Pick | Player | Position | School | NOTES |
1 | Leon Hall | CB | Michigan | The Bengals fulfill a need at cornerback drafting, perhaps, the second piece of a shutdown tandem of cornerbacks. |
2 | Kenny Irons | RB | Auburn | The Bengals find a need to, possibly, replace the injury-prone, Chris Perry. Overthinking: Kenny Watson is let go and Irons is a good backup to Rudi while Chris Perry takes care of passing/third down duties. |
3 | Marvin White | S | TCU | Has the appearance of being the guy to replace the departed Kevin Kaesviharn. Probably a good special teams guy with the project of replacing an aging Dexter Jackson in the future. |
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This will continue our Bengals-centric draft analysis for the weekend. Once they are picked, we'll discuss 'em. Well have more in-depth discussions during the week.
The Bengals select, at #114 in the fourth round, Marvin White, safety from TCU.
Attributes:
Height: 6-1
Weight: 199
40-time: 4.53
In 2003 and 2004, White was a JUCO player.
2005: 67 tackles and 3 interceptions.
2006: 86 tackles and 4 interceptions.
First, analysis from ESPN.
Weaknesses: Much better run defender than cover safety, but he's undersized, takes too long to shed blocks and is somewhat of a liability when lines up in the box. Must improve his use of hands, hasn't shown the ability to redirect receivers or jam tight ends at the line and could get pushed around by stronger players. Lacks ideal awareness, gets caught out of position and ability to recover won't be as strong at the NFL level. Can be overaggressive and is vulnerable to play action. Marginal score on the Wonderlic Test.
Overall: White originally attended Kilgore (Texas) Junior College where he played the 2003 and 2004 seasons, earning All-American recognition. He then started nine of 13 games in 2005 after transferring to TCU, recording 67 total tackles including two for loss, five pass breakups, and three interceptions to earn second team All-Mountain West honors. White became a first team All-Mountain West (media) performer in 2006 after starting all 13 contests and posting 86 total tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions, three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.
White is raw and his technique -- especially in coverage -- needs lots of polishing before he can push for playing time in the NFL. Furthermore, there are serious concerns about his mental capacity and ability to line up a defense. On the flipside, White is a tough, aggressive player with explosive power for his size. He also has the speed, natural athletic ability and motor to improve with good coaching at the next level. For those reasons, White is an intriguing middle-round prospect in the 2007 class.
On the Clock Draft ranked White as the 13th best overall safety. He didn't leave an impression with them because there's was no analysis conducted.
Fox Sports ranks White as the 6th best free safety.
Scott White's Draft Countdown ranked White as the 12th best overall safety.
Has good size and bulk...Extremely tough and physical...Likes to hit and can really lay the lumber...Has good timed speed, athleticism & quickness...Aggressive with a great motor...Terrific ball skills...Hard worker...Still improving and has potential.
Weaknesses:
Awareness, instincts and intelligence are questionable...Has some trouble getting off blocks...Doesn't have a lot of Division I experience...Is not the type who will be like an extra coach on the field...He still needs work from a technique standpoint.
Notes:
Earned 14 varsity letters as a prep: four in football, basketball and track and two in baseball...Was a JUCO All-American at Kilgore College...An underrated prospect who has the physical tools and could really surprise...Could end up being a steal.
Here's a crazy amount of info from NFL.com
Overview:
White was named Class 2A Louisiana Defensive Most Valuable Player in 2002 after he led the Port Barre High School Red Devils to their first state championship. He was an all-state selection in both football and basketball at the school, earning a total of 14 varsity letters (four in football, basketball and track and two in baseball).
After graduation, White enrolled at Kilgore Junior College, playing football during the 2003-04 seasons for head coach Jim Rieves. As a sophomore, he totaled 63 tackles with four interceptions and eight pass deflections, earning All-America honors.
White also received first-team All-Southwest Junior College Conference accolades as a sophomore and was named the MVP of the Pilgrim's Pride Bowl. Rivals.com rated him the No. 17 junior college player and he was ranked No. 53 on the Super Prep JUCO 100 list.
White decided to enroll at Texas Christian in 2005, bypassing scholarship offers from Mississippi, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Louisiana-Lafayette. He appeared in 12 games that year, starting nine contests at "weakside" safety in the team's 4-2-5 defensive alignment. He started nine contests, including the final seven, ranking third on the squad with 67 tackles (47 solos). He had two stops for losses, three interceptions and a pair of pass break-ups.
As a senior, White was named All-Mountain West Conference first-team. He led the team with 86 tackles (56 solos), including one sack and three stops behind the line of scrimmage. He caused two fumbles and broke up three passes while intercepting four others.
In 25 games at Texas Christian, White started 22 times. He collected 153 tackles (105 solos) with a 12-yard sack and five stops for losses of 17 yards. He gained 82 yards on seven interception returns (11.7 avg.), deflected five passes and caused two fumbles.
Analysis:
Negatives: Size could be a detriment at strong safety, and with his quickness he would be better suited roaming the field at free safety, but lacks the ability to recognize the play in a quick and timely fashion … Exposes himself at times, as his leads tend to be a little long and he has just a marginal feel for routes, making him a liability in man coverage … Needs more than a few reps to retain plays and has struggled academically … Sometimes gets up on his heels before closing on his assignment in man coverage, causing him to be a step behind on his breaks … Good character type … Needs to use his hands more effectively in attempts to press or re-route the receiver … Will bite on play-action and gets a bit reckless in his pursuit when the receiver is able to get past him (needs to open his hips quicker).
Compares To: Robert Griffith, ex-Arizona Cardinal -- White might be a better fit at free safety because he lacks the bulk you look for in an NFL strong safety, a position most teams have him listed on their draft boards … He is a tireless worker who has excellent speed, but will get caught out of position at times because he is slow to read and react to plays … He is better playing the deep zone, as he needs to keep the action in front of him … Despite his valid quickness, he has not developed a feel for route progression to make a possible shift to cornerback … When he fails to react to the thrown ball, he will get a step behind his breaks, and is a liability right now in man coverage.
Injury:
Agility Tests:
Combine: 4.6 in the 40-yard dash … 1.65 10-yard dash … 2.72 20-yard dash … 33½-inch vertical jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 17 times.
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