08-06-2025, 07:42 PM
(08-06-2025, 06:42 PM)ochocincos Wrote: If this FO had a history of hitting on defense and OL draft picks who could contribute well early, I think we'd have more confidence in the likes of Fairchild, Stewart, Knight, and Jenkins and Jackson from last year to be good contributors this year.
I think these draft picks can become decent starters or role players, but how long will it take them is my worry.
Lucas Patrick was not a well-known OL on the FA market (I even said WHO?!?!), and RG might be his worst position out of the 3 IOL spots, so we'll see on that.
Might be better than 2024 Cappa, but it's really hard not to be. Is better than 2024 Cappa really the bar though to get to and win a Super Bowl? That's my concern.
Same thing with Fairchild over Volson.
Slaton is an upgrade in the run game for sure, but not pass rush.
Battle and Chase are upgrades over 2024 Moss and Bell, but for Battle, is he good enough to be at least middle of the pack SS in the league?
Out of the adds, the really only one I would is a clear upgrade is Fant.
Dude was a first rounder and has had consistently good production in the NFL since coming into the league.
He is a well-rounded TE and not just a pass catcher, but I think he's more of the Erick All replacement than Sample.
Sample will still have a role as a blocker.
How will this team be good enough for a AFC Championship game? Hard to imagine the Super Bowl.
1. Burrow/Chase/Higgins have to all have great years
2. The DL. Slaton has to stop the run. Feel good about that. We will be better there. Somebody else has to emerge as a force. Whether it’s Shemar or whoever.
3. OL Brown and Mims need to stay healthy. Dylan has to be better than Volson. RG is scary
4. Chase Brown…. He’s not Saquan Barkley but he needs to make his name known in the NFL. The NFL needs to know he’s our star running back. Not a number.
5. The secondary. They need to play much better
I see this team making it to the AFC semi finals. I just don’t think we are better than KC, Balt,or the Bills. But in that group of 4.
Romo “ so impressed with Zac ...1 of the best in the NFL… they are just fundamentally sound. Taylor the best winning % in the Playoffs of current coaches. Joe Burrow” Zac is the best head coach in the NFL & that gives me a lot of confidence." Taylor led the Bengals to their first playoff win since 1990, ending the longest active drought in the four major North American sports, en and appeared in Super Bowl LVI, the first since 1988.
![[Image: 4CV0TeR.png]](https://i.imgur.com/4CV0TeR.png)
