The Bengals made waves in the 2011 NFL draft when they were able to pick wide receiver A.J. Green with the No. 4 overall pick and then they hung in there without trading up and got their quarterback, Andy Dalton, in the second round. Of course those two players went on to start a combined 31 games and they led the Bengals offense all the way to the playoffs and both players are likely in the conversation for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
But what about the rest of the draft picks? There were six other players that the Bengals selected and even though a couple of them contributed to the team's 2011 season, they did little to nothing compared to Green and Dalton. Here's how their seasons went.
There was high hopes for Dontay Moch, who was selected out of the University of Nevada. Many were somewhat surprised about the pick but when people learned of his athleticism, his ridiculous speed and his potential to be an outstanding pass rusher, many were excited. Unfortunately, Moch suffered a foot injury in the team's preseason opener and wasn't able to return to practice until October. Due to his foot injury and suffering from migraines, Mock wasn't actually able to practice enough to be active for a game until the last two weeks of the season. Mock didn't accumulate any stats at all in his rookie season but hopefully he is fully healthy and able to make in on the field in 2012 and develop into an effective pass rusher in the NFL.
Clint Boling came into an interesting situation in Cincinnati. Starting right guard Bobbie Williams was suspended for the first four games of the 2011 season because of a violation of the league's performance enhancing substances policy and Boling was the favorite to start. Boling started the first three games but he was pulled in the third game in favor of Mike McGlynn. He took a total of 171 snaps in 2011 and had a final ProFootballFocus.com rating of -1.8 in pass blocking and -3.9 in run blocking. He didn't allow any sacks but he did allow five quarterback pressures. Once Williams came back, Boling was inactive for most of the season until Williams went out for the rest of the season with a broken ankle. Boling was back on the active game-day roster after Williams went on IR, but McGlynn got all the snaps. The guard position needs to be upgraded in the offseason and Boling will have another shot in 2012 to prove that he deserves to be a starter.
Robert Sands was inactive through the majority of the season. After logging 10 tackles in the preseason, but he was inactive through the first 11 games of the season as he was behind Reggie Nelson and Gibril Wilson on the depth chart. He was activated for the team's Week 13 game in Pittsburgh and played on special teams but didn't accumulate any stats. Sands was then inactive for the rest of the season. Like the guard position, the safety position needs an upgrade. Sands will be given another shot to compete for a bigger role in the team's secondary in 2012.
Of all the 2011 draft picks not named Andy Dalton or A.J. Green, Ryan Whalen probably got the most attention, especially at the end of the season. Whalen was stuck behind Green, Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell, Andrew Hawkins for most of the season and he was behind Jordan Shipley early in the year. He was active in Week 3, but didn't accumulate any stats. He didn't catch a pass until the last few games of the season after Andre Caldwell was placed on IR. He finished the season with six catches for 51 yards including two catches in the playoff game. He can be an effective slot receiver and it will be interesting to see what the Bengals do with him when Jordan Shipley comes back in 2012.
Korey Lindsey was released by the Bengals after the preseason. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals and was active for the first four games of the season.
Finley was also released after the preseason. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks but wasn't active for any games.
Hopefully the Bengals are able to get some production out of guys like Clint Boling, Dontay Moch, Robert Sands and Ryan Whalen in 2011 and it would be nice if they were able to get late-round draft picks in the 2012 draft that can produce for the team.
0 recs | 23 comments
Easy answer.......
not much! Didn’t think Whalen would be the primary contributor from this group…..am trying to look at the bright side, like we almost have an extra 3 picks next year (Moch, Boling, Sands). IF they are ready of course…..
The Van Buren Boys - January 12, 2012
Easy Answer....
Clearly they are all dead
Diesel2405 - January 12, 2012
Laughed HARD
and woke my wife up… THANKS A LOT!!!
Luke - January 12, 2012
andre smith ate em
palewook - January 12, 2012
A couple of things
Moch was injured for most of the year and he was our next highest pick behind AJ and Andy.
I think most of have already given up on Bolling and even I’m guilty of at times but the reality he just got thrown to wolves way to early on a shortened offseason. He’s a 4th round pick so I’m willing to give him another year
biggie22 - January 12, 2012
I like Whalen
Seems to me he was actually coming back to the ball and going up to get it, unlike Caldwell & (usually) Simpson. I think he could possibly be the #2 next year. With Green at #1, Shipley in the slot, Gresh at TE, and Hawkins coming in to do the wonderful crazy stuff he does, we don’t need a $2 million guy at #2 to still have a very potent passing attack. Whalen would mostly just need to run crisp routes and beat defenders to the ball on (usually) short routes. From what we saw of him, which admittedly wasn’t much, I think he could do that.
indesignkat - January 12, 2012
+1
not sure I’m excited about him as a #2, but definitely a lot more reliable…. kind of like Kevin Walter (former Bengal we let go for some unapparent reason) for the Texans who beat us the first time during the season.
Blue Steel - January 12, 2012
think of it this way
would you rather have caldwell at WR slot #4 – #5 or whalen?
palewook - January 12, 2012
Exactly
I thought of Kevin Walter too.
indesignkat - January 12, 2012
+1
That I was only one that noticed him. To me he was our most polished receiver. He has good speed, runs routes to perfection, catches everything that comes his way. Reminds me of TJ how he be in right spots all time.
pray4gm11 - January 12, 2012 via mobile
+1
njbengalstat - January 12, 2012
Boling
looked bad early, but a -1.8 for pass blocking isn’t that bad. It’s a lot better than we’re used to seeing from guys not named Whitworth or Collins.
indesignkat - January 12, 2012
I was very down on this draft.
But, Boling can be at the very least a reliable backup and future starter. Whalen is what redeemed this draft class for me, the way he stepped up at the end of the season was fantastic. That gives you three great guys at slot and the final nail in the coffin for Andre Caldwell. Moch may get better and may become a good pass rusher, but if not I think there’s a guy on the PS squad who can stay healthy and be an impact player. That’s DeQuin Evans. Even though he served a suspension for PEDs or whatever.
Cry - January 12, 2012
Is there a possibility Moch can play MLB?
I’d love to see him (or maybe Muchelroy) compete with Rey for MLB. Moch apparently has the intelligence – which is lacking in Rey – and the athletic ability.
Blue Steel - January 12, 2012
I like the idea
He has the speed to get sideline to sideline and the size to play in the middle. It is like were getting a extra 3rd rnd pick next year. It might not have been the migraines as much as by the time he got health enough to get on the field we were in a playoff run and he didn’t have any practice time. Next year could be big for Moch.
Bigcatdaddy - January 12, 2012 via Android app
If Muckelroy is healthy
He definitely has the abililty to compete for the job. Now it’s another thig if the coaches would actually be willing to make the switch.
biggie22 - January 12, 2012
I had high hopes for Muckelroy too
When I think of him, I picture him filling the gap to stop a RB at the line on a goal line stand. I don’t remember why, but that’s how I always think of him. Hopefully he turns out well, once he’s healthy.
indesignkat - January 12, 2012
Cochart and Hawkins should be included on the list too.
BamaBengal - January 12, 2012
This might be a dumb question
But how do you actually pronounce Moch. Is it “moke” as in rhyming with poke. Or is it “mock” as in rhyming with flock. Always kind of bugged me and heard it pronounced both ways.
n8dogg - January 12, 2012
I believe it's the former. "Moke"
lotiondolphin - January 12, 2012
Got it.
Need to make sure I say his name right when he’s blowing people up ( hopefully)
n8dogg - January 12, 2012
What happened to the guys signed AFTER the picks
Andrew Hawkins…23 rec…263 yd…0 td….5 rush….25 yards….0 td
Colin Cochart…5 rec….44 yd….1 td
Who would have thought that these 2 UFA’s would be bigger contributors than the Bengals’ 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th picks COMBINED???
ephram - January 12, 2012
who would have though the bengals would find udfas who could contribute.
JCompton41 - January 12, 2012 via mobile
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