The Bengals torched the value chart for Hayden Conner, taking him 74 spots sooner than anyone had him slotted. More right than wrong, and a B- to match.

That cornerback hole did not close this weekend, and it was the biggest one on the wall. Jackson at that cost is the sort of edge that compounds over a roster. Interior defensive lineman was the priority and it is no longer a question, which is most of the job.

The weekend tilted hard toward the defense.

In short, they left a little better than they arrived, which is the whole idea.