2010 NFL Draft: Will the Bengals Address Wide Receiver in the Second Round?

For some reason, a lot of people have us linked to ILB Spikes from Florida. I’m not opposed to this idea, but there’s also a really strong possibility that one of Allen or Mays is still available around 16 in rd. 2. Just sayin’.

There are some good corners who dropped. Kyle Wilson, Mays, and Allen are all still around. If Allen from South Florida slipped to us I’d do a cartwheel.

Nate Allen, Lamarr Houston—-wouldn’t be upset with Spikes at all. Our LBers would be sick.

To get the receiver unless Golden Tate falls to us and Taylor Mays is off the board. I would wait until round 3 and draft either Gilyard or Taylor Price

We’ve got our offensive weapon – a 6’5" 270 lbs TE who’s big enough to block and skilled enough to catch easy TD passes that were dropped 3-5 times last year – know that we have Gresham all he bitterness over the TE position can slowly melt away. Yeah, the more I think about it, the more psyched I get (and c’mon all you Dez lovers, I know you’ll come aournd).

We’re going against some of the top offensive teams next year and we need some help on defense if we’re going to maintain a high level there next year. A pass rusher would be great, and of course a cover safety would be ideal as well.

Zim has been talking about the need to upgrade our pass rush, and with Odom recovering from an injury, Geathers proving he’s not the rusher we hoped for, and MJ’s apparent inability to play on rushing downs (at least he didn’t last year), I think we’re due for a pass rusher in the second.

Taylor Mays can be coached up to be a ball hawking Safety

Walt‘s got us getting Taylor Mays- with Nate Allen still on the board, which is a bad move so far as I’m concerned, in 2 and both Carlos Dunlap and Jacoby Ford in 3. I could not only live with that but be pretty fired up with it.

Height: 5-11. Weight: 202.
Projected 40 Time: 4.41.
Combine 40 Time: 4.36.
Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
Vertical: . Broad: 10-0.
Projected Round (2010): 1-2.
3/1/10: The Golden Tate Warrior had a fantastic Sunday at the Combine, running a 4.36 and notching a 10-0 broad jump. There’s a good chance he’ll be drafted at the bottom of Round 1.

2/27/10: Listed at 5-11, 195, Golden Tate weighed in at 5-10, 199 at the Combine. Tate is built like a running back, and there is some speculation that he projects solely as a slot receiver.

1/3/10: Golden Tate has declared for the 2010 NFL Draft. The Golden Tate Warrior made an obvious decision; with Charlie Weis and Jimmy Clausen gone, Tate almost had to declare.

11/7/09: Doesn’t have the upside of an Arrelious Benn, but I’d rather have the sure thing. Golden Tate has 56 catches for 927 yards and nine touchdowns in eight games.

10/10/09: Golden Tate has really stepped up his production with Michael Floyd out. Through five games, Tate has 33 receptions, 602 yards and four touchdowns.

5/13/09: As a mere sophomore, Golden Tate caught 58 balls for 1,080 yards and 10 touchdowns in Notre Dame’s pro-style offense. With another great year, Tate could be a first-round prospect.

Height: 6-1. Weight: 218.
Projected 40 Time: 4.46.
Combine 40 Time: 4.48.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.40.
Vertical: 37.5. Broad: 10-1.
Projected Round (2010): 1-2.
3/20/10: Arrelious Benn ran a great 4.40 at his Pro Day. He’ll likely be the second or third receiver taken off the board.

3/1/10: Mixed reviews at the Combine: Arrelious Benn had a very nice 40 (4.48) at his size, but dropped numerous passes in the drills. He’s Braylon Edwards 2.0.

1/3/10: Arrelious Benn has declared for the 2010 NFL Draft. Benn had a disastrous junior season mired by drops and poor effort (i.e. the Bengals might be interested in Round 1). Still, it was a great move to get out of the Illinois sinking ship.

11/7/09: Needs to practice catching toilet paper in the super market; his hands suck.

10/10/09: Juice Williams’ ineptness has debacled Arrelious Benn, who has only 10 catches in four games. Benn’s role in Illinois’ goofy offense will cost him on Draft Day.

2/7/09: Lucky for Arrelious Benn – all the top 2010 and 2011 receiving prospects declared, making him the No. 1 wideout on the board. Big Benn caught 67 passes for 1,055 yards as a sophomore.

7/26/08: The Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Arrelious Benn led the Fighting Illini with 54 catches and 676 yards. He was consistent all year, registering at least four receptions in 11 of his 13 games.

 
Damian Williams, USC - Scouting Report
Height: 6-1. Weight: 197.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Combine 40 Time: 4.53.
Vertical: 38. Broad: .
Projected Round (2010): 2.
1/9/10: Damian Williams has declared for the 2010 NFL Draft. This was a no-brainer. Williams will be selected in the first round, and with Pete Carroll potentially leaving, it was a move he had to make.

11/7/09: Through eight games, Damian Williams has 43 catches for 607 yards and four touchdowns. He also has two scores on punt returns. Other receivers have prettier numbers, but Williams plays in a pro-style offense with a true freshman quarterback. He’s the best wideout prospect in the 2010 class as far as I’m concerned, but it’s close.

10/10/09: One of the best route-runners in this class, Damian Williams has 24 receptions for 359 yards through five games despite having a freshman quarterback under center. Williams also has a punt return for a touchdown.

2/7/09: Debacled Penn State in the Rose Bowl Presented by Kraft, catching 10 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown. Williams finished the season with 58 receptions, 869 yards and four scores.

7/26/08: Had to sit out the 2007 campaign because he transferred from Arkansas to USC. As a sophomore in 2006, Williams put up poor numbers (19 receptions), but played in a very limited passing attack. He should be able to thrive at USC, assuming he gets enough targets.

Height: 6-3. Weight: 211.
Projected 40 Time: 4.49.
Combine 40 Time: 4.59.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.54.
Vertical: . Broad: .
Projected Round (2010): 2.
3/15/10: Brandon LaFell ran a bit better at his Pro Day, managing a 4.54.

3/1/10: Not the Combine performance Brandon LaFell wanted. LaFell timed in at 4.59, which may eliminate his chances of going in Round 1.

1/19/10: Brandon LaFell finished the season with 57 catches, 792 yards and 11 touchdowns.

10/10/09: Brandon LaFell is off to a great start despite not having a great quarterback. In five games, LaFell has 23 receptions, 282 yards and five scores.

1/19/09: Brandon LaFell has opted to go back to school after declaring early. LaFell didn’t sign with an agent, so he was able to use the 72-hour rule and retract his admission. This was a great move by LaFell, who has a small shot at going in the first round in 2010.

1/4/09: Despite his 61 receptions, 903 yards and eight touchdowns, it appears as though Brandon LaFell will return for his senior season.

10/19/08: I love Brandon LaFell as a receiving prospect. LaFell has really stepped up this year; his worst performance was a 7-catch, 59-yard output in a loss at Florida.

5/22/08: Brandon LaFell cooled off toward the end of the season but still managed to lead the team in receiving yards (656). He’ll have to be more of a factor with Early Doucet gone.

Height: 6-0. Weight: 187.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Combine 40 Time: 4.56.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.47.
Vertical: 39. Broad: .
Projected Round (2010): 2-3.
3/10/10: Mardy Gilyard improved his 40 time to 4.47 at his Pro Day. But be wary of shady Pro Day times.

1/19/10: Mardy Gilyard notched 87 receptions, 1,191 yards and 11 touchdowns in a pass-friendly offense. He also maintained a very impressive 12.6 average on punt returns (scoring once).

10/10/09: Mardy Gilyard has 38 catches for 517 yards and seven touchdowns through five games. Remember that these numbers are a byproduct of an offense that doesn’t translate to the NFL.

2/7/09: Marshwan Gilyward emerged as an explosive weapon in Cincinnati’s high-octane spread offense. He caught 81 passes for 1,276 yards and 11 touchdowns despite not having his starting quarterback for a few games.

Height: 6-3. Weight: 215.
Projected 40 Time: 4.48.
Combine 40 Time: 4.49.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.40.
Vertical: . Broad: 10-2.
Projected Round (2010): 2-3.
4/1/10: If Carlton Mitchell wasn’t in “great player” territory, he is now. Mitchell ran a 4.40 at his Pro Day.

3/1/10: Running a 4.49 at 6-3, 215, Carlton Mitchell might be nearing “great player” territory. Can a raw receiver be overdrafted based on his measurables? As long as Al Davis is in the NFL, absolutely.

1/10/10: Carlton Mitchell has declared for the 2010 NFL Draft. Mitchell had 40 catches for 706 yards and four touchdowns in 2009. He’s a mid-late-round prospect, but with a new coach coming in, going into the draft early was probably the safe move.

5/13/09: Carlton Mitchell had a really disappointing sophomore campaign, catching just 28 passes for 405 yards and just one touchdown. Some blame needs to go on Matt Grothe, however. Mitchell’s size-40 time will garner some attention.

7/26/08: Not only does Carlton Mitchell have a very impressive 40 for his massive frame, he also was very productive as a redshirt freshman; he caught 37 passes for 537 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Bulls in all three categories.

Height: 5-11. Weight: 195.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Combine 40 Time: 4.46.
Vertical: . Broad: 10-0.
Projected Round (2010): 3-4.
1/29/10: This guy’s stock is soaring. He capped off an incredible Senior Bowl week with a brilliant Thursday practice. Details available in the 2010 Senior Bowl section.

1/28/10: Andre Roberts has been the best receiver on the South team. Details available in the 2010 Senior Bowl section.

1/19/10: As a senior, Andre Roberts finished with 77 catches, 792 yards and eight touchdowns. He also averaged 15.5 yards on punt returns. Roberts will be playing in the Senior Bowl. Make sure you catch our extensive Senior Bowl coverage every day next week.

2/7/09: It’s weird to see someone from the Citadel here, but Andre Roberts deserves it. He finished his junior season with 95 receptions for 1,334 yards.

Height: 5-9. Weight: 186.
Projected 40 Time: 4.34.
Combine 40 Time: 4.28.
Vertical: . Broad: .
Projected Round (2010): 3-4.
3/1/10: Jacoby Ford blew everyone away at the Combine with a 4.28 40. You know that a certain undead owner in Oakland was paying attention.

1/19/10: Finished the year with 56 receptions, 779 yards and six touchdowns. Has shown the ability to be a very good punt returner.

2/7/09: Jacoby Ford finished the year with 55 receptions, 710 yards and four touchdowns. Not bad considering Cullen Harper’s early-season ineptness.

10/19/08: Amid Cullen Harper’s struggles, Jacoby Ford has a career-high 26 receptions and 304 yards in seven games.

5/22/08: Jacoby Ford missed six games with an ankle injury. He had 17 receptions for 310 yards and four touchdowns the rest of the year.

Height: 6-3. Weight: 219.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Combine 40 Time: 4.52.
Vertical: . Broad: .
Projected Round (2010): 3-4.
3/17/10: Riley Cooper didn’t run at his Pro Day, but looked very good working out with Tim Tebow.

1/19/10: Riley Cooper had a fantastic finish to his senior year, concluding with 51 receptions for 961 yards and nine touchdowns.

10/10/09: Nice measurables, but not much else. Has 15 receptions in four games.

Height: 6-0. Weight: 204.
Projected 40 Time: 4.38.
Combine 40 Time: 4.41.
Vertical: 37. Broad: .
Projected Round (2010): 3-4.
1/29/10: Despite what Mr. Fake Bake says, Taylor Price did not have a good week in Mobile. Details available in the 2010 Senior Bowl section.

1/19/10: A physically gifted but raw receiver, Taylor Price notched 56 catches, 784 yards and five touchdowns in 14 games as a senior.

11/7/09: Taylor Price is turning some heads in his senior season, catching 36 balls for 513 yards and four touchdowns.

10/10/09: A 4.38 at 6-1, 212? Taylor Price might as well begin looking for a house in Oakland.

Height: 6-2. Weight: 205.
Projected 40 Time: 4.51.
Combine 40 Time: 4.50.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.42.
Vertical: 35.5. Broad: 10-0.
Projected Round (2010): 4-5.
3/20/10: Blair White had a great Pro Day, running a 4.42. He’ll be sought after in Rounds 4-5 for a team looking for a pro-style receiver.

1/19/10: The Blair White Project finished his senior campaign with 70 catches, 990 yards and nine touchdowns.

11/7/09: Through eight games, the Blair White Project has 52 receptions, 766 yards and seven scores.

10/10/09: Blair White is having a great senior season; he has 29 catches, 399 yards and four touchdowns through five games.

Height: 6-3. Weight: 210.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Combine 40 Time: 4.46.
Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
Vertical: 37.5. Broad: 10-3.
Projected Round (2010): 4-5.
3/1/10: With barely any playing experience, Marcus Easley is a bit of a project. But he’s undoubtedly physically gifted; at 6-3, 210, Easley ran a 4.46 and notched a 10-3 broad jump on Sunday. He’s a mid-round guy with a lot of upside.

1/19/10: You know this guy is going to work hard – he was a walk-on and had just five receptions entering the year. As a senior, he logged 48 catches for 893 yards and eight touchdowns.

Height: 5-11. Weight: 193.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Combine 40 Time: 4.57.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.54.
Vertical: 36.5. Broad: 10-0.
Projected Round (2010): 4-5.
3/1/10: Given his injury history and age, Jordan Shipley needed a strong Combine to cement his Day 2 status. That didn’t happen. Shipley ran a 4.57 in the 40, which will likely push him into Day 3.

1/19/10: Though Colt McCoy suffered an injury on the first drive of the second national championship this year, Jordan Shipley didn’t use that as an excuse to pack it in. Instead, he carried the Longhorns, logging 10 catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Shipley finished the season with 116 grabs, 1,485 yards and 13 scores. He also averaged 13.0 yards per punt return with two touchdowns. Shipley will likely be targeted by a spread team like the Chiefs or 49ers.

10/10/09: No surprise that Jordan Shipley has produced great numbers (36 catches, 436 yards in four games). Shipley also has a punt return for a touchdown.

1/4/09: Granted a medical redshirt and will return for the 2009 season. Colt McCoy has to be thrilled.

10/19/08: Jordan Shipley has stepped up as a solid No. 2 option for Colt McCoy; he has 43 catches, 569 yards and nine touchdowns in just seven games. He caught 11 balls for 112 yards against Oklahoma.

Height: 6-2. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Combine 40 Time: 4.57.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.55.
Vertical: 33. Broad: 9-10.
Projected Round (2010): 4-5.
1/19/10: Shay Hodge finished his impressive senior campaign with 70 grabs, 1,135 yards and eight touchdowns.

10/10/09: Through four games, Shay Hodge has 17 receptions for 269 yards and three touchdowns. He caught eight balls for 122 yards and two scores at Vanderbilt.

Height: 6-0. Weight: 206.
Projected 40 Time: 4.54.
Combine 40 Time: 4.57.
Vertical: . Broad: .
Projected Round (2010): 4-5.
1/19/10: Jeremy Williams finished the year with 84 catches, 1,113 yards and seven scores. He was also solid on kick returns (24.2 average, 1 TD).

10/10/09: If it weren’t for his vast injury history, Jeremy Williams would be higher on this list. Williams has 26 receptions for 525 yards and three touchdowns through four games this year.

Height: 6-3. Weight: 217.
Projected 40 Time: 4.52.
Combine 40 Time: .
Vertical: . Broad: .
Projected Round (2010): 5-6.
11/7/09: Out for the year with a foot injury. Eric Decker finished with 50 catches, 758 yards and five touchdowns.

10/10/09: Eric Decker has 43 catches for 639 yards and five scores in five games. He should be a solid possession receiver at the next level.

2/7/09: Finally armed with a good quarterback, Eric Decker caught 84 passes for 1,074 yards and seven touchdowns. He managed those figures despite missing two games with an ankle injury.

7/26/08: Eric Decker led the Golden Gophers in receiving, catching 67 passes for 909 yards and nine scores as a mere sophomore.

Height: 6-2. Weight: 208.
Projected 40 Time: 4.56.
Combine 40 Time: 4.61.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.51.
Vertical: 34. Broad: 10-0.
Projected Round (2010): 5-6.
3/10/10: Dezmon Briscoe helped himself at his Pro Day with a 4.51 40, though Pro Day 40s have been known to be a bit shady.

3/1/10: Dezmon Briscoe ran really poorly on Sunday, notching a 4.61 40.

1/3/10: Dezmon Briscoe has declared for the 2010 NFL Draft. At just 20 years old, Briscoe would have been better off staying in school to avoid a very top-heavy receiver class.

11/7/09: Don’t be fooled by Dezmon Briscoe’s numbers – 54 catches, 841 yards, 5 TDs – he plays in a goofy offense that inflates statistics.

5/13/09: Just look at the numbers: 92 catches, 1,402 yards and 15 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Dezmon Briscoe doesn’t play in a pro-style offense and runs a slow 40, both of which will cost him on Draft Day.

Height: 6-2. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.43.
Combine 40 Time: 4.49.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.53.
Vertical: 36.5. Broad: 9-10.
Projected Round (2010): 5-6.
2/28/10: Mike Williams posted just eight reps of 225 on Saturday despite putting on 10-15 pounds since he quit the Syracuse team in the fall. It’s apparent that Williams spent more time eating Cheetos than lifting in the weight room.

2/27/10: When asked if he was remorseful about quitting on his team this past season during Friday’s Combine interviews, Mike Williams laughed and seemingly shrugged off the question as if he hadn’t given it much thought. Williams is unquestionably talented and will be drafted in Rounds 2-4 by a team that doesn’t care about character. Personally, I wouldn’t even take a chance on this guy in Round 7.

11/7/09: Quit on his team. That’s a no-no. Many teams will shy away, but the Bengals and Eagles might be interested.

10/10/09: Two years after being debacled by academics, Mike Williams has 41 receptions for 623 yards and five touchdowns in five games.

2/7/09: Mike Williams is back at Syracuse after being accused of cheating last year. Hey Mike, next time, just pick “C” for every answer. A 40 is better than the big, fat zero you got.

7/26/08: Mike Williams has a great 40 for his size. He was also very productive as a sophomore (60 catches, 837 yards, 10 TDs). He’d be a lot higher on this list, but he has been suspended for academic reasons. I guess Williams was too lazy to find someone to do his homework and take his tests for him.

Height: 6-3. Weight: 204.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Combine 40 Time: 4.53.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.58.
Vertical: . Broad: .
Projected Round (2010): 5-6.
1/25/10: Seyi Ajirotutu raised his stock at the East-West Shrine game; Marty Schottenheimer raved about him, comparing him to Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd.

1/19/10: Seyi Ajirotutu (try saying that one time) had 49 catches, 677 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior. He’ll be attending the Combine.