2012 NFL Draft: Rob Rang Chooses Linemen For The Bengals In Latest Mock Draft

Don’t forget to take into account most teams do NOT value guard that high and most do NOT have the luxury of 2 first round picks. Cowboys need to address the secondary and there’s a good chance one of the top 3 CB’s are available to them when they are on the board (Kirkpatric or Jenkins) and they may see better value in taking a guard in the 2nd round. Same with the Cardinals they may see more value in taking a tackle in the fisrt round b/c there’s a good chance a few elite tackles will still be availabe (Mike Adams stock has sky rocketed) and they can just address guard later in the draft

D-line just isn’t a big priority. The Bengals desperately need help in the secondary first. I’ve said all along that I would draft a defensive tackle in the 4th or 5th round. UC’s Wolfe is projected to go around those rounds and from all indications he is very stout against the run.

Bobbie williams is who DeCastro would replace.

i just like poes size hard too move around

Plus, does Poe provide the best value at #21? I’m not sure. I would rate Still and Brockers as the best DTs in this class, and I think there is a bit of separation between those two and Poe and Fletcher Cox, for example.

Also, the Bengals have done quite well in finding productive d-lineman in the middle-tolate rounds.

All lineman from last season’s roster (before Sims went to IR and was replaced by Hayden) were drafted by the Bengals, and none were first rounders. In fact, they even only had one second-rounder (Carlos Dunlap, who probably would have gone in the first round if it weren’t for his DUI and perceived “character” issues – see how those “concerns” can be overblow?). The rest were 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th round picks, and ALL were selected by the Bengals. Considering that the D-line was unquestionably the team’s best (and most productive) position group, this fact evidences that the Bengals actually do quite well in identifying talented d-linemen in later rounds who fit their scheme.

With that said, I’d pass on Poe in the first round (at least at #21). There are just other positions on the roster that need to be addressed before the d-line, and there are more players of “value” at #21 than Poe, IMO. We can address the d-line in later rounds. Maybe a Brandon Thompson from Clemson in round 2, or Kendall Reyes from UCONN in rounds 2-3. I also like Mike Martin as a late round possibility (6th or 7th round).

Atkins is solid against the run, but he’s not big and can be moved one on one.

Also, with regard to your Atkins comment, although he’s not the biggest DT around, he surely is one of the strongest D-linemen in the league. All I recall seeing on tape is Atkins moving interior lineman around and dominating the point of attack, and not the other way around. I recall specific plays throughout the season (starting in the very first game against Cleveland, then in Jacksonville, Ravens game, Rams game, Cardinals game, just to name a few that I specifically recall) where Atkins was easily winning (in fact, dominating) one on one battles. There were times when Atkins would literally drive back guards on a straight bull rush. One specific instance of this occurred last season (i.e. 2010) in the home game against the Saints. Atkins was giving fits, all day long, to both Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks (both All Pro OGs, who are considered two of the best OGs in football). I specifically recall multiple times where Atkins literally drove Carl Nicks (the best OG in football) 3-4yards deep into the backfield on straight bullrushs. You have to be strong as an ox to drive back a 350lb man (Carl Nicks) 3-4 yards. The Saints eventually figured out that they needed to double team Geno, but in one on one battles with both Nicks and Evans, Atkins EASILY won his share of battles – simply watch tape of that 2010 game against the Saints.