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Holwadel9 DRAFTING FOR THEBengals
Draft Selections
Draft Picks Received
Draft Picks Traded
Draft Grade — Bengals
Overall
B
ValueB+
NeedB
TradesB+
FutureB-
The Bengals let Starks fall into their laps, and walked away with a B. When a board-topper like Malaki Starks slides to the 49th overall pick, you do not overthink it, and the Bengals did not. The bottom line is a respectable B.
The cornerback spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at. The Watts pick is fine in a vacuum, less so with cornerback, wide receiver and other spots still on the board.
They are betting Cross III proves the room right and everyone else wrong.
A workmanlike haul that should hold up just fine.
Pick Analysis
Pick27
Rnd1
Tyler Warren
They read the board right and Tyler Warren was the payoff at No. 27. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
Pick49
Rnd2
Malaki Starks
You do not let a safety like Malaki Starks reach the 49th pick and blink. They did not. A quiet depth add at a thin-ish spot.
Pick59
Rnd2
Xavier Watts
They zigged when the board said zag, taking Xavier Watts at safety with cornerback, wide receiver and other spots open.
Pick81
Rnd3
Ozzy Trapilo
Ozzy Trapilo in the 81st overall pick is fair value, right on his grade. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Pick91
Rnd3
Jared Ivey
Jared Ivey slipping to the Round 3 slot is the kind of luck good rooms make for themselves. It thickens a room that could stand to be thicker.
Pick119
Rnd4
Rylie Mills
A conviction pick on Rylie Mills at pick No. 119 that the board grades a round light. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Pick153
Rnd5
Luke Kandra
Luke Kandra in slot 153 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Pick193
Rnd6
Tahj Brooks
A market-rate running back, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Tahj Brooks. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Pick203
Rnd6
Howard Cross III
They reached into another round for Howard Cross III, and the board is nowhere close to agreeing. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.










