The Cincinnati Bengals spent the least guaranteed money on college free agents in the NFL this year, are they behind the times? We break down their approach to spending on college free agents, try to identify which CFA has the best path to the roster, and talk about some of the other difficult 53-man decisions the Bengals will face this summer. Find and follow Locked On Bengals on your favorite podcast platforms: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/locked-on-bengals-daily-podcast-on-the-cincinnati-bengals/id1159723162 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7AObc0lh0WmQl5fJVgtajs Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/locked-on-bengals Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vbG9ja2Vkb25iZW5nYWxz?sa=X&ved=0CAYQrrcFahcKEwio_sXtj8nuAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAg James Rapien and Jake Liscow take you inside the Bengals with the latest news, unique analysis, and insight on your favorite team, every day on Locked On Bengals. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your team. Every Day. And follow Jake and James on Twitter, where they'll be sharing the latest news about the Cincinnati Bengals and talking with fans. Jake Liscow: https://twitter.com/JakeLiscow James Rapien: https://twitter.com/JamesRapien Podcast: https://twitter.com/lockedonbengals Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. FanDuel Make Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Episode Transcript
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(00:02):
It's the Lockdown Podcast Network, Yourteam every Day. Cincinnati Bengals haven't had
a terribly impactful undrafted free agent signingfor quite a while. Will this year
change that trend? Let's talk abouttheir approach and undrafted free agency in this
(00:22):
episode. You are Locked On Bengals, your daily Cincinnati Bengals podcast, part
of the Lockdown Podcast Network. Yourteam every Day? What' on Bengals fans?
(00:45):
And welcome to another episode of theLockdown Bengals podcast. I'm your host,
Jake. Let's go. He's yourhost, James Rapine. We're part
of the Lockdown Podcast Network, andyou can subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
or anywhere you get your podcast,which will make it very easy for you
to become an every day and listento this podcast every day we uploaded and
to join that first listen club withthe many other Bengals fans that make Locked
(01:07):
On Bengals there first listen every dayand James, today, we're going to
dive into a mail bag. We'vegot a bunch of questions to get to
on a variety of topics as we'regetting to that point in the off season
where we've got some questions about freeagents in general, about roster cuts,
people looking ahead to the fifty threeman roster projection a little bit and trying
to figure out where those difficult cutsare going to come from. But we're
(01:29):
going to start with some questions aboutcollege free agency, and we've got a
few. The first one is frommister Elite eighty three that this is the
first one I want to talk about. He sent us a tweet yesterday,
a day before we did the mailbag. That looks like a great mail
bag question, So shout out toTommy. You'd like to hear our thoughts
(01:49):
on the Bengals lack of spending essentiallyon guaranteed money in undrafted free agency.
Where the rest of the league,at least a lot of the rest of
the league is seeing big inflation inthe amount of guaranteed money they're spending on
undrafted free agents, this isn't somethingthe Bengals do. In fact, in
twenty twenty three, the Bengals thirtyfive thousand dollars of guaranteed money given out
(02:14):
to undrafted free agents, according toNick Cordy, is the least in the
NFL, and by far the least. The only other team even close is
the Pittsburgh Steelers and one that's Jakelisco Ben's money. I mean, your
bends is worth more than that usedwith the miles that's got on it.
Now, just to give you anidea of where the guaranteed money, the
(02:34):
Bengals have used undrafted free agents,and we'll talk about which guys most likely
to make the roster and discussed alittle bit because we haven't really talked about
undrafted free agents I think the waywe wanted to after they were officially signed
earlier or what last week. Butthat said the answer is pretty simple because
let's just tie it to Joe Burrow. Right. Everyone expects the Bengals to
(02:58):
pay Joe Burrow. Why because he'sthe biggest priority they've ever had. Well,
look at undrafted free agents. Whyare they not spending on them?
They're not a big priority for theBengals. They I think, look at
it in the hit rate of thesebig contracts, big guaranteed dollars that undrafted
free agents get from these teams,and they say, do those guys end
(03:19):
up being anything? Is it worthit? Because if it's worth it to
do it, I think they wouldbe willing to. But I think more
times than not that they see theseteams get burned and they don't hear of
those guys or see success in theundrafted free agent market from those big,
top dollar type players. And soI think that that's their strategy in general,
(03:42):
in a big part of it.For example, dj Ivy, I
think they looked at it as let'stake him now before he gets pretty big,
a pretty big paycheck, and hewas their seventh round pick for those
wondering out of Miami, a prettybig paycheck, substantial guaranteed dollars, and
the undrafted free agent market. Ithink that's how they look at it.
Jeff Gunter was probably the same lastyear in the seventh round, where they
(04:03):
said, hey, he might makeit to US an undrafted free agency,
but will he sign here when otherteams might just throw the bag at him
and the other part of this otherthan just their overall strategy and why that
might be the case, especially thisyear, there's not many spots open,
(04:23):
and if I'm an undrafted free agent, yeah, the Bengals are a heck
of a destination, But do Iwant to go there and play? What
exactly? What are you going to? Where are you going to make the
team. Where's the whole where's theobvious path? And I think there are
a couple of guys that saw thatpath and others that heck, just want
a shot to try to make ateam and put NFL tape together in training
(04:46):
camp in preseason. But when youhave a roster's talented as the Bengals,
I don't think you're necessarily an undraftedfree agent destination because the path to making
the team is that much more challenging, so they don't prioritize it much.
That's one, just in general.Two, the roster extremely extremely talented,
(05:06):
and I think that was a turnoff to some of the undrafted free agents
they could have potentially added. Yeah, I think that there's a question as
to, you know, how muchdoes it actually matter that the Bengals aren't
big players in undrafted free agency.Look at last year Super Bowl teams,
(05:27):
the Chiefs and the Eagles. TheChiefs had a lot of young guys on
the field for them in the playoffs. Those are draft picks, I believe.
I was just looking at their roster. I didn't see a college free
agent on the defensive side of theball for them who would have been playing
in the playoffs last year at least, I don't think there are a lot
of college free agents on their rosterright now. I mean a lot of
(05:51):
college free agents on the Bengals rosterright now. They spent last round the
practice squad and then they signed morethis year. The Eagles Read Blanketship was
a college free agent last year whoplayed for them in the playoffs, so
currently at the top of their depthchart according to our lads dot com.
But not many of these teams,these high end teams have college free agents
(06:15):
in prominent roles. You might havesome as occasional role players as backups,
but not a whole lot that arestarting. Even the most noteworthy college free
agent on the Bengals is probably whatlike Joe Bacchi, right and the Bengals
and he didn't sign with them,Yeah, they got him off waivers from
Philly when he eventually was waived bythe Eagles. So there's a question of
(06:38):
practically, how impactful is it thatyou're not spending big money, And this
year the answer might be not verybig. It's it's not a big deal.
I do wonder if this will becomea bigger deal. The teams that
are spending money on undrafted free agentsaren't bad teams necessarily, the Kansas City
(06:59):
Chiefs, the NFL, and guaranteedmoney spending on undrafted free agents, according
to Nick Cordy at one point onetwo million dollars compared to Cincinnati's thirty five
thousand dollars. There are several digitsof a difference there in terms of approach
the films. That Joe Burrow car, that's the Joe Burrow car versus the
Jake LESCo car. That's like closerto you know, private private plane money.
(07:25):
Right there, The Philadelphia Eagles ninehundred and eighteen thousand dollars. They
were third. So the two SuperBowl teams last year, right, first
and third on this list the NewYork Jets, who I would never point
to as a model of team building. Second here one point four million on
undrafted free agents and guarantee So likemixed bag up there, right, But
(07:48):
last year's two Super Bowl teams spenta ton of money and guarantees on undrafted
free agents. And people are talkingabout after the draft this year, and
there are some records right like,these are some very big numbers compared to
history. But this is potentially adirection things are going where maybe it's better
to be an undrafted free agent withsome of the contracts and some of the
(08:11):
guarantees that are being given out insome cases compared to being a seventh round
pick and not having your choice ofdestination. Like if you could choose to
go play for the Chiefs for youknow, a slightly worse than seventh round
draft pick contract was still quite abit of guarantees, or go play for
(08:31):
the Brams on a seventh round contract. Maybe that's more desirable for the players
that that would be interesting to kindof hear their perspective of. And you
hit free agency sooner, that's theother part of this, that's what we
college. Or you can sign anextension sooner, you know, either when
you get the restricted tenders and thatsort of stuff, all that stuff exactly.
(08:52):
So yeah, I think the Bengalsthey're never going to prioritize it that
way. I don't think they're evergoing to be in the top five,
top ten. I just now itwill there be years where they're fifteenth and
undrafted free agent, spending maybe maybeyears, especially especially when they're maybe they're
lean on picks. But next yearthey're not going to be lean on picks,
so I don't think they'll prioritize it. And I just last year it's
(09:15):
not like they were high spending wiseand undrafted free agency. So let's continue
the conversation. We have another questionabout undrafted, about the Bengals current class
and which ones could potentially make theteam, So we will do that and
so much more coming up next.Today's show is brought to you by bil
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(11:03):
team every Day. Any other noteson the spending here, James, before
we get into I'm just interested tosee if it does matter, because this
could just be a philosophical thing forthe Bengals, like the teams can get
in that ballpark are Bengals, Steelers, Packers, and those are teams that
are often grouped together in terms oftheir financial approaches, their salary cap management
(11:26):
and that sort of thing. It'llbe interesting to see if the Bengals are
maybe late adopters here, where someother teams are doing this quite aggressively,
like the Chiefs, Eagles, Browns, who for all of the Brown's faults,
very analytically minded in the front officein terms of their approach. Will
be interesting to see if they changethere. Maybe they change there when Joe
(11:48):
Burrows making a lot of money.Those teams have big quarterback contracts at this
point. Yeah, I think ifit changes, it's going to be because
they see the hit rate change.Because I think they'll look at those big
money free agents, undrafted free agentsfor the Chiefs in Eagles and Jets,
(12:09):
and if ninety five percent of themdon't hit, which are is likely even
though they're big, they want undraftedright. So if that's the case,
I just think the Bengals will say, yeah, we just need to make
sure we're drafting our guys and continueour process. And it's honestly, it's
hard to argue that. I getit. You're almost buying an extra pick
or an extra flyer if you gothat route, and so I understand that.
(12:33):
I also understand the Bengals not givinghuge, huge guarantees, and it
makes a ton of sense. Solet's continue. I mentioned the undrafted free
agents since he James asks at sincehe James eighty three, and there's been
a couple of these. But whatundrafted free agents do you look at and
think this guy can make a pushfor a spot on the fifty three man
(12:56):
roster. Yeah, Malachi Hayes six, the other guy. The other questions
submitted to ask the same question.And before we answer that question, just
a quick shout out to a coupleother college free agents currently on the Bengals
roster. Alan George one of thebengals own college free agents. Jalen Davis
not a Bengals college free agent,but originated as a college free agent,
Alan, Joe George, Sorry,Jalen Davis and Joe Bacci. The two
(13:18):
most notable, I would say thehighest actually Josh Tupo, college free agent
in twenty seventeen, going way back, my guy, a Cincinnati college free
agent. In fact, probably thebiggest success story in recent history for college
free agents, right, Vantes perfectwas one way back. Just it's a
(13:39):
while back, right, But yeknow that doesn't count as recent. I
agree, I was just naming anotherone. There's been success stories, that's
all, so turning our attention tothis year Alex Erickson, Alex Rickson's one.
Yeah, he went undrafted. Myguy, that's my guy, that's
your guy. Like that Alex,and that dude stuck in the league for
(14:03):
like seven years. I don't Idon't think he's still there for the Oh,
Cardrock quite a career for himself.Just giving you a hard time.
There's three wide receivers in this year'scollege free agency class. This wide receiver,
I did. Oh, that's alot of college free agents at wide
receiver in a position where like we'retalking about guys oh Stanley Morgan. Of
(14:24):
course college free agents does the nineteenI forgot that one. But that's a
spot where that is a very hardroster to crack a wide receiver. Shedrick
Jackson, Malachi Carter, and MacHiffenhammer. Have a hard time imagining any
of those guys sticking on the fiftythree. Could be some practice squads there,
(14:46):
Jackson, Kirkland. They have somany offensive linemen on the roster,
could be tough there too. I'mhaving a hard time identifying a spot where
I think college tree is very likelyto push for a roster spot. I
don't know if this is the year. Shedrick Jackson is the most interesting of
(15:07):
the wide receivers. Bill Jackson's nephew. That's not why. It's because he's
a burner. This dude runs likeI wanted him and DJ Turner to race
because they both run four twos andthat would that would be a fun one.
But I think you mentioned him.I think you mentioned the guy that
has the best shot. I agreewith you. I mean, I like
Calvin Tyler Junior out of Utah State, you know, the five eight two
(15:30):
o eight kind of scatback, Butis he making a push for the roster
like that? There's just a leapfrom interesting prospect that could push for a
practice squad spot or could impress inthe preseason to actually making the team.
And so to me, just lookingat their the profiles, and he's a
popular one and a lot of ourlisteners are probably aware of him by now,
(15:54):
I think he nailed it. Ithink it is Jackson Kirkland. Not
that he's likely, but I couldtotally see if he has a good camp,
in good preseason, a guy thatis probably going to be a guard
in the NFL, but has tacklesize six six and a half three hundred
and thirty pounds almost thirty four incharms like, he's got that the measurables
(16:17):
to play tackle if you need himtoo. Could he push for one of
those backup guard spots? I thinkso, And that's if there is one
place where they're lean, it isat backup guard. I guess you would
say backup center, but it ison the interior. So if there was
a guy, I would say that. But it's tough, Jake, because
I like some of these linebackers.It's just I don't think there's a linebacker
(16:38):
spot. Like if SHOCKA. Haywardplays well, great, who are you
beating out? I don't see alinebacker spot available. So that's that's the
tough part is I think these guyscould play well and still find themselves on
the outside looking in. It's beenso many linebackers they keep that spot.
If they only keep five, whichis what I'll probably project is for them
(16:59):
to keep five, then it's kindof set. If Jermaine Pratt, Logomilson,
Joe Bashi, a Keen Davis,s Kather, Marcus Bailey, if
they keep six, KeAndre Jones astreet free agent signing from twenty twenty against
Shakahyward, Jalen Moody, Tyler Murray, the crop of free agent linebackers from
this year's draft class. Maybe right, there's a chance there if one of
(17:23):
those guys really plays great in thepreseason, is a standout special team or
that's where you could see a sixlinebacker sneak on. But they're already facing
really tough cuts at a number ofpositions. So are they keeping five or
six linebackers when they're already on abit of pressure, facing a bit of
(17:47):
pressure in terms of getting to fiftythree in the first place, at wide
receiver, at cornerback, at youknow, offensive line where they have premium
positions you just mentioned, Yeah,like sixteen guys under contract right now.
Yeah, literally sixteen guys on theoffensive line that they need to get down
(18:08):
to nine or ten and an offensiveline wise, like I don't know if
they even signed Jackson Kirkland. Ifthey had taken an offensive lineman, say
round four even round five, Ithink that might have been the only spot
and they would have been like,why even bring another guy? We're stacked
at that room. Like the numbersare just there. So to your point,
(18:30):
Yeah, and part of that isnot knowing what they're gonna do with
Collins and like whether Jonah Williams traderesurfaces, it's on point right now.
I would say that's not really likea top conversational topic because Jonah's just he's
on the team right now. He'sprobably going to be the right tackle right
(18:51):
now. If we start to hearabout it again, then we'll start to
talk about it again. But youknow that that's where Jackson Kirkland can challenge.
Can he come in and really pushkimodenergy, Max sharpin. Can he
show that versatility that position versatility willline up at a number of different spots.
How does Cody Ford fit into things? Cody Ford, who's going to
(19:12):
get shots at tackle, has experienceda guard. How's Deonte Smith coming along?
Is he going to put it together? You know and be that late
bloomer in the NFL? Last year'scollege free agents Nate Gilliam, Ben Brown,
Devin Cochrane going to be competing aswell, So uphill battle for all
(19:33):
these guys. And who's Jackson Kirklandbeating like that probably means he's beating that's
the target. And with the Bengalsstaff seems to like him idenergy quite a
bit, like he's one of thefirst linemen off the bench. So that's
a pretty tough battle for Jackson Kirkland, no doubt. And obviously it goes
(19:56):
without saying injuries and all of thosethings could play a factor. But I
go back to your first point,I don't think it's that likely. I
don't think it's that likely for anyof these guys. That doesn't mean anything
for them. They have all themotivation in the world to go out there
and put out good film and goodtape and all of those things. And
(20:17):
I hope a couple of them surprisedand really force the Bengals to sweat some
things and make some tough decisions.We talked about Alex ericson. The Bengals
had to make a tough decision withBrandon Tate that offseason or that that camp
and move on from him. AndI know there was loud outside noise,
but that was a tough decision internally, and that's what you want at this
(20:40):
stage. Make it tough to letguys go. Last year we saw that
at the wide receiver spot, andthis year, I don't know if you'll
see that there because the Bengals drafteda couple of guys, but certainly something
to pay attention to is what undraftedguys emerge and flash a little bit,
because it's going to happen, andyou hope a lot of these guys to
(21:03):
really make it tough and maybe forcethe Bengals to reconsider some of their thoughts
and certainly us consider some of ourthoughts on that final fifty three. It's
always hard at this point of theoff season, two before they've practiced with
the veterans, before we've had achance to talk to some of the coaches
about who's standing out, because it'salmost never the guys you think. Sometimes
(21:25):
it is, but a lot oftimes it's like, oh, that guy
kind of yeah, he's more impressivethan we thought, or whatever it is.
And we'll hopefully have an opportunity tohear about some of those guys as
the off season goes on, andsome of these veteran cuts are going to
be challenging. James, We've gota good question about that topic, and
we'll see if the undrafted rookies makeit murky or we'll go to that question
and more to finish the show comingup next, Let's continue before we get
(21:51):
to veteran cuts with one from Bengalswatch party. At Bengals Party, what
remaining free agents would you like tosee the Bengal sign And they threw out
a couple, Dalton Risener for mattIonitis for the two that they threw out.
Yeah, it's funny because you justtalked about how hard it's going to
be to make some of these cutsalready, right, and how hard it's
(22:11):
going to be for some of theseundrafted guys to make the team, and
we're talking about signing guys. Somatt Ionitis and Dalton Rizzener would both represent
roster locks in my opinion. Idon't know what's going on with Rizzner.
I mean the fact that he's stillout there, very peculiar, former second
round pick, not like he playedbadly in Denver. That one's really weird.
(22:33):
Matt Ionitis a more recent cut Iand I just fixed a lot of
sense to me. That is oneplace where you know you feel okay about
four and then you get to fiveon the interior defensive line, and a
lot of times they have five defensivefive interior guys active I think last year
(22:57):
they tended to go heavier on theinterior sensive line activations and the edge activations.
We looked at that in an episoderecently where they tend to have four
edge guys active, more interior guysactive. But Matt Ionitis would be part
of that rotation immediately. Don't Risener, on the other hand, because step
in and win a starting job.So I think those are two great names
or some names you've talked about.But Ionitis is a guy that for the
(23:19):
last few years has kind of stoodout as a guy they could target and
they have it. So maybe thatkind of tells you where they are there.
What do you think, James,you already know running back. I
think they could use some depth thereand a tunnel vision on the two names
you put in that question my beat, Yeah, I just know you're good.
I mean, I agree, Ithink both could fit. I don't
(23:41):
think they're going to go after Don'tand Risener because they believe in their starting
left guard. I've been pretty yeahdirect about that and we'll see maybe that
changes, right if the price isright, And I think that's where they're
at on this running back room.To me, whether it's Joe Mixon and
they want to keep Joe mixing aroundfor another year, or they think Chase
(24:03):
Brown is ready to go a Brown. Zeke backfield is still pretty darn good,
and how much does he want?I know? I think Kimberly A
Martin of ESPN reporting that the marketreally isn't there for Zeke. So maybe
he just goes back to Dallas ona cheap, cheap deal, or he
decides to join a true Super Bowlcontender because sorry, Cowboys fans, I
(24:25):
don't think that's the case. Howabout that taking a shot at the Cowboys
for no reason? I think thatit would make a lot of sense.
So we'll see about Zeke. KareemHunt is another guy out there. Leonard
Fournette. I know in the pastthe Bengals have like Leonard Fournette at this
stage of his career. I don'tknow if they would like Leonard Fournette,
but certainly someone I would at leastmention. So there are running backs available,
(24:47):
But if you're just keeping mixing,certainly at his current salary, maybe
you do nothing and you just stickto the backfield you have. But running
back would be another position I wouldlook at. It does feel at this
point as if Joe Mixon is goingto be RB one for all of the
discussion we had, I think forsure off season like that can still change,
(25:10):
obviously, but it feels like thatis the likely outcome after the draft,
Like fifth round running back. Yeah, you can like Chase Brown,
and I do like Chase Brown quitea bit, but fifth round running backs
being your starter, that's difficult.And I think and Zeke Mixon and Zeke
I think it fits like that though, because I are you really trotting out
(25:33):
Trey Von Williams and that p RNrole maybe? Or is it fifty fifty
between p run and Chase Brown?Like It's just it gets really murky because
if Mixon's here, I think Mixon'srole is Mixing's role. I don't think
it changes. I wonder, andthey haven't replaced p Rhyn. I wonder
what the coaches would say truth serumwise, like who's playing that p rhin
role right now? I'm gonna makesome calls with some truths here through the
(25:57):
phone. That's a new video magicright, magic stuff going up, built
bars and truth serum. Let's talkabout some of the veterans. This will
be our last question and this comesfrom Michael Vanois at Michael Vanois six on
footer wondering about the roster path forTrent Taylor, for Chris Evans and and
(26:22):
any other veterans. I'll just letyou if there's anybody else you think has
a tough path to the roster that'sa veteran on this team right now,
who do you think that's the toughestpath, Because we've talked about it,
tough cuts all over the place,there are there are some tough cuts,
and I think it is Trent Taylor. I think he's as in danger as
(26:45):
anyone on the roster from a guythat was on the team last year and
made the final cuts, who wason the team throughout the year. Because
everything Charlie Jones does is essentially TrentTaylor, but younger and maybe more explosive
and more athletic and can contribute moreon offense and like all of these things.
(27:07):
And so I certainly would mention himin that mix. And you just
look where the Bengals. Where theBengals dressed what positions at least in this
draft, and you know corner isgoing to be another interesting one, and
you know, not super established veterans, but there are guys that I really
like that are going to battle now. And we talked about it with Eli
(27:30):
Apple, with him lingering, it'slike, I don't think there's necessarily a
roster spot for him, a pathfor him to come back to this roster
and be in the mix there.So that's one Sidney Jones. I don't
think he's in danger. I thinkhe'll make the team, but having a
guy like DJ Turner around does makeit a little more interesting, especially with
(27:52):
what I expect shit Omehauzier to beone hundred percent and back and ready to
go for the season. Maybe notone hundred percent, but certainly ready to
go and play. We'll see.That's just my expectation because he's a freak.
And I mean that in the bestway possible. In Jones isn't making
a lot, so it's not likeyou care if he's your fifth, fifth
corner. But there aren't many Therearen't many spots a bit available, and
(28:15):
you know, you look at thatleft tackle or that offensive tackle room.
Are we sure Deante Smith is alock? Are we are we sure that
guy? You know, it startsto get really murky. He clearly dropped
and fell behind Jackson Carmen last year, like a couple tiers behind him,
and so I think that's a guythat could be fighting for a job as
well. Yeah, if you're projecting, well, let's hold on. Let
(28:38):
me before I get distracted by theoffensive line. Candy you dangled at the
end of your answer that, letme let's go back to the defensive backs,
because I do think there's five guysright four five lois he a Turner,
Taylor Brett Hilton, and Jayleen Davisjust got to your deal, and
there's nobody else to really play inthe slot unless it's DJ Turner. But
(29:02):
it would be kind of surprising tosee them give a to year deal to
Jayleen Davis just to cut up.Could happen? And then Sidney Jones,
DJ Ivy, Alan George Waiver claimChris Lammon's for one spot, Marvel Tell
don't mean to leave him out,Marvel Tell the third also on the roster
battling it out there. That's alot of guys for one spot, and
(29:25):
Sidney Jones clearly has a leg upafter getting the unrestrictor free agency contract.
Now, sure offensive line the locksbeing let's say Johnah Wilams as are shorting
my tackle. Those five guys probablyWell and Carmen, and then probably Sharping.
(29:49):
I think probably Cody Ford given thestate of Well Collins with his injury.
Probably, but there could be competitionthere and then there's a battle for
center, a battle maybe for theother interior spot. Yeah, it begins
to get really tough to see DeontaSmith cracking the roster, depending on what's
(30:11):
going on with Fell Collins, right, but Ben Brown, Trey Hill,
there's like a clear battle there.Jackson Kirkland, Max Sharping and human energy,
a clear battle there. Nate Gilliam, we'll see if he can step
up as well. Last year's freeagent. You spent time on the practice
squad. But yeah, Deonta Smithat tackle, if they want to keep
(30:33):
three or four that that gets reallytough. It does, It does,
especially because he hasn't shown the guardflex as much some of these other guys.
Yeah, I wonder if he's hada chance to work consistently at one
spot, if they've kind of figuredit out where he's going to get his
work in. Seemed like last yearwas it tackle. Then Jackson Carmen started
(30:55):
working back at tackle, they didkeep ten guys last year. Those ten
guys are still on the team.You just add Orlando Brown into the mix,
probably pushes one of those guys out. And is that Deante Smith is
humid energy? Is it Max Sharping? You know with Jackson Kirkland in the
(31:15):
mix, it will be interesting,is it. Jonah Williams dunt dunt dun?
Just kidding as a cut? No, literally a lot of people zero
chance. No, he he hasjust as much job security this year as
far as being cut as Joe Burrow. Yeah, like there is zero chance
they would cut him. There's zero. There's no reason they can't. It's
(31:36):
just dead money, it's all.It's all staying on the cap, it
all said. And he's yeah,and he's gonna be your starter. Like
if if Joe Mixon's deal was fullyguaranteed, we wouldn't even be talking about
no potential really, it would justbe all right, well he's here unless
you can trade him. Like itwould be the same exact conversation I think
(31:56):
between Joe and Jonah. And that'sjust confusion. Like you cannot cut JOHNA.
Billiams this year. That is aguarantee contract. I think everybody gets
that by now, probably everybody listeningto this podcast gets it by now because
we've talked about it before. Thatbeing said, that's gonna do it for
this episode of the Locked On Bengalspodcast. Sex everybody who sent their questions,
and we'll have plenty of opportunities foryou to ask questions in mail bags
(32:20):
like this and get those little shoutouts, as we love to make sure
we give credit to those of youwho are asking questions in the mail bags.
So that'll do it. Like Isaid, thanks for listening to this
episode of the Lockdown Bengals podcast anduntil next time, Huda and have a
good monk eight Prime members. Youcan listen to this Lockdown podcast add free
(32:45):
on Amazon Music download the Amazon Musicapp. Today, Reds Fans, I'm
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podcast, Locked On Reds, partof the Lockdown Podcast network. Your team.
Every day, Lockdown Reds brings youthe latest Red's news and analysis and
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(33:07):
could want, all in a thirtyminute daily podcast. Subscribe now to Lockdown
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your team every day
It's the Lockdown Podcast Network, Yourteam every Day. Cincinnati Bengals haven't had
a terribly impactful undrafted free agent signingfor quite a while. Will this year
change that trend? Let's talk abouttheir approach and undrafted free agency in this
(00:22):
episode. You are Locked On Bengals, your daily Cincinnati Bengals podcast, part
of the Lockdown Podcast Network. Yourteam every Day? What' on Bengals fans?
(00:45):
And welcome to another episode of theLockdown Bengals podcast. I'm your host,
Jake. Let's go. He's yourhost, James Rapine. We're part
of the Lockdown Podcast Network, andyou can subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
or anywhere you get your podcast,which will make it very easy for you
to become an every day and listento this podcast every day we uploaded and
to join that first listen club withthe many other Bengals fans that make Locked
(01:07):
On Bengals there first listen every dayand James, today, we're going to
dive into a mail bag. We'vegot a bunch of questions to get to
on a variety of topics as we'regetting to that point in the off season
where we've got some questions about freeagents in general, about roster cuts,
people looking ahead to the fifty threeman roster projection a little bit and trying
to figure out where those difficult cutsare going to come from. But we're
(01:29):
going to start with some questions aboutcollege free agency, and we've got a
few. The first one is frommister Elite eighty three that this is the
first one I want to talk about. He sent us a tweet yesterday,
a day before we did the mailbag. That looks like a great mail
bag question, So shout out toTommy. You'd like to hear our thoughts
(01:49):
on the Bengals lack of spending essentiallyon guaranteed money in undrafted free agency.
Where the rest of the league,at least a lot of the rest of
the league is seeing big inflation inthe amount of guaranteed money they're spending on
undrafted free agents, this isn't somethingthe Bengals do. In fact, in
twenty twenty three, the Bengals thirtyfive thousand dollars of guaranteed money given out
(02:14):
to undrafted free agents, according toNick Cordy, is the least in the
NFL, and by far the least. The only other team even close is
the Pittsburgh Steelers and one that's Jakelisco Ben's money. I mean, your
bends is worth more than that usedwith the miles that's got on it.
Now, just to give you anidea of where the guaranteed money, the
(02:34):
Bengals have used undrafted free agents,and we'll talk about which guys most likely
to make the roster and discussed alittle bit because we haven't really talked about
undrafted free agents I think the waywe wanted to after they were officially signed
earlier or what last week. Butthat said the answer is pretty simple because
let's just tie it to Joe Burrow. Right. Everyone expects the Bengals to
(02:58):
pay Joe Burrow. Why because he'sthe biggest priority they've ever had. Well,
look at undrafted free agents. Whyare they not spending on them?
They're not a big priority for theBengals. They I think, look at
it in the hit rate of thesebig contracts, big guaranteed dollars that undrafted
free agents get from these teams,and they say, do those guys end
(03:19):
up being anything? Is it worthit? Because if it's worth it to
do it, I think they wouldbe willing to. But I think more
times than not that they see theseteams get burned and they don't hear of
those guys or see success in theundrafted free agent market from those big,
top dollar type players. And soI think that that's their strategy in general,
(03:42):
in a big part of it.For example, dj Ivy, I
think they looked at it as let'stake him now before he gets pretty big,
a pretty big paycheck, and hewas their seventh round pick for those
wondering out of Miami, a prettybig paycheck, substantial guaranteed dollars, and
the undrafted free agent market. Ithink that's how they look at it.
Jeff Gunter was probably the same lastyear in the seventh round, where they
(04:03):
said, hey, he might makeit to US an undrafted free agency,
but will he sign here when otherteams might just throw the bag at him
and the other part of this otherthan just their overall strategy and why that
might be the case, especially thisyear, there's not many spots open,
(04:23):
and if I'm an undrafted free agent, yeah, the Bengals are a heck
of a destination, But do Iwant to go there and play? What
exactly? What are you going to? Where are you going to make the
team. Where's the whole where's theobvious path? And I think there are
a couple of guys that saw thatpath and others that heck, just want
a shot to try to make ateam and put NFL tape together in training
(04:46):
camp in preseason. But when youhave a roster's talented as the Bengals,
I don't think you're necessarily an undraftedfree agent destination because the path to making
the team is that much more challenging, so they don't prioritize it much.
That's one, just in general.Two, the roster extremely extremely talented,
(05:06):
and I think that was a turnoff to some of the undrafted free agents
they could have potentially added. Yeah, I think that there's a question as
to, you know, how muchdoes it actually matter that the Bengals aren't
big players in undrafted free agency.Look at last year Super Bowl teams,
(05:27):
the Chiefs and the Eagles. TheChiefs had a lot of young guys on
the field for them in the playoffs. Those are draft picks, I believe.
I was just looking at their roster. I didn't see a college free
agent on the defensive side of theball for them who would have been playing
in the playoffs last year at least, I don't think there are a lot
of college free agents on their rosterright now. I mean a lot of
(05:51):
college free agents on the Bengals rosterright now. They spent last round the
practice squad and then they signed morethis year. The Eagles Read Blanketship was
a college free agent last year whoplayed for them in the playoffs, so
currently at the top of their depthchart according to our lads dot com.
But not many of these teams,these high end teams have college free agents
(06:15):
in prominent roles. You might havesome as occasional role players as backups,
but not a whole lot that arestarting. Even the most noteworthy college free
agent on the Bengals is probably whatlike Joe Bacchi, right and the Bengals
and he didn't sign with them,Yeah, they got him off waivers from
Philly when he eventually was waived bythe Eagles. So there's a question of
(06:38):
practically, how impactful is it thatyou're not spending big money, And this
year the answer might be not verybig. It's it's not a big deal.
I do wonder if this will becomea bigger deal. The teams that
are spending money on undrafted free agentsaren't bad teams necessarily, the Kansas City
(06:59):
Chiefs, the NFL, and guaranteedmoney spending on undrafted free agents, according
to Nick Cordy at one point onetwo million dollars compared to Cincinnati's thirty five
thousand dollars. There are several digitsof a difference there in terms of approach
the films. That Joe Burrow car, that's the Joe Burrow car versus the
Jake LESCo car. That's like closerto you know, private private plane money.
(07:25):
Right there, The Philadelphia Eagles ninehundred and eighteen thousand dollars. They
were third. So the two SuperBowl teams last year, right, first
and third on this list the NewYork Jets, who I would never point
to as a model of team building. Second here one point four million on
undrafted free agents and guarantee So likemixed bag up there, right, But
(07:48):
last year's two Super Bowl teams spenta ton of money and guarantees on undrafted
free agents. And people are talkingabout after the draft this year, and
there are some records right like,these are some very big numbers compared to
history. But this is potentially adirection things are going where maybe it's better
to be an undrafted free agent withsome of the contracts and some of the
(08:11):
guarantees that are being given out insome cases compared to being a seventh round
pick and not having your choice ofdestination. Like if you could choose to
go play for the Chiefs for youknow, a slightly worse than seventh round
draft pick contract was still quite abit of guarantees, or go play for
(08:31):
the Brams on a seventh round contract. Maybe that's more desirable for the players
that that would be interesting to kindof hear their perspective of. And you
hit free agency sooner, that's theother part of this, that's what we
college. Or you can sign anextension sooner, you know, either when
you get the restricted tenders and thatsort of stuff, all that stuff exactly.
(08:52):
So yeah, I think the Bengalsthey're never going to prioritize it that
way. I don't think they're evergoing to be in the top five,
top ten. I just now itwill there be years where they're fifteenth and
undrafted free agent, spending maybe maybeyears, especially especially when they're maybe they're
lean on picks. But next yearthey're not going to be lean on picks,
so I don't think they'll prioritize it. And I just last year it's
(09:15):
not like they were high spending wiseand undrafted free agency. So let's continue
the conversation. We have another questionabout undrafted, about the Bengals current class
and which ones could potentially make theteam, So we will do that and
so much more coming up next.Today's show is brought to you by bil
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(11:03):
team every Day. Any other noteson the spending here, James, before
we get into I'm just interested tosee if it does matter, because this
could just be a philosophical thing forthe Bengals, like the teams can get
in that ballpark are Bengals, Steelers, Packers, and those are teams that
are often grouped together in terms oftheir financial approaches, their salary cap management
(11:26):
and that sort of thing. It'llbe interesting to see if the Bengals are
maybe late adopters here, where someother teams are doing this quite aggressively,
like the Chiefs, Eagles, Browns, who for all of the Brown's faults,
very analytically minded in the front officein terms of their approach. Will
be interesting to see if they changethere. Maybe they change there when Joe
(11:48):
Burrows making a lot of money.Those teams have big quarterback contracts at this
point. Yeah, I think ifit changes, it's going to be because
they see the hit rate change.Because I think they'll look at those big
money free agents, undrafted free agentsfor the Chiefs in Eagles and Jets,
(12:09):
and if ninety five percent of themdon't hit, which are is likely even
though they're big, they want undraftedright. So if that's the case,
I just think the Bengals will say, yeah, we just need to make
sure we're drafting our guys and continueour process. And it's honestly, it's
hard to argue that. I getit. You're almost buying an extra pick
or an extra flyer if you gothat route, and so I understand that.
(12:33):
I also understand the Bengals not givinghuge, huge guarantees, and it
makes a ton of sense. Solet's continue. I mentioned the undrafted free
agents since he James asks at sincehe James eighty three, and there's been
a couple of these. But whatundrafted free agents do you look at and
think this guy can make a pushfor a spot on the fifty three man
(12:56):
roster. Yeah, Malachi Hayes six, the other guy. The other questions
submitted to ask the same question.And before we answer that question, just
a quick shout out to a coupleother college free agents currently on the Bengals
roster. Alan George one of thebengals own college free agents. Jalen Davis
not a Bengals college free agent,but originated as a college free agent,
Alan, Joe George, Sorry,Jalen Davis and Joe Bacci. The two
(13:18):
most notable, I would say thehighest actually Josh Tupo, college free agent
in twenty seventeen, going way back, my guy, a Cincinnati college free
agent. In fact, probably thebiggest success story in recent history for college
free agents, right, Vantes perfectwas one way back. Just it's a
(13:39):
while back, right, But yeknow that doesn't count as recent. I
agree, I was just naming anotherone. There's been success stories, that's
all, so turning our attention tothis year Alex Erickson, Alex Rickson's one.
Yeah, he went undrafted. Myguy, that's my guy, that's
your guy. Like that Alex,and that dude stuck in the league for
(14:03):
like seven years. I don't Idon't think he's still there for the Oh,
Cardrock quite a career for himself.Just giving you a hard time.
There's three wide receivers in this year'scollege free agency class. This wide receiver,
I did. Oh, that's alot of college free agents at wide
receiver in a position where like we'retalking about guys oh Stanley Morgan. Of
(14:24):
course college free agents does the nineteenI forgot that one. But that's a
spot where that is a very hardroster to crack a wide receiver. Shedrick
Jackson, Malachi Carter, and MacHiffenhammer. Have a hard time imagining any
of those guys sticking on the fiftythree. Could be some practice squads there,
(14:46):
Jackson, Kirkland. They have somany offensive linemen on the roster,
could be tough there too. I'mhaving a hard time identifying a spot where
I think college tree is very likelyto push for a roster spot. I
don't know if this is the year. Shedrick Jackson is the most interesting of
(15:07):
the wide receivers. Bill Jackson's nephew. That's not why. It's because he's
a burner. This dude runs likeI wanted him and DJ Turner to race
because they both run four twos andthat would that would be a fun one.
But I think you mentioned him.I think you mentioned the guy that
has the best shot. I agreewith you. I mean, I like
Calvin Tyler Junior out of Utah State, you know, the five eight two
(15:30):
o eight kind of scatback, Butis he making a push for the roster
like that? There's just a leapfrom interesting prospect that could push for a
practice squad spot or could impress inthe preseason to actually making the team.
And so to me, just lookingat their the profiles, and he's a
popular one and a lot of ourlisteners are probably aware of him by now,
(15:54):
I think he nailed it. Ithink it is Jackson Kirkland. Not
that he's likely, but I couldtotally see if he has a good camp,
in good preseason, a guy thatis probably going to be a guard
in the NFL, but has tacklesize six six and a half three hundred
and thirty pounds almost thirty four incharms like, he's got that the measurables
(16:17):
to play tackle if you need himtoo. Could he push for one of
those backup guard spots? I thinkso, And that's if there is one
place where they're lean, it isat backup guard. I guess you would
say backup center, but it ison the interior. So if there was
a guy, I would say that. But it's tough, Jake, because
I like some of these linebackers.It's just I don't think there's a linebacker
(16:38):
spot. Like if SHOCKA. Haywardplays well, great, who are you
beating out? I don't see alinebacker spot available. So that's that's the
tough part is I think these guyscould play well and still find themselves on
the outside looking in. It's beenso many linebackers they keep that spot.
If they only keep five, whichis what I'll probably project is for them
(16:59):
to keep five, then it's kindof set. If Jermaine Pratt, Logomilson,
Joe Bashi, a Keen Davis,s Kather, Marcus Bailey, if
they keep six, KeAndre Jones astreet free agent signing from twenty twenty against
Shakahyward, Jalen Moody, Tyler Murray, the crop of free agent linebackers from
this year's draft class. Maybe right, there's a chance there if one of
(17:23):
those guys really plays great in thepreseason, is a standout special team or
that's where you could see a sixlinebacker sneak on. But they're already facing
really tough cuts at a number ofpositions. So are they keeping five or
six linebackers when they're already on abit of pressure, facing a bit of
(17:47):
pressure in terms of getting to fiftythree in the first place, at wide
receiver, at cornerback, at youknow, offensive line where they have premium
positions you just mentioned, Yeah,like sixteen guys under contract right now.
Yeah, literally sixteen guys on theoffensive line that they need to get down
(18:08):
to nine or ten and an offensiveline wise, like I don't know if
they even signed Jackson Kirkland. Ifthey had taken an offensive lineman, say
round four even round five, Ithink that might have been the only spot
and they would have been like,why even bring another guy? We're stacked
at that room. Like the numbersare just there. So to your point,
(18:30):
Yeah, and part of that isnot knowing what they're gonna do with
Collins and like whether Jonah Williams traderesurfaces, it's on point right now.
I would say that's not really likea top conversational topic because Jonah's just he's
on the team right now. He'sprobably going to be the right tackle right
(18:51):
now. If we start to hearabout it again, then we'll start to
talk about it again. But youknow that that's where Jackson Kirkland can challenge.
Can he come in and really pushkimodenergy, Max sharpin. Can he
show that versatility that position versatility willline up at a number of different spots.
How does Cody Ford fit into things? Cody Ford, who's going to
(19:12):
get shots at tackle, has experienceda guard. How's Deonte Smith coming along?
Is he going to put it together? You know and be that late
bloomer in the NFL? Last year'scollege free agents Nate Gilliam, Ben Brown,
Devin Cochrane going to be competing aswell, So uphill battle for all
(19:33):
these guys. And who's Jackson Kirklandbeating like that probably means he's beating that's
the target. And with the Bengalsstaff seems to like him idenergy quite a
bit, like he's one of thefirst linemen off the bench. So that's
a pretty tough battle for Jackson Kirkland, no doubt. And obviously it goes
(19:56):
without saying injuries and all of thosethings could play a factor. But I
go back to your first point,I don't think it's that likely. I
don't think it's that likely for anyof these guys. That doesn't mean anything
for them. They have all themotivation in the world to go out there
and put out good film and goodtape and all of those things. And
(20:17):
I hope a couple of them surprisedand really force the Bengals to sweat some
things and make some tough decisions.We talked about Alex ericson. The Bengals
had to make a tough decision withBrandon Tate that offseason or that that camp
and move on from him. AndI know there was loud outside noise,
but that was a tough decision internally, and that's what you want at this
(20:40):
stage. Make it tough to letguys go. Last year we saw that
at the wide receiver spot, andthis year, I don't know if you'll
see that there because the Bengals drafteda couple of guys, but certainly something
to pay attention to is what undraftedguys emerge and flash a little bit,
because it's going to happen, andyou hope a lot of these guys to
(21:03):
really make it tough and maybe forcethe Bengals to reconsider some of their thoughts
and certainly us consider some of ourthoughts on that final fifty three. It's
always hard at this point of theoff season, two before they've practiced with
the veterans, before we've had achance to talk to some of the coaches
about who's standing out, because it'salmost never the guys you think. Sometimes
(21:25):
it is, but a lot oftimes it's like, oh, that guy
kind of yeah, he's more impressivethan we thought, or whatever it is.
And we'll hopefully have an opportunity tohear about some of those guys as
the off season goes on, andsome of these veteran cuts are going to
be challenging. James, We've gota good question about that topic, and
we'll see if the undrafted rookies makeit murky or we'll go to that question
and more to finish the show comingup next, Let's continue before we get
(21:51):
to veteran cuts with one from Bengalswatch party. At Bengals Party, what
remaining free agents would you like tosee the Bengal sign And they threw out
a couple, Dalton Risener for mattIonitis for the two that they threw out.
Yeah, it's funny because you justtalked about how hard it's going to
be to make some of these cutsalready, right, and how hard it's
(22:11):
going to be for some of theseundrafted guys to make the team, and
we're talking about signing guys. Somatt Ionitis and Dalton Rizzener would both represent
roster locks in my opinion. Idon't know what's going on with Rizzner.
I mean the fact that he's stillout there, very peculiar, former second
round pick, not like he playedbadly in Denver. That one's really weird.
(22:33):
Matt Ionitis a more recent cut Iand I just fixed a lot of
sense to me. That is oneplace where you know you feel okay about
four and then you get to fiveon the interior defensive line, and a
lot of times they have five defensivefive interior guys active I think last year
(22:57):
they tended to go heavier on theinterior sensive line activations and the edge activations.
We looked at that in an episoderecently where they tend to have four
edge guys active, more interior guysactive. But Matt Ionitis would be part
of that rotation immediately. Don't Risener, on the other hand, because step
in and win a starting job.So I think those are two great names
or some names you've talked about.But Ionitis is a guy that for the
(23:19):
last few years has kind of stoodout as a guy they could target and
they have it. So maybe thatkind of tells you where they are there.
What do you think, James,you already know running back. I
think they could use some depth thereand a tunnel vision on the two names
you put in that question my beat, Yeah, I just know you're good.
I mean, I agree, Ithink both could fit. I don't
(23:41):
think they're going to go after Don'tand Risener because they believe in their starting
left guard. I've been pretty yeahdirect about that and we'll see maybe that
changes, right if the price isright, And I think that's where they're
at on this running back room.To me, whether it's Joe Mixon and
they want to keep Joe mixing aroundfor another year, or they think Chase
(24:03):
Brown is ready to go a Brown. Zeke backfield is still pretty darn good,
and how much does he want?I know? I think Kimberly A
Martin of ESPN reporting that the marketreally isn't there for Zeke. So maybe
he just goes back to Dallas ona cheap, cheap deal, or he
decides to join a true Super Bowlcontender because sorry, Cowboys fans, I
(24:25):
don't think that's the case. Howabout that taking a shot at the Cowboys
for no reason? I think thatit would make a lot of sense.
So we'll see about Zeke. KareemHunt is another guy out there. Leonard
Fournette. I know in the pastthe Bengals have like Leonard Fournette at this
stage of his career. I don'tknow if they would like Leonard Fournette,
but certainly someone I would at leastmention. So there are running backs available,
(24:47):
But if you're just keeping mixing,certainly at his current salary, maybe
you do nothing and you just stickto the backfield you have. But running
back would be another position I wouldlook at. It does feel at this
point as if Joe Mixon is goingto be RB one for all of the
discussion we had, I think forsure off season like that can still change,
(25:10):
obviously, but it feels like thatis the likely outcome after the draft,
Like fifth round running back. Yeah, you can like Chase Brown,
and I do like Chase Brown quitea bit, but fifth round running backs
being your starter, that's difficult.And I think and Zeke Mixon and Zeke
I think it fits like that though, because I are you really trotting out
(25:33):
Trey Von Williams and that p RNrole maybe? Or is it fifty fifty
between p run and Chase Brown?Like It's just it gets really murky because
if Mixon's here, I think Mixon'srole is Mixing's role. I don't think
it changes. I wonder, andthey haven't replaced p Rhyn. I wonder
what the coaches would say truth serumwise, like who's playing that p rhin
role right now? I'm gonna makesome calls with some truths here through the
(25:57):
phone. That's a new video magicright, magic stuff going up, built
bars and truth serum. Let's talkabout some of the veterans. This will
be our last question and this comesfrom Michael Vanois at Michael Vanois six on
footer wondering about the roster path forTrent Taylor, for Chris Evans and and
(26:22):
any other veterans. I'll just letyou if there's anybody else you think has
a tough path to the roster that'sa veteran on this team right now,
who do you think that's the toughestpath, Because we've talked about it,
tough cuts all over the place,there are there are some tough cuts,
and I think it is Trent Taylor. I think he's as in danger as
(26:45):
anyone on the roster from a guythat was on the team last year and
made the final cuts, who wason the team throughout the year. Because
everything Charlie Jones does is essentially TrentTaylor, but younger and maybe more explosive
and more athletic and can contribute moreon offense and like all of these things.
(27:07):
And so I certainly would mention himin that mix. And you just
look where the Bengals. Where theBengals dressed what positions at least in this
draft, and you know corner isgoing to be another interesting one, and
you know, not super established veterans, but there are guys that I really
like that are going to battle now. And we talked about it with Eli
(27:30):
Apple, with him lingering, it'slike, I don't think there's necessarily a
roster spot for him, a pathfor him to come back to this roster
and be in the mix there.So that's one Sidney Jones. I don't
think he's in danger. I thinkhe'll make the team, but having a
guy like DJ Turner around does makeit a little more interesting, especially with
(27:52):
what I expect shit Omehauzier to beone hundred percent and back and ready to
go for the season. Maybe notone hundred percent, but certainly ready to
go and play. We'll see.That's just my expectation because he's a freak.
And I mean that in the bestway possible. In Jones isn't making
a lot, so it's not likeyou care if he's your fifth, fifth
corner. But there aren't many Therearen't many spots a bit available, and
(28:15):
you know, you look at thatleft tackle or that offensive tackle room.
Are we sure Deante Smith is alock? Are we are we sure that
guy? You know, it startsto get really murky. He clearly dropped
and fell behind Jackson Carmen last year, like a couple tiers behind him,
and so I think that's a guythat could be fighting for a job as
well. Yeah, if you're projecting, well, let's hold on. Let
(28:38):
me before I get distracted by theoffensive line. Candy you dangled at the
end of your answer that, letme let's go back to the defensive backs,
because I do think there's five guysright four five lois he a Turner,
Taylor Brett Hilton, and Jayleen Davisjust got to your deal, and
there's nobody else to really play inthe slot unless it's DJ Turner. But
(29:02):
it would be kind of surprising tosee them give a to year deal to
Jayleen Davis just to cut up.Could happen? And then Sidney Jones,
DJ Ivy, Alan George Waiver claimChris Lammon's for one spot, Marvel Tell
don't mean to leave him out,Marvel Tell the third also on the roster
battling it out there. That's alot of guys for one spot, and
(29:25):
Sidney Jones clearly has a leg upafter getting the unrestrictor free agency contract.
Now, sure offensive line the locksbeing let's say Johnah Wilams as are shorting
my tackle. Those five guys probablyWell and Carmen, and then probably Sharping.
(29:49):
I think probably Cody Ford given thestate of Well Collins with his injury.
Probably, but there could be competitionthere and then there's a battle for
center, a battle maybe for theother interior spot. Yeah, it begins
to get really tough to see DeontaSmith cracking the roster, depending on what's
(30:11):
going on with Fell Collins, right, but Ben Brown, Trey Hill,
there's like a clear battle there.Jackson Kirkland, Max Sharping and human energy,
a clear battle there. Nate Gilliam, we'll see if he can step
up as well. Last year's freeagent. You spent time on the practice
squad. But yeah, Deonta Smithat tackle, if they want to keep
(30:33):
three or four that that gets reallytough. It does, It does,
especially because he hasn't shown the guardflex as much some of these other guys.
Yeah, I wonder if he's hada chance to work consistently at one
spot, if they've kind of figuredit out where he's going to get his
work in. Seemed like last yearwas it tackle. Then Jackson Carmen started
(30:55):
working back at tackle, they didkeep ten guys last year. Those ten
guys are still on the team.You just add Orlando Brown into the mix,
probably pushes one of those guys out. And is that Deante Smith is
humid energy? Is it Max Sharping? You know with Jackson Kirkland in the
(31:15):
mix, it will be interesting,is it. Jonah Williams dunt dunt dun?
Just kidding as a cut? No, literally a lot of people zero
chance. No, he he hasjust as much job security this year as
far as being cut as Joe Burrow. Yeah, like there is zero chance
they would cut him. There's zero. There's no reason they can't. It's
(31:36):
just dead money, it's all.It's all staying on the cap, it
all said. And he's yeah,and he's gonna be your starter. Like
if if Joe Mixon's deal was fullyguaranteed, we wouldn't even be talking about
no potential really, it would justbe all right, well he's here unless
you can trade him. Like itwould be the same exact conversation I think
(31:56):
between Joe and Jonah. And that'sjust confusion. Like you cannot cut JOHNA.
Billiams this year. That is aguarantee contract. I think everybody gets
that by now, probably everybody listeningto this podcast gets it by now because
we've talked about it before. Thatbeing said, that's gonna do it for
this episode of the Locked On Bengalspodcast. Sex everybody who sent their questions,
and we'll have plenty of opportunities foryou to ask questions in mail bags
(32:20):
like this and get those little shoutouts, as we love to make sure
we give credit to those of youwho are asking questions in the mail bags.
So that'll do it. Like Isaid, thanks for listening to this
episode of the Lockdown Bengals podcast anduntil next time, Huda and have a
good monk eight Prime members. Youcan listen to this Lockdown podcast add free
(32:45):
on Amazon Music download the Amazon Musicapp. Today, Reds Fans, I'm
Jeff Carr and I'm Stephen Offenbaker.We are the host of your daily Reds
podcast, Locked On Reds, partof the Lockdown Podcast network. Your team.
Every day, Lockdown Reds brings youthe latest Red's news and analysis and
breaks down all of the action.Locked On Reds is everything a Reds fan
(33:07):
could want, all in a thirtyminute daily podcast. Subscribe now to Lockdown
Reds wherever you get your podcasts.Search Lockdown Reds and get your daily dose
of REDS analysis and optimism. Weare part of the Lockdown podcast network,
your team every day
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