2012 preliminary outlook

by biggie22 on Jan 27, 2012 10:08 AM EST

Draft Picks

Round 1

#17 David DeCastro - Guard

#21 Janoris Jenkins – CB

Round 2

Doug Martin – RB

Round 3

Bobbie Massie OT

Round 4

Dequan Menzie CB/S

Round 5

Derreck Wolfe - DT

Jerry Franklin – ILB

Round 6 ?? – TE

Round 7 ?? – WR

Free Agents

As much as I want us to go out and get several big named free agents (guard/safety), I realistically do NOT see it happening, especially with the abundant amount of draft picks we have this year. Having said that, the only position I can maybe see them going after a little more agressively in free agency is WR, (we actually have a track record of doing so) and with such a young recieving corp. they may see value in going out and getting a reliable veteran to add to the mix. Therefore, I'm predicting (after we sign our own players) the only big name FA we will go after this year is Reggie Wayne and all the rest of the free agents we target will be mid level (or versatile) players that will be brought into fill holes and add depth.

WR - Reggie Wayne (Colts)

G/C - Jeremey Zuttah (Tampa Bay)

OLB/DE - Anthony Spencer (Dallas)

Roster

Offense

1. QB - Andy Dalton

2. QB - Bruce Gradkowski

1. RB - Doug Martin (R) Round 2 - He is my breakout back in the draft. I see him in the same mold as a Ray Rice or MJD, short in stature @ 5'9 but a very powerful runner who weighs in @ over 200lbs. He's already shown his athleticism and versatililty as an underclassman in college when they had him playing some LB and Safety because of injuries to the defense. He can block and catch the ball out of the back field as well.

2. RB - Benard Scott

3. RB - Cedric Peerman

1. FB - Chris Pressley

2. FB - Brian Leonard

1. TE - Jermaine Gresham

2. TE - Colin Cochart

3. TE - Bo Scaife

1. WR - AJ Green

2. WR - Jordan Shipley (IR) - It shoud benefit us greatly to get Jordan back into the mix, he is a natural slot pocession receiver who has a knack for finding the open holes in the defense

3. WR - Reggie Wayne - Free agent aquisition (mentor the young receiving corp)

4. WR - Andrew Hawkins

5. WR - Armon Binns

6. WR - Ryan Whalen

O-Line

1. T - Andrew Whitworth

1. T - Andre Smith

**1A. T - Anthony Collins - Super Sub that we need to resign but unfortunately may not be able to

2. T - Dennis Roland

2. T - Bobbie Massie - (R) Round 3 (if we cannot resign Collins we will need to address a back up tackle, plus Andre has had a history of injuries.

1. G - David DeCastro (R) Round 1 - Consensus number 1 guard in the draft who has been dominant in both run and passing blocking, we are fortunate to have him fall to us.

1. G - Bobbie Williams - We will resign (2 year deal)

2. G - Clint Boling

2. G - Otis Hudson

1. C - Kyle Cook

2. C/G - Jeremey Zuttah (should be able to compete as a staring guard as well)

Defense

1. CB - Leon Hall (IR) As long as he can come back healthy he will be a big lift to our secondary, unfortunately he may have to start the season on the PUP list.

1. CB - Nate Clements

1A. CB - Adam Jones (FA) - After an internal debate with myself, I've decided we should resign Pacman because IMO he's actually a very good 3rd CB. He was thrown into a tough situation and really played pretty well for the most part (look in the archives, there were quite a few articles and comments even on here praising his play earlier this year). Unfortunately, he did have a bad palyoff game and that's all everyone remembers.

1A. CB - Janoris Jenkins (R) Round 1 - Very good in coverage with huge upside (This pick could change because I'm still not 100% sold on the kid).

2. CB - Brandon Ghee

CB/S - DeQuan Menzie (R) Round 4 - Versatility is the key, he can play both CB and Safety. We can start out utilizing him at SS, in obvious passing situations

1. S - Reggie Nelson

2. S - Jeromey Miles

1. SS - Taylor Mays

2. SS - Robert Sands

DT - Geno Atkins

DT - Johnathon Fanene

DT - Pat Simms

DT - Domata Peko

DT - Derreck Wolfe (R) Round 5 - He's a big, tough, athletic playmaker who can add even more depth to our defensive front.

DE - Carlos Dunlap

DE - Michael Johnson

DE - Frostee Rucker

DE - Robert Geathers

OLB/DE - Anthony Spencer (Free agent from the Cowboys who can help our pass rush and can paly multiple positions)

ILB/OLB - Rodderic Muckelroy (IR) If he can come back healthy, I expect him to really push Rey for the starting ILB position.

ILB/OLB - Brandon Johnson We need to get him resigned, he's our super sub who is very versatile

1. OLB - Thomas Howard

1. OLB - Keith Rivers (IR) Hopefully he can come back healthy and play to level Manny Lawson acheived this past year.

2. OLB - Donte Moch

3. OLB - Vincent Rey

1. ILB - Rey Mauluga

2. ILB - Dan Scuta

3. ILB - Jerry Franklin (R) Round 5

Specialist

1. LS - Clark Harris

1. P - Kevin Huber

1. K - Mike Nugent

Here are the players that we will more than likely NOT resign or we will cut.

Nate Living

Manny Lawson

** In all honesty, Anthony Collins should be put on this list as well but I'm just really hoping they figure out a way to keep him around.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.

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Comments

I would be pretty pumped if the draft turned out this way.

Martin is the guy I really want the Bengals to grab at this point in time. And of course, DeCastro would be an incredible grab at #17.

Not sold yet on Jenkins. Not sure why … I guess he just gives off that Adam Jones early-years vibe.

by Animal_Like_Football on Jan 27, 2012 10:41 AM EST reply actions

Me too (on Martin)

Hopefully some of the other picks fall to us as well (kind of like last year).

by biggie22 on Jan 27, 2012 10:55 AM EST up reply actions

nice draft

just have to cross our fingers and wait for 3 months

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 27, 2012 10:44 AM EST reply actions

Thanks

And I agree keep our fingers crossed, especially for DeCastro and Martin

by biggie22 on Jan 27, 2012 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

I think going after Reggie Wayne would be a big mistake

the guy is like 33 years old, and we have a young and upcoming team. I don’t think he’d fit in

by The Dealio on Jan 27, 2012 11:13 AM EST reply actions

You may be right

But I can see them trying to add a veteran peice to the receiving corp. They are already young and VERY talented but I could see them going after a veteran to add some consistency and reliability to the group. Plus it fits wih there track record. If they do go after Reggie, I only see them signning him to a 2, maybe 3 year deal max but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

by biggie22 on Jan 27, 2012 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

I think Wayne is who I would really like to see them sign

for the reasons you state right here. A veteran presence would be great for our young receiving corp and Wayne still has it. He would definitely draw pressure off of AJ. And in 2 or 3 yrs, we’ll probably have someone that can take his place on the roster.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Jan 27, 2012 11:57 AM EST up reply actions

+1

by njbengalstat on Jan 28, 2012 11:01 AM EST up reply actions

i'm unfamiliar with an character issues wayne has while in indy

bringing in a vet wr to help mentor, that’s not necessarily a bad idea. even in a youth movement, teams do keep a couple of quality mentor vets around. expecting the bengals to make offers to a vet TE and a vet G (bobbie) to help in that capacity.

as for will cincy do that with WR? probably not, unless there is someone that will come for 2 million or around that amount.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 27, 2012 11:32 AM EST up reply actions

Also

WR’s aren’t like RB’s. The good ones can be effective (not great) but effective into there mid 30’s. Example – Jerry Rice (good with Oakland not great), T.O very effective on the field in is mid 30’s, just too many other issues, Tim Brown effective, not great, James Lofton effective not great. I’d put Reggie Wayne is the class of the guys I’ve listed and say he could still be effective for a few more years but will no longer be great

by biggie22 on Jan 27, 2012 11:32 AM EST up reply actions

Wayne might be hard to sign

Wayne is nearing the end of his career and he might want to go to a team he feels is a Super Bowl contender. The Bengals are improved, but are probably another year away from being a serious SB contender. I definitely wouldn’t have a problem with the Bengals signing him.

by AWC71 on Jan 27, 2012 1:06 PM EST up reply actions

Even if it's Wayne

My point is IMO I think WR is probabally the postition they are most likely to address in FA rather than in the draft so they can add a veteran presence to mix

by biggie22 on Jan 27, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions

That works out perfect if we sign him to 2 yrs then

by Oregonbengalsfan on Jan 27, 2012 1:25 PM EST up reply actions

I was in Indy yesterday

And heard him on an interview. He sounded to me like he’s willing to play for whoever is going to pay him

by biggie22 on Jan 27, 2012 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

wayne to the pats

pats cut ocho.

(puts the majic 8-ball away)

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 27, 2012 4:24 PM EST up reply actions

Wayne would be a big get for our young WR's to follow after

I imagine AJ Green getting a couple years learning from Reggie Wayne can’t be a bad thing.

by ephram on Jan 27, 2012 2:33 PM EST up reply actions

I'm really excited about Green working with

Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald this off season.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Jan 27, 2012 2:55 PM EST up reply actions

and yes!

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 27, 2012 4:25 PM EST up reply actions

yes

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 27, 2012 4:25 PM EST up reply actions

Every year a team’s "NEEDS" continually change come draft time.
What is strong one year becomes your NEED a year or two later.

If you draft each year only for NEED, you are just chasing your tail, because you’re only selecting mediocre stop-gaps, and passing on better overall players.

It is more important to stock your team with the best players possible.
Therefore it is important to draft the best player available > draft for need.

Of course, if you can get the best player available who matches your NEED that’s ideal.

We all pretty much agree our top 3 needs are CB, OG and RB….followed by Safeties, more O-Line, WR and LB….and then least needed are QB, TE and D-Line.

So we need to make sure we get a CB, OG and RB somewhere in the draft….but that doesn’t necessarily mean we need to take them as 3 of our top picks.

If a CB like M Claiborne or an OG like D DeCastro falls to pick 17, then that’s the ideal scenario of NEED matching best player available. But if they are both gone, and a stud WR like Blackmon falls to pick 17 (unrealistic, but just for example), you HAVE to draft him over a player of need like Lamar Miller or Konz because Blackmon is a top 5 talent, while Miller & Konz are in the 25~40 overall talent range.

So I don’t want to see the Bengals reaching for a Lamar Miller or Dennard (for example) even though they meet needs, if much better players fall to them in the draft.

There are enough decent OG’s and RB’s in the draft that they can find one in round 2 or 3 instead of reaching in round 1 if an elite one isn’t there when they pick. Although with the NFL game going more to passing, CB’s will be at a premium and probably be reached for more than normal….meaning we’d better get one in free agency because we’re not likely to find one as a good value in the draft when we pick.

by ephram on Jan 27, 2012 3:16 PM EST reply actions

I actually agree with you for the most part

But I also feel that if you have a glaring need, you better address it in one of the first 4 rounds, especially if you feel you were unabable to do so in free agency

by biggie22 on Jan 27, 2012 3:26 PM EST reply actions

A 3rd round Tackle

If that’s the case how are we to hang on to Collins? I’m all for a T being drafted for backup possible future starter. If your using 3rd round pick and Andrew Datko is around take him if he can get over the injuries he’s a quality T

by messjunk on Jan 27, 2012 5:57 PM EST reply actions

As much as I want to keep to Collins

Realistically it might be tough to do, eeven more so if he gets an opportunity to start some place else. If we cannot resign Collins we are going to have to address a back up tackle especially since Andre is injury prone, not to mention his deal is up after next year as well and he has not yet been extended

by biggie22 on Jan 27, 2012 10:43 PM EST up reply actions