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I have a love hate relationship with Mock Drafts. Most of the time I read them, see who the Bengals are going to select, and then slowly convince myself how that could be a great pick for the Bengals.
Some of you instantly have a visceral reaction and proclaim "worst mock ever" and bash in the comments. Yeah, I read them, and I chuckle. Some of you will rip me for the moronic selections not realizing that I am pulling this from someone else and sharing it here for your enjoyment.
The site Drafttek.com does a computer simulated draft based on a users input of needs for each team. Basically a skynet type simulator based on Joe Schmoes view of what the front office wants. Here is what was selected for the Bengals.
| Round | Pick | School |
| 1 |
Dee Ford - DE Fluid athlete with impressive burst, agility and underrated strength. As his size suggests, Ford relies on his burst off the snap to gain the corner against offensive tackles. He accelerates smoothly and is flexible enough to bend around the corner as a pure speed rusher. |
Auburn |
| 2 |
Trent Murphy - DE Murphy was the 2013 national college football sack leader with 15 sacks, Murphy was also the 2013 highest career sack leader with 32.5 sacks. Murphy is considered a top 3-4 defense or 4-3 defense OLB/DE prospect for the 2014 NFL Draft |
Stanford |
| 3 |
Stanley Jean-Baptiste - CB Nebraska's top cover cornerback throughout the 2013 season, and helped the Huskers feature one of the top pass defenses in the Big Ten. The 6-3, 220-pound Jean-Baptiste has an unusual combination of size, speed and athleticism, and in 2013 he combined that skill set with consistent performance to become one of the Big Ten's top corners |
Nebraska |
| 4 |
Andre Williams - RB Started all 13 games at running back ... recorded school records for rushing attempts (355) and rushing yards (2,177); captured the NCAA statistical championship in rushing yards and rushing yards per game (167.5 |
Boston College |
| 5 |
James Hurst - OT Good push in the run game with strong hands and limbs to jolt at the point of attack, extending well. Stays light on his feet when pulling with heady awareness to pick up defenders in motion. School-record for career starts (49), playing every snap at left tackle. |
North Carolina |
| 6 |
George Uko - DT Versatile defender who lined up all over the defensive line for the Trojans, including at defensive tackle, defensive end and even at nose guard. |
USC |
| 6 |
John Brown - WR Dangerous space player with his natural athleticism, speed and instant acceleration. Very controlled movements with decisive start/stop quickness and sharp footwork in his routes. Gets vertical in a hurry. |
Pitt St |
| 7 |
Garret Gilbert - QB Gilbert passed for 3,528 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2013. He missed two games due to injury. He finished his college career with 9,761 yards and 49 touchdowns. |
SMU |
| 7 |
Jemea Thomas - CB/FS Fluid athlete with the footwork to cover a lot of ground and puts himself in good position with his natural awareness to read/react quickly. Plays aggressive and physical for his size, and has exhibited impressive versatility, providing depth at safety and cornerback early in his career before taking over at the starting rover position in 2012 and leading the team with four interceptions that year. |
Georgia Tech |
Click on the DraftTek link above to see the full simulation and compare the Bengals selections to who was available at the time. Outside of the Dee Ford selection, the other names on the list are not players that have been commonly linked to the Bengals.
Would you be happy if the Bengals waited until the 7th round to look at a quarterback? Is a running back in the 4th the right spot for the Bengals to get someone to aid in the backfield?