+ Bengals Day Two Review
The Bengals got who most of us suspected were their man in QB Andy Dalton. Even if you don't like the pick or player, it's a comforting feeling to know your team targeted him throughout the draft and believes he can be their QB of the future. I personally like Dalton and I think with the weapons the Bengals have surrounded him with will increase his chances at being successful.
In the third round, the Bengals selected Strong side LB Dontay Moch from Nevada. Moch is the type of SAM backer I have assumed that Marvin Lewis would love to have. He had a vision with David Pollack being a SAM backer who can put his hand down and rush the passer on third downs. Ever since then, they have used former DEs (Jeanty, MJ93) to try to make the same conversion. Dontay Moch is a freak physically and should instantly upgrade the Bengals young pass-rushing group.
Biggest Reach: The Rams selected TE/H-Back Lance Kendricks with the 47th pick. On my board, Kendricks was the 131st rated player (-84 Value) and not even the best TE available. They must have an idea for how to use his strengths to their advantage because the Rams had bigger needs to fill and this pick was a reach in the 2nd round.
Biggest Steals: I had three first round caliber players left on my board. The Buccaneers got DE DaQuan Bowers with the 51st pick (+39 Value); He can be a special payer if he can play through the pain of an arthritic knee.
The Lions took RB Mikel Leshoure at pick 57 (+34 Value); he should give them a great 1-2 punch with Jahvid Best.
The Texans took CB Brandon Harris at pick 60 (+39 Value); he comes in and immediately helps their pass defense.
Biggest Risk: The Buccaneers have selected two DEs now, but both are risky players. Adrian Clayborn and DaQuan Bowers were highly productive in college, but since then, both have seen their stocks tumble because of injury questions. The Bucs are taking a gamble by putting all of their 2011 draft picks into players who may never be effective at this level because of unfortunate circumstances with their health.
+ Where does this leave the Bengals heading into day three?
The Bengals still need to address T/G, S, RB, as their biggest needs. I could also see them taking a FB, TE, WR, CB, and another safety. The best part is, most of the positions they need to address have more value in these mid rounds. You can find starting Guards, Safeties and Running Backs in round s 4-6. Here's a list of my best available players and how they would fit into the Bengals plans...
1) Christian Ballard - LE/DT - Iowa - (55th on original board) - Ballard is still available because he failed a drug test at the combine. He was a projected 2nd round pick. If the Bengals took him, it would be because they wanted to add some interior pass rushing. Ballard can play DE or DT.
2) Marcus Cannon - RT/RG - TCU - (61st) - Cannon was a projected late 2nd - early 3rd round pick until a doctors found a mass in his pelvic area. They have diagnosed him with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. His treatments should be done by June, but it has already scared teams away.
4) Clint Boling - LG/T - Georgia - (63rd) - Boling would be one of my favorites for the Bengals 4th round pick. He can play both G and T. I see his best fit inside and he's an 8-year starting Guard.
6) Jason Pinkston - G/RT - Pitt - (72nd) - Pinkston is another one of those O-lineman who can play multiple positions on the line.
8) Quinton Carter - FS/SS - Oklahoma - (74th) - Carter is my next best safety. I like his all around game, not great at anything but solid all over.
12) Taiwan Jones - RB/KR - E.Carolina - (82nd) - Jones is the most electrifying runner in the draft. He's still available and I think this could be an exciting Bengals pick. He has Chris Johnson speed and Barry Sanders agility. OK, not that crazy, but this dude is unreal.
15) Delone Carter - RB - Syracuse - (89th) - Perhaps the Bengals would like to go with a power run game? Let me suggest Delone Carter for them. He's my favorite player left in this draft and I think he would be a perfect fit in Cincinati.
+ Best Remaining players for Day 3
- Christian Ballard - LE/DT - Iowa
- Marcus Cannon - T/G - TCU
- Chris Carter - DE/OLB - Fresno St
- Clint Boling - G/T - Georgia
- Quan Sturdivant - LB - UNC
- Jason Pinkston - G/T - Pitt
- Ricky Stanzi - QB - Iowa
- Quinton Carter - S - Oklahoma
- Edmond Gates - WR - Abilene Christian
- Tandon Doss- WR - Indiana
- K.J. Wright - OLB - Miss St
- Taiwan Jones - RB - E.Washington
- Denarius Moore - WR - Tennessee
- Colin McCarthey - LB - Miami
- Delone Carter - RB - Syracuse
- Luke Stocker - TE - Tennessee
- Greg Salas - WR - Hawaii
- Demarcus Love - G/T - Arkansas
- Kendall Hunter - RB - Oklahoma St
- Brandon Burton - CB - Utah
- Greg Jones - MLB - Mich St
- Niles Paul - WR - Nebraska
- Casey Matthews - LB - Oregon
- DeAndre McDaniel - SS - Clemson
- Sam Acho - DE/OLB - Texas
- Jerrell Powe - DT - Ole Miss
- Tyler Sash - SS - Iowa
- Pernell McPhee - DE - Miss St
- Steven Friday - OLB - Virginia Tech
- James Brewer - T/G - Indiana
- Derrick Locke - RB - Kentucky
- Chykie Brown - CB - Texas
- Deunta Williams - S - UNC
- Andrew Jackson - G - Fresno St
- Mario Harvey - LB - Marshall
- Quizz Rodgers - RB - Oregon St
- Jordan Toddman - RB - Uconn
- Ahmad Black - S - Florida
- Rashad Carmichael - CB - Virginia Tech
- Ricky Elmore - DE - Arizona
- Dwayne Harris - WR - ECU
- Lance Kendricks - TE - Wisconsin
- Jalil Brown - CB - Colorado
- DeAndre Brown - WR - S.Miss
- T.J. Yates - QB - UNC
- Brandon Fusco - C/G - Slippery Rock
- Greg Romeus - DE - Pitt
- Ronald Johnson - WR - USC
- Chimdi Chekwa - CB - OSU
- Mark Herzlich - SLB - Boston College
- Willie Smith - OT - E.Carolina
- D.J. Williams - TE/H-Back - Arkansas
- DaRel Scott- RB - Maryland
- Greg McElroy - QB - Alabama
- Lee Ziemba - G/T - Auburn
- Jamie Harper - RB - Clemson
- David Carter - DT - UCLA
- Korey Lindsay-Woods - CB - S.Illinois
- Bilal Powell - RB - Louisville
- Jeremy Beal - DE - Oklahoma
- David Mims - OT - Mt. Union
- Cecil Shorts - WR - Mt. Union
- Kendric Burney - CB - UNC
- Chris Nield - DT - WVU
- Pierre Allen - DE - Nebraska
- Roberts Sands - S/OLB - WVU
- Stephen Schilling- G - Mich St
- Chris Hairston - T - Clemson
- Jeremy Kerley - WR - TCU
- Terrence Tolliver - WR - LSU
- Nathan Enderle - QB - Idaho
- Tim Barnes - C - Missouri
- Owen Maricec - FB/LB - Stanford
- Cliff Matthews - DE - S.Carolina
- Zane Taylor - C/G - Utah
- Jordan Cameron - TE - USC
- Deandre Brown - WR - S. Miss
- Lawrence Guy - DT - Arizona St
- Doug Hogue - OLB - Syracuse
- Brian Rolle - OLB - OSU
- Scott Tolzien - QB - Wisconsin
- Mark Legree - FS - App St
- Byron Maxwell - FS/CB - Clemson
- Ian Williams - DT - Notre Dame
- Lee Smith - TE - Marshall
- Dion Lewis - RB - Pitt
- Roy Helu jr - RB - Nebraska
- Ryan Jones- CB - NWMSU
- Johnny White - RB - UNC
- Cedric Thornton - DT - S.Arkansas
- Keith Williams - G - Nebraska
- Cortez Allen - CB - Citadel
- Virgil Green - TE - Nevada
- Ross Homan - LB - OSU
- Jake Kirkpatrick - C - TCU
- Josh Thomas - CB - Buffalo
- Stanley Havili - FB/H-Back - USC
- Justin Rogers - CB - Richmond
- Mike Mohammed - LB - Cal
- Eric Haag - S - Nebraska
- Joe Lefeged - S -Rutgers
- Adam Froman - QB - Louisville
- Scott Lotrus - LB - UConn
- Julius Thomas - TE - Portland
- Pat Devlin - QB - Delaware
- Jerron Johnson - S Boise St
- Zach Hurd - G - UConn
- Tyrod Taylor - QB - Virgina Tech
- Kris Odowd - C - USC
- Shilo Keo - S - Idaho
- Brandon Hogan - CB - WVU
- Jabara Williams - LB - Stephen F. Austin
- Chris White - LB - Miss St
- Ryan Bartholomew - T/G - Syracuse
- Dane Sazenbacher - WR - OSU
- Henry Hynoski - FB - Pitt
- Wesley Saunders - TE - S.Carolina
- Daniel Kilgore - G - App St
- Justin Boren - G - OSU
- David Arkin - G - Missouri St
- Adrian Moten - LB - Maryland
- Tori Gurley - WR - S.Carolina
- Andre Holmes - WR - Hillsdale
- Mario Fannin - RB - Auburn
- Noel Devine - RB/KR - WVU
- Jeff Meahl - WR - Oregon
- Shaun Chapas - FB - Georgia
- Anthony Allen - RB - Ga. Tech
- Alex Linnenkohl - C - Oregon St
- Martin Parker - DT - Richmond
- Josh Bynes - LB - Auburn
- Alex Wojciak - LB - Maryland
- Craig Cooper - RB - Miami
- Evan Royster - RB - Penn St
- Darvin Adams - WR - Auburn
- Derek Hall - G - Stanford
- Brian Duncan - LB - Texas Tech
- Daundre Reed - DE - Arizona
- Will Yeatman - T - Maryland
- Armon Binns - WR - Cincinnati
- Nick Bellore - LB - C. Mich
- Brandon Baire - DL - Oregon
- Greg Lloyd - SLB - Uconn
- DaNorris Searcy - S - UNC
- Chris Rucker - CB - Mich St
- Thomas Keiser - LB - Stanford
- Buster Skrine - CB - Chattanooga
- Kenny Rowe - DE/LB - Oregon
- Jarrad Tarrant -SS - Ga Tech
- Bruce Miller -DE - UCF
- Schulyar Oordt - N.Iowa
- Lawrence Wilson - LB - Uconn
- Ben Chappell - QB - Indiana
- Stephen Burton - WR - W.Texas A&M
- Karl Klug - DL - Iowa
- Richard Sherman - CB/S - Stanford
- Rich Lapham - T - Boston College
+ Mock Draft Scenarios for rounds 4-7
101st Overall Pick
Pick: Delone Carter - RB - Syracuse - This is a personal favorite player in this draft. I think Carter would be perfect for what the Bengals usually like in their RBs. He's a power back with great balance and strength. Much like Rudi Johnson, Carter is a bowling ball in the hole. He reminds me of Thomas Jones, who found a way to shed the bust label while under Jon Gruden in Tampa.
Value: Edmond Gates - WR - Abilene Christian - If somehow the WR position isn't addressed until the 4th round and Edmond Gates is still available, I could easily see this as the pick. Gates is Bernard Scott's cousin, so they should have the inside scoop on him. Gates is a guy with big upside to his game, so naturally he's been climbing draft boards. He's now a projected 3rd round pick, but with the Bengals picking so high in each round, they will find a few players with great value throughout the draft.
134th Overall Pick
Pick: DeAndre McDaniel - SS - Clemson - McDaniel is a SS with good range and ball skills. He projected by most to go between round 2-4, and as much as I like him, I don't see him going higher than the 5th round. He's had past character issues and isn't the greatest athlete at the safety position. I like him as a fit for Cincinnati because he has some deep coverage skills while also being a run support type of safety.
Need: Andrew Jackson - G/T - Auburn - Jackson is a left guard in the Eric Steinbach mold. Not as talented, but could be a starter within a year. Left Guard is arguably the biggest need on the offensive line.
Value: Ahmad Black - S - Florida - "Small and slow" is how Ahmad Black is getting labeled after running a 4.8 and measuring in at 5'9" 185 lbs. Forget that stuff. Black is a good football player and might have the best ball skills on any DB in this draft. Maybe not a franchise starting safety, but Black will make your team for the next five years at least.
Surprise: Ricky Elmore - DE - Arizona - Elmore was highly productive in college, but has been overshadowed by Brooks Reed's hair. Elmore is in the Aaron Kampman and Kyle Vandenbosch model. He's high-energy guy with a non-stop motor. Elmore might even be able to stand up and play SAM LB like a poor man's David Pollack.
167th Overall Pick
Pick: Henry Hynoski - FB - Pitt - Probably the 2nd best FB on the draft. Hynoski can fill the FB hole that the Bengals may have. They have Vakapuna and Pressley, but if this offense resembles anything like the offense Jay Gruden helped run in Tampa, they could possibly carry two FBs.
Value: Jamie Harper - RB - Clemson - Another RB, and another player from Clemson. Trust me, I'm not a Clemson fan. Harper reminds me of Raiders RB Michael Bush. It's likely that the Bengals wait until the late rounds to take a RB.
Surprise: Byron Maxwell - CB/FS - Clemson - If you can't get Gilchrist, the next best thing might be Maxwell. He played both CB and FS equally at Clemson. I think his best days are ahead of him, and he's one of my big sleepers in this draft.
207th Overall Pick
Pick: Ryan Jones - CB - NWM St - Jones is a small school CB who has all the physical tools to play in the NFL. He has good ball skills and is a willing tackler. Could end up being a 3rd or 4th CB with special teams value.
Need: Alex Henery - K - Nebraska - With Mike Nugent's career with the Bengals in jeopardy. It's about time they invested an actual draft pick into the position.
Surprise: Mario Fannin - RB - Aurburn - Fannin is a little bit of a different type of big back pick. He's an excellent receiving threat out of the backfield and you can find creative ways to use him. He should find a way to help a team.
246th Overall Pick
Pick: Lee Smith - TE - Marshall - Big blocking TE that should pair with Gresham and cut down on the... "Number 74 is an eligible receiver."
Need: Brian Lainhart - S - Kent St - With safety being a huge need, I could se them taking two in this draft.
Value: Aldrick Robinson - WR - SMU - Could be a steal if Robinson puts it all together.
Surprise: Zach Clayton - DT - Auburn - Bengals showed interest in Clayton already, but maybe it was just to get more info on Nick Fairley. Either way, I think he will make a roster and I wouldn't mind having him with their last pick.