This is my last mock. I had a few goals. #1, to be realistic. But my definition of "realistic" may be different than yours. I don't mean in terms of who'll be there. More realistic in how I wont get my guy. So the majority of these are probably my second or third choice of who's available, but realistic in that my second or third choice is usually who the Bengals pick.
#2 goal was to try something new. So I went a bit off the board (in some cases a lot) and refused to draft anyone I've been taking over the past few months- with one exception. There's only one guy here who I picked in the last mock I posted on this forum. Bonus points if you can name him. I just think he warrants special treatment since he hasn't been getting much attention from us, so the rules don't apply to him. Otherwise it's all different players, a slightly different approach and a few hidden gems to try to fill the exact same holes.
In brackets you'll find some of the names I passed up. Once again I'm sticking my neck out for you to chop me down lol. You can see how insane I am and we can unite in disgust- which is exactly how some of us will feel on Saturday!
So without further ado, my mock of second or third choices... my mock of projectable pain... my mock of alternatives that might still do what we need them to do to get to the Super Bowl in New Orleans... ladies and gentlemen...
My mock:
1 - 18. Troy Fautanu OL Washington
2 - 49. T'Vondre Sweat NT Texas
3 - 80. Maason Smith DL LSU
3 - 97. Brenden Rice WR USC
4 - 115. Elijah Jones CB Boston College
5 - 149. Jared Wiley TE TCU
6 - 194. Eyabi Okie-Anoma DE Charlotte
6 - 214. Jaden Shirden RB Monmouth
7 - 224. Carson Steele FB-ST UCLA
7 - 237. Michael Barrett LB-ST Michigan
Additional context for the diehards:
1 - 18. Troy Fautanu OL Washington. Today I realized I have nothing against Fautanu. He just doesn't excite me. Big whoop. He's position- and scheme-versatile. He can impose his will when necessary, get out on the second level, hold his own with AFCN speed rushers around the edge, get down and dirty inside; plus he's played at the highest level.
Fake red fag: His vertical is 'only' 32 inches so he won't be able to represent us at the NBA Dunk Contest.
(Passed on: Taliese Fauga OL Oregon State, Terrion Arnold CB Alabama, DeJean CB Iowa, Brian Thomas Jr WR LSU, Amarius Mims OT Georgia, Chop Robinson DE Penn State.)
2 - 49. TV Sweat NT Texas. I can hear you gasping. Or is that me gasping? I think the point is that I trust in our locker room. I trust in the culture. Some see his DUI as a concern but it's also an opportunity for the right team. Because he'll be there at 49 now and that might not have been true in March. It has nothing to do with his game, our needs haven't changed, so this whole episode could be a blessing in disguise.
Fake red flag: But can he play slot corner?
(Passed on: Xavier Worthy WR Texas, Malachi Corley WR Western Kentucky, Edgerrin Cooper LB Texas A&M, Mike Sainristil NB Michigan, Ruke Orhorhoro DT Clemson, Trey Benson RB Florida State.)
3 - 80. Maason Smith DL LSU. Massive lineman with natural power and wingspan second to none (84.5"). You see it on tape too- he can reach anything and just swallows guys. The more I watch the more I feel he's criminally underrated by draftniks. I love his game and think he'll be a gem.
Fake red flag: Do we have a Plan B if Marvel hires him as the new Incredible Hulk now that Mark Ruffalo's stepped aside?
(Passed on: TJ Tampa CB Iowa State, Kingsley Suamataia OT BYU, Jermaine Burton WR Alabama, Cade Stover TE Ohio State, Blake Corum RB Michigan, Tez Walker WR North Carolina, Jonah Elliss Edge Utah.)
3 - 97. Brenden Rice WR USC. Rice will have a spot in this offense regardless of what we do with Tee. I think he'll land in a bigger market for obvious reasons but he'd be terrific with us. He's very good at everything- maybe not great, but very good. 6'3", 4.5, great hands and footwork, even willing to get his nose dirty. I'm impressed by everything I've seen and convinced he's a far better football player than his brothers.
Fake red fag: But what if he's not as good as his dad?
(Passed on: Brandon Dorlus Edge Oregon, Khyree Jackson CB Oregon, Kamren Kinchens DB Miami, Mekhi Wingo DT LSU, Ben Sinnott TE Kansas State, Matt Gonsalves IOL Pitt, Jalen McMillan WR Washington, Johnny Wilson WR Florida State.)
4 - 115. Elijah Jones CB Cardinal Hayes HS. I'm biased because he's a Harlemite but the man can play. He's got Anarumo-brand size (615), length (76" span) and speed (4.44), and he's a natural boundary corner with supreme ball skills.
Fake red flag: Will he know how to get around in a city without a functioning subway? Tell me about it, E. Takes some getting used to.
(Passed on: Theo Johnson TE Penn State, Mo Kamara Edge Colorado State, Audric Estime RB Notre Dame, Cam Hart CB Notre Dame, Isaiah Adams OL Illinois, Javon Foster OT Missouri, Jalyx Hunt Edge Houston Christian, Malik Mustapha S Wake Forest, Isaac Guerendo RB Louisville, Jared Wiley TE TCU, Brennan Jackson Edge Washington State.)
5 - 149. Jared Wiley TE Texas Christian. He slid quite a bit here and I don't know if it's safe to expect him to hit 149, but it's a good reminder that someone will fall this weekend too. I just like Wiley, I'm surprised we haven't heard more about him. He's got size, skills and intangibles and he's bound to be in the league a long time. I'm not expecting Kelce, but put this guy in our TE room and we'll have a bit of everything.
Fake red flag: Will he be able to handle the pressure of being the first TCU Bengal since Andy?
(Passed on: Jacob Cowing WR Arizona, Christian Jones OT Texas, Tykee Smith S Georgia, Luke McCaffrey WR McCaffrey Bros University, Mason McCormick OL South Dakota State, Tanor Bortolini IOL Wisconsin, Marist Liufau LB Notre Dame.)
6 - 194. Eyabi Okie-Anoma DE Charlotte. Ex-Alabama, Houston, Michigan. Which means some discipline issues but he's got athleticism to burn. Extraordinary first step, natural burst. Similar frame to Jared Verse... same arm length and wingspan, even a bit taller (644 to 637). He didn't test but I'm sure his 40-yd is beyond elite. Day 2 talent who'll be there on Day 3. I say his floor is Gunter, ceiling maybe Ossai... or maybe higher?!
Fake red flag: He's already an ancient 25 yo. I know, I know. Does Cincinnati have decent facilities for geriatric care?
(Passed on: Chau Smith-Wade CB Washington State, Sione Vaki S Utah, Curtis Jacobs LB Penn State, Ryan Flournoy WR SE Missouri State, Nathan Thomas OL Louisiana, Javion Cohen IOL Miami, MJ Devonshire CB Pittsburgh, Layden Robinson OG Texas A&M, Tyrice Knight LB UTEP.)
6 - 214. Jaden Shirden RB Monmouth. I would have fortified the backfield sooner if I had my top choice but I didn't. So I had to settle for this. Either way, Shirden might be my fave Day 3 back. He's got ridiculous tape. Super-productive. He's small (508, 190) but plays bigger and- surprisingly- can hold his own in pass pro imo. He'll never run over guys but his low center of gravity gives the impression he's tough to bring down with his woodpecker feet. We'd never draft him in a million years but I'll be following his career wherever he goes.
Fake red flag: I don't have any fake red flags for this kid. He's a sixth-round pick, man. Give him a break. I'll just add his size is comparable- and speed superior- to Gio Bernard's. Take that for what it's worth.
(Passed on: Johnny Dixon CB Penn State, Nathaniel Watson LB Mississippi State, Kimani Vidal RB Troy, Jayden Ford LB Texas, KT Leveston OT Kansas State, JD Bertrand LB Notre Dame, Garrett Greenfield OT South Dakota State, Evan WIlliams S Oregon, Cory Shrader RB Missouri.)
7 - 224. Carson Steele FB-ST UCLA. For one, if you made a Shirden-Steele sandwich you'd have the best running back in NFL history. Just saying. The man's a tank. I don't know how he fits in this offense but with Mix gone I'm intrigued by the possibilities. I wanted Ben Mason a few years ago so at least gimme this! He's the most interesting cat in the draft. Man's (probably) the only Ball State to UCLA transfer in history. He's got a pet alligator. You can't miss.
(Passed on: Jaylen Harrell Edge Michigan, Darius Muasau LB UCLA, Tylan Grable OT UCF, Steele Chambers OT tOSU, Julian Pearl OT Illinois, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint WR Georgia, Jordan Whittington WR Texas, Jacob Monk OT Duke.)
7 - 237. Michael Barrett LB-ST Michigan. Captain. Overachiever. Coach Simmons' dream. < I just copy & paste those words for every LB I take in R7. Just happens to be Barrett this time. And to be fair, he checks all the boxes with aplomb. He'll be an asset for someone so it might as well be us. But if I had my top choice I would have likely picked Evan Anderson.
(Passed on: Lideatrick Griffin WR Mississippi State, Daijun Edwards RB Georgia, Ryan Watts CB Texas, Jase McClennan RB Alabama, Tarheeb Still CB Maryland, Ethan Driskell OT Marshall, Charles Turner III OC LSU, Evan Anderson NT Florida Atlantic, Easton Gibbs LB Wyoming... fwiw, I hope we PFA Gibbs. He played with Logan at Wyoming and I'd love to bring him into camp.)
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If you care, let me know what you think! If not, let the draft begin!
Peace
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