson, those reporting from Arizona, we're going to be referring to their work, and they've collected the quotes and written up the summaries of what Zach had to say. So I would encourage you to go read their individual write-ups at their respective sites, Bengals.com, The Athletic, and Cincinnati.com. get that first-hand perspective. But that's what we're going to be talking about with you today. And that's going to include later on in the show, Zach weighing in on Joe Burrow playing flag football.

Starting point is 00:01:15 But more importantly, and where we start is Zach Taylor getting into all of the defensive positions and expectations and hopes and dreams for this team as they obviously didn't get everything they wanted to get done in free agency. That's one of my takeaways, reading what Zach's. Jack Taylor had to say today, they're still looking to make additions over the next month at a number of spots. And whether that's in the draft or whether that's a veteran after the draft or maybe a guy gets cut somewhere after the draft, we'll see how they continue to add to this team at these various spots. But let's start with linebacker, James, because I think that is probably the hottest topic for fans at this point as to the biggest thing they did not get done in free agency was bringing in some assistance for a linebacker group that is seen by many as the worst in the NFL in 2025. And Zach had a lot to say about that group. Well, look, you know what Zach can't say? I'm going to spell it out. Zach cannot say, damn it, we tried to get a linebacker and we were

Starting point is 00:02:23 really worried about these guys. And we couldn't get one done. And so we really, really won a linebacker in the 2026 NFL draft. And if Sonny Stiles or Arvel Reese are there at 10, we're going to take them because we really, really need linebacker help. That's not what he's. going to say. So let's start there. Like there are so many people that I think have dissected these quotes already and said, oh, well, the Bengals clearly weren't in on this or they were in on this or see their confident in Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight. And of course, of course they believe that those guys can help. But the first things first, you, man, look at me

Starting point is 00:02:57 plugging a national show for no reason at all. That was dumb. Second thing, second, that's not a national show. So we'll do that. This idea that the Bengals weren't in onlinebacker, and that's like a main takeaway. Like, they were absolutely an online backer. You heard it, I heard it. We know it. And we're not saying it for our health. At the same time, when you give your, not all, but when you make an effort to add at that spot,

Starting point is 00:03:28 and it doesn't happen, and you're definitely going to be leaning on Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter, regardless of what happens in the draft, well, this is. is the route you take. And I think Zach was about as honest as he could be. And we're going to need them to take another huge step. Them isn't Carter and Knight. And you could throw in a lot of the other Bengals young defenders that they've invested valuable draft picks in into that boat of they need to take a step forward, some a couple steps forward. And that's sort of the theme here on defense is yeah, they've added some pieces and some guys that can help. But they're going to be banking on a lot of young guys still.

Starting point is 00:04:11 And that's the bottom line, whether it's pick 10, pick 41, pick 72, obviously all the young guys that they've previously drafted. And so linebacker is no different. My overall takeaway was, yeah, you can't throw Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight under the bus at all because they may end up being really good players still. And you drafted them for a reason. At the same time, I totally think that Sunny Stiles is in play for the 10th overall pick. And R. Val Rees, not going to fall there, but if he did, would probably be the pick 10th overall.

Starting point is 00:04:47 And linebacker is going to be very much on their radar because that's one of those position groups they've wanted to address this offseason. And it's certainly something I expect them to address in the NFL draft. Yeah, I think not only could they potentially take that huge step, right? And I'm not projecting that. I hope they do. I'm not projecting that. Zach also isn't going to throw them under the bus if he knows that there's a world where they have to rely on those guys.

Starting point is 00:05:13 No doubt. What Zach did say, acknowledging the prioritization and the scrutiny on the lineback position is Paul DeNer Jr. wrote it up. I think at moments where we can add a player, there are players that pop up at other positions that we feel are critical additions. Jonathan Allen being one of those guys. It doesn't mean we don't prioritize it being line. linebacker and leadership in that room, it means that at the moment, the fit is somewhere else.

Starting point is 00:05:37 And so we've identified that and added to it. My takeaway there is that you could read that a couple of ways. One, maybe they were entertaining some of these mid-level linebackers that were out there. And then when Jonathan Allen became available, they hold him in such high regard that they dropped the linebacker plan and decided we think that for the money that we're going to spend, Jonathan Allen makes a bigger impact. Sure. The other.

Starting point is 00:06:04 And I think the truth is probably somewhere between these two things is, well, you know, the linebackers that we wanted to get ended up making a little bit more than we wanted to pay. We didn't land any of them. And at this point, we might as well pivot to Jonathan Allen. Not that like we're going to drop linebacker plans, but the linebacker plans we had didn't come to fruition. And now we have some money to spend. Jonathan Allen became available. And like I said, he's a guy that they hold in high esteem.

Starting point is 00:06:32 and think that can help them. And so they pivoted to Jonathan Allen. So it's somewhere between like they had linebacker plans and Alan became available or they didn't execute their linebacker plans and then Alan became available. But clearly I think Allen's availability at that point was something that did alter or came up as an answer for plans that they had. Yeah. I totally agree.

Starting point is 00:07:02 We've known, like, as much as they've starved for linebacker, they've been starving for defensive tackle for years. And a guy like Jonathan Allen was probably the last guy that they felt like could realistically help them in that area. And he just happened to be available. He didn't count against their compensatory a process and hurt their chances of getting a compensatory selection. for Trey Hendricksson.

Starting point is 00:07:30 And so that is a factor when you're weighing, oh, should we go after Jonathan Allen or, I don't know, Bobby Wagner or whoever. Right. And so there's levels to it. And that's it. I think in other worlds, the Bengals add a stud, like in his prime linebacker with that Jonathan Allen money. But it didn't happen.

Starting point is 00:07:54 And so now they look around and they get Jonathan Allen. and lo and behold, Joe Flacco returns, and they look at the draft. And by the way, linebacker was the one spot in free agency that I was like, yeah, if you're going to address the defensive line and you're going to address safety and especially at top of the market, or the best safety on the market, for that matter, I can understand going into the draft needing linebacker because there's a lot of linebackers in this draft that should be able to help you.

Starting point is 00:08:25 And so I get it from that. perspective. So yes, just because they didn't add one doesn't mean they weren't interested in adding one. And pivoting is a part of free agency. It's just what you have to do. You have to move fast. And I'm not mad that they got Jonathan Allen, especially because most of the linebackers, if not all of the linebackers, that would have been difference makers were gone by that point. The other thing that's probably sticking with fans is after he said the thing you mentioned, We're going to need them to take another huge step, obviously, for our defense to be where we want it to be as a championship caliber defense. He finished that thought with.

Starting point is 00:09:03 But just with the critical eye from us, over the last half of the season, I was really encouraged with their development. And I think we'll see another big jump this year. He talked about if that doesn't work out, they're going to need to rely on depth. And he talked about Warren Berks and Shockett Hayward and talking about the fact that they have guys with experience in the system. To me, that is mostly lip service at that point, James. I think that, again, Zach is always a guy consistently in Cincinnati, especially when there's no change that's happening.

Starting point is 00:09:31 Like they had gone out and signed the Green Bay linebacker, Quay Walker, and Quay Walker was in Cincinnati, probably hearing a bit of a different too. Like we brought Quay Walker in, he's going to lead that group. He's really going to bring those guys along, and he's going to be the anchor for that group.

Starting point is 00:09:48 It's probably what you're hearing today. But since that didn't happen, this is what you get instead. I think that the clear thing that was my takeaway was that linebacker was in some way, shape, or form in their plan and remains in their plan in some way, shape, or form. But I do wonder how much you can rely on them, given how much they've talked about it, a rookie to help you in year one, especially if it's not a sunny style. So even if it is, getting that instant impact from a rookie linebacker can be tough.

Starting point is 00:10:12 We'll continue the conversation here. Zach had a lot more to say about cornerback, about other spots on this defense, about the guys they did add as he was talking to folks in Arizona. You coming up next. What if sports were traded like markets? Now you can put your sports IQ to work in real time with Robin Hood prediction markets. It's not you against the house. It's you participating in a live market.

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Starting point is 00:11:35 I think we're going to have more on that based on what happened at the Tennessee Pro Day on Tuesday later in the week. But I think the fear is that the Dax and DJ duo, one of those guys, isn't going to get signed if they take a cornerback early, especially round one, 10th overall. and Zach Taylor, you want to talk about confidence, I think he's pretty darn confident in DJ Turner and Daxil. I think if Jack Taylor got his way, they would keep DJ Turner and Dax Hill. And I think that's a fair, reasonable takeaway from a coach's perspective, certainly,

Starting point is 00:12:13 based on his comments on Tuesday. Yeah, it sounds like they're going to be looking to add to the quarterback room, but there's a lot of confidence in Dax and DJ at the top of that room. And he was even asked like, oh, does that mean if you add a corner, Does that mean Dax is going to kick back inside to the slot? Zach was not ready to comment. He said it's too soon to say when he was asked about Dax changing positions once again. But he's also on record, I think, this offseason is saying that he prefers Dax outside.

Starting point is 00:12:41 And so there is obviously, as we've discussed over the years, a consistent need in the NFL for your fourth corner to play, your first outside corner off the bench, including your starting three being the two outside guys in the sloth. lot guy, but they also need a slot guy in some way, shape, or form. And Zach talked about that, whether it's a veteran guy lingering out there, whether it's at some point in the draft, unknown when that will be. But I do feel like we have talked and feel comfortable with the direction. We'll head there. We'll see how it shapes out over the next month and the half.

Starting point is 00:13:13 And the takeaway from that from everyone in attendance was essentially like, yeah, this team's going to add a corner in some way, shape, or form. And that does make sense. I mean, I've made the joke, and we've talked about it in passing a few times. when you look at the corner room right now you got dachs and dj and that's awesome and then as josh duton davis dj ivy and jaylin kimber on the roster at cornerback and so who knew that he was on the roster like for real outside of his family and i'm being on i'm being kind of joking but not really braylon lux as well a guy they actually like uh for the practice squad in the braylin luck sure

Starting point is 00:13:51 uh jaylin kimber i did not know it was on the roster there you go there you go so one of those one of those future contracts like russ yeast i kind of vaguely remember rus yeast yeah yes the these uh dante meyers another one one of those i wrote about russ yeast when he was signed uh this was last year uh when he signed to the practice squad and then obviously he signed a deal uh to come back but yeah jeline kimber unknown in your point it's a good one Daxil, DJ Turner. And then after that, like, DJ Ivy, I think can play. I did help them, did have a role.

Starting point is 00:14:30 But you just need depth at corner. It's very, very simple. You need depth that corner. And it would almost be like if the Bengals had two proven pass rushers, but that was it. It's like, well, in the secondary, you need guys. You need waves. It's just very similar to pass rush in that way because Daxhill has had injuries. DJ Turner has had injuries.

Starting point is 00:14:53 and your one play away from the next guy being in there a ton. Oh, by the way, Jalen Davis is your starting nickel and competing with Braylon Lux as of today for that spot. You probably need to add there. And that's it. That's what's interesting about Corner is what do they look to add? What do they look to target? If you're taking a guy at 10, you think he can be locked down.

Starting point is 00:15:18 You think he can be an outside guy that's going to travel if needed. and really be a huge part of your defense, a cornerstone piece of your defense for the next five years, probably next decade if you're going corner. And so that's a real question. Caleb Downs, that addresses the cornerback room this year. That helps a big way in the nickel if you go that spot and go with that. But next year, he's probably replacing Jordan Battle. And so you're going to still see him there, but not as much. So I think that that element of it is interesting and the more I think about it like I think they're going to take a linebacker Jake

Starting point is 00:15:57 I wouldn't be shocked if they take two corners and say all right Josh Newton you're going to have to earn your way they have those two sixes two sevens I bet there's going to be a corner late that they really like even if they take one early and there could definitely be one early too as a saying 100% one of the potential picks at 10

Starting point is 00:16:15 cornerback especially with Ramon McCoy doing stuff at his pro day and we'll get into that a little bit more Yeah, whole baby. But when we did that draft on Monday and we picked John McCoy, it was kind of on the basis that he would have a pro day like he did. He had a nice pro day. And like I said, we'll cover that more probably another day this week.

Starting point is 00:16:36 But corner 100% in play there will be one of the best players. And like McCoy and Delane, I think will be one of the best 10 guys on their board. And they're picking 10th. So that's absolutely part of the podcast. possibility there, especially if they're skewing toward the defense, right? Then you got those big five guys. We spent a lot of time talking about. Mansell Delaide has kind of joined them as a sixth guy.

Starting point is 00:17:01 And now we'll see over the next week or two, Tramont McCoy probably in those conversations as well. And if they go that route, that that's where it does get really interesting. Or where does Dax go? How are they going to get the best three guys on the field? Because the guys that you're talking about picking a 10, unless, like you said, it's downs or guys that are much more experienced. on the outside than in the flat.

Starting point is 00:17:23 Yeah. Yeah. That's what's tough is like for Dax, move them again. And then by the way, if you take one of those outside corners, then it does take you out of the, all right, this safety or this

Starting point is 00:17:41 or this other corner ponds, right, is going to come in and start at the nickel. Like, no, like Dax is definitely going to be a starter. You're paying him $12 million a year for this season. You picked up his fifth year option, like regardless of his future contracts, that's something you're doing. My fear with corner in round one, again, is them saying, all right, we invested in this. We're going to sign one of Dax and D.J and let the other walk. I hate it.

Starting point is 00:18:08 I hate that idea. So if you don't do that, then sign me up completely. Like with downs, if you do that, I get it. You lose battle potentially. battle isn't Dax and battle isn't D.J. And so that's kind of where I cut it off. I think it's harder to find Dax. It's harder to find D.J.

Starting point is 00:18:28 Put it that way. Yeah, I agree with you there. I wonder how, let's talk about how we think Zach is viewing their draft priorities based on everything we heard today. Because we've talked about, yeah, I think lineback are still in play. In the draft, absolutely day one, day two.

Starting point is 00:18:47 I think if Sunny Stiles is there, depending on who else is available, he could be the pick. We've talked about Jacob Rodriguez, but there will be other linebackers as well that will be options on day two, even day three. We've talked about corner. Options at corner abound at 10 and in the second round, especially if they're interested in DeAngelo Ponds as a guy to come in and be their next Mike Hilton, but with some athletic juice to go behind it. some options in the second round, no doubt, a corner. I think some options early on day three as well. And you talked about the multiple picks of Bengals have at the end of day three

Starting point is 00:19:26 for some of those potential slot options, a slot only type of options that could be in play there. But we spent a lot of time talking about defensive line targets as well. And I wonder what your takeaways were, James, around the defensive line from Zach's comments. And of course, Zach talked about some flag football stuff as well. He talked about the guys the Bengals did add where they have bolstered their defensive line depth a little bit with the additions they did make in free agency. So we'll wrap up Zach's comments from Arizona coming up next.

Starting point is 00:20:08 Let's dive into the defensive line a little bit because I think that's, it's such an interesting one for my perspective because I certainly wanted another edge. I just coming into it. We set the standard where the standard was, and I think there were people in the building that agreed, by the way. And I say that because now they're in a spot where who knows who's available at 10. And if you don't get that edge at 10, if it's not David Bailey or R. Val Reese who can help you there, or Sonny Stott, like one of these guys that you think can be one of these anchors of your defense,

Starting point is 00:20:43 maybe round two go safety. And now you look up and suddenly you are rolling with. with Shamar Stewart, Miles Murphy, Boye, Mafei, and Cedric Johnson. And like, those are your four in the Trey Hendrickson world. And Taylor talked about Shamar. And I think that's, that's the piece. He's the one that, like for me, I think he has the highest ceiling in that room. And whether or not he gets there, who knows how close he can get there this year is,

Starting point is 00:21:19 is a big factor if you don't add a premium pick. If you don't add an edge right away that's going to give you juice. And what does he, what does he bring? Can he line up and kick inside? It's not just edge. Can he kick inside with Miles Murphy and Boyer Maffei? And now suddenly you're feeling really good about him. And that's, that's a huge factor here.

Starting point is 00:21:44 And that's why like the Shamar insurance. That's why we talk about Janavian Clowny. That's why we talk about guys like that, because you know that they can give you reliable snaps and consistency. And you don't know that about this unit, about these guys. You're projecting Maffa a little bit, that he can be a high end two. You're hoping that Murphy can be another two. And then Shamar is the one where in a perfect world, he would start to make those steps and take those steps forward to be your one. Yeah, I think that's a wild card of it, right?

Starting point is 00:22:18 Like there's some projection with Miles for sure. Zach Taylor praised Miles Merchant for the way he finished the year, the way he played more physical down the stretch, the way he better understood what they were asking to do in the defense and had had kind words for Miles down the stretch, had kind words in general like they continue to talk about. And so do national reporters. We have acknowledged it less than many, I think.

Starting point is 00:22:40 The results from the defense down the stretch. We talked about the dead cat bounced many, many times last season and the quality of opposition and all the coaches, got fired that the Bengals beat, I think every single team, the Bengals beat last year, fired their coach except the Jaguars. So not like they were beating teams that are expecting to, we're expecting to run it back with their coaches. But on the topic of Samar Stewart, Taylor said, his development is a priority for us.

Starting point is 00:23:06 We're not trying to do anything to stop the growth there. We're trying to do everything we can for him to continue to grow and play a major role for us. So signing Boye-Mafé really doesn't do anything negative for Shamar because we still have high expectations for him. And where that alignment is, I think is interesting. He will probably continue to play inside on third downs, on passing downs. He'll probably continue to play as the four eye inside of a boy amafé and they'll see what kind of stunts they can run with those guys or what kind of stress they can put on the offensive line with those guys. And Jonathan Allen is probably

Starting point is 00:23:39 the first guy that is the other defensive tackle in that grouping. We had somebody in our Lockdown Bengals insider group, James, ask, am I the only one who wouldn't be mad at Cedric Johnson being Edge number four? And Cedric Johnson is a fine for if you're one through three or a little bit better than the Bengals one through three. And I hope that they're better this year. We'll see what Miles Murphy does in his second year. That's the big wild card.

Starting point is 00:24:04 Like I said, I think the Boy A Mafé is a good too. I don't know that there's a ton of projection in my mind required for him to be a good too. That's kind of what I saw him as personally. for miles you need to see him continue that trajectory continue to be a guy who can win when he's tasked with winning but there's overall when you take the entire group into you try to paint the picture of what the entire group is it is a lot of projection to your point like there's a lot of unknown as to what exactly you're going to get from these guys because you don't know what there hasn't been that proven track record in the past for them the way there was with you know tray after a couple of years you kind of knew what you were getting with Trey, right? And so that's why we continue to talk about it, continue to talk about adding talent there because you can never have enough of those guys, especially guys that can do it at a high level. And that's why we were continued to talk about a latent free agency as well.

Starting point is 00:24:59 Yeah, I think, let's just say Miles Murphy is more athletic Sam Hubbard, right? Let's just say that. And Bois Maffei is a two. You still don't have Trey. Like, you still don't have that. And so that means if you're not going to have like a one, like a true one, then you need like three twos, minimum. And that's where the Cedric Johnson thing comes in as well is because if one of these guys isn't a two, if Miles doesn't take the extra half step or step, if Shamar doesn't take the broad jump from where he was last year to two level, not one, two level, where he's playing 45 snaps a week and getting pressure

Starting point is 00:25:44 and being a disruptor and doing all of those things, then it gets thin really quick. And that's it. Like I'm, in my head, I count tray as a loss. And I don't think everybody does, but I do. And so, Mafé, probably better than Osai. Okay. But now you're replacing Trey.

Starting point is 00:26:08 And if it's more athletic Sam Hubbard replacing Trey Hendrickson, that doesn't feel great, does it? It doesn't mean, and that's nothing against Miles. It just means that you really need Shamar to take a step, or you need to add David Bailey or Cassius Howl, or obviously Rubin Bain, or whoever in the first round, or maybe T.J. Parker somehow follows a round two. I don't know if that's, but you have to find it somewhere,

Starting point is 00:26:35 and they don't have that. And so now what have we hit on? We've talked about corner. We've talked about linebackers. Now we're talking about Edge. There's just, there's a lot of unknowns here. And the projection at Edge is concerning because when's the last time we felt good about a group of guys in their Edge Room, pre-Trey Hendrens?

Starting point is 00:26:59 I mean, it's been forever. I mean, the way, Carlos Dunlap was drafted 15 years ago. Yeah, Carlos, Michael Johnson, and Gino Ackins was like the last group. You know, DJ Reader, Trey Hendrickson, and Sam Hubbard was was fine for them in 20. 21 and 22 was good for them in 21 and 22. And they drafted Hubbard. They deserve credit, no doubt. But Hubbard was never the top end pass rusher, right?

Starting point is 00:27:21 Like if you have Sam Hubbard on your team, you're happy about it. He's a guy that does everything the right way. He's a good run defender. He's a perfectly fine, high motor edge rusher. But like, you're talking about seven and a half sacks a year on average. If you got seven and a half sacks a year out of all your edge guys, if you have three Sam Hubbard's on your team at edge, if Mafay, Stewart, and...

Starting point is 00:27:42 They may. They may. Like, that might be this year. That could be this year. That's not crazy. Then maybe you're, like, an okay shape. If you can get eight sacks from your defensive interior, then you're at 28 sacks for a defensive line, and then you can get, you know, eight sacks from blitzers.

Starting point is 00:28:00 Then you're at 36 sacks. Like, that's not great, but maybe you can live with that. That's kind of the rosy picture painting right now, Unless you get a massive loop somewhere. Yeah, Alan and Hill, you both get, yeah, four each. And then you get a couple more from the interior that you don't receive. Maybe Chris Jenkins has a couple again. There we go.

Starting point is 00:28:21 There we go, Chris. Come on, Chris. I think that a big, the wildcard element here from Shamar Stewart is a big one. And if Boy, Maffa is going to be more like the 10-sac guy than the six-sac guy, that makes a difference for you. If Miles can be that seven and a half sack guy, that Sam Hubbard level guy, that makes a difference for you. But if you can add to that with the David Bailey, who could be maybe not as a rookie, but could very, very quickly get to be like a 12 sack guy, 13, 14 sack guy with the way he is as a true pass rusher. Ruben Bain and every down player there. Maybe they get one of these pass rusher specialists in the second round.

Starting point is 00:29:00 And there will be some options for them there in the second and third round potentially as past rushing special. list to throw into that rotation. Maybe that's the direction they go to add to that room because adding sacks, adding pass rush is going to matter. Now, we talked about the potential for them building a strength in that secondary with a Caleb Downs pick or a mansword Elaine pick or a Jermon McCoy pick. And that's all well and good too. But they continue to, it's going to be a big month for them here,

Starting point is 00:29:30 draft immediately after the draft, adding some pieces to this defense that can continue need to help raise the floor and give them the opportunity to play playoff level football when you need to get to those specialized game plans against the elite teams that you're going to face at that point in the year. Yeah. Yeah. It's it's one of those. I wish they had done done more.

Starting point is 00:29:56 They haven't yet. Maybe they will. By the way, maybe if they don't get Ruben Bain or they don't get whoever that they think can be that, they're like, let's pivot. we'll call Joey Bosa and get it done. And I think there's a chance that you see like that, like I said, like the Noah fansized move after the draft. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:30:15 And maybe, and I don't think that would be Joey Bosa, by the way. Yeah. Yeah. But whoever it is, I'm sure they've talked about it. The reason we've spent so much time on it is because I think they thought, they, some people thought that there would be more. And there hasn't been more. And so now the pressure's on in the draft to find a way to get this right.

Starting point is 00:30:37 Like it's at a point defensively where like you even bring up offense. You're like, no way. Can't do that. And that's just that's a tough place to draft, man. It is. And I don't think they view it that way necessarily. But it's just a really tough place if your backs against the wall and you're like, we have to address these three spots with our first four picks.

Starting point is 00:30:57 That's tough. Our buddy Joe Goodberry put out a tweet yesterday like, here's the challenge. do three rounds of a mock draft for the Bengals and don't pick a defensive player in every single pick. Yeah. And I mean, I can do that, but I'm rare. I can do that, but then like I did it kind of forcing offense at every pick. And I think it was like Carnell Tate and Judarian Price and Keelan Rutledge, the guard from Georgia Tech. Look at you.

Starting point is 00:31:26 And then I did another one where I was like, okay, I won't do offense every pick. I won't force offense every pick. I'll only do it, you know, when it makes sense as a BPA. And then it was like a David Bailey, Peter Woods. No, who was it? It was three straight defensive players because they were just clearly BPA. David Bailey, Chris Johnson. And then in the third round, it was the Grayson Hulton.

Starting point is 00:31:49 And so, you know, if it goes that way, great. That's great news. Yeah, that's the Will Ferrell meme where he's like, come here? Like, yes. Like, if you could get that, the David Bailey, Chris Johnson combo is just because you get the juice and then you get the cover guy and a guy who's really clean at corn like that is that's one of the higher end outcomes in the first two rounds that the Bengals could have and that's coming from me trench man aka against offense.

Starting point is 00:32:23 No, but you get the point. Like if I'm saying that, you know it's it could be BPA. So sign me up. There is this weird David Bailey falling trend this week. I don't know if it's real. I think it's nice. I think pretty much everything this month is noise. No, not us.

Starting point is 00:32:39 We're not noise. Well, I mean, like when you see like in mock simulators, like I've done numerous mocks this week, whereas Dylan Thineman before Caleb Downs. And we'll see. Like crazy things happen in the draft. But I hope so. I think that would qualify. I hope so.

Starting point is 00:32:53 Zach did praise the guys they added. I said that we would talk about this. We talked about Jonathan Allen. Boye Amafé talked about their recency of playing in playoff games, winning championships, the leadership presence for Jonathan Allen. So clearly, I think, was one of their points of emphasis that we recognized when they were signing those guys.

Starting point is 00:33:11 And that's about all we heard from Taylor about the guys they did add as far as what I read about today, James. So there you go. And then the Joe thing, just last thing, because we teased it. Joe Burrell plays flag football. Of course, Zach Taylor doesn't want him to get hurt. No one does. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:33:30 And no defense for Joe, even though we were talking about this, there's no risk. I think there's far more risk him playing quarterback in flag football where he's got the ball and he's making moves and on all those things. And there's him playing defense. It might just be me. But you could play safety, Joe. Just you're not allowed to touch the football. You don't want him to be in those jump ball situations, I think.

Starting point is 00:33:52 I think that's like, you don't want him to be like, all right, I'm defending Odell Beckham in a jump ball situation now. Yeah, you know, a couple of LSU guys back there. Did you just say you want Odell Beckham on the Bengals? All right, that's where we go. Yep. Those are the words that I said for those to listen carefully, like James McPeen. That's what I thought you said.

Starting point is 00:34:12 We'll wrap up there for this episode of the Locktime Bengals podcast. And the coming weeks, we'll talk a lot about what we think is in play, how likely the Bengals are to draft certain spots and those sorts of things that have been coming up a little bit this week and we'll continue to come up until the draft. We'll talk about some position groups as well. But this week isn't over, James. You got your mobicoys Pro Day to get to, and we'll keep you updated as the week progresses. We're into April.

Starting point is 00:34:35 It's time for the draft month. And until next time, thanks for listening, Ho-Day, and have a good one.

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