Either the Bengals are crafting a layered smokescreen operation, or they are ready to eschew their top need to load up at wide receiver. Oregon tackle Penei Sewell is expected to be on the board when the Bengals go on the clock at No. 5, but Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic notes “all signs” point to the team picking LSU wideout Ja’Marr Chase (subscription required). This marks another Chase-to-Cincinnati connection. Such a move would reunite Chase and Joe Burrow and give the Bengals a top-flight trio of Chase, Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins. This would come at the expense of a key O-line pick, though the Bengals did sign Riley Reiff to join Jonah Williams at tackle. And director of player personnel Duke Tobin pointed to this draft’s depth on the O-line, believing the team can acquire a starter on Day 2. Despite Burrow suffering a major knee injury behind a leaky line last season, he is believed to have made an effort to sell Bengal brass on Chase. The 2020 opt-out is viewed as this draft’s top wide receiver.
Here is the latest news coming out of the draft:
- The Lions have made noise as a team interested in trading down, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. Many around the league believe the Bengals and Dolphins will stay at their Nos. 5 and 6 positions, though the Dolphins have since surfaced as a team considering another move down the board. Should Cincy and Miami stay at their respective spots, Detroit would emerge as a team willing to auction off its pick to a quarterback-seeking team. One or two QBs figure to be on the board when the Lions go on the clock at No. 7, and while new GM Brad Holmes has said he studied this year’s QBs, Jared Goff has received internal support. And the Lions are in a full-on rebuild; trading down could net them a third 2022 first-round pick.
- The Patriots sent staffers to Justin Fields and Trey Lance‘s second pro days. Although the Pats re-signed Cam Newton and have not chosen a first-round quarterback since Drew Bledsoe 28 years ago — well before Bill Belichick‘s HC tenure — Tony Pauline of ProFootballNetwork.com writes the team would like to take one in this year’s first round. Belichick generally runs a tight ship ahead of drafts, with advance intel difficult to come by, but a recent report also indicated the Pats are on the QB radar — potentially as a trade-up team.
- Although a previous report had Washington reps attending Lance’s second pro day, Breer notes Ron Rivera‘s team was not in Fargo, N.D., for the Division I-FCS prospect’s second showcase. The 49ers, Falcons, Broncos and Patriots were there. The 49ers were the only team to send its head coach or GM; both Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch were there. Lack of attendance aside, Washington is believed to be high on Lance. The team might not be interested in climbing too high for him, but if Lance falls into the bottom half of the top 10, Washington may pounce.
Get ready for another year of Lions trade rumors when the entire league knows they aren’t drafting a QB at 7
It’s about jumping the other teams wanting a QB.. like everyone knew SF wasn’t taking Trubisky, but that didn’t stop Chicago from moving up 1 spot..
Doesn’t matter the regime, or who’s “calling the shots” (allegedly), year after year we put up a billboard outside Ford Field advertising exactly what our draft plans are. We do this because we know we’re always BY FAR the smartest people in the room.
This isn’t Bob Quinn “fantasy league gm” this Holmes trading Stafford for a 3rd and 2 first round picks. It doesn’t matter if they aren’t drafting a QB, it matters that there are 4 teams looking to draft one so the best spot to secure the QB the team wants, they trade up to 7. Only an incompetent GM like Quinn, didn’t understand the value of knowing what other teams desired. Quinn could have traded down for that teams 1st & a future 1 but they knew he was desperate & incompetent
The Patriots not drafting a QB in the 1st Rd for 28 years doesn’t indicate a draft methodology preference when you consider Tom Brady was there for 20 of them.
As for Cincy, Riley is a warm body. Not a valid reason to eschew picking Sewell. Chase would be fun, but there’s only one football to go around and it isnt a coincidence QBR rises in correlation with increased pocket time.
No way the Dolphins stay at 6 without Pitts available. Look for a trade with Denver in that instance. Otherwise, Grier wasted significant capital moving back up, when either Waddle or Smith is likely slipping to 12 if the heavy QB run becomes a reality.
I agree with your Dolphins draft logic.
My only addition would be; without Pitts and Chase available.
I think Miami would be happy with either.
Agree you both if you. Miami looks stupid if Chase and Pitts are gone. They will be desperate to move down and hopefully get back that first they traded to move back up.
*agree with both of you
I agree, I think its down to Pitts and Chase for Miami. Unless the Bengals go with Chase over Sewell, I don’t see how Chase wouldn’t be there at #6.
I really don’t think that Denver moves up for a QB. If the one that they like falls to them at 9 maybe they draft him but I believe that they either draft Sewell or Slater if they stay at 9 otherwise they move back from the 9 spot and pick up picks and draft either an edge player or LB.
They should take Surtain or Parsons in that order.
Trask would seem like a target for NWE. I like him over Lance/Jones/Wilson personally.
I love Trask. Maybe the most underrated offensive player in this draft.
I wonder what S Watson’s trade value is now? Sure, he’ll sit 4-6 weeks to start the season, but top 10 team in the draft can offer a high pick this year and 2nd next year plus a player.
All teams deal with headaches so they’ll deal with it. Houston could use (a) picks & (b) less stress.
If I had to make a prediction, I’d have to say Watson will never take another NFL snap.
And even if that’s not how this plays out, it IS a real possibility. His trade value is nothing.
I would disagree. Too many players to count that have run foul of the law and continued their career. Heck how many chances did Josh Gordon get, 20? Mike Vick went from the Penn to signing another $100m contract 2 years later.
I would also disagree… Josh Gordon though I don’t think is a fair comparison as I believe his was more drug related, only harming himself. AP, Ray Rice , and others were a fair comparison. Another guy , more recently that could be of interest is Derrius Guice. He had sexual assault right before training camp last year. He was supposed to be a top back but hasn’t beeen seen since.
And that’s why I think Watson can be traded for MUCH cheaper than in January. Worth Denver or the Lions throwing out an offer.
I have to think that, at minimum, Watson will be suspended for an entire season, this will make his trade value nonexistent. He very well could be done.
Guice has serious injury issues as well as quite a poor attitude. Based on the partying Guice has been doing it looks like there’s blow involved, as well as booze and women. Deshaun Watson on the other hand is a battled-tested NFL star and at a much more valuable position. Really not like to like here.
The only thing I think Denver could do wrong is pick a QB, especially by trading up. It’s not because they don’t need a quarterback-it’s because none of these available players is the quarterback Denver needs. That value could go to another place, like linebacker, which has been neglected for years.
A lot of people want them to trade up for a questionable QB, but the better move for them would be to trade down. Lance and/or Jones will be available at 9, in all likelihood, and one of these other teams could trade up to Denver’s spot. Despite all of the QBs this year that are being tossed around, there are a lot of teams don’t really need one this year or won’t be able to offer the right situation for who they pick. There’s no need to overpay for a guy who probably won’t give you back what you paid to get him.
You think Washington would’ve learned from the Dwayne Haskins-era. Young man without a lot of experience (only a little over 400 pass attempts between high school and college) being thrown into the fire as a franchise savior.
I think Miami would be thrilled with Smith or Waddle at 6 or later if they trade back, but it’s gonna be tough to pass on Sewell if he’s sitting there.
The Pat’s need to keep the 15 th pick take the best and smartest ‘front 7’ guy available. I am in the minority as a NE fan–I like Cam Newton-especially since they now have 2 reliable Tight Ends and 3 wideouts. In addition if 5 QB hopefuls are taken that means 5 QB’s will be available that will be waived or potentially the 49’ers decide to move Jimmy G. for a 2,3 or 4 th rounder. Fun times !!