People are comparing AI data centers to how nuclear power is treated, which is not a fair comparison at all.
Nuclear power: a useful and advanced technology that's reputation was wrongfully soiled due to human negligence.
AI data centers: a stupid gimmick nobody asked for but tech companies keep trying to shove down our throats.
Al Golden on Cashius Howell: “He was far and away the highest guy on our board.”
Mike Potts: “Shemar (Stewart) and Myles (Murphy) are probably in a similar mold, I think he is closer to (Mafe) Boye.”
The Bengals belief in Demetrius Knight Jr.
and Barrett Carter can’t be overstated at this point.
If we were stacking the Bengals board at 41, it would look something like this.
They are in a great spot to add a first-round level talent tonight.
Can’t stop the idea of adding Eli Stowers to that offense.
The value of the 10th pick in the 2026 Draft is the equivalent to the value of one in the 17-24 range most years based on the talent likely available.
That is a big factor in why we love this big swing by the Bengals.
some thoughts on Lawrence to Cincy...
<buckle up>
Dexter Lawrence is a 28-year old stud
he spent most of his career playing vs elite interior OLs of the Eagles & Cowboys
he's been double-teamed at the highest rate in the NFL
he's now playing in the AFC North
Ravens lost their C
Steelers might start a 42-yr old QB
Browns have Deshaun or Shedeur
Lawrence should FEAST
the Giants were TERRIBLE when he wasn't on the field
last year, even in a "down" year for Lawrence:
Giants defense with...
Dexter Lawrence OFF the field:
#32 YPA (8.4)
#31 sack rate (4.1%)
#27 EPA/pass (+0.13)
#26 pass success (47%)
#23 pressure rate (32%)
Dexter Lawrence ON the field:
#7 pass success (40%)
#8 YPA (6.6)
#9 sack rate (7.7%)
#10 EPA/pass (+0.09)
#22 pressure rate (33%)
that was a "down" year for Dexter
the team was top-10 vs the pass when he was out there
bottom-10 when he wasn't
want a larger sample?
last 3 years:
Dexter Lawrence OFF the field:
#32 YPA (7.7)
#31 pressure rate (29%)
#31 pass success (48%)
#30 EPA/pass (+0.14)
#30 sack rate (5.5%)
Dexter Lawrence ON the field:
#8 pass success (42%)
#8 sack rate (7.4%)
#10 EPA/pass (+0.02)
#13 YPA (7.0)
#15 pressure rate (36%)
and again, the context is VITAL:
he was obviously the #1 best player on the Giants defense
every team knew it
they double teamed him at the #1 highest rate and he STILL made this big of a difference
and that was despite playing some of the NFL's top offensive lines in the NFC East as it relates tot he Eagles and Cowboys for YEARS
oh, and then there's this pretty ridiculous nugget:
This TSA catastrophe is the Democrat Party in a nutshell. They are directly causing immense hardship for American citizens, all for the sake of foreign invaders who don’t belong in this country. This is their Foreigners First ideology perfectly illustrated.
Without Trey Hendrickson on the field in 2025 the Bengals defense finished:
31st in EPA/Play
29th in passing yards/att
32nd in explosive pass %
32nd in rushing yards/att
30th in explosive run %
They added Allen, Cook, Mafe. They're marginally improved imo.
Yes, the Bengals gave out the two highest 2026 Cap Hits to APY deals.
The average 2026 Cap Hit was 51% of the Average Per Year.
The other teams that gave out big Year 1 Cap Hits? Raiders, Titans, Cardinals.
Because they don't have a QB to pay and had tons of cap space.
And it's not like the Bengals are offering less cash in year one. Their year 1 Cash to APY ratio is amongst the highest in the league.
They're not saving cash. They're not saving cap. They're just limiting their 2026 team. Again.
Bengals needed 5 new defensive starters.
They have 2.
You can pretty much put a defender in sharpie at 10th overall.
So once again they're gonna roll into the draft not in a position to take BPA.
They really had a chance to make it:
Cook
Mafe
Chenal/Lloyd
Odighizuwa/Hall
And still be in prime position to add 2 quality defensive starters.
Man what a disaster this has been after day 1.