Post by 77bengal on Apr 15, 2020 14:55:28 GMT -5
The LSU Tigers are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. So much so that if the Bengals were forced to draft only LSU Tigers during this years draft, they would greatly improve. One team = huge improvement. Sounds crazy, but it's true. To take it a step further, I actually WANT the Bengals to draft as many LSU Tigers as possible (Three? Four? Five?) this year as long as the player is close to being the best player available (BPA) and the player fills a need. To the best of my knowledge, this approach to drafting has never been done before, but I truly think that it could benefit the Bengals and here's why.
First of all, and as I stated earlier, this years crop of LSU Tigers that will be available during this years draft are very talented. Secondly, many of their best players represent positions that the Bengals need to upgrade. Thirdly, these guys are proven having won the National Championship by beating many of the best teams in all of college football such as Alabama, Clemson, Florida, etc. Fourthly, the strategy of drafting several talented players from one school could prove to be quite beneficial to both the players and thus the team because the players would have one another to lean on for support as they become acclimated to the league. For a rookie QB, this could pay huge dividends.
Just for the record, I want to state that I DON'T want the Bengals to only draft LSU players. But I would like to see them draft a few Tigers if the player meets the aforementioned requirements. This mock includes some trades and some players that may slide down a round. I've tried to keep it as realistic as possible minus one surprise trade. Here we go!
Round One: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU. This pick is set in stone. A no brainer. The Bengals would be fools to pass up this 'once in a lifetime' selection and they know it. For once, the stars have aligned in favor of the Bengals. The Chosen One has arrived...
Round Two: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU. I don't think Jefferson will fall out of round one, but if he did, it wouldn't surprise me. This draft is loaded with great WRs and roughly half a dozen of them ran a faster forty than Jefferson at the combine. I could care less. This guy is more than fast enough and his chemistry with Burrow is off the charts. Fingers crossed on this pick.
**TRADE** Surprise, surprise! The Bengals trade RB Joe Mixon for an additional second round pick. Update: I found this article after posting this thread. I think this gives my crazy idea some validity. www.cincyjungle.com/2020/4/15/21222688/nfl-rumors-bengals-joe-mixon-contract
Round Two B: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB. The Bengals make a bold trade and select Burrow's right hand man. Edwards-Helaire was HUGE in LSUs National Championship run. Edwards-Helaire wants to win and puts it on the line game in and game out. He'll sacrifice his body to gain those extra yards to gain a much needed first down or a TD. His receiving ability as a RB is beyond great and exactly what the NFL is trending towards.
**TRADES** The Bengals trade QB Andy Dalton and WR John Ross for additional third round picks.
Round Three A: Lloyd Cushenberry, G/C. If Burrow is going to be successful in year one, he has to have protection. Cushenberry can start immediately at RG and back up Trey Hopkins at C.
Round Three B: Saahdiq Charles, OT. It's no secret that RT Bobby Hart needs replaced ASAP and Charles can do just that. Charles has a lot of the qualities that are required to be an effective OT. Whether or not he can supplant Hart at RT to start the season remains to be seen, but with the departure of OT Cordy Glenn, this pick at least adds some much needed competition and depth.
Round Three C: Rashard Lawerence, DT. IMO, Lawerence is an underrated player that should be able to contribute in year one. He provides depth and will push the oft injured Ryan Glasgow for a roster spot. It's always wise to add at least one DL and one OL every year during the draft and/or free agency.
Round Four: Thaddeus Moss, TE. Tyler Eifert is gone, so the Bengals need to add a pass catching TE that Burrow can rely on when pressured. Moss made some incredible catches in some of the most hostile of environments this past year. The apple didn't fall far from the tree.
Round Five: Jacob Phillips, LB. The Bengals need LBs and they grab a former five star recruit to bolster the position. Phillips hasn't maxed out all the talent that he possesses. If the Bengals can coach him up, this could turn into a steal. The athleticism is there.
Round Six: Michael Divinity Jr., LB. Before selecting Divinity, the Bengals will have to look into his past and find out why he was suspended from the team this past season. If he checks out, he'll make a nice sixth round selection for a position that's not just in need of talent, but warm bodies. It's that depleted gang.
Round Seven: Blake Ferguson, LS. Clark Harris has been a great LS for the Bengals, but he isn't getting any younger. It may be wise to start looking for his replacement and Ferguson could be that guy. Ferguson was the top LS recruit as a high school senior.
College free agent: Stephen Sullivan, TE. Sullivan has nice size and his familiarity with Burrow sure doesn't hurt. If he would become a 'film room junkie', he could make the practice squad or the final roster although the latter is a long shot.
There you have it. Not too bad of a draft if I do say so. So what do you guys think?
First of all, and as I stated earlier, this years crop of LSU Tigers that will be available during this years draft are very talented. Secondly, many of their best players represent positions that the Bengals need to upgrade. Thirdly, these guys are proven having won the National Championship by beating many of the best teams in all of college football such as Alabama, Clemson, Florida, etc. Fourthly, the strategy of drafting several talented players from one school could prove to be quite beneficial to both the players and thus the team because the players would have one another to lean on for support as they become acclimated to the league. For a rookie QB, this could pay huge dividends.
Just for the record, I want to state that I DON'T want the Bengals to only draft LSU players. But I would like to see them draft a few Tigers if the player meets the aforementioned requirements. This mock includes some trades and some players that may slide down a round. I've tried to keep it as realistic as possible minus one surprise trade. Here we go!
Round One: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU. This pick is set in stone. A no brainer. The Bengals would be fools to pass up this 'once in a lifetime' selection and they know it. For once, the stars have aligned in favor of the Bengals. The Chosen One has arrived...
Round Two: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU. I don't think Jefferson will fall out of round one, but if he did, it wouldn't surprise me. This draft is loaded with great WRs and roughly half a dozen of them ran a faster forty than Jefferson at the combine. I could care less. This guy is more than fast enough and his chemistry with Burrow is off the charts. Fingers crossed on this pick.
**TRADE** Surprise, surprise! The Bengals trade RB Joe Mixon for an additional second round pick. Update: I found this article after posting this thread. I think this gives my crazy idea some validity. www.cincyjungle.com/2020/4/15/21222688/nfl-rumors-bengals-joe-mixon-contract
Round Two B: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB. The Bengals make a bold trade and select Burrow's right hand man. Edwards-Helaire was HUGE in LSUs National Championship run. Edwards-Helaire wants to win and puts it on the line game in and game out. He'll sacrifice his body to gain those extra yards to gain a much needed first down or a TD. His receiving ability as a RB is beyond great and exactly what the NFL is trending towards.
**TRADES** The Bengals trade QB Andy Dalton and WR John Ross for additional third round picks.
Round Three A: Lloyd Cushenberry, G/C. If Burrow is going to be successful in year one, he has to have protection. Cushenberry can start immediately at RG and back up Trey Hopkins at C.
Round Three B: Saahdiq Charles, OT. It's no secret that RT Bobby Hart needs replaced ASAP and Charles can do just that. Charles has a lot of the qualities that are required to be an effective OT. Whether or not he can supplant Hart at RT to start the season remains to be seen, but with the departure of OT Cordy Glenn, this pick at least adds some much needed competition and depth.
Round Three C: Rashard Lawerence, DT. IMO, Lawerence is an underrated player that should be able to contribute in year one. He provides depth and will push the oft injured Ryan Glasgow for a roster spot. It's always wise to add at least one DL and one OL every year during the draft and/or free agency.
Round Four: Thaddeus Moss, TE. Tyler Eifert is gone, so the Bengals need to add a pass catching TE that Burrow can rely on when pressured. Moss made some incredible catches in some of the most hostile of environments this past year. The apple didn't fall far from the tree.
Round Five: Jacob Phillips, LB. The Bengals need LBs and they grab a former five star recruit to bolster the position. Phillips hasn't maxed out all the talent that he possesses. If the Bengals can coach him up, this could turn into a steal. The athleticism is there.
Round Six: Michael Divinity Jr., LB. Before selecting Divinity, the Bengals will have to look into his past and find out why he was suspended from the team this past season. If he checks out, he'll make a nice sixth round selection for a position that's not just in need of talent, but warm bodies. It's that depleted gang.
Round Seven: Blake Ferguson, LS. Clark Harris has been a great LS for the Bengals, but he isn't getting any younger. It may be wise to start looking for his replacement and Ferguson could be that guy. Ferguson was the top LS recruit as a high school senior.
College free agent: Stephen Sullivan, TE. Sullivan has nice size and his familiarity with Burrow sure doesn't hurt. If he would become a 'film room junkie', he could make the practice squad or the final roster although the latter is a long shot.
There you have it. Not too bad of a draft if I do say so. So what do you guys think?
