Wow Bengals drafting terrible.

I like this pick more than the 1st but I'm still not crazy about it. 

Defensive so far. Do we believe that they actually have a decent plan for the o-line? I know the offense scored over 30 how many times last year. But it wasn’t because of a strong run game or keeping Joey B upright.

My initial reactions with the picks wasn’t good. Especially when looking at the players rankings, definitely looks like they reached and drafted them earlier than needed. However, the Bengals clearly are banking on the new Defensive coaches, and new Oline coach getting the most out of these guys.  Which all these guys do have strong traits, work ethic and good character. The LB is fast, strong, good against the run and a leader. This defense needs that. The guard was the best pass protecting guard in college the last two years. So seem like solid picks and filled needs. 

3 hours ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

Wow Bengals drafting terrible.

Wow. So shocking to hear you say that!

?

3 hours ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

Wow Bengals drafting terrible.

I’m still trying to figure out what the Steelers plan is at QB? Or are they just content with being basically what the Bengals were with Marvin? Maybe good enough to make the playoffs, but not able to win in the playoffs. 

I like the Fairchild pick. 

NFL.com overview on Carter:

Prototypical three-down linebacker who added muscle mass in 2024 without losing playmaking quickness. Carter overcomes average instincts and recognition with full-field range and elite body control in pursuit, though there is room for improvement with both his angles and leverage. Carter can play around or off the block and has the agility and reaction quickness for sudden adjustments as an open-field tackler. He’s capable in man coverage and stands out as both a blitzer and a spy for mobile quarterbacks. Carter’s demeanor, versatility and athletic profile give him a good chance of becoming a quality starter as a run-and-chase Will linebacker.

13 hours ago, theguru said:

Respectable, beliveable and 100% what you want to hear out of a draft pick blocking for your franchise QB. 

2 minutes ago, sportsfan41 said:

Respectable, believable and 100% what you want to hear out of a draft pick blocking for your franchise QB. 

Right, ultimately I/most of us have no clue about these guys.  With that said, that comment made me feel really good about Fairchild.

Here is what NFL.com has to say about all of our picks so far, I already posted Carter above, here are the rest:

Stewart: Stewart is carved from granite, possessing a rare blend of traits, explosiveness and untapped upside. He’s long and sudden off the snap but hasn’t learned to weaponize his hands to control the point of attack and bypass protection with go-to moves. His bull-rush compresses the pocket off the edge, and he’s too athletic for guards when reduced inside. He can be very disruptive in both phases but requires additional training to start converting his opportunities into finishes. The lack of production relative to the traits is a concern; still, players who move like him are highly coveted. While the boom-or-bust label might be in play, it feels like a matter of time before it all starts to click at a high level.

Knight:  Passionate linebacker with great size, good instincts and a feel for how to play the position. Knight is a fluid athlete with average pursuit speed and short-area burst. He uses his eyes and instincts to diagnose quickly and he maneuvers around bodies like a running back. He’s adept at slipping blocks and rarely allows blockers to stick and sustain on the second level. He’s aware and productive in zone but could struggle to stay connected in man coverage. He’s not a twitchy mover but knows how to play the game and has a chance to play on all three downs. Knight’s field demeanor and football character should seal the deal as a future starter at inside ‘backer.

Fairchild: Two-year starter who will offer more with his pass protection than his run blocking. Fairchild plays with quick hands and adequate athleticism as a move blocker. He’s big but struggles to push opponents and sustain blocks at the point of attack and wasn’t enough of a difference-maker for the run game. He’s steady in protection with decent range and active hands. He’s athletic enough to recover against counters but could have issues when matched against a good bull rush. Fairchild could go in the middle rounds and eventually become a starter.

https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/teams/cincinnati-bengals/2025