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

There are many theories on how to build a successful football team and one of those theories is you build it from the inside out, meaning you start with the offensive and defensive line first, and then you spread to the skilled positions. After all, what's the point of having a star quarterback or running back if you don't have somebody to protect them or block for them. The same goes for the defense. A stud linebacker looks a lot less studly if he has no defensive line to help him out.

Building the team from the inside out is exactly what CBSSports.com's Rob Rang has the Bengals doing in his latest NFL mock draft.

With the No. 17 overall pick, Rang has the Bengals choosing Stanford guard David DeCastro.

The strong play from rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green has hidden the reality that the Bengals remain a team that prides itself on running the football. DeCastro is earning comparisons to former Oakland Raider great Steve Wisniewski for his size and physical play.

I'll be honest, I love this pick. DeCastro is the best guard in the draft and the Bengals desperately need help at the guard position. Nate Livings isn't going to get the job done and, even if they re-sign Bobbie Williams for another year, his age means he doesn't have much time left in the league. Getting a good guard that can start right away would be a big deal for the Bengals.

With the No. 21 overall pick, Rang believes the Bengals could pick somebody up for their defensive line: Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe.

The Bengals finished the season ranked 10th in the NFL in rush defense but allowed at least 136 yards rushing in four of their final six games and gave up an average of 200-plus rushing yards in their last two games -- a loss to Baltimore to end the regular season and a loss to Houston in the opening round of the playoffs. Considering the fact that Cincinnati also has three defensive linemen (Frostee Rucker, Jonathan Fanene, Pat Sims) entering free agency, reinforcements could be needed via the draft. Poe is a bit raw but at 6-5, 350 pounds, he's tough to move and remarkably light on his feet.

I certainly understand this pick, especially with three defensive lineman possibly leaving for free agency, but I think I would rather see the Bengals re-sign one or two, or maybe all three, of their defensive linemen and go after a different position with the second first-round pick. They need help in the secondary badly and a selection of a cornerback or safety with this pick, in my opinion, would be the better move.

So, Bengals fans, DeCastro and Poe. What do you think?