I admit that. I embarked on his AI quest for the perfect draft for the 2024 Bengals, but Flemish fell down a rabbit hole the size of a Giant.
Can someone please turn off my internet?
I'm new to AI, but I saw a presentation the other day that piqued my interest. And warned. Some of the material may be incorrect or belong to others. I rely on an old journalistic mantra: If your mom says she loves you, check it.
The NFL is using AI to measure everything from next-gen statistics to player safety through its Digital Player initiative. Teams can use AI to prepare for the draft, which begins Thursday.
Why not us?
Why not me?
Start with the simple side
I started with ChatGPT. Although it wasn't the first AI chatbot, it is considered the OG. And it's free.
ChatGPT: “Given the Bengals' potential needs and the talent available in the draft, they may consider targeting University of Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal.”
Wow!
Me: “He was drafted in 2022. How up-to-date is your information?”
CHATGPT: “My training data includes information through January 2022, so I don't have access to real-time or future events, including the 2022 NFL Draft.”
Not to mention 2024.This was ChatGPT 3.5. It is bad. We needed more advanced, modern AI. I also tried others. I came across Microsoft Copilot, or GPT-4 Turbo.
Co-Pilot: “According to various mock drafts and expert opinions, the Cincinnati Bengals have several options when it comes to the 2024 NFL Draft. Some of the candidates are: “Jaezan ('Johnny ) Newton, defensive lineman, Illinois … JC Latham, offensive tackle, Alabama … Byron Murphy II, defensive lineman, Texas … Talese Fuaga, offensive tackle, Oregon State. ..The Bengals are expected to prioritize offensive linemen in this draft. ”
nice. Real names of real players eligible for the 2024 draft. I have omitted the details as I have taken the information from another site. Quoted. which is good. This means you can check for yourself and consider the sources.
Co-Pilot: “As an AI, I don't have a personal opinion. But based on the team's needs and expert opinion, the Cincinnati Bengals could benefit from strengthening their offensive line.” It looks like players like JC Latham or Talese Fuaga could be suitable.
Copilot kept inserting disclaimers into our chats. News may develop. Other picks could have an impact on the Bengals. of course. But this is now and we are seizing the opportunity.
Me: Please choose one.
Co-Pilot: “As an AI, I don't have the ability to make personal preferences or subjective choices. However, given the needs of the team and the skill of the players, I decided to choose J.C. Latham, an offensive tackle from Alabama. could be a strong candidate. He's a big, powerful player who could be a long-term solution.”
I had a pretty good feeling about the co-pilot. It felt like we formed a virtual bond. I asked which players could significantly improve the Bengals by trading up.
Co-Pilot: “Based on expert rankings and the Bengals’ needs, one player who could significantly improve the team and might be worth trading up for is quarterback Caleb Williams out of USC. He is considered the best QB prospect in all of college football. Another potential candidate could be Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. He is considered one of the best prospects in college football.
So much for the bond.
Harrison, I understand. But what about Williams?
Co-Pilot: “The Bengals may choose to develop Williams as Burrow's backup. This would give them a quality backup option, which is valuable in the NFL with its injury risk.'' …If the Bengals believe Williams' ceiling is higher than Burrow, they could potentially trade Burrow to another team. …The Bengals will have Williams and Burrow competing for the starting spot. There is a possibility that
Yeah, that's not happening.
Now, let's move on to the big question.
Me: What would be the perfect draft for the Bengals?
Co-Pilot: 1. The Bengals are in dire need of a defensive tackle. A top prospect like Byron Murphy II out of Texas might be the perfect fit.
2. The Bengals are also expected to prioritize offensive linemen in this draft. Notre Dame's Joe Alt and Alabama's JC Latham are highly touted offensive tackle prospects. .
3. The Bengals could also use a wide receiver. Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. and LSU's Malik Nabors are considered leading candidates for the position.
4. The Bengals may also consider drafting a tight end in the later rounds as a future investment.
5. Joe Burrow is an established starter, but the Bengals could draft a quarterback like USC's Caleb Williams or North Carolina's Drake Maye to improve depth and future competitiveness. I might consider it.”
You'll feel better if you take a deep breath and focus on your needs, not your name. I like the idea of drafting a developing quarterback late to back up Burrow and Jake Browning, given the volatility of the position and Burrow's history. But I think it has come to an end.
I needed another “voice”.
I found Chat Unlimited and Brutus AI. They also provided sources and updates.
Brutus: “In terms of specific draft prospects, names linked to the Bengals in mock drafts include tight end Brock Bowers, Interior offensive lineman Cooper Beebe, and edge rusher Brandon Doras. In addition, various players will be traded to the Bengals in various rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, including Troy Fautanu, Keon Coleman, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., McKinley Jackson, and Jalen Wright. It is expected that
Although off to a good start, Dorrus is projected to be an intelligent defensive lineman, which is needed more than Edge.
Me: Please choose one.
Brutus: “Given the Cincinnati Bengals' goals and potential areas for improvement, the team's recommended draft pick could be talented tight end prospect Brock Bowers.”
That's an interesting choice. But what happens when Bowers is gone, I asked?
Brutus: “Another player who could be a strong option for the team if Brock Bowers, the 18th overall pick from the Cincinnati Bengals, is unavailable in the 2024 NFL Draft is talented wide receiver prospect Keon Coleman. ”
Hmm. Seems pretty quick for Coleman, but he's fine.
Time for the big questions.
Me: “What would be the perfect 7th round draft for the Bengals?”
Brutus: “Round 1, Pick 18: Keon Coleman, wide receiver.
“Round 2, Pick 51: Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Cornerback.
“Round 3, Pick 82: Cooper Beebe, interior offensive lineman.
“Round 4, Pick 113: Brandon Dorus, edge rusher.
“Round 5, Pick 144: Troy Fautanu, defensive tackle.
“Round 6, Pick 175: Jalen Wright, running back.
“Round 7, Pick 206: McKinley Jackson, Defensive Tackle.”
Good grief.
The Bengals have 10 picks. As with some rounds, picks listed after number 18 are incorrect. Fautanu is an offensive lineman and will likely be a first-rounder. And…oh…what's the use? Brutus stuck to his original proposal other than Bowers. Maybe it's because I put that thought in my head…er…thinking…er…you know.
To be fair, the more information you feed the AI, the better the results. For me, it was time to move on.
The next step was waiting.
Now, let's try our mock draft simulator
I wanted to try out one of the many Pro Football Focus mock draft simulators. According to its website, it “boasts an AI-powered trading algorithm that learns from previous trades and uses the Jimmie Johnson and PFF trade charts used by NFL teams.”
Not every NFL team uses these, but I can play with it. And I did. a lot. If you drafted as one team, you also got a grade. I was able to adjust some parameters. Hooray. a lot. I tried drafting to get grades, but that only soothed my ego.
I went down a few times and went up a few times. Some of the approvals seemed to be on point, while others seemed to be wrong, especially when quarterbacks were involved. Teams will overpay quarterbacks. If the trade partner is desperate, the Bengals may want to move down, but they can't move past the first round. I wouldn't trade him and sacrifice a second round pick. Probably not even a third rounder.
For now, I wouldn't trade either way. The Bengals can address a number of needs while acquiring high-end talent. Perhaps they can trade later to add a pick in round 2 or 3. It's a fascinating process, isn't it?
There is no perfect solution. There is no perfect draft for the Bengals. I'm not surprised. I have a dream draft.
With the help of AI, research, luck, history, and intuition, I took on my challenge.
Round 1, 18: Jazan Newton, DI
Round 2, 48: Ladd McConkie, WR
Round 3, 80: Roger Rosengarten, OT
Round 3, 97: Theo Johnson, TE.
Round 4, 115: DJ James, CB
Round 5, 149: Beau Blade, S
Round 6, 194: Isaiah Williams, WR
Round 6, 214: Tori Taylor, P
Round 7, 224: Dillon Laube, RB
Round 7, 237: Joe Milton III, QB.
I thought this sounded good…for a few seconds.
Maybe it can be fine-tuned.
Or please overhaul.
Better yet, can someone please turn off my internet?