First Round Mock

Seventy days ‘til I represent Bengal nation at the NFL Draft. Got the ticket, hotel room and scheduled to arrive at Penn Station late afternoon on the 26th of April. Sporting the jersey of the sole black and orange Canton inductee, the #78 will be proudly displayed for all to see inside Radio City Music Hall. With two picks in the first round (17th and 21st), THIS is the opportunity for the organization to bring the ROAR back to Cincy. So what do we do? There are some glaring needs for the Bengals as they attempt to take the next step towards the Super Bowl. The defensive secondary, interior offensive line, and a premier running back are my top three desires for the first round. Let’s be smart and select the best talent in the first round and fill other needs in successive rounds. So how does that translate into first round picks, you might ask? Easy. First of all, I will streak through Manhattan , Will Farrell style, if Trent Richardson (RB Alabama) makes it to 17. Don’t worry, won’t happen. If Dre Kirkpatrick (CB Alabama) falls to us at 17, snatch him up and don’t let him room with Jerome during training camp. Most likely, both Kirkpatrick and Richardson will be gone, and so will David DeCastro (OG Stanford). But do not panic! We would gladly take Cordy Glenn (OG/OT Georgia). The guy was a beast at the Senior Bowl practices. He dominated Coples (DE N. Carolina) and Upshaw (DE Alabama), two projected top 10 picks. I can hear it already, what about cornerbacks, Janoris Jenkins (CB North Alabama via Florida via go to jail do not pass go) and Alfonzo Dennard (CB Nebraska). The answer, they are not good enough to waste a first round pick. So who do we take with the 21st. Well, we take the best player available. Here are my top 3 choices at this spot. Michael Floyd (WR Notre Dame), Alshon Jefferey (WR South Carolina) or, drum roll, Mr. Nasty himself, Vontaze Burfict (LB Arizona State). The beauty about taking Vontaze is, 1. Who knows what Rey Maualuga is going to do with his life, 2. We increase the depth at LB and, 3. The Ravens don’t get there heir apparent to Ray Lewis. Too bad, SUCKERS!!!! Fill the other needs with free agency (Go down to the local hardware store, grab a crowbar and pry open the wallet Mike Brown. We are so far under the cap its embarrassing) and the later rounds, which we will discuss next time.