DJ honest question. If the guy didn't test and we don't have a lot of numbers are you saying that you have crunched tape on this guy like Veach has?

Cincy’s secondary was really good last year, Gardner, Cobe Bryant and Cook were studs. Cook didn't allow a touchdown.

Do you really know what he is capable of? If so more power to you I just know I'm not making the effort to roll All 22 Cinci footage.
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No - I’m not a scout.

I’m reasonably well informed. More so than most.

And as I said a couple of days ago - Veach isn’t infallible. I’m not going to check my judgment at the door. Not sure why anyone would. This front office has made plenty of mistakes and the times they’ve gotten things right, I’ve largely agreed with the decisions in real time. When they haven’t, I’ve largely disagreed.

I think my barometer is good enough for me to at least continue using it, if not bet my life on it.
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Well if this is the one miss and all we get is a guy who is a tackle machine I'm not going to be that sad. It could be worse, it could be Breeland Speaks and that's all we get in the second.

With so many picks this draft is already a huge success.
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Veach did mention that Cook would be A LOT higher on many teams boards if it wasn't for not participating in any drills at the combine. Said we benefited heavily from the shoulder injury and got a steal because he would have probably blown it up based off what they saw on tape.

Although this was my least favorite pick at first, after hearing Veach you get the sense that we got a major hidden gem.
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This is a great point. I’ve seen multiple people saying that he would’ve tested extremely well.

I think there’s more upside to this pick than people realize because of that.
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We haven't had a guy that could cover TE's in five years. The last was a healthy Eric Berry. I think we finally have our guy here. At least I hope so. KC was close to last in the NFL in yards given up to TE's last year. Never had an answer.
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I think people would like this pick a lot more if he would’ve tested (and tested well like expected).
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Not sure he was testing better than Cross, so I doubt it. I just think DL was the pick here. Some decent pass rusher and DTs were available.
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I'm not a huge fan of this pick time will tell if I'm wrong. With that said I love how he and every pick we drafted on defense is physical. I've been a huge critic of Veach's drafts prior to last year but this on paper was a damn good draft.
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Veach may be looking into next year with some of these picks as well. It's been mentioned time and again they're not thrilled with what they've seen from Thornhill and Hardman. Their contracts are up after this year and Moore and Cook will have a year under their belts.

Fenton is in the C. Ward category. If he puts together a healthy season and plays like he did last year then he may be looking at a hefty pay raise. We just drafted several corners that have the physical profile. If they have the brain to go with it Fenton as well as Baker will be gone. (Baker just isn't very good. Let's be honest.)

I think Veach is simply staying ahead of the the game. Next year's DB class may not be as deep. Obviously this one was loaded. So Veach took advantage. Brilliant if that's the case.

Next year we'll draft Clark's replacement. Then when Clark leaves he'll be ready. Just my theory though.
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I could be wrong but isn’t Cook more of a Sorensen replacement (box safety type) than a Thornhill replacement?
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This year he certainly is. I watched some of his games and he did it all in CIN. They moved him all over. He excels in whatever he's doing. Just one heck of an all around football player. You can't have too many guys like him. So if they resign Thornhill that's fine. Dude can play anywhere.
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I think Bryan Cook is a great player, and probably a good pick. But was anyone else disappointed that we didn't take any of Jelani Woods, Travis Jones, Alex Wright, Greg Dulcich, Jalen Tolbert, Rachaad White, and DeMarvin Neal? They were all still available and we could've still picked up a solid safety in Markquese Bell in the 7th, who is baller af.
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Yep, only pick I was kinda frustrated by because I wanted Jones. Think that was by far the value pick. Cook is good but I think Cross will be better.
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I hope I'm wrong but this guy just reminds me of a less talented Bernard Pollard.
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