If Bengals acquire/draft a cornerback, it will be late

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 21, 2008 9:15 AM EDT in Analysis

ESPN.com's Sal Paolantonio wrote a blistering piece against DeAngelo Hall with the overall theme that Cornerbacks are one of the most overpaid positions in the league. Though we think the category of "overpaid" should be given to the top six or seven drafted players that find, not work for, massive guaranteed dollars. One of our own wrote that the Bengals should trade Chad Johnson and our 2009 first-round pick for Lito Sheppard and the Eagles #19 pick.

I'm not going to say that it's a good or bad idea. And while I think the Bengals will use one of their double-digit picks on a cornerback, it won't likely be until late Sunday. And mostly to seal depth, if improved talent over the guys listed #4 is available. Going into 2008 the Bengals will have three first-round talents at cornerback with Jonathan Joseph, Leon Hall and Deltha O'Neal. Two will start, the third will backup both and likely become the team's Nickel.

Sheppard is a fine player, no doubt. However, the Eagles have sat on Sheppard playing other NFL teams for the best return, most likely a first round pick. And whether it's to increase Sheppard's value or the realization that having Sheppard team with Asante Samuel might be the team's best course, it would seem that the Eagles are content holding onto him.

If the Bengals go after a cornerback during this weekend's NFL Draft, it will be because they are convinced that it be an improvement over personal foul ace, Blue Adams. Even so, the scenario exists that if the team doesn't draft a cornerback late, they'll have a pool of undrafted free agents to choose from.

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Our secondary

I suppose that folks out there who didn't watch every Bengals game last year wouldn't have seen our defensive backfield mature and gel, especially as the season wound down. Acquiring a high dollar DB- whether through the draft or a trade, is completely unnecessary. Maybe an Orlandro Scandrick or Tyvon Branch, an Husain Abdullah in the later rounds to supplement Deltha and Dexter as back-ups...

by IgnatiusJReilly on Apr 21, 2008 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

RE:

And who the heck knows, but Dexter and Deltha are still on the team. As it stands, there's no reason to supplement them -- and I don't see them involved in any trade. Unless the team does a June 1 cut to ease the cap (especially if CJ is traded), but isn't that available to them now?

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 21, 2008 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

Don't rule out Leodis McKelvin

Depending on how the top 8 fall, I could see them pulling the trigger on McKelvin at 9. He's far from my first choice, but Deltha is almost done in Cincy, and Leodis would give us a real threat as a kick & punt returner.

by BeerRun on Apr 21, 2008 10:30 AM EDT reply actions

RIOT!

Cincinnati has experienced too many riots in recent memory. Do you really think, for the health of the city, this would be wise? I think if the team, while I agree or not, drafts anything other than Defensive line or linebacker as the first pick, there will be tons of backlash.

Though it seems there's backlash no matter what they do -- which is generally a head scratcher.

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 21, 2008 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Nah...

...you want a riot, watch what happens if the take a WR or RB. Cincinnati might spontaneously combust.

My thinking regarding McKelvin is that there will be good tier-two DE/DTs around in the second (and at DT, maybe even the third). On the other hand, LB and CB aren't deep this year. The few corners who stand out will get snapped up in the first, and at LB there's a big drop after Rivers and Mayo -- and neither of them will make it out of the first either.

So, IF you are going defense in the first, and IF the top DE and DT prospects are gone (as seems likely) it could come down to Rivers vs. McKelvin, and I can see Leodis getting the nod because of his return skills.

by BeerRun on Apr 21, 2008 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Cornerback/Safety

I agree--I think the Bengals will try to shore up the secondary late. Looking for a coverage guy that can double as a Free Safety/nickel back would be a good idea. I am still not confident that our safety situation is all that solid and we need to groom a replacement for O'Neal.

by goffchile on Apr 21, 2008 3:02 PM EDT reply actions