NFL Draft 2011: Bengals Targeted Kansas State Running Back Daniel Thomas In The Third Round

by Josh Kirkendall on May 1, 2011 11:49 AM EDT in NFL Draft

If it weren't for the Miami Dolphins, the Cincinnati Bengals would have selected their running back in the third round on Friday rather than the closing round on Saturday. According to Pro Football Talk's Gregg Rosenthal, the Bengals had Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas "atop round three before the Dolphins drafted ahead of them to grab him" during the 2011 NFL Draft.

Along with Penn State's Evan Royster, Louisville's Bilal Powell, Thomas privately worked out with the Bengals in the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft. The Miami Dolphins traded their 79th (third round), 146th (fifth round) and 217th (seventh round) to acquire the Washington Redskins' 62nd overall pick, eventually positing themselves to select Thomas.

The Bengals ended up selecting Dontay Moch with their third round pick, helping address a need for improving the team's overall pass rush. It wasn't until the 246th pick overall that the Bengals selected Baylor's Jay Finley; a selection that Cincy Jungle's own Joe Goodberry called "easily their worst pick of the draft."

Obviously this means that free agent running back Cedric Benson becomes a huge priority this offseason when the new league year begins.

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Even I would have a hard time justifying three straight offensive skill position picks

If we can’t re-sign Ced we can find a bell cow back in Feee agency or even in the Undrafted market. Ced has been productive for us, but he’s nothing all that special as far as running skills are concerned. Improve the line (mostly by having Andre Smith finally show up) and we could fill the position by committee if we had to for a year and target a true starter in next years draft.

Moch might not have been the ideal pick in the third, but if he helps the pass rush even a little I’m glad he’s there.

by eric nyc on May 1, 2011 12:26 PM EDT reply actions

Right - Sign FA Cedric Benson isn't a high priority

Signing a running back is. But it’s not like Ced’s the only running back.

I think most of us would be happy if they signed Mike Tolbert the same day they sign Peyton Manning to mentor Dalton.

Okay. Not happening. But we could be taking a wider view in the FA market.

by IllinoisBengal on May 1, 2011 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

We just need to get a few UFA's

After 1st round picks, the highest % of starters in the NFL for RB’s comes from the UFA ranks. Not round 2 or round 3 or so forth….but as UFA’s.

So i’d be cool splitting up B Scott & some UFA’s (like Brandon Saine who would be a great 3rd down back).

Benson is likely going to want too much $ and with the short shelf life on RB’s and the # of hits he’s already taken….i don’t think he is worth the high $ he is going to try to get.

by ephram on May 1, 2011 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

Just for reference

Would you have preferred Thomas to Moch? Did picking Moch open the door to get OL help in the fourth (because picking Thomas, the Bengals may not have gone with 4 offensive players in the first four rounds)?

I’ve posted elsewhere the need for some personnel continuity on offense, but this story suggests the Bengals may have been willing to move on from Benson as well. That would have been some makeover.

by wiseking on May 1, 2011 4:18 PM EDT via mobile reply actions