If Dez Bryant is available, should we automatically pick him?
by drj112379 on Apr 4, 2010 10:29 PM EDT
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PrintWith about two and a half weeks until the NFL draft, I did a quick survey to see who the draftniks are saying that we’re going to pick. Cincinnati Enquirer’s Joe Reedy has the Bengals somehow picking Oklahoma’s WR Dez Bryant, who most people consider as the best wide receiver in the draft. Reedy’s reasoning is that he didn’t have a "stellar" workout on his pro day; he only ran in the 4.5 range for the 40. And he also has off-field issues, such as his lying to NCAA officials. He still has a ton of talent, though, so that means this: Ton of talent + Off-field issues = a near lock for Cincy to pick him, if he’s there.
My question is this: Do we really even need to pick a wide receiver in the first two rounds? On January 9, after the Bengals’ loss to the Jets, that thought would’ve been inconceivable. In fact, I think I wrote about how I would’ve done some horrible things to Bengals owner Mike Brown and his family if they didn’t pick a WR for their 21st pick. The signing of Antonio Bryant obviously alleviates the pressure of drafting a receiver in the first round, and I would say that the Bengals should be more concerned about other positions in the first round. The Bengals also still have Andre Caldwell, who had some huge receptions for us last year.
Plus, we signed Matt Jones, who has had his own off-field problems, and he was out of football last year, but he also has a ton of talent. He was a former first round pick by the Jaguars, and the number one knock on him (aside from his cocaine habit) is that he didn’t work hard enough. I’m not that big on a guy who has been considered a slacker, but there is something to say about someone who is trying to redeem himself. Apparently Jones has been training at an elite workout facility in Florida to get himself ready for the next season. This guy has a ton of speed (4.37 when he was first drafted), he’s really tall (6’6"), and he has a lot to prove. It was easy to criticize the signing because he’s a guy who doesn’t have a good track record on the field or off the field, but neither did Cedric Benson, and that has turned out pretty good for the Bengals.
So with a WR corps of Chad Ochocinco, Antonio Bryant, Andre Caldwell, and a rejuvenated Matt Jones, why would we even bother with drafting a WR in the first two rounds?
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My take on it is...
There’s no denying that Chad, Bryant and Bryant would be better than Chad, Bryant, and Caldwell. So, if its an upgrade I have no problem at all selecting the future replacement of Chad or Bryant (especially considering Bryant’s knee troubles last year.)
You're pretty much in a position to draft the BPA
Wouldn’t hurt to have a top level talent like that. You think Ocho will stay once his contract is up? Betchya you could trade him to Danny Snyder and pick up a nice draft piece next off season, losing just a bit of talent in the transition and getting a late first or early second rounder for a player that was going to walk a year (or two) later. Either that or you could hope that Mike Brown pays Chad once his contract runs out.
P.S. God hates you.
if bryant is still there at 21
I think you try to trade the pick. esp if iupati/mays/graham etc are all gone. getting an extra lower round pick or two would be immensely helpful. if there are no takers on a pick trade, then you have to take him. he is almost certainly bpa at that point
If he's legitimately BPA, then take him.
The only realistic scenario where he wouldn’t be is if Earl Thomas is still on the board.
I would take Bryant over Iupati or Price (though it would be close).
I think we take him unless Earl Thomas is there. If Thomas is gone and Bryant isn’t I think we have to take him. We lost 2 WR’s this past year in Coles and Henry. Adding Bryant helps replace Coles, but Matt Jones does not replace Henry. We can add the best WR in the draft and a dynamic guy for Carson to throw to. He has great size and undeniable ability. I would take him without a question
Take him.
My number one choice would be Earl Thomas, and Dez Bryant comes in at a close number two. In addition to the immediate impact he could make, let’s not forget that we’ll need a future replacement for Chad. In this draft, Dez has the best chance of being that guy.
The NFL draft will kick off in prime time for the first time in 2010, it was announced Thursday. The first round of the 2010 NFL Draft will start on Thursday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the second and third rounds on Friday, April 23 at 6 p.m. ET, followed by Rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 24 at 10 a.m. ET.
The draft will continue to be televised by ESPN and NFL Network. The 2010 NFL Draft — the 75th draft in NFL history — again will be held at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
WR is still a need
yes, we signed A Bryant, but he’s not any better than L Coles. After 1 or 2 seasons, we’ll come to our senses and cut his $7mil/season loose.
Chad isn’t getting any younger.
M Jones is a nice #4 receiver, but not much else.
J Simpson can’t get onto the field.
A Caldwell can turn into a good #2 or #3, but we’ll need something to go along w/him.
So with that in mind…yes, we still need a WR.
But do we take Dez Bryant? With his size, slow speed, year off, i’m afraid he may be this year’s Mike Williams (guy from USC who was the top WR prospect a few years back who sucked after being drafted). Hopefully i’m wrong about that.
Agreed
Perfectly said.Much as i hate to say it Caldwell has yet to prove to be a really good #3 let alone even mentioning a good #2.Its a no brainer if Thomas is gone we most certainly take Dez off the board.We could take it as a future setting move at WR.A move that we will have to eventually make anyway.
by Who-DeyWilloughby on Apr 6, 2010 2:16 PM EDT reply actions
What about Mays?
I think if Taylor Mays is still available we should definitely go the Trojan way. Look at the talent we’ve got from USC in the past; Palmer, Rey, Rivers among others. Crocker is pretty solid but Roy Williams pass protection in the middle of the field is suspect at best plus both are getting a little old. One of the reasons why we swept our division last year was thanks to our rough and physical minded defence. Reunite ReyRey with Taylor Mays and watch our already physical defense get even better.
by Carson'sConvicts on Apr 12, 2010 11:26 PM EDT reply actions
pass protection in the middle of the field is suspect at best
That pretty accurately describes Taylor Mays, from what I’ve seen.
The Bengals defense was great last year, but they still have a LOT of room for improvement. The two key areas they need to get better in are pass rush and zone pass defense. A safety who excels at zone coverage is a must; a safety who’s glaring weakness is zone coverage is a pretty questionable pick.
that said..
the past week I’ve been getting a strong feeling that Mays will be the Bengals pick. Not sure why, but it’s a very strong feeling.
Agreed
Yea, I agree. Especially with Zim pushing for him. I think it will either be Taylor Mays, Jason Pierre-Paul to get some youth behind our two aging DE and Jermaine Gresham, even though we wouldn’t utilize him like the colts and Clark and we already have a catching TE who doesn’t block in Chase Coffman.
by Carson'sConvicts on Apr 13, 2010 9:07 PM EDT reply actions
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