While discussing the Trent Richardson scenarios for the 2012 NFL Draft, we found ourselves wondering about position needs as a whole. Granted a lot will happen from now until the draft, such as free agency (which players leave, which players from other teams sign on), to the development and growth of younger players on the team that haven't made their impressions yet. Regardless it's a series of discussions this site -- and every other team-focused website -- will dig into for the next four months.
What would you identify as the biggest positional need?
Jason: I would think that the biggest need is either a cornerback or a safety. The Bengals defense is one or two players from being where it needs to be and a safety or a cornerback that can play opposite Leon Hall can help free up the front seven to do a lot more. The secondary is a liability right now and the Bengals need to fix that.
Josh: Not to mention there's no certainty that Leon Hall will be available to start the season -- wouldn't be unrealistic to see him go on PUP recovering from his Achilles injury.
Josh: But you know that Marvin will go with best player available. At least that's the theory we've always been led to believe, even though they miraculously address needs as if that were their plan all along.
Jason: That's true, but this draft is deep in cornerbacks and safeties and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bengals pick up a safety or corner early.
Josh: I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bengals select upwards to three players in the secondary this year.
Jason: It's very possible. I hope to see them select corners, safeties and offensive linemen early.
Josh: Yep. We've got our offensive weapons in the last two years with Dalton, Green, Gresham and Shipley. It's time to worry about more than just the sexy ball-carriers for once.
Jason: However, I do think that the Bengals need to find a wide receiver in the first three rounds.
Josh: You only have so many people you can select in the first three rounds. And it's not always certain that those players will pan out -- we have two examples of that on the roster today.
Josh: I would argue for middle linebacker. I know that Rey Maualuga has only played one season at middle linebacker, but he left a lot to be desired this season. Perhaps the team is better off with someone else at middle linebacker while Rey returns to the strong-side linebacker spot.
Jason: I was thinking about that the other day, but I think they should give him another year. If Maualuga doesn't improve next season then they should look at upgrading the position. I think there are too many holes in the roster to worry about right now before they start to worry about middle linebacker. With some more coaching I think Rey can still be very good.
Josh: Linebacker is a need. Manny Lawson will be a free agent and who knows about Keith Rivers. Do you want to go into training camp depending on Dan Skuta or Vincent Rey? Though one could argue for Dontay Moch and Roddrick Muckelroy, but they are incredibly unknowns at this point.
Jason: Skuta has been decent when he had to step up and he's contributed on special teams. I just think that linebacker is lower on the list compared to other needs right now. I do think they should re-sign Lawson, though.
Josh: But if you're selecting in the second round, and a far more talented middle linebacker is available, compared to anyone in the secondary, offensive line or running back, don't you consider it?
Jason: I would consider it and if the best player available was a linebacker in the second round and the corners, safeties, receivers or running backs left were projected lower I might do it. I just don't see the draft playing out that way.
Josh: Don't beat yourself up about it. Even Mel Kiper Jr. is wrong about the draft in early January.
If you got to pick the order of players selected in the draft through the first three rounds, what would you do? (example: RB, WR, G, S, CB)
Josh: Well as you said, who knows how the draft will pan out. But my very list of needs, not factoring in prospective rehabilitation of major injuries, expiring contracts on the team and the Bengals signing free agents from other teams, I'd that the most pressing needs in order of priority would be guard(s), safety, cornerback, running back, wide receiver.
Jason: I would say the same. I think that cornerback and safety could be swapped depending on who is available in the draft, but other than that it's the same.
0 recs | 81 comments
Surprised to see little emphasis on OG.
Considering the Bengals were bottom 5 in the league in run blocking on the interior, according to FO.
OG, CB, RB, CB, SS, DT, WR are all needs, probably in that order. I believe the Bengals can address OG via free agency (Grubbs or Nicks), and if they retain Sims, need at DT falls. RB is a big need though once the OG positions are addressed (draft one, sign one via FA). If DeCastro is there at 17, they’ve gotta pull the trigger.
CB – I’d take Kirkpatrick if he’s there. I’m not sure about Dennard or Jenkins yet.
RB – Richardson won’t be there at 21. If he is, you’ve gotta draft him. Not sure if Lamar Miller is worth a 1st rd pick.
SS – Barron at 21? I’d do it.
DT – Not going to be a first round thing this year unless things change in a big way RE: talent available. Retaining Sims might be the best choice.
WR – if Jeffrey or Floyd are still there at 21, I think you pull the trigger.
LB – This seems to be a deep class at LB – might surprise us and pick one. I’m hoping they keep Lawson.
To me, that means the most likely outcome in the first round is OG and CB or WR. Barron will probably be gone. I don’t know if they’ll take Miller, and the draft is much deeper at CB and WR. I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up Gordy (OG) and Jenkins/Dennard in the first – but I wouldn’t be happy either. DeCastro and Kirkpatrick is probably best case, followed by DeCastro and Floyd/Richardson.
jsl413 - January 10, 2012
Especially with half of their O-Line in free agency this year.
But i think some people just get parked on a position or player (like Trent Richardson) and just ignore anything else.
ephram - January 10, 2012
Honestly half the line leaving in FA this year is probably a good thing :)
Marvin is supposed to have more control over personnel and coaches. I think this offseason will tell us if that’s the case or not. Marvin always wants to run the ball and I think he knows how important the interior OL is to the running game.
I see us either drafting a Guard or signing a FA Guard, atleast if Marvin gets his way.
C1ncy4Life - January 10, 2012
GRUBBS!@!!!!
Bengalsfan024 - January 11, 2012
RE:
Oops. Part of the Round Table got cut off. Fixing that now.
Josh Kirkendall - January 10, 2012
CB is my biggest need
While there are areas that need to be addressed (OG, S for sure and DT and LB pending on how FA falls) CB is the biggest need.
Can’t count on Leon Hall to be fully recovered ever, and even so, rule out next season. Clements is short term stop gap. Jones and Jennings proved they are not worth signing to be starters next season.
I’m assuming Kirkpatrick and Claiborne will be off the board at 17. Not sure how Gilmore and Dennard will be ranked. Dennard definitely fits what the Bengals do scheme-wise. Tough to grab elite corners outside of round one who can play a physical man to man style.
Cedric Benson Boat Party - January 10, 2012
Agree and expand to secondary........
If one of the top ones don’t fall, then wait until 2nd when we can still get one of the more talented ones. Need S help badly, outside of Barron there really isn’t a lot of others in this class that I am excited about. We might have to use our 2nd pick in the 1st for him. After that, steep cliff for the drop off.
The Van Buren Boys - January 10, 2012
definitely a good point
but i just don’t expect the bengals to value a S that high and I’m also biased as I am not a huge Baron fan…It’s a lot easier to be a playmaker at S when you have the elite players Alabama has on defense, especially in what has become an offensively challenged SEC.
I also feel that recent 2nd round corner picks seem to never meet the expectations that come with being a second round pick, but to be fair, I haven’t looked this up.
With two picks in R1, it will be interested to see if they use one to move up to the 10-13 range if Claiborn or Kirkpatrick are there.
Cedric Benson Boat Party - January 10, 2012
I think OL is the top need with the secondary being right behind it
Our defense was good enough to win multiple playoff games this year, IMO. I’m not sure our OL is good enough to win a playoff game. In fact the big reason we lost the game to the Texans was OL. The G is supposed to cut block Watts on the Watts pick 6 play. If the G cuts him, the pick 6 never happens and we go into half either ties, or possibly even with the lead and we get the ball first in the second half.
That equals a totally different outcome. Not to mention improving the line will give us a run game while also allowing Gresh to run more routes and not be used so frequently to block.
All that being said, Secondary is a major concern and 1b on my list of needs.
C1ncy4Life - January 10, 2012
Definitely agree
If a G like DeCastro is there R1, I think he would be of great interest to the organization.
I just think the overall value placed on man coverage corners by the league in the first round dictates the Bengals pretty much have to take one there or they are missing out one of the top 3-4 corners in the draft. They can still get a top 5 rated interior lineman in the 2nd-3rd rounds, depending on how the chips fall.
I just want the Nate Livings experiment to end.
Cedric Benson Boat Party - January 10, 2012
History backs you up on this for sure........
I’m just hoping we break a tendency here and finally do something about it. I really want a G out of Free Agency, so that’s why I’m hoping we have the luxury to take more secondary guys. The O line is priority #1, which is why we shouldn’t leave that up to the draft (aka crapshoot). Let’s get a surefire guy who can start right away, problem solved! What a concept, I know :)
The Van Buren Boys - January 11, 2012
i like the points raised in the A LOOK AT THE 2012 BENGALS FREE AGENTS AND HOW IT AFFECTS THE 2012 MOCK DRAFT fanpost
A Collins, D Roland, B Williams, M McGlynn, N Livings are all unrestricted free agents from the O-Line.
L Hall & N Clements are the only returning CB’s, and one of them is returning from a big injury while the other is getting old.
The Bengals often go with Biggest NEED in round 1, and best available in round 2 and beyond.
So it would seem they have to go CB and O-Line in round 1.
ephram - January 10, 2012
but safety would also work for me
if they grab one of the top safeties that would be a definite upgrade.
occams_tiger_teeth - January 10, 2012
Agreed
The secondary is tied with OL as the weakest links on this team.
C1ncy4Life - January 10, 2012
o line has to be addressed
I wouldnt mind movin up to around 10 and gettin martin from stanford. Im still not sold on smith. Maybe the 21st and a third and a later pick. Than richardson at 17.
Jog73 - January 10, 2012 via iPhone app
Not sure that's enough to move up
Moving up in the first is traditionally expensive. Too expensive to make it worthwhile in almost every case, IMO.
C1ncy4Life - January 10, 2012
SS is my pick!
not to say we dont have bigger holes to fill as far as depth for other positions but a playmaking SS would put our defense over the edge.
AMAS85 - January 10, 2012
I'm not counting Taylor Mays out yet.
With a full offseason under his belt with Zimmer (I’m hoping) I think he’ll be a good fit in the defense.
Animal_Like_Football - January 11, 2012
D-tackle
Although not a high priority, I believe we have to add a run stuffing defensive tackle to rotate with Atkins, Peko and hopefully Sims. We went through this entire season with only three defensive tackles on the team at any given time. We only had two true d-tackles active for the last few games. If Atkins, Peko or Sims get hurt, we have to have another person that can step in and help stop the run.
Although it is not as high of a priority as the secondary, o-line or running back, it wouldn’t hurt my feelings if they drafted a d-tackle with their 4th round pick.
AWC71 - January 10, 2012
but a lot of why they don't stop the run
is that as usual Bengals linebackers strike fear into the hearts of nobody. Two guys they got off the street, and Rey “Out of Position” Maualuga.
occams_tiger_teeth - January 10, 2012
Rey is better suited at Strongside as we saw this year
Howard played pretty well, IMO. That leaves a MLB. However, I think the OL and Secondary are much bigger concerns the LB currently.
C1ncy4Life - January 10, 2012
Yes we could have
Rey SLB
Muckelroy MLB
Thomas Howard WLB
DTFCPDX - January 10, 2012
no evidence one way or the other
than Muckelroy will be any good. But he was a fifth round pick, so he’s not magic pixie dust.
occams_tiger_teeth - January 10, 2012
When Muck played last year, he was pretty good.
DTFCPDX - January 10, 2012
+1
I thought he looked really good!!!
biggie22 - January 10, 2012
I still think LB is a need, just less of a need as some other area's
Our front 7 is good enough to take us deep in the playoffs, IMO. Our secondary and OL is where our major needs are.
That being said, if a LB is clearly the BPA then we should take them.
C1ncy4Life - January 10, 2012
Short Memory
Rey was terrible as the strong side linebacker.
Animal_Like_Football - January 11, 2012
Sign Pat Sims to a longterm deal is numero uno.
Use FA to fix the RG, LG, WR, safety and another CB with a couple years left in the tank.
Use the draft to
fix the dline, middle linebacker, RB, depth issues on the lines and whatever was missed from the above in FA.
I’d be thrilled if after day 1 we had a new DE to replace Geathers and a new RB to replace Benson. Thrilled also with a new DE and ILB. Thrilled too with a new CB and DE.
Of course if Sims leaves, put me down for DT and DE or DT and CB.
BENGALS69 - January 10, 2012
agreed on keeping Sims.
redrifle14 - January 10, 2012
Trading up for richardson would be a horrible idea
What good will you be running behind livings mcglynn and cook. We need a top notch guard and a top notch center.
Hoke Hogan - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Improve the O line
Dalton must be protected!
the-dude - January 10, 2012
Absolutely.
The skill positions have to take a backseat to the interior offensive line. And as far as drafting a safety I think of leon hall should be the free safety next year with reggie nelson ss get chris crocker out of here and draft a corner. I don’t think of leon hall is going to have the speed at corner anymore just my opinion
Hoke Hogan - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Well Check out what i wrote and what we should get in the Draft on here
http://www.cincyjungle.com/2012/1/10/2696742/offseason-talk-here-assuming-i-run-the-team
Touhue Cha - January 10, 2012
Huh?
Oregonbengalsfan - January 10, 2012
what the heck
Where did this come from
Helmsy - January 10, 2012
Possibly why he wasn't near as good the last half of the year??????
C1ncy4Life - January 10, 2012
Yeah could be
I remember for a while people were on here raving about Rey in the middle, with a few criticisms here an there, but here at the end of the season, he’s a horrible MLB.
Oregonbengalsfan - January 11, 2012
O-line gets addressed in free agency!!!
With our team be a couple pieces away from be really special we need to grab the best guard available in free agency. Grab a guard later down line like we did with Boling this year.
The way Dre Kirpatrick played last night I might trade up in first rd to take him. I think 1st and 3rd this yr and 2nd next year a get it down.
With our second 1st rd pick I’m taking best player available on defense at any position but DE.
I’m taking James in 2nd rd, he a be steal of draft in our offense with Gruden. And we a never have to watch Tate as a Bengal ever.
With 4th rd pick I’m taking best ss, cb, available.
With our two 5th rd picks I’m going fastest Wr available and the best te left(we need a younger Donald lee).
6th rd we need to try find the biggest nose tackle available.
7th rd it a be nice to find a tackling machine lb
pray4gm11 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
nice response.
Coldmutha - January 10, 2012
I think that's skimping on the most important stuff
occams_tiger_teeth - January 10, 2012
why u say that?
Gruden not going be here for long we need to grab veteran guard or two. We have ton of money to spend. I’ll grab both top guards and best dt available in free agency. I think if we get rid if Benson that a do wonders for our offense. Just think if we get the best guards, James, Scott, and Bush by committee rb, re sign Simpson along with green, Hawkins, shipley, whalen a pick apart any defense. Then when have gresham with new tag team partner think for minute who could compete with that? Green Bay and New Orleans are going lose a lot players in free agency. We go defense early in draft outside of James and just come close to drafting how we been last couple years and I a think we could be seriously favorite to win Super Bowl!!!
pray4gm11 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I guess I have a difficult time believing Mike Brown
is suddenly gonna sign the “best available free agent” at any position. Which means whoever they do pick up at Guard is more likely gonna be like Lawson, a body who isn’t horrible but isn’t gonna get you over the top.
I will fall over stunned if the Bengals signed even one of the top three best available free agent guards. Far more likely they’ll hang on to Livings!
occams_tiger_teeth - January 10, 2012
We have ton of money to spend!!!
pray4gm11 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
In Mikey's head that translates to
“I’ll make a ton of money next year” (cause he isn’t required to spend to the minimum until 20*13*)
occams_tiger_teeth - January 10, 2012
Stop Mike Wallace and Torry Smith
Select a CB and a Saftie with the Bengals Two First Rounders is a gift to Zimmer. Then Zimmer can play go after the QB . No need to drop personal to protect a weak backfield.
Chili Dog - January 10, 2012
MLB
If Zimmer stays, I think he’d want to draft MLB early and would look for Rey and Rivers to fight for their place at OLB. Rey’s had a poor season (even if it has been his first there in the pro ranks) and there are question marks about Rivers as well.
And you got to keep Lawson, extend Howard. Good roster fights there with Skuta, Moch, B Johnson, Muckelroy, Rey and Evans.
wiseking - January 10, 2012
Doubt they move Rey back to OLB when he had a better year at MLB...
Oregonbengalsfan - January 10, 2012
i also think its too early to take him out of the MLB spot
he still has big play ability, but if he can’t prove it by next year, then yea we need to find another one.
AMAS85 - January 10, 2012
Zim's been on his case already
If Zim leaves, maybe there’s no shake-up at LB. If he stays and you want that front seven better, MLB has been a weakness during the season – especially the latter half.
I’m not so sure Rey had a better or worse season than at OLB. More was expected at MLB and it never really happened. Either way, he may not be the long-term starting solution at MLB. But he’s contracted, so on paper he’s not as big an issue as keeping Lawson and looking to extend Howard (who was pumped up on Saturday!).
wiseking - January 10, 2012
And Zim should be on his case
doesn’t mean Zim is looking to change the MLB spot
Oregonbengalsfan - January 10, 2012
We'll see in April
Judged on how key opponents with winning records – Houston, Baltimore and Pittsburgh (all twice) – were able to run it down your throat over the last eight weeks of the season, if you want to get the Bengals to the next level, there are issues with the front seven.
Dunlap and Sims injuries don’t help clearly, but Rey’s had a poor season and those numbers are equally a concern.
wiseking - January 10, 2012
As I mentioned better this year than last
as AMAS85 mentioned… too early
Oregonbengalsfan - January 10, 2012
I agree with you
People love Rey no matter how he plays. He will never amount to anything more than a average MLB. Average is good enough for alot of Bengal fans.
Yarin - January 10, 2012
Oh are you a scout?
Oregonbengalsfan - January 10, 2012
Nope are you?
Don’t need to be a scout. I have watched enough MLB’s to know they aren’t supposed to be on there asses looking up at the sky every play or completely miss tackles.( assuming he even gets anywhere near the RB to begin with.)
Yarin - January 10, 2012
But yet, you KNOW he will never amount to anything
ok
Oregonbengalsfan - January 10, 2012
Rose colored glasses
You can continue watching his play through rose colored glasses. Like I said, some fans are happy with average players
Let me guess you bought his Jersey ,didn;t you?
Yarin - January 10, 2012
LOL no but I also don't deign to think I can judge a players talent/ceiling
especially after 1 year in a position. But hey I’m not running the team and thankfully neither are you.
Oregonbengalsfan - January 10, 2012
Dhani Jones
Led the team in tackles year after year at MLB and he was slow as hell.
Yarin - January 10, 2012
+1,000,000
I hate that a lot of Bengal fans think average players are great. They look great because they play around bum players. Of course nelson gonna look good compared to rest of our secondary. Samething for Howard, ok he had good season compared to Dhani Jones but we still can’t cover tight end. We only have 3 guys(Dunlap, Johnson, Atkins) on defense that’s guaranteed to start next year. Compared to only needing 3 new starters on offense.
pray4gm11 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Howard plays Wlb and Jones played Mlb
I agree though. Dahani could lead the team year after year and Rey doesn’t come close. We need a studd mlb but Rey will have to do for now because we have bigger needs. If they find a replacement I wouldn’t cry about it. Moch is listed as Slb but has speed to play any of the spot. To bad we don’t know shit about him. I don’t think Muckelroy is the answer but he may be better. We have to get these guys heathy and on the field.
Bigcatdaddy - January 11, 2012 via Android app
There's no question marks
Neither Rivers nor Maualuga is a real stud. Period. The end.
occams_tiger_teeth - January 10, 2012
Rivers is our best lb when heathly by far.
Not explosive like Rey but is a tackling machine and never out of position.
pray4gm11 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
I think I've seen Rey out of position plenty of times
he doesn’t have the killer always where the ball is instinct. He’s adequate. But never gonna be a Pro Bowler.
occams_tiger_teeth - January 11, 2012
anybody think leon hall could be the free safety
I just dont know if he will have the speed to play corner this year
Hoke Hogan - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Same thing on every post?
Oregonbengalsfan - January 10, 2012
Who here thinks Hall and Clements
didn’t do the job when they were in there together? None of the three, Hall, Clements, or Jones got beat a lot one on one. When they were getting beat it was over miscommunicating on a cover two, or a zone. When everyone understood their responsibilities the secondary looked pretty good, and when they didn’t it was usually a safety who got confused. So Depending on Halls prognosis I would wait until 2nd or 3rd round to go after a corner. MY first 5 picks are Guard, Safety, RB, CB , best available athlete from there.
keithster - January 10, 2012
Draft Richardson
I would venture to say, if Richardson was running the ball for us we would have had twice the amount of rushing touchdowns. We ended up with 10. Even 5 more could have made a huge difference. Pick up a quality guard in FA.
BDFC - January 10, 2012
i agree...if he falls to us, we have to draft him. Assuming we didn't pick up any RB in the off season
richardson is Ray rice 2.0
AMAS85 - January 10, 2012
Upcoming Draft ?
There’s no way they draft a SS unless Reggie leaves. They love Taylor Mays. They didn’t play him because of Crock was a captain and he arrived late. They started to sprinkle Mays in the lineup…till the hamstring. Bengals got a steal with Mays, first round talent for 7th rounder. He will put it all together next year
Coldmutha - January 10, 2012
we can't assume Mays is going to be the answer
i think he can be an option but I would rather get a play making ss that can play the run as well as they play the pass… a SS that can catch a little bit too….
AMAS85 - January 10, 2012
Mays has speed to play free safety
Mays if he stays healthy if will be our biggest pick up in long time. He is the real deal with coaching up from Marvin. We need multiple big ss now that the league is changing with tight ends becoming more in use. If we go corner with our 1st pick and Barron sitting there we have to take him. Were never had a safety with his abilty in Marvin era.
pray4gm11 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Reggie is FS
We need a SS to replace Crocker.
Bigcatdaddy - January 10, 2012 via Android app
Reggie is free agent
In case he leaves there’s really no difference between ss and fs. He has speed and is a better tackler than any db we have right now.
pray4gm11 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Needs
New starters are actually needed (depending on free agency somewhat):
CB, SS, OG, OG, OLB, WR, RB
Could use upgrades if the right guy came along:
MLB, C, FS, DT
occams_tiger_teeth - January 10, 2012
Heh!
Pro Football Outsiders considers the following Bengals free agents “NOTABLE”
Pat Sims
Reggie Nelson
Jerome Simpson
Andre Caldwell
That’s it!
I wonder how they’d do if they just managed to keep Sims, Nelson, Jennings, Simpson, and Adam Jones (only resign five guys).
occams_tiger_teeth - January 10, 2012
I like the comment about.....
not knowing how highly drafted skill players will turn out, when we have a top 5 pick as our RT that has been a work in progress since he made it to camp, and even now is probably solid at best.
Fact is, we will draft based on what management THINKS they can do via FA. No reason to draft a 2nd WR if they THINK that is a need they can fill via FA. And on the flip side, if they don’t think they can land a good CB, that means they have to draft one.
Stanley1 - January 10, 2012
I am with everyone else....
O Line and secondary — major priorities.
MLB— another huge priority in my book.
Yarin - January 10, 2012
Walter Football posted another mock through the first 4 rounds
1a) Janoris Jenkins CB North Alabama
1b) Cordy Glenn G Georgia
2) Chris Polk RB Washington
3) Antonio Allen S South Carolina
4) Marcus Folston DT Miami
Oregonbengalsfan - January 10, 2012
That would be great!
Bigcatdaddy - January 11, 2012 via Android app
i approve of this
palewook - January 11, 2012
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