What about trading up?

by JohnnyK on Mar 20, 2009 5:41 PM EDT Comment 10 comments

So I'm willing to bet a dollar to a doughnut that both Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe are gone by the sixth pick of the 2009 NFL draft. Maybe one of them will fall but it seems as though teams like Detroit, Seattle, St. Louis, and even Cleveland are all talking about nice safe picks, i.e. Offensive Tackles. So where does that leave the Bengals? Do we go Michael Oher? Defensive playmaker? Take the flier on Andre Smith?

If Lady Luck is against the Bengals (and really, when isn't she?) and the top two offensive tackles are off the board early, the Bengals will face these questions. Most have been asked and answered at length, especially on this blog. So I thought I'd ask all of you to think about a different route: what if the Bengals traded up on draft day?

I ask this question for two reasons. First, the jump from sixth to, say, second or third is not that high. This makes a trade at least reasonable. I'm not exactly sure what it would take to get the Bengals up that high in the draft order. Maybe that's something that can be answered in the comments.

Second, and more importantly, a trade up should at least be an option because there is no clear cut alternative. Countless posts here at CincyJungle have tried to answer that with wide receivers, running backs, other offensive tackles, defensive linemen. The list goes on. The fact that there's no clear answer tells me that none of these players are truly what the Bengals need right now. While each one of them could certainly be a boost to the team, really the glaring hole is o-line and it needs to be filled, asap. If Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe can be that key target which instantly makes the bengals a contender, then why not trade up?

Of course, that last sentence is really why the Bengals shouldn't trade up at all (like how I did a complete 180 there?). While I am asking the question and presenting another option for Cincinnati, I don't think this move would be for the best. Afterall, while Smith or Monroe would be a great pick up, they will not make the team into Super Bowl contenders. The Bengals are far from the one key element to win it all. That being said, the draft is the best way to build a team and giving up extra picks may be more of a detriment to the team.

So what should the Bengals do? You got me. But maybe a trade up is in the cards. If nothing else, I hope this fanpost (my first ever!) gives you another option to think about.

0 recs | Comment 10 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

i concure with the idea of tradeing up

i think that would bode well for us to get a solid future OL (Eugine Monroe, Jason Smith)

"The problem with me is that my ego just cant except a loss." -Vince Lombardi

by dedman15 on Mar 20, 2009 5:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A thought but...

the bengals will have trouble enough figuring out how to pay the guy in the 6th slot, much less someone higher.

by Tommyboy45 on Mar 20, 2009 7:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Please

refer to my comment entitled ‘Dre Smith’ at this location:

http://www.cincyjungle.com/2009/3/20/804772/bengals-paul-alexander-orc?login=1237598361

I’d hate to repeat that whole thing, but I feel like its in the best interest of the Bengals, and I’d like to get everyone at Cincyjungle.com (if not Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis) on board

by Joe27 on Mar 20, 2009 10:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

RE:

People and teams aren’t going to look past these things. He left the combine without telling anyone — the combine is also considered one of the biggest job interviews in a professional football player’s life. He lost weight, but didn’t impress anyone during his Pro Day.

Character risk in terms of legality issues, no, you’re right. He’s not one, and I don’t think there’s any reason to believe so. To trust him, with what everyone knows from his Combine and Pro Day are the issue. And people aren’t going to look past that.

I’m not saying he’s not worth the risk — fact is, I don’t know, I can’t read the future. Maybe he turns out to be a team’s left tackle for 5-10 years, starts every game and is noted as one of the best tackles in the league. However, his combine and Pro Day just didn’t look good for him. And that’s the impression that he’s leaving people like us, and the officials in the league. And honestly, the way that things could line up, the Bengals very well could draft him.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Kirkendall on Mar 21, 2009 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes...

its true that “teams aren’t going to look past these things”. But that’s the reason he’s rated the no. 3 tackle now instead of no. 1, where his college career should have put him.

The reason I bring it up is that the bengals are in a unique position to pick up no. 1 talent at this number 6 pick, and for no. 6 money. The opportunity being there because of these issues that everyone likes to call ‘red flags’ or ‘a risk’. The fact of the the matter is that he is NOT going any higher than 13 with the Redskins, and even people that thought his pro day was a disappointment still have him in the top ten. As much as I despise relying on any sort of media outlet to get my information, take a look at the following clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBmLoOffQjg

Notice that Charles Davis, who was actually in attendance at Andre’s pro day, was impressed with his progress, and noted that he was well on his way to putting himself “back in the upper echelon” of talent. Meanwhile Mike Mayock, who is comfortably back in the studio, called it disappointing based solely on seeing his numbers. But even by the end of the conversation, he still says A. Smith is a top 7 pick, even despite trashing him for a few minutes before that.

Without getting into it too much, I personally would be disappointed if Cincy passed up on a gaping team need just because of these ‘issues’. I realize Cincinnati has a history of questionable characters, and I am the biggest advocate of drafting and picking up people to reverse that. I just think everyone that dismisses Dre because of one random media report needs to look a little deeper. Put yourself in his shoes, realize that most of the issues concerning him can directly be blamed on his agent, who is inexperienced at best.

Dre was obviously more dominant in college than either J. Smith or E. Monroe, and had more experience against tougher competition. It would be a huge steal to get him 6th… I just don’t want to see him get passed up.

by Joe27 on Mar 21, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Up here in Detroit

those that still hope to one day see professional football return to the area are petrified of what might happen with our #1 pick. It’s like a curse. Most of the fans are sick of hearing about Matt Stafford. We don’t want Joey Harrington part 2. We wouldn’t mind an OT but our defense was worse than our offense. Aaron Curry is the popular choice among fans but after our recent trade for Seattle’s Peterson, I don’t think that would happen.

If the Bengals want to make a deal to trade up, I’m sure Detroit wouldn’t mind trading the pick but the problem is that other teams don’t want to be strapped to a huge contract that comes with that #1 pick. Plus, no one player really stands out this year that would deserve to go #1.

The Bengals could look at trading down a couple of picks and take Oher where he deserves to be drafted, then they could grab extra picks later on.

by James L on Mar 20, 2009 11:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

no way

first off mike brown dont want to pay the sixth pick what makes you think he wants to go higher? second if u trade up most likely wont be an even swap, we will have to give up another pick. and a thought on andre smith if we do draft him, have his contract full of clauses like weight and conduct

by cinbengal_85@yahoo.com on Mar 21, 2009 4:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Trading down?

The numbers don’t add up perfectly, but what about trading DOWN with Philadelphia to corner two first round picks to get RB and C sorted and then look into the second to address the OT issue?

Otherwise, the Bengals must be listening to various callers on the day? With Crabtree, Maclin, Raji or Jenkins still on the board, there’s room for the Bengals to move down in some way, surely.

by wiseking on Mar 22, 2009 3:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

thats not a bad idea either

"yesterdays a cancelled check, today is money on the line, tommarow is a promisary note" - unknown

"the trouble with me is that my ego just cant accept a loss" -Vince Lombardi

"i dont know any way to lead but by example" -Don Shula

"the only place that success comes before work is in the dictionary" -unknown

"the harder you work the harder it is for you to surrender" -vince lombardi

by dedman on Mar 23, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

take the best player available or trade down

Go back and look at the Steeler’s OL last year. Their center retired and they lost Faneca to the Jets. They just cut Simmons. Their OTs are ordinary. Their center last year was a journeyman at best. But we all know what they won. My strategy would be to wait until draft day. Someone is going to still be their at 6th that they either grab or someone at that point will be willing to trade up. If both OTs are gone then their is a good chance both QBs will still be their. I would find it hard to believe someone wouldn’t be calling to move up at that point. I hope they use the pick for either the OL or on defense and stay away from the skilled positions. It will cost more $$$$ and more than likely you will have to deal with another ego.I would prefer they trade down and try to acquired more solid above average players than they superstar types like Chad.

by redberkey on Mar 24, 2009 9:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs