Tag: Matt Lee

Bengals’ hyped rookie gets huge endorsement from veteran player

Based on what a veteran has to say, this Bengals rookie might be around for a long time.

Cincinnati Bengals fans and media have hyped seventh-round pick Matt Lee as a great value and sleeper rookie for some time now.

As it turns out, that hype might be spreading through Paycor Stadium, too, due to the work the former Miami Hurricanes starter has put in this summer.

Lee has passed the eye test from an outsider’s perspective during training camp and preseason games, sure.

But more important? A ringing endorsement from current starting center Ted Karras.

“For a center his size, his anchor (is impressive),” Karras said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “He’s got strength I don’t think he initially gets credit for. I think he’s been a willing rookie to learn and asks anyone questions, but not in a corny way, and using that information to help him win blocks.”

Lee has seemed on pace to potentially crack the final 53 for a little while now, perhaps moving Trey Hill out of the way in the process. Otherwise, the Bengals would have to hope no other teams notice if they attempt to slip him onto the practice squad at final cuts next week.

While the team did give Karras an extension this offseason, it does seem like the Bengals have stumbled into a solid mentor-rookie combo that could secure things for the future — provided things keep moving the way they have so far for the 237th pick in the draft.

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Bengals’ late-round pick keeps rising up depth chart at training camp

Yet another late Bengals pick continues to make an impact at camp.

It really feels like the Cincinnati Bengals hit on an A+ draft class this year.

Some of that has much to do with the performances of rookies drafted in the fifth round and beyond.

Fifth-rounder Josh Newton has put on a show at cornerback. Tight end Tanner McLachlan, taken in the sxith round, might just have a shot at the final roster. And seventh-round safety Daijahn Anthony has been one of the breakout players of camp.

And now it’s seventh-round pick Matt Lee’s turn.

The center out of Miami (Fla) impressed in his first preseason action and has now been promoted to the second team during camp practices.

Meaning, Lee already getting work with Jake Browning and the second team could say much about his final 53-man roster chances. He’s certainly got the early looks of a player who can push someone like Trey Hill for a spot.

And really, it’s not all that surprising. The Bengals had considered Lee as early as the fifth round. At the time of the pick, we had considered him a major steal in the seventh.

If nothing else, the quick rise of Lee is an affirmation of what many saw when the Bengals made the pick. And if things keep trending in this direction, he could very well be the center of the future when the team turns its eyes to life after Ted Karras.

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Bengals targeted sleeper draft pick earlier than expected

The Bengals had eyes on this late-rounder for a while.

Looking back on some of the discourse around the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2024 NFL draft, there’s some interesting stuff out there about a certain late-round draft pick.

Matt Lee, the team’s second pick in the seventh round at No. 237 overall, is a guy who has already been established as a great value and sleeper pick in the class.

But combing back through the draft items, there’s an interesting bit from Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com that adds to this — he says the Bengals would’ve taken him two rounds earlier:

So with their last pick of the day at No. 237 in the seventh round, they grabbed Miami center Matt Lee, a player they would have taken in the fifth. If Lee had been gone, maybe a punter would have been the call because reports have them signing one in free agency.

So one can sort of see how it all came together — Lee kept right on falling and while the team had eyes on punters, it was clear those special-teamers were falling out of the draft and they probably had contact about post-draft plans with at least one.

As it turns out, the Bengals got Lee, then added one of college football’s best punters to their undrafted free agency class, too.

If Lee can realize some of his potential and eventually back up or even take over for Ted Karras, the fact the Bengals had a higher grade on him would be proven correct in a big way.

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Bengals’ late-round rookie hyped as great value again

More hype for a specific Bengals rookie.

The Cincinnati Bengals, based on consensus boards and even droves of PFF grades, made some really high-value selections throughout the course of the 2024 NFL draft.

But for one analyst, the best value came in the seventh and final round.

According to Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon, Matt Lee was the best value of the team’s 10 draft picks and used one ranking system to explain:

Despite the Bengals’ recent success—their injury-plagued 2023 campaign notwithstanding—they have routinely dealt with shaky offensive lines in front of franchise quarterback Joe Burrow.

Given that, it’s only sensible the Bengals used their final pick on Matt Lee, whom B/R had ranked 120th overall. He went 237th and will compete for a backup role.

Lee has pretty much been a consensus steal since the Bengals made the pick. That late in the draft outright, the team would get a big win if he turns into a long-term backup on the interior, a weak point over the last few years.

But based on what we’ve seen about Lee so far, there’s always an outside chance he can contend to be the guy at center once Ted Karras’ time in Cincinnati is up, too, which reinforces the idea of the pick’s value.

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Bengals fans were thrilled about team drafting possible steal Matt Lee

Could Matt Lee end up as a steal for the Bengals?

The Cincinnati Bengals addressed their offensive line in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft, taking Miami Hurricanes center Matt Lee with the No. 237 overall pick.

Lee brings a lot of experience for a college offensive line prospect, starting in double-digit games for four straight seasons at Miami, and not allowing many pressures in his final season as a Hurricane.

Normally fans don’t feel as strongly about a pick in the final round of the draft, but Bengals fans believe they got a big-time steal with their final choice of the weekend.

Here’s a look at some of the best reactions to the Bengals selecting Lee:

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Instant analysis of Bengals picking Matt Lee in the seventh round

Instant analysis after the Bengals make their final pick of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Cincinnati Bengals hope they unearthed a steal with their final pick of the 2024 NFL draft.

At No. 237, the Bengals finally hit the interior of the offensive line, adding Miami Hurricanes center Matt Lee.

Lee put a ton of tape up during college, where he started double-digit games for four straight seasons, including earning Second-team nods twice and one First-team All-American Athletic Conference.

The Bengals surely liked what they saw as a result, which probably aligns with what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had to say:

Lee is a technician with good play strength whose anchor supersedes the number on the scale. He keeps his head on a swivel and was rarely beaten in 2023. He’s not much of a knee-bender, so drive blocking attempts will stall out, creating lane closures inside. Lee is an average athlete with above-average core strength and protection technique, and he might be able to overcome concerns about his size once he makes it into a camp.

Lee mirrors some of the other lower-ceiling picks for the Bengals in the class in that he’s got a ton of experience already, which makes him capable if the team needs him to play as a rookie in place of a starter.

That starter is Ted Karras, who they need to think about for the long-term soon, anyway, given his age. Lee is one possible option, provided he can put what he’s learned to use again pros all summer.

While some might’ve wanted the Bengals to add an interior lineman much earlier in the process, Lee is a fantastic value addition this late.

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Bengals select Miami (Fla) center Matt Lee in seventh round at No. 237

The Bengals have made their final pick of the 2024 NFL draft.

The Cincinnati Bengals ended their trip to the 2024 NFL draft by taking Miami Hurricanes center Matt Lee at No. 237 in the seventh round.

Interior offensive line was an obvious thing for the Bengals to hit in the draft at some point, with depth a need and center Ted Karras aging.

With Lee, the Bengals get a 6’4″, 301-pound prospect with a lot of starting games on his resume a good technique that will help him put up a fight in training camp.

A few spots higher at No. 224, the Bengals added Ole Miss safety Daijahn Anthony to the secondary with their first selection in the seventh round this year.

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Packers mock draft 6.0: Final predictions for 2024 draft

Final mock draft predictions for the Packers entering the 2024 NFL draft in this seven-rounder.

We made it! The 2024 NFL Draft has arrived. The Green Bay Packers will start the three-day affair with 11 picks at their disposal. It’s time for my final mock draft of the cycle. In my final mock draft last year, I “correctly” mocked Lukas Van Ness, Jayden Reed and Anders Carlson to the Packers. We won’t talk about the rest of the mock picks.

Let’s take a look at who the Packers landed in my final mock draft of the cycle.

1.25: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa

Surprise, surprise. DeJean would give Green Bay’s secondary a much-needed playmaker and he’d bring juice to the special teams unit. DeJean is an outstanding athlete. He has natural ball skills. He’s versatile and he’s an asset in run support.

2.41: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

The Alabama product is everything you want in a cornerback. He’s long, plays under control and never gives up the big play. According to Pro Football Focus, McKinstry only gave up two receptions of 30-plus yards over the past two seasons.

2.58: Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas

Puni offers five-position versatility. During his two seasons at Kansas, Puni started 13 games at left guard and 12 games at left tackle. During those two seasons, he gave up zero sacks and 16 pressures.

3. 88: Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky

A former track athlete, Wallace is an outstanding athlete with sideline-to-sideline range. He’s light on his feet and has the movement skills to hold up in coverage. At only 21 years old, Wallace has all the tools to develop into a four-down force.

3. 91: Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky

The Temple and Vanderbilt transfer finished his lone season as a Wildcat with 1,129 yards and 14 touchdowns. He runs with good patience and has the contact balance to bounce off defenders. Davis is a well-rounded running back, who could be the long-term running mate for Josh Jacobs.

4. 126: Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB, Washington

Even after adding Wallace, the Packers still need bodies in the linebacker room. The Washington linebacker logged 431 snaps on special teams during his time as a Husky and could be a Day 1 contributor for Rich Bisaccia. He’s a good athlete with the competitive makeup to challenge for snaps on defense.

5. 169: Frank Crum, OT, Wyoming

Crum has experience playing both tackle positions. He finished his career at Wyoming with 36 starts at right tackle and 13 at left tackle. The former two-star recruit is a good-sized athlete with the lateral mobility to shut down the corner and the mobility to get out in space to move people in the ground game.

6. 202: AJ Barner, TE, Michigan

Barner could the ideal No. 3 tight end behind Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft. The Indiana transfer gets after it as a blocker and he’s a good athlete with upside as a pass catcher. Barner has 555 snaps on special teams to his name and could be a hired gun.

6. 219: Tyler Owens, S, Texas Tech

Roll the dice on the Texas Tech defensive back’s athletic profile. The Texas transfer may never develop into an impact player on defense, but give his athletic profile and experience on special teams (546 snaps and 10 tackles) Owens could carve out a long career as a core special teamer.

7. 245: Matt Lee, C, Miami

A UCF transfer, Lee finished his collegiate career with 48 career starts at center under his belt. Lee started 12 games during his lone season at Miami and gave up zero sacks and four pressures.

7. 255: Miles Battle, CB, Utah

Battle started his career at Ole Miss and made the transition from wide receiver to cornerback during the 2020 season. Battle started two games during his lone season at Utah and recorded one interception and four pass deflections. Battle is an outstanding athlete with good size (6-3 and 196 pounds). With his athleticism, Battle is worth the gamble and could make an immediate impact on special teams. The Ole Miss transfer logged 454 snaps on special teams and recorded nine tackles.