Cincinnati Bengals Draft Grades: Thoughts on All 10 Picks

The Cincinnati Bengals used all 10 of their picks in the 2024 NFL Draft? What did they get right? What did they get wrong?
James Rapien and Jake Liscow share their thoughts and give a grade for every pick!
Join the Locked on Bengals Subtext Community: joinsubtext.com/lockedonbengals
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 link.chtbl.com...
Locked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More
🎧 linktr.ee/Lock...
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Monopoly GO!
Get in the game and join your friends. Download MONOPOLY GO! now free on The App Store or Google Pay. The mobile hit twist on classic MONOPOLY.
Yahoo Finance
For comprehensive financial news and analysis, visit the brand behind every great investor, YahooFinance.com.
eBay Motors
For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotos.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNFL. Terms and conditions apply.
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDON today to get 10% off your first month.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase.
FanDuel
FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning GUARENTEED That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS - win or lose! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
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)

[@clowntreeradio]

I trust the two of you for all my Bengals news and I love this channel someday I hope to create my own channel

[@kane6529]

Clown tree radio baby

[@clowntreeradio]

@@kane6529 I love it

[@herbirwin4664]

With the Receiver room, Coach Walters knowledge and ability to mentor a player leds me to be very high on the successful outcome of Burton's career. This pick was worth it.

[@clowntreeradio]

Whodey let's go Bengals I love this podcast

[@mecahhannah]

❤ Awesome as always thanks guys go bengals! WHO DEY!

[@hamishhaggett9434]

I’m going to a meet up Tanner McLauchlan is hosting in my town tomorrow at 6pm. Any questions you’d like me to ask him?

[@WhistleLad]

A new intro song! Giving Game of Thrones vibes. Anything is better than the last one with the random horns and creepy moaning.

[@ericray185]

😅

[@davidabbott1951]

I suggest you ask Jordan Battle about Burton, take note of the reaction. He was a team leader at Alabama, practiced opposite from the kid. He'll have an opinion. I hope (and kind of expect) that it's favorable.

[@tmartin8888]

If you want to talk about risk at offensive tackle, it’s insanely risky expecting Trent Brown to play every game or even half the season. Mims addresses maybe not an immediate need but an imminent need.

[@adamhellman9373]

Can we do grades for past drafts this off-season

[@michealmorency6119]

I like Josh newton. The north is the “badlands”. We need some pressure in the locker room. Marvin Lewis always clapping and happy, no sir. We need James Harrison energy

[@dottade6797]

We do have Sheldon Rankins for 2 years hopefully he can teach Kris Jenkins a thing or 2!

[@danielvaldez2959]

I know that Tanner Hudson has made a good impression on the Bengals last year but it is fair to say there is more value in Tanner McLachlan in the sense you control his contract for 4 years with minimal cap hit vs the year to year with Tanner Hudson so it’s nothing personal I’d rather though know I have 3 TEs for 3 years at least with Sample,All, and McLachlan.

[@craigharris41]

1 of those TE if not 2 will go to practice squad

[@natej84]

Outside CB #3 is either Dax or Newton. Whoever that is will end up starting a few games next year. CTB or Turner will miss a game or two, it happens every year. Idk about everyone else but I don't think that's good enough and we should sign a vet that fight with Turner for a starting spot

[@kane6529]

I think Dax is fighting with Turner to be honest

[@petez4608]

Mims needs to get snaps pretty immediately so he can learn, coaches and us can see progress and see if he can hang in the NFL and how much work is needed. Bengals do not have a good track record on OL and not great on first round picks in past 3-4years. Please let’s not wait until til next year to see if he has the right stuff. I think he will prove to be good.

[@ironmanxrp4980]

Let's get back to a 12 personnel and power runs bully ball

[@petez4608]

@@ironmanxrp4980 I like the sound of that.

[@craigharris41]

Short yardage and Goalline for his 1st year. He will also start in preseason

[@ironmanxrp4980]

@craigharris41 he's the most athletic lineman we have trust me he'll see the field in 12 personnel who do u put in over him. If I'm tipping my hand then we build off of that but he certainly a better blocker than drew sample and probably all of the backups. It's he'll see action and most def in the preseason for sure.

[@petez4608]

@@ironmanxrp4980 he’s a freak of an athlete for sure. I like the perspective.

[@CptDadBod]

Supposedly the injury “he took himself out for” he had surgery to fix it. So must have been real. And isn’t the player supposed to call for help when they are injured or inform someone?

[@CookDaddy29]

M&Ms The Natural!!! Gives us 3-Amigos at OT to me!!! I'm excited about the line on both sides of the ball with FA signing & picks. Lots of value feels like they nailed it from both angles!!! WHO-DEY!!!

[@pierre4819]

Always informative and easy learning/listening Thankyou for what you do BlessingsANDRespect

[@ZachPatterman]

I think you two need to consider in the mims grade that he was likely the last it they had in their tier 1 bucket. I bet they had a significant drop off to the next ot.

[@fearmpgaming2334]

I feel you are both way low on the TE grades. The injury is the only minus on Eric All. Hopefully he is healthy and can prove that he is easily a b to b+ maybe better

[@CookDaddy29]

Signing Tee & Chase is the only thing that could make the off-season better to me.

[@qtheband751]

A nickel for every time James says ‘I get it, I do.’

[@barrydavis4238]

Which OT graded higher when playing against the OSU? A+ for Mims selection.

[@no2_j]

Did you all cover the Dax Hill news from Zac’s Saturday night presser on here? I know James covered it a bit on the CBT channel but I don’t recall it being talked about here, and was hoping to hear a little deeper discussion on it. I know… there’s been so much Dax talk this offseason so it may feel like retread to talk about how his situation has been mishandled. But now that we know he’s going to compete at corner and no longer at safety, there’s a little more to discuss.

[@Jonathan-yx9ug]

I’m happy with the mins pick but I believe we could have gotten him in the 2nd round and got the Defensive tackle out of Illinois Newton with all that power and athleticism he plays with then picked up Mims cause I think teams were unsure of him because the lack of time played and injury concerns but drafts over and we make the best of the pick I believe he can be a great tackle tho in the end

[@winstoncaine5134]

I can’t listen to these guys argue, and act like their better than the other. Just do the show

[@RaydinAE11]

I think McKinnley is better then he gets credit for. Those legs of his seem interesting. Daijahn Anthony I like a lot. Finally, a DB who knows how to swat the ball AND knows how to hit.

[@ironmanxrp4980]

Finally they give Frank some actual talent... if mims turns into a perennial pro bowler they will look oike geniuses

[@matthewalexander824]

You mean other than the collection of constant OL draft picks and top 10 OL free agents?? I'm not saying Pollack is a bad coach or anything, but I just don't feel he fits in Cincy, as well with their playcall scheme. One thing is certain--they needed to finally spend a 1st round pick on a T, and they finally did. But yeah, I'm in the group that thinks Pollack is overrated, at least in this team dynamic.

[@ironmanxrp4980]

@matthewalexander824 he doesn't fit zac... the brown family brought him back after failed line coach prior to him Zacs original oline coach... 10 FA as of recent only cappa karras OBjr Collins and now Trent brown are note worthy the other guys are depth pieces that aren't quality.. back to the point of scheme wide zone is his thing and Zac is a 70% passing hc so yeah they shifted away from the his strengths and coaching style u are correct whether you know it or not. Zac and frank are oil and water.... Frank's is a Mike brown guy... it's funny how know one talks about what he had as talent in Dallas where they know how to draft linemen... he don't talk enough about the failed attempt and misses on linemen by this front office since 2010. We've had a couple of guys work out but more misses and reaches than anything... frank isn't selecting the talent... and it's a fact that we had the absolute least athletic offensive line in the league the past few year should tell u something... so no I don't blame pollack bc I see how they shifted away from his strengths as a coach scheme wise and offensively. They don't prioritize the run at times which helps establish a lineman rhythm to the game and that's just one of the most obvious issues that sticks out.. again the failed picks or over reach... i.e. Sample the TE in the second round... fisher, ogbueghi, Carman, price, just to name a few reaches busts and guys that didn't pan out.

[@jp27whodey31]

Frank 100 percent has input on the linemen they've been drafting. I think if this group doesn't cut it with all this talent Pollack has to be out next year. ​@ironmanxrp4980

[@joshk937]

The only pick I didn't like was taking TE Eric All when Cade Stover was still on the board. All is Allways hurt I thought? Head scratcher Imo

[@willjay921]

Grade B+ overall Best pick Mims Worst pick Jackson Wild card Burton I'm pretty happy

[@gordenalbert]

Purchases most wise.

[@bengalselite9588]

I agree with Jake B- C . Nothing really too impressive besides Burton. Get Mims, Jenkins, n Jackson picks but could of been more aggressive and ended with more high quality n less players

[@r3licssp3ak]

I miss the old theme song! This new is not motivated tbh

[@williamhouse8602]

Monster Mims

[@unicornsquad2693]

Have to take some risk if you want hit big 😆 🤣 who dey

[@eddiecombs9003]

James you are full of? You been saying for months if bowers is there they take him

[@no2_j]

James, sometimes you can be real annoying. Jake says it’s obvious he’s just a sterner grader than you. You said “is it obvious?” Umm yes, and given your response after that, you kind of answered your own question. He didn’t say it was better or worse. They’re all opinions here and I feel like you often don’t respect Jake’s because they’re not your own. We all know he’s a little more critical when it comes to evaluations. Some of us appreciate that. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’s being harsh.

[@circaskater67]

Damn fellas, just turning this on.... Where the F*UCK is JGB? Joe GoodBerry??? Damn you guys do a good job but JGB ??? C'MON MAN!!!!

[@GrumpleslamAlabaster]

Like your channel. Wouldn’t mind seeing shorter videos like 5-10 minutes

[@jp27whodey31]

Jackson was a reach but with the run on DTs he wasn't gonna be there later.

[@rubenlopez6352]

My grade is a solid C- to D. No trade up with so many picks that will end up as cuts is a loss, getting only run defender, zero pass rushers and drafting 2 TE, one which will be cut is also bad.

[@cedriceubanks4561]

Not cut, practice squad players and special teams fodder. These guys will be called up when there is an injury. That way they’re familiar with the system and playbook and can fill those roles.