2025 Cincinnati Bengals Part 3: Can the Defense Get a Stop?

[UKFlounder]

I don’t think signing a slot DB / special teams player like Taylor would stop them from taking a potential shutdown CB like Delane or McCoy.

I’m not as sure about safety and Downs.

[WVRed]

Good post; I suspect the CBs with playing a premium position, especially after McCoy's testing this week, are higher in their pecking order than at least some of your list, such as Styles and Downs.

Delane and McCoy both were who I wouldn't be surprised if they took even if a pass rusher or Downs fell to them.

CTB is a free agent while Dax and Turner aren't locked in. McCoy would practically be a redshirt anyways which is how the Bengals tend to operate.

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[Boss-Hog]

Delane and McCoy both were who I wouldn't be surprised if they took even if a pass rusher or Downs fell to them.

CTB is a free agent while Dax and Turner aren't locked in. McCoy would practically be a redshirt anyways which is how the Bengals tend to operate.

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CTB is already gone (signed with the Colts), and with neither Dax or Turner signed long term and no depth at CB even if one or both do, I'd be surprised if they don't target that position early and as soon as the first round. It wouldn't be what I'd do since Dax's best position is pretty clearly outside CB, but they could always move him back inside to slot to make room for Delane or McCoy.

[dfs]

I suspect the CBs with playing a premium position, especially after McCoy's testing this week, are higher in their pecking order than at least some of your list, such as Styles and Downs.

The pass rushers have just as premium a position as the CB's, but you are correct the Bengals do have a history of investing in CB's. It's a long season and your third corner will get on the field a lot. IT would be VERY bengal-like to take a CB.

The place they didn't shore up in free agency is LB. They HAVE to address LB in the draft and Styles is the best of the bunch. If he falls to them it just makes sense for them to take him.

I doubt Reese, Baily or Bain will fall to 10.
One of the DB's will be gone to KC.

If McCoy test like that and he's still rehabilitating .....sign me up. I think he's demonstrated he's fully healed. Before McCoy's testing showed so strongly I thought there was a real chance that the Bengals would sit at 10 and the 3 BPA would all be a RB and a couple of offensive lineman. With McCoy jumping up on the board, I don't think the Bengals will get shut out of a defensive pick at 10.

If they have to choose between Styles, Downs or CB....as a fan I'm not convinced there is a wrong answer.

There are positional value reasons to not take Downs and the Bengals did pour a ton of money into the safety position with a free agent, but Caleb Downs is probably the most versatile player on their board. We heard a LOT last year about how valuable both Stewart and Knight were because they were so versatile and could do so many things. It's clearly something the Bengals D-staff values.

(Now...we can talk about the wisdom of that and how while they both may have been versatile, they weren't valuable cause they looked lost on the field, but that's a different conversation.)

[chicoruiz]

If all else fails and the defenders they feel good about are all gone, I wouldn’t hate Spencer Fano. Swing tackle this year, and if he shows enough he becomes Orlando Brown’s replacement; if not he becomes Ted Karras’s replacement.

That said, I REALLY want a defensive player at twin…

[plantmanky]

If all else fails and the defenders they feel good about are all gone, I wouldn’t hate Spencer Fano. Swing tackle this year, and if he shows enough he becomes Orlando Brown’s replacement; if not he becomes Ted Karras’s replacement.

That said, I REALLY want a defensive player at twin…

I dont know what it is about Fano, but there is something that just tells me over time hes going to be a top lineman. If he was the "we have to pick someone pick" at 10 it wouldnt bother me. I think the Rams will take him if he is there at 13 though.

[Redhook]

I'm now at the point where I would be happy with anyone except Faulk in the first round, even McCoy. Just give us a football player and not a big bag of hope.

[chicoruiz]

I'm now at the point where I would be happy with anyone except Faulk in the first round, even McCoy. Just give us a football player and not a big bag of hope.

Amen to that. Faulk just seems like Shemar Stewart: The Next Generation. I’d put Peter Woods in that category too.

[WVRed]

Sexy Dexy has requested a trade from the Giants.

Would you deal no 10 for him?

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[Sea Ray]

Sexy Dexy has requested a trade from the Giants.

Would you deal no 10 for him?

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He’s going to want a new contract. We’re not giving him that


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[RiverRat13]

If I were handicapping as to who the Bengals take at #10, I'd go:

1. McCoy
2. Delane
3. Bain
4. Faulk
5. Downs

[WrongVerb]

If I were handicapping as to who the Bengals take at #10, I'd go:

1. McCoy
2. Delane
3. Bain
4. Faulk
5. Downs

Where does "trade down" rank in that? (Keeping in mind someone has to want to move up? )


Actually, I'd love to see the Bengals move up in the first to #3 and take Styles, Reese, or Bailey. But this risk-averse group won't ever do that.

[Boss-Hog]

Where does "trade down" rank in that? (Keeping in mind someone has to want to move up? )


Actually, I'd love to see the Bengals move up in the first to #3 and take Styles, Reese, or Bailey. But this risk-averse group won't ever do that.

The odds are low either way, and I'd say extraordinarily low for moving up given that's it's been 31 years since the Bengals have moved up in the first. That's for the reason you mentioned (this is not regarded as a great draft, so that lessens the likelihood of someone dying to move up) and the recent history of the Bengals sticking and picking where they're at probably moreso than any of the other 31 teams.

[RiverRat13]

Where does "trade down" rank in that? (Keeping in mind someone has to want to move up? )


Actually, I'd love to see the Bengals move up in the first to #3 and take Styles, Reese, or Bailey. But this risk-averse group won't ever do that.

I think they try to trade down if the first two aren't there. But I put the odds of that happening below them taking Downs at 10, which I think it unlikely (hope to be wrong).

[Redhook]

If I were handicapping as to who the Bengals take at #10, I'd go:

1. McCoy
2. Delane
3. Bain
4. Faulk
5. Downs

That seems about right. I really hope they find a way to pass on Faulk and then I hope he's picked before their 2nd round pick because they won't dare to pass on him twice. They desperately need football players and instant impact players.