Holmes: Bengals appear to be targeting Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson

by Josh Kirkendall on Mar 30, 2010 10:39 AM EDT in NFL Draft

The fact of the matter is, the Bengals could be doing one of two things. They could be very interested in a cornerback. Or they could be saying they're interested in a cornerback to force one team that needs general secondary help to free up a safety for Cincinnati. Either way, Carlos Holmes is convinced that the Bengals could use a first-round cornerback, writing that "The Bengals could definitely use a high-caliber corner like Wilson, who projects as a future starter."

Wilson is Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson, who projects to be a first-round draft pick. Holmes writes that the Wilson "appears to be a player the Bengals are targeting". This comes after reports broke that the Bengals will host Florida cornerback Joe Haden at some point.

Now I'm tossing in turning bed, thinking to myself that while it would be nice to have a starter-quality cornerback, why would the Bengals would use their 21st overall pick at a position with two starting cornerbacks that have yet to finish their rookie contracts? Yes, an upgrade over David Jones or Morgan Trent. Sure. But a first round pick? That would be three cornerbacks drafted in the first round in the last five years. Yes. It would be nice. But do you honestly see that happening? However, Holmes makes a convincing argument:

Wilson is a strong, fast and physical corner. He shows excellent press skills and is solid in man coverage. He matches up well against bigger receivers due to his aggressive style of play. Wilson is a confident playmaker much like New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis. He’s a competitor and consistent with a high football IQ. The corner has added value as a return man, returning three punts for touchdowns his junior season at Boise State.

And of course I'm thinking, we could have a cornerback that plays the role of safety in man coverage that challenges tight ends and third-string receivers in a division that appears to be slowly rebuilding the strength of a passing offense. So that makes sense. Maybe a cornerback/safety hybrid, or a general secondary role player. These arguments I can roll with. A cornerback to strictly start at cornerback with the long-term vision of replacing Johnathan Joseph or Leon Hall? That alone doesn't do it for me. Of course, there's the contract issues that could come up after this year with Joseph and next year with Hall. Will the Bengals front office give two big-money contacts to two cornerbacks when they could just recycle the position with a quality cornerback this year? Questions. Questions. Questions.

Mocking the Draft ranks Wilson as the second-best cornerback in the draft -- Haden being the first. In the SB Nation Mock Draft, the Tennessee Titans, who pick 16th overall, drafted Wilson. Haden went tenth to the Jacksonville Jaguars. So it might be a moot point by the time the Bengals pick anyway.

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Comments

Maybe Mikey Boy

Is thinking of making him a tight end. Ya never know….

"Shiny. Let's be bad guys."

by KentuckianaBrowncoat on Mar 30, 2010 11:03 AM EDT reply actions

who needs Kyle Wilson when you can get Pacman??

3 yards and a pile of dust

by Hudepohl Dey on Mar 30, 2010 11:07 AM EDT reply actions

I don't mind it

With Indy, San Diego, New Orleans, and NE on the schedule, plus WR additions in Baltimore and Pitt, adding a nickel corner (for this season) who has starting corner ability is an upgrade. Contract uncertainty with JJ and Hall has been addressed, and this pick would allow a player with 1-2 years experience to step into a starter’s role during that transition. The needs the Bengals have (TE, G, and S) are all positions where good rookie contributors can all be address in the mid rounds.

CB is one of the marquee positions in the league, along with LT, QB, and a pass rusher, so if Cincy can get a top guy here that can contribute at DB and special teams now, as well as be a good starter for 4-5 years on a rookie deal, what is the issue?

by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Mar 30, 2010 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

I agree with you.

If you don't live like you wanna, you live like you shouldn't

by trotanoy on Mar 30, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

If he is the best player, take him.

Need should not dictate the first round this year. The positions that need upgraded most, TE, S and G can be found later in the draft especially with 4 picks in the first 3 rounds.

by jim0ijk on Mar 30, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm all for this

I’d rather have him than Gresham, Mays, or—brace yourself—Dez Bryant, whom I consider to be a major liability. If Earl Thomas is there, on the other hand…

Living in Montana, I’ve gotten to see quite a few Boise State games, and I’ve been pretty impressed with Wilson’s play. I realize that it isn’t the SEC or anything, but still. I think he’s a more complete player than most of the other people at the 21 spot. Given the nature of our team, I’d rather have three elite corners than three elite receivers.

I’d be fine with drafting Wilson in the first, FS/WR or WR/FS, and then G/SLB or SLB/G, and then a DT with the fourth round comp.

by Big Sky Bengal on Mar 30, 2010 12:51 PM EDT reply actions

Drafting a corner with the 21st pick.................

makes no sense what so ever. Look at the schedule for Cincy this year….now look at how Cincy folded at the end of the year and in the playoffs. The Bengals need A safety who can cover someone because the safety’s that are on the roster are mostly in the box catch you sleeping and we will turn your lights out players….which is what you need in the AFC North. The Bengals also are lacking anyone who can get pressure at the DT position. I am a big Tank Johnson fan but I do not think he is the answer we need. If Mike Brown wants to continue to be relevant…The Bengals should be looking at Earl Thomas, Mays, Brandon Graham, Chris Cook, Brian Price,Carlos Dunlap. If Mike Brown wants to go offense at 21…pick Pouncey or Iupati.

Kenneth Lewis Moore

by lightskin350 on Mar 30, 2010 1:19 PM EDT reply actions

Earl Thomas v Kyle Wilson

Earl Thomas: Height – 5’10", Weight – 208, 40 Time – 4.43,
Kyle Wilson: Height – 5’10", Weight – 194, 40 Time – 4.43,

Earl Thomas and Kyle Wilson are nearly identical players. If we think Earl Thomas can play safety/Corner Hybrid… so can Kyle Wilson. it might be a bit of an unorthodox move to draft Wilson, but I think Zim can make it work

by The Dealio on Mar 30, 2010 3:06 PM EDT reply actions

+ 1

If Wilson is as physical and smart as the scouts say, then the transition to safety should not be a problem. Sometimes, these things work out for the best

by laibach on Mar 30, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

He played safety during the 2010 Fiesta Bowl.

by BearBooBoo on Mar 30, 2010 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

K.Wilson

The latest news I here is that CB K.Jackson of Alabama has leaped over K.Wilson as the #2 cornerback in this draft most recently being reported by ESPN on ESPN First Take. If this is the case then Wilson could possibly still be there when we pick at #21. If you recall M.Zimmer talking about our upcoming schedule in 2010 he said we have to prepare to take on the leagues top 10 passing offenses from last year. He said we have to get reinforcements to defend the pass. Thus, we may take a CB or S in round one. We do need help at our Nickle corner and Safety positions and Geathers has disappeared in the pass rush. We need another defensive end. if there is a run on corners and safties then a DE like D.Morgan and J.Pierre-Paul could fall to us as well. We have a lot of good options.

by POGO94 on Mar 30, 2010 3:58 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t believe Jackson has made that much of a leap. Guys like Todd McShay have him rated highly, but I do not think he is the consensus #2. I would take Wilson over Jackson any day of the week. I have trouble seeing Wilson falling to us, but if he is there and is BPA it will raise an interesting question. I think he could play S, but is not ideal for it. I like the kid and he is a playmaker and really think he could help us, but if we take him it better be to play S and not replace JoJo or Hall in 1 year

by ochocinco4pres on Mar 31, 2010 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Ahh, isn't it great?

That the Bengals have so many options in the draft, since we are picking so late. While it may be nice to pick higher up and not have to debate on who to get, I sure don’t miss it.

by LABengalsfan on Mar 30, 2010 7:44 PM EDT reply actions

and we're not likely to have any contract disputes at 21 either!!!

by The Dealio on Mar 31, 2010 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

If any team could it would be us though.

by jim0ijk on Mar 31, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Must have been our defense that finished bottom 5 the past 2 years

by bodacio zk on Mar 31, 2010 1:46 AM EDT reply actions

While the Offense has been in the bottom 5 the last 2 years, we have tried to address that in Free agency, Coles didn’t work out, so we signed Bryant to fill our top need.

TE is a position of need, Gresham isn’t the Bengals answer so the Bengals shouldn’t take a 1st round TE

Guard just isn’t sexy, and a lot of people are concrened about Iupati’s pass blocking, which is what we need, so Guard may not be available in the 1st.

Bryant, Benn and Thomas have giant question marks at WR.

We have needs on D at Safety, Corner, pass rushers, DT, and LB, even if the need is just for Depth, so it is better discussion.

by jim0ijk on Mar 31, 2010 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Depth is great to discuss when you don’t have glaring holes and inconsistencies amongst the starters. Drafting your nickle corner in the first round when the offensive line is pretty average and your group of tight ends rank among the worst in the NFL….borderline madness. The defense didn’t kill this team…it was the offense. They were horrible, and we’re more or less going right back at it with the same group if we don’t get some major help in the draft. Anyone Trust Brat to devise a scheme to get the most out of his boys? Hasn’t been the case in 4 or 5 years.

by bodacio zk on Mar 31, 2010 2:49 PM EDT reply actions

But the best TE (Gresham) is not the right one for the Bengals, McCoy is better suited and should be available in the second , or Moeaki in the third or Peek or Hoowani later.

Iupati would be a great pick in the first, but I don’t know if any other Guard is, whereas there are a lot of Defensive players worth taking.

Nickle corner is important since both of our CBs have had some injury concerns in the past.

by jim0ijk on Mar 31, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions