Football Expert on the Bengals draft; Curry available?

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 15, 2009 3:59 PM EDT in Analysis

We reacted to Football Expert's Michael Abromowitz's seven-round mock draft on Saturday (yes, we work weekends too), which I thought was the most sound mock of any draft I've seen to date -- and all seven rounds no less. So

I just wanted to tell you Joe Burnett was purposely drafted by Cincy to be a kick returner. The Bengals have lacked a solid return man for a long time. The Bengals have shown an interest in TE Jared Cook this offseason, I doubt they draft him but it showed me tight end is still on the radar. Sherry has yet to prove anything, and Gronkowski is a hard working player, that can immediately contribute on special teams. By the later rounds, the difference between a 3rd string tight end making the team is if he can play special teams. You can see many of the prospects are strong character guys starting with Monroe. Unger, McKillop, Gronkowski, Fokou, Hartline, and of course Cantwell with his Louisville ties. Jordan Palmer needs some competition, and what better than a 7th round draft pick that last August was considered a possible first rounder. McKillop was the biggest reach of the players, but after the Odell situation, I think the Bengals should be willing to reach in the 4th round to gain someone with great leadership characteristics.

I doubt the Bengals draft Fiammetta, because they seem to have a lovefest with that BYU fullback, Fui Vakapuna, but Fiammetta and Quinn Johnson seem to be by far and away the cream of the crop and the Bengals definitely need an actual fullback this season.

With 11 draft picks, the Bengals won't keep all of them, so expect some movement. I don't project trades, so teams like Cincinnati and Philadelphia (who owns 12 picks) I am picking more picks than they most likely will have.

Dave is getting giddy on the prospect that linebacker Aaron Curry could be available with the sixth pick.

Darney Scott's cousin, Will Franklin, was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions.

If Andre Smith is drafted in the first round of this year's draft, he'll be the first player from Alabama to be drafted in the first round since Chris Samuels and Shaun Alexander were drafted in 2000.

WDR feeds into the character/issues machine promoted by the MSM about the Bengals off-the-field conduct.

Adam Schein questioned the Browns getting two primetime games.

And I'm not begging for the Bengals in prime time. They rightly received no love. But Quinn and Anderson get two games on the national stage while the human jugs machine Carson Palmer doesn't get one? Didn't the Bengals have a higher winning percentage last year?

The Miami Redhawks will be the first team to play a regular season game at Paul Brown Stadium.

Not even Eagles fans want Chad Johnson.

Good outing by Arroyo, even better relief pitching and an awesome combination of Jerry Hairston Jr. and Willy Taveras -- both go on base a combined six times, for four runs, two runs batted in. After the 6-1 win last night, the Reds are now 4-3 and tied for third in the division.

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Curry falling would make our draft!

Pairing an elite strong side backer like Curry with Rivers on the weak side would guarantee the bengals an above average defense for the next 5 years, especially with our improved DT situation. We would obviously need to address the Oline in rounds 2-3, but taking Curry would be a no brainier at pick 6

by CincyMike56 on Apr 15, 2009 4:12 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

I knew posting that you’d be the first in line to cheer. :)

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

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 15, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

what can I say

i’ve got a man crush

by CincyMike56 on Apr 15, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice as it would be

to have Curry, we can’t let it change our OT priority just because he happens to fall. Curry won’t protect Carson or block for Cedric. Nuff said.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Apr 15, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

as much as I agree about the need for OT

I think the talent difference between Curry and a 3rd round LB is way greater than the gap between A. Smith and a third round OT. If we can find another A. Collins out there (like Fenuki Tupou) in the 3rd we could still address our need.

Hell, i just think it would be nice to see the bengals win with defense for a change and Curry is the only D-playmaker that is worthy of the #6 pick

by CincyMike56 on Apr 15, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Monroe and Unger

I said on Redszone that if the Bengals get Monroe and Unger with the first two picks, they’ll make the playoffs.

by PETIE on Apr 15, 2009 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

Not A Likely Scenario

I’ve looked at over 150 mock drafts with at least 95% having Curry gone by #6. Of course, some of these may have been done by grade schoolers in their cyber-basements. Curry is a defensive play maker who is highly coveted. Odds are we will not even have this option.. Any thing is possible though, including the Bengals focusing on need for once and shoring up the offensive line.

by laibach on Apr 15, 2009 5:09 PM EDT reply actions

Aaron Curry will not fall. I promise you this. Seattle will get him, and just because one person says Curry will fall does not mean it. If it did, we would have Michael Crabtree.

by "Mr. NC-17" on Apr 15, 2009 6:16 PM EDT reply actions

But, unless we trade The Mouth of the South,

we don’t need Crabtree either.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Apr 15, 2009 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly, but Mel Kiper Jr. has had us selecting Michael crabtree since the Combine.

We need Aaron Curry, there is no doubt about it, is he a bigger need a OT? No, but is Aaron Curry the best player on the board for a team who needs a 4-3 ILB or 4-3 SAM LB? Yes.

by "Mr. NC-17" on Apr 15, 2009 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions

If Cleveland trades Edwards, they may take Crabtree at 5

by smoormandiddy on Apr 15, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions

If Crabtree or Curry are there at #6

… I say we should take them or we will regret it. If they are both there, take Crabtree (he is the best player in the draft, easily). But, neither is going to be there and we will probably take Andre Smith. (I really don’t like that pick, I say any other OT, but, not Smith). Here’s hoping that Crabtree’s stock really is falling like the polls say and he is there at #6, and we are wise enough to grab him.

by txbengalfan on Apr 15, 2009 10:54 PM EDT reply actions

what needs to happen for Curry to fall to #6

1. Detroit Lions -They have to take a QB, Stafford or Sanchez

2. St. Louis Rams – They need to tak an offensive Tackle, Smith or Monroe

3. Kansas City Chiefs – The Biggest Wild Card for us. They have been everyones pick for Aaron Curry since the Combine. But recently i have heard people say that maybe the Chiefs would like to add Monroe to sure up the O-Line to Protect Cassel. Or they could take a guy like Orakpo to help out their pass rush. But are they playign a 3-4 or a 4-3? they havent said anyhting yet, so they may not Orakpo and may take Aaron Maybin to play OLB in a 3-4. Todd Mcshay and Mel Kiper both have Maybin in their top 5 players.

4. Seattle Seahawks – Top 3 guys that are left could be Monroe, Crabtree, and Curry. The Seahawks also have been “high” on Mark Sanchez.

5. Cleveland Browns – They could be looking to trade Braylon and Brady Quinn on draft day. That could leave them to take Crabtree or Sanchez

6. Cincinnati Bengals – There is about 8 guys that could go ahead of the Bengals (Stafford, J. Smith, Monroe, Crabtree, Curry, Orakpo, Maybin, Sanchez) but only 5 picks. So hopefully the right 3 guys are still there when our pick comes up.

by Joe Goodberry on Apr 15, 2009 11:01 PM EDT reply actions

Draft

Personally, I would like to see a OT at 6 (ideally Monroe or J Smith, but would settle for A Smith), then Connor Barwin with the second pick (may have to package the second rounder and a fourth rounder to move into the end of the first round to make this happen, but with 11 picks to play with, it wouldn’t hurt to, in essence, lose one), then take the top rated center in the third (probably Caldwell out of Alabama). This addresses OL and adds a potential impact player on D who can play DE or OLB.

If Palmer is healthy, and the offense can move the ball/score more than it did last season, it is going to help the D a lot.

by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Apr 16, 2009 12:29 AM EDT reply actions

Easily take Curry over Crabtree

LB is a way more pressing need than WR. Curry would make a bigger impact on the 2009 tean. Drafting one more defensive playmaker would put our D in the top 10 for the first time since I was probably 5 years old.

We already have the best receiving core in the division, we either go O line or D playmaker and the only play maker worth taking at 6 is Curry.

by CincyMike56 on Apr 16, 2009 3:32 AM EDT reply actions

instead of...

instead of curry,how about mauamuga,Meredith OT S.Car,Lugis Ark/CaldwellBama/Wood Lou C-,Tupou Ore OT,Sheets Pur RB/Ret,Washington OSU CB,Joeeph Fla AtlaMLB ,Davis Ill DE,Hoyer MSU,QB,Lane Tx A&M,FB,Davis Cal,DE There`s my draft- NO wideouts!—find out who you already have,that`s why you drafted them,i hope,chad,or no chad

by tgam on Apr 16, 2009 8:50 AM EDT reply actions

curry vs. andre smith

If curry is available, you have to take him. Andre Smith might end up being a guard. We could instead pick up one of the centers in the 2nd round and they could play guard and then go ot, ot in the 3rd. I would be happy with that.

by nadfflictar on Apr 16, 2009 10:06 AM EDT reply actions

Unlikely But...

Should Curry or Crabtree be available at #6, we really need to consider them. Both are big play guys though on opposite sides of the ball. We’re not exactly weak at LB and with Edwards and Bolden avaiable, we are more than likely stuck with “85” unless we just give him away which would be foolish. If either is drafted, we could gain leverage for a trade, although both could help us. As for the OL help which we desperately need, it looks as if everyone is sold on Andre Smith, but if we want a true left tackle, Oher makes more sense. I just don’t get why Smith is rated higher than Oher anyway.

by laibach on Apr 17, 2009 3:27 PM EDT reply actions