Good stuff shake.

In a perfect world, we believe, well, at least I do, that the Bengals should still go after an offensive tackle in the first round and a center in the second.

However, I think there’s a good point to be made that we can move the personnel around just enough to put Collins and Whitworth as tackles, draft a center in the second and guard in the third opening up a defensive play-maker in the first.

You have the needs down pretty good. The Bengals must begin rebuilding their offensive line and add some playmakers on defense, particularly a pass rusher and also a MLB. As to exactly how it shakes out depends on several variables—what is the likelihood that the Bengals will resign Stacy Andrews? Is Levi Jones finished? Is Collins ready to start? What is the likelihood that we resign Cedric Benson?

If the first is unlikely and the second an affirmative, the Bengals must draft an OT that will be able to step into a starting position with Collins. If the latter is also unlikely, then the Bengals have a real problem, because there will be a real imperative to pick an impact running back. If we believe Jones or Andrews and Benson are coming back, then I would go with a MLB or DE in the first round and pick up an OT later than can be developed into a starter in a year.

Drafting a center makes sense, however, I hope we can wait until round 3 and use our second pick for defense.

Can we draft Dan Rooney? No? Okay.

Let’s see. Under no circumstances do we go Wells or Moreno at 6. While the Bengals running game this year was atrocious, Cedric Benson did show some signs of power, explosiveness, and durability towards the end. With an offensive line that does their jobs, I think he’s a serviceable starter- though he needs to be augmented with a change of pace back, a change of pace back who isn’t Chris Perry. I must admit, however, that the preceding opinion is probably biased by my appreciation for the way Benson finished a run against the Steelers by lowering his head and knocking Troy Polamalu silly.

I’m hesitant about an Everette Brown- or an Aaron Maybin, because it seems like a 3-4 would be the best way to utilize them as OLBs. I was sold on Orakpo until I watched Fiesta Bowl footage of tOSU’s Alex Boone taking him out of the game. Also, just based on his transformation from tall skinny dude as a freshman to now brings steroids to mind. I should say I’ve not heard that anywehere. It’s entirely my own opinion.

Michael Johnson would add to our money pit at defensive end and I’m not sure he’s an every down player at this point or not.

Duke Robinson, while being the best guard in the draft, isn’t worth the sixth overall pick.

Which leaves the three tackles. Most of the mocks I’ve seen thus far have QBs going first and third, with Crabtree to Seattle at four and either Malcolm Jenkins or Aaron Curry to Cleveland at five. With St. Louis likely to take the pick of the OT litter- Smith at the moment, that leaves us with Oher or Monroe. I feel pretty confident about penciling Anthony Collins in at LT, which would suggest the more athletic Oher for the switch to RT.

However, there’s an argument to be made- a good one I think, that we could move Andrew Whitworth back to tackle and probably pick up a road grader like Robinson or LSU’s Herman Johnson with our second rounder. If that’s the case, is our first round pick then Rey Maulauga? Or has B.J. Raji climbed high enough up the boards to go at six? Do we need a middle plugging, run stopping tackle that early, especially with no ends- defensive ones- in sight?

There’s also the option of trading down. An extra third rounder, say- or better depending how far down, might be a viable move. Hell, going down to twenty or so would give us a Duke Robinson at the right price. We could pick up our center in round two but like goffchile, I’d prefer to wait til three, especially considering both Jonathan Luigs and Antoine Caldwell belong in the same sentence with Mack and Unger, talent-wise, and the kid from Louisville is only a slight notch below.

To summarize: If we stay at 6, I think Maulauga is the way to go but, depending what we can get in return, trading down might be the shrewdest move.

Of course, we are talking Mikey and His One Man Draft Squad Band so we could be talking, “Welcome to hell, Beanie Wells!”

Has Mike Brown ever purposefully scuttled a boat in the shipping channel of the Ohio River?

Lets say whitworth moves to Right Tackle. This opens up our draft in the first 3 rounds. In the 1st We could Draft
MLB Rey Maualuga
or LB Aaron Curry This would allow us to take either a Center or Guard in the 2nd Round. (maybe a guy that can play both?) guys like Oregon’s Max Unger or Cal’s Alex Mack ( i have Unger rated higher at this point)
Then in the 3rd round we would either take a RB, Pass Rushing DE, or Guard if they feel like the Center they draft is only a Center.
But i think the most overlooked postion that the Bengals need is a FB, they need a guy that can do it all. (i know i know, every teams needs that) They need a guy that can block in the run game and be able to spot and pcik up the blitz as well as catch the occasional pass out of the backfield

What if we could sign Center Matt Birk from the Vikings durring free agency, that would allow us to draft a C in the 4th or 5th round. And i also believe that we wont see Whitworth at LT, he just dosnt have the quickness in pass protection. He could play RT though. Collins is just more suited for the LT position than Whitworth. Collins is agile has quick feet, things that are a must at the LT postiton. Then draft a Guard in the 2nd round to play LG if he can beat of Livings. That allows you to take Defense in the 1st round.
LT (Collins) LG (2nd Round Pick) C (Free Agent Center) RB( Williams) RT (Whitworth)

http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2009/2/4/748546/team-profile-cinncinati-be