Locked on Bengals with James Rapien

The 2024 NFL draft is just over a week away and Jake and James get into the draft simulator potentially for the last time this year. Presented with a choice in the trenches in the first round and looking for value in the second and third rounds, the guys add a collection of three trench players and two offensive skill players to add depth and talent to the Bengals' roster, starting with Alabama RT...

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Brock Bowers defeated Olu Fashanu in the finals of the inaugural Cincinnati Bengals draft bracket, and the guys break down the voting results and the potential big board revealed by your voting throughout the bracket. Plus, we catch up on the latest news for the Bengals' pre-draft visits with prospects, including some likely Day 3 offensive tackles and potential special teamers. Join the Locked On...

How many times have you heard someone say "The Bengals have a rare opportunity to add a 1st round offensive tackle" in this draft cycle? There's a reason! The guys discuss why there's pressure to use pick 18 on a right tackle of the future and where there are scenarios that would have them going another direction. Plus, we entertain the idea of trading up if Johnny Newton falls, Dane Brugler's Bea...

Olu Fashanu blew out Troy Fautanu, while Brock Bowers beat Taliese Fuaga in the Final Four of the Bengals 1st round bracket project, where you're voting for who you want the Bengals to pick at 18. The guys break down the matchups, there's more OT vs. TE debate, and set up the 5th place game after consolation matchups between JC Latham and Brian Thomas Jr, and Byron Murphy and Johnny Newton. Join t...

After hosting T'Vondre Sweat on an official pre-draft visit, and the guys speculating about his fit with the team on day 2, he was arrested in Texas for a DWI charge. We break down how that impacts his standing on the Bengals' draft board and how that may shape their plans for the defensive tackle position on days 2 and 3 of the 2024 NFL draft. Join the Locked On Bengals Insider Community! https:/...

The guys run through another Mock Draft Monday episode, starting with a high upside offensive tackle in the first round. They opt for youth and upside at a few key decision points throughout the early part of the draft with an offensive focus throughout the first 4 rounds of this week's simulation. Join the Locked On Bengals Insider Community! https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonbengals Find and follo...

The Cincinnati Bengals have visited with nose tackle after nose tackle in the last week, and the biggest and most highly-regarded is T'Vondre Sweat. The guys break down why it's an important visit for the Bengals and Sweat and where he might get drafted. We also take mailbag questions on looking for instant impact with premium picks in the 2024 draft, with free agency buoying the team in recent ye...

Tee Higgins hasn't publicly retracteed his trade request, so the guys break down whether Buffalo trading Stefon Diggs to the Texans tells us anything about the hypothetical trade market for Higgins. Plus, the Bengals are hosting some high-profile offensive tackle prospects for in person pre-draft meetings. Amarius Mims and Troy Fautanu were in town this week, and the guys break down what those vis...

The guys break down what would have to happen in the NFL draft to feel comfortable drafting Brock Bowers, should he be available to the Bengals at pick 18. The Bengals also hosted some draft prospects that may give clues as to what they're thinking about with mid-to-late round picks. Join the Locked On Bengals Insider Community! https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonbengals Find and follow Locked On Ben...

The guys review your Elite 8 votes in our bracket series where you elect your favorite target for the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round. Some tighter matchups than the first round were highlighted by Byron Murphy vs. Brock Bowers and Taliese Fuaga vs. Johnny Newton. Plus, we break down why the Bengals could realistically pick a wide receiver on day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft. Join the Locked On B...

With the NFL draft less than a month away, what better way to start the month than with 3 separate 3-round mock drafts on different simulators all in one episode?! Different scenarios, different boards, different options available in each. Which combination of players do you like best? Join the Locked On Bengals Insider Community! https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonbengals Find and follow Locked On B...

The Cincinnati Bengals have a reasonable amount of cap space left, but there aren't many major moves left for them to make between now and training camp. The guys break down how the Bengals might use their remaining cap space and what moves you can expect between now and the draft. Then, we dive into where the Bengals will look in this year's draft for an instant-impact player with their highest p...

James confirmed with sources on Wednesday that Joe Burrow is throwing footballs as he continues rehab from his wrist injury. The guys break down another piece of encouraging news after Zac Taylor doubled down on Burrow's parcitipation in the offseason program. Plus, Katie Blackburn says negotiations haven't yet begun with Ja'Marr Chase as they wait for Justin Jefferson's contract. We also have a 1...

The Cincinnati Bengals signed six external free agents. They patched the holes and the guys break down the scenarios where they've done enough to open up the possibilities to stay flexible in the draft. Plus, we got details on the bargain the Bengals got on Trent Brown's contract, and break down more rule and schedule changes the NFL announced on Tuesday. Join the Locked On Bengals Insider Communi...

At the NFL's annual meetings, Zac Taylor provided an update on Joe Burrow's recovery and is comfortable enough with his progress to say that the goal for Burrow's return is the offseason program. While it's not a massive update, Taylor has been gunshy around timelines when recovery is uncertain, so there's something to the comments. He also weighed in on Tee Higgins and Dax Hill's respective futur...

With Trent Brown pencilled in at right tackle and Sheldon Rankins in line to start at defensive tackle, along with the rest of the Bengals' free agency haul, the guys dive back into the mock draft simulator for another NFL draft experiment. What happens if you don't take an offensive tackle in the first round?  Join the Locked On Bengals Insider Community! https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonbengals F...

The guys take a look at the free agency the Bengals have put together through 2 weeks, including a lot of one-for-one departures and replacements, and get to the bottom of how the Bengals have gotten better (or worse) in 2024's free agency. While this isn't likely to be a group we look back at and see cornerstone pieces like Trey Hendrickson, Mike Hilton, or DJ Reader, it is good value and good wo...

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The Bengals moved quickly when Trent Brown arrived in Cincinnati, inking the offensive tackle to a 1-year deal. Jake and James react to the news now that the deal is done, the highlights of what Brown had to say to the media, and what's next for the Bengals in free agency. Join the Locked On Bengals Insider Community! https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonbengals Find and follow Locked On Bengals on you...

Trent Brown is reportedly visiting the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday. We broke down the Bengals interest in the veteran tackle yesterday, but how would he fit with the Bengals' pass-heavy offense? One interesting stat says Brown can be trusted on an island in pass protection. Plus, we get into how the running game will evolve with Zack Moss's pairing with Chase Brown, and hit the highlights of Ted...

The Cincinnati Bengals may have shifted their attention in the trenches to Trent Brown, who could provide some versatility and stability at the tackle position if the ship has sailed on Mekhi Becton. Plus, we discuss Sheldon Rankins' hilarious and intriguing presser that suggests he could be a versatile piece on the defensive interior and not just a pass rusher. We also grade the Bengals' free age...

Mekhi Becton and Teair Tart were Bengals free agency targets we've been talking about since the combine. They visited the Bengals and went through the normal free agent courting ritual at dinner with Joe Burrow during their visits, but for the first time, we didn't get signed contracts shortly thereafter. While we wait to see whether a further market develops for Tart or Becton, the guys review th...

The Cincinnati Bengals lost DJ Reader to the Detroit Lions for a deal similar to what they gave  Sheldon Rankins, and losing him is a significant blow - especially if he recovers as expected. But with the addition of Rankins, the Bengals are courting Teair Tart to try to replace some of Reader's nose tackle snaps. They are also hosting Mekhi Becton as a right tackle solution before they might draf...

The Cincinnati Bengals dove into the interior defender waters by finally signing Sheldon Rankins, after a previous attempt in 2021 came up empty, to a 2-year deal. They're hoping he provides the kind of pass rushing juice they've been missing on the interior since Larry Ogunjobi departed. That doesn't close the door to DJ Reader's return - they play different positions on the defensive interior -...