The Senior Bowl is over and the college players that participated either increased their stock or their stock dropped. The draft is still far away but a picture of the first round of the draft is beginning to clear up. Of course there are always surprises but, for the most part, we know what teams need. As for the Bengals, we know they need a running back, guard, safety and cornerback among other things and not necessarily in that order.
There have been multiple mock drafts and most of them have the Bengals taking a cornerback or safety and a running back with their two first-round picks. Others have them taking a guard with one of those picks too. What we haven't seen is a mock draft that has the Bengals taking a linebacker in the first round.
Until now.
Fox Sports' Peter Schrager's latest mock draft is interesting. He has the Bengals taking a cornerback and a linebacker in the first round with the No. 17 and 21 picks.
For the No. 17 pick, Schrager predicts the Bengals draft North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins.
Jenkins is no angel. He's had multiple issues off the field and was dismissed from the Florida Gators football squad by Will Muschamp a year ago. Talent-wise? He's got top-10 ability. Considered a bit of a gamble because of the off-the-field stuff, he might not even be on some teams boards. If there's one franchise willing to roll the dice, it's the Bengals.
I'm going to go ahead and disagree with this. The Bengals have changed their image lately and I don't think they would jump on the Jenkins train without carefully considering his past. If the Bengals do take a chance on him, I doubt it would be because they're the only team that would. This isn't 2005.
However, you can't disregard Jenkins' talent but players like Jenkins can come at a terrible price and the Bengals may not be willing to pay it.
With the No. 21 overall pick, Schrager thinks the Bengals might grab Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly.
The 2011 winner of the Butkus Award, Kuechly recorded a school and ACC record 532 tackles in just three seasons up at Chestnut Hill. At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Kuechly is more than merely a tackle machine that cleaned up the mess from an awful B.C. front four. He has good speed, can rush the passer and can defend the pass. Cincinnati can go a variety of ways with its two first-round picks this year. They can't go wrong with picking up an elite cornerback talent like Jenkins and a potential 10-year starter at linebacker in Kuechly. Another bonus? Kuechly grew up in Ohio.
I don't see it. The Bengals could use some help at linebacker, but they can re-sign Manny Lawson and let's not forget that Keith Rivers is still around (for now?). Rey Maualuga deserves another year to get used to the middle linebacker position and Thomas Howard had a good season. The running back, guard and safety positions are much bigger needs than the linebacker position is in 2012.
I have to say, I didn't care for this mock draft. Of all the ones we've reported on, this one, at least to me, was the worst. What do you think?
0 recs | 74 comments
With DeCastro, Richardson, and Barron off the board, I could very well see Cincy going for a LB with a second pick in the first round given that it is the BPA. The only way I see this being a bad pick is if we pass up on a RB such as Polk,Miller, or Martin and are not able to get one of them in the second round.
Tampa_Bengal - January 29, 2012
Look!
The only problem with that is there are too many good LBs in this draft. they could probaly get Bradham from FSU in the 3rd round. I would wrather see them take 2 CBs in round 1. Jenkins is by far the best CB, David Wilson is better than Miller. The pic has to be CB, OL…or CB, RB. Would any of you really be mad if the Bengals took Jenkins and Dennard or Kirkpatrick?
Terrell Keith Renaker - January 29, 2012
No way Wilson
Is better than Miller. Wilson has to many holes in his game. Martin and Polk are better than Wilson. I would rather have Pead.
EPK1979 - January 29, 2012 via mobile
I agree Jason...
I dont like this draft at all and I’m not big on the Best Player Available strategy. If there is nobody available at 21 that could address a need then I would rather see the Bengals trade down.
Jason Blanton - January 29, 2012
not a fan
but it is a solid mock, just not what I’d want
joeb69 - January 29, 2012
i dont know about solid...
I saw that he has the Packers taking Tannehill at 28 and I’m thinking really? Why would they waste their first rounder on a QB?
Jason Blanton - January 29, 2012
I meant for us (Bengals fans)
2 really good players
joeb69 - January 29, 2012
arent the packers losing their backup qb to fa?
palewook - January 29, 2012
it's possible
but it’s not like Rodgers is 35-40 either
joeb69 - January 29, 2012
Kuechly is the exact opposite of Maualuga. Good in coverage. Sure Tackler. Smart. Leader of defense. I don’t think they go Guard unless it’s DeCastro. Barron would be the only safety worth a 1st. RB value in in round 2 this year. Can we really argue this? They could easily go LB (Middle or Strong) or WR in this scenario.
Joe Goodberry - January 29, 2012 via Android app
dont like Kuechley
as in gets to the ball and makes the tackle, but far too late. Kuechley’s ceiling is far lower than Maualuga’s
Brennen Warner - January 29, 2012
as opposed to Maualuga who gets to the ball and then runs past it?
Animal_Like_Football - January 29, 2012
not necesarily defending maualuga, i just hate kuechley
Brennen Warner - January 30, 2012
I agree, re: ceiling. BUT Maualuga hasn’t taken one step towards his potential since college. I’m not sure if he’s better at anything than he was.
Joe Goodberry - January 29, 2012 via Android app
But Maualuga
has consistently over pursued on defense this season. And not to mention his buddies Clay and Brian have out played him in the pros.
sgiridharan1982 - January 29, 2012
…
Joe Goodberry - January 29, 2012 via Android app
Guys hate to harp on this but his plays within the system.
Just like JJ who would never get within 5yds of a guy here but in Houston he’s pressing guys at the line of scrimmage. It’s a system and guys have jobs to do! It’s not about one guy being a highlight film it’s about getting guys into position to make plays, and he did a really good job with it for not having coaching during the off season. He’s not playing the position that the other guys are which go get the quarterback he has to cover and make the D calls, he is the Mike quarterback of the D!
ashunte23 - January 29, 2012
JJ never got within 5 yards of a guy?
He was consistently in position to catch balls, he just had hands of stone. He was as good here as he has been in Houston.
indesignkat - January 29, 2012
Nah
Good player but to slow.
Terrell Keith Renaker - January 29, 2012
"Can we really argue this ?"
Damn straight we can. Can see Jenkins over Kuechly. Konz, Miller, trade down, trade up, do anything but this.
laibach - January 29, 2012
Moch/Muckelroy/Rivers
If just one of those comes thru and and plays well, and one is ST and backup that’s all they really need.
No need for LB early
TX Bengal - January 29, 2012
I don't like the Jenkins pick more than I don't like the Kuechly pick.
Joe Goodberry - January 29, 2012 via Android app
hmm. double negative.
That might be the most confusing sentence I’ve read in awhile. =)
Animal_Like_Football - January 29, 2012
not a double negative
would it help if he’d said he dislikes the Jenkins pick more than he dislikes hte Kuechly pick?
indesignkat - January 29, 2012
Not to be the grammar police or anything ...
I just found it funny.
Animal_Like_Football - January 29, 2012
It's grammatically sound though..
‘I dislike the Jenkins pick more than I dislike the Kuechly pick.’ Same difference.
Cry - January 29, 2012
It would have been so much easier to just say
“I like the Jenkins pick less than the Kuechly pick.”
Whatever, I’m nitpicking. I just thought it was a confusing sentence.
Animal_Like_Football - January 29, 2012
My pick....Dont'a Hightower.
Speed, intensity and size. Mentally ? Dont’a know.
sofakingood - January 29, 2012
I like that because he can play MLB or SLB. Plus he can rush the QB in nickel
Joe Goodberry - January 29, 2012 via Android app
He's a bruiser and the jury is still out on Rey. Need someone big and mean in the middle.
sofakingood - January 29, 2012
The only problem with Hightower is his injury history.
DTFCPDX - January 29, 2012
I'm not a fan of Jenkins we need to take a G Peter Konz
and I wouldn’t hate getting a LB in this draft as it;s so deep in them not in first round with other BPA on board Floyd, Brockers, Wright or Barron.
messjunk - January 29, 2012
dont like a 1st round LB
we have more pressing needs in 2012
palewook - January 29, 2012
BPA>Needs if a need position isn’t worthy of the pick.
Joe Goodberry - January 29, 2012 via Android app
if the talent pool is that limited at that pick
more a fan of trading the pick away for another day or more picks next year than guys sitting on the bench in a position we didnt need.
palewook - January 29, 2012
Always easier said than done.
Joe Goodberry - January 29, 2012 via Android app
depends on your organization
a ton of trades in 2011’s draft
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft
palewook - January 29, 2012
I would like Kuechly
His fundamentals are way better as a college player coming out than Maualuga’s are now, being a 3rd year pro. I also don’t see Maualuga’s ceiling being better than Kuechly either. Rey still shows the things that made him drop to a second rounder in the first place. Yes Rey probably offers more from a athletic stand point but I want the guy that is the leader of the defense to have a clue.
EPK1979 - January 29, 2012
Also
Maualuga hasn’t exactly proven he can stay healthy so far in his Bengals career.
EPK1979 - January 29, 2012
Maualuga
not sure what happens to him long term in cincy. can see the team looking to upgrade the position in 2013 if he continues on his current pattern.
palewook - January 29, 2012
Draft need early
BPA later. We need secondary and oline help immediately
quickslant - January 29, 2012 via mobile
I agree
but lets say we sign offensive lineman, corner and fill some other positions through free agency. Then it allows you to take best player available no matter which round and at 21 Kuechly would provide you great value.
EPK1979 - January 29, 2012
Free agency should help fill voids
But they are tricky. I feel its best to build through draft. I like FAs to fill a void to take team to next level. However, they most often leave you broke
quickslant - January 29, 2012 via mobile
i dont mind it at all
Sure we have big needs at guard, but with decastro gone what’s left? And Richardson or nobody in the first at running back, and I’m not sold on Barron. I think a smart backer, like dhani was, is a must for zimmers defense. Rey can move back outside, where he seemed to play better anyways.
JCompton41 - January 29, 2012 via mobile
+1
Get the most talented player possible in the first round. According to Mr. Goodberry at least, this is a deep draft for CB, RB AND OG this year, but not necessarily in the first round. I’d rather not reach for a guy because we’re desperate at a position.
I think they’ll have some guys slightly higher on their boards than others because of need, but they should be picking for talent, not out of desperation.
Animal_Like_Football - January 29, 2012
+100
Joe Goodberry - January 29, 2012 via Android app
and we have the extra first
So we cant waist the chance to add two first round talent players because that’s not an opportunity that comes around often.
JCompton41 - January 29, 2012 via mobile
If you draft for need...
you’re more likely to draft a Bust. Take the best player who will be the better player. Needs this year don’t equal needs next year. It’s unpredictable. Drafting good players is the key. Doesn’t matter what position.
Joe Goodberry - January 29, 2012 via Android app
we don't exactly have a solid scouting department
the success of identifying a good player vs a mediocre player in the nfl isn’t always a given. there are programs that draft their perceived BPA’s all the time with limited success.
ignoring a need is a risk as much as taking the BPA can be.
the issue you are addressing, which is over-reaching, can bite a team in the butt. taking any RB in the 1st round but for richardson in 2012, is an example of over-reaching. in those cases where there are no players to fill a need available for your team, its best to trade down or BPA than grab at a gamble.
palewook - January 29, 2012
The same scouting department
Has 4 probowlers in the last 2 drafts… They may miss after the 5th but everything before that has been solid the past few years…
Dwight Carter - January 29, 2012
pro bowl is a bad indicator of skill set.
would agree cincy has hit on some cylinders in past 2 drafts. keep in mind we’ve taken 8 players or so in the past 2 drafts, so pointing at 6 guys and saying, “see its a good draft.” leaves out the fact, there are 10 guys that aren’t getting it done.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati_Bengals_draft_history
has a decent overview on the past drafts.
palewook - January 29, 2012
That's just the nature of the draft though
Every team has as many (if not more) misses than they have hits. The teams that find those home run picks (like Atkins in the 4th, or Mike Wallace in the 3rd) are the teams that see the most dramatic changes from year to year.
Animal_Like_Football - January 29, 2012
Whooaaa lol...
Before we do that, look at the other teams too! I’ll agree the Probowl is not a good indicator and this passed draft specifically because to my knowledge only 2 players got on the field. However, just because they haven’t got on the field yet doen’t mean they won’t. Anything after the 5th round are the real gambles. By then you either get lucky or you cut them in a year or 2. Anything in the 4th and below that have been contributing the past few years are where they have stuck gold With Coffman prally being the only one that just busted and I just believe they haven’t used him right or he just never fit their system.
Dwight Carter - January 29, 2012
coffman
i’ll always be convinced, the team failed coffman. coffman taken by the right team used in a way his talent could have shined, held a ton of potential. to take one of the best hands TEs in recent years, insist his blocking gets up to nfl standards before you allow him to play, seems to be a failure on the bengals part. you draft a guy for what he can do or utilize what his skills are.
on another team, coffman might have been something special.
palewook - January 29, 2012
I agree completely
Coffman was phenomenal in college. He’s had 3 catches since he was drafted. Not because he couldn’t get open or didn’t catch the ball when it was thrown to him, but because he’s been on the field for like 15 plays total. They never even tried to find out what they had. All they did was bitch about his lack of blocking ability. Did they not know who they were drafting?
The TE coach Hayes may be unfireable because his brother is kicking ass as the DL coach, but he needs to start showing something. Coffman was completely wasted and Gresham hasn’t improved one whit since he came into the league.
indesignkat - January 30, 2012
I think everyone knows how I feel about Jenkins...
The 21st pick should either be traded down to an early pick in the 2nd and another future pick or get Miller, Polk, Konz or Glenn. A linebacker??? I can’t see that. It’s one of their deepest positions.
Dwight Carter - January 29, 2012
Martin too at 21...
Dwight Carter - January 29, 2012
But no impact players at LB.
Joe Goodberry - January 29, 2012 via Android app
isn't it odd
marvin know for his killer LB core in baltimore has struggled in cincy to find any of those LBs in the draft or FA.
(damn you odell. probably the best lb lewis had in cincy)
palewook - January 29, 2012
I don't know about that...
Rey flashed his potential in his first year playing Mike. Did he do it like Odell, not quite but his ankle injury limited him. He over pursue and sometimes gets lost in the shuffle but he should be adjusted, healthy, and have a full offseason to grasp the position and practice it. What message does it send if they draft Kuechly??? Rey can’t cover TE’s playing strong. I’m not a fan of it.
Dwight Carter - January 29, 2012
why does Rey need time to grasp his "natural position"?
so sick of these excuses
indesignkat - January 29, 2012
the mock isn't bad....any bock that has us skipping a round 1 RB isn't bad
LB isn’t a weak position, but…if DeCastro is gone we might as go for best value
ephram - January 29, 2012
can we stop making excuses for Rey, please?
I know we all want him to be great, I do too. He just isn’t. First you said he was out of his natural position, then he played MLB (his natural position, supposedly) and after a season of mediocrity you say he needs more time to adjust to the position? I thought it was his natural position?
I really want him to be great, I like rooting for him, but he just hasn’t been great. He’s been a little on the plus side of mediocre. That’s it.
indesignkat - January 29, 2012
I agree
I want Rey to suceed and I know he was limited with the ankle this year but at some point he has to take a step forward. If he doesnt he should be replaced.
EPK1979 - January 29, 2012 via mobile
in the NFL you only get what you earn
Right on indesignkat! Would be great if Rey had become the player we thought he was but there is no way we shouldn’t use a 1st round pick or FA to upgrade the MLB position if the opportunity is there. Big mistake if we go into next season thinking Rey can take his game to an elite level.
I have no idea if the Kid from Boston College can be the real deal every Sunday. In general the whole draft seems like a crap shoot if you are in market for RB, CB, LB. I just can’t see taking an OG in the 1st round. There must be a battle tested free agent OG that is a safer bet and worthy of the big pay day.
Jim Spann - January 29, 2012
were not taking offense in 1st
Unless Richardson or DeCastro fall into our lap. I don’t know about a linebacker but were taking defense in 1st.
pray4gm11 - January 29, 2012 via mobile
we dont have tackling machine lb
So that won’t be bad pick. Hightower will be nice addition also.
pray4gm11 - January 29, 2012 via mobile
It all depends on Muckelroy
And how he is progressing from his injury. If healthy, I think he can be a stud MLB, which would make drafting another MLB early a mistake
biggie22 - January 29, 2012
Define: Stud
Because we’ve been throwing that word around a lot lately.
Joe Goodberry - January 30, 2012 via Android app
hebron fangupo
Byu dtackle. 6’1 331. Big strong tackle, be a run stuffer. Might be a good 7th round pick who could fill in on rotation.
JCompton41 - January 30, 2012 via mobile
So Tired of Similar Comments as this guy's Mock
Been hearing Jenkins so much it’s like a broken record. These are obviously so-called “experts” that don’t ever pay close attention to the Bengals. I couldn’t agree with you more. As far the LB as well, I can’t see that happening. You have to think CB and G most pressing needs right now. I’m glad you took this guy to task.
MikePF - January 30, 2012
I agree with LB being on the board
In my mind, LB would have to be the BPA at that point in the draft. Clearly could use a guy who is BPA at #17 or #21. Rey is serviceable at ILB so far, but not elite. Lawson may not come back. If he doesn’t a OLB is definitely on the board.
For our defense, we have lots of spots needing upgrade with 1st round talent. Everybody likes to talk about our “top 10” defense, not me.
It played like a top 32 defense in December and that is the most critical month of the season.
CB, Safety, OLB, ILB, DE and DT all need talent infusion.
Depending upon FA, I could see the Bengals going defense at #17 and #21. Of course they could just as easily go offense, just depends upon FA.
BENGALS69 - January 30, 2012
not sold on the idea of drafting ray's replacement with one of our 1st round picks
if we’re really ready to give up on ray, sign D’Qwell Jackson (who is a FA)
palewook - January 30, 2012
Mock Drafts are fun,but
They are guess work, based on team needs. Dont get me wrong, I love reading them…probably read 100 already. Once FA starts, team needs will be a lot more transparent.
MY WISH LIST:
DeCastro
Upshaw
Kirkpatrick
Richardson
Barron
if we get two of the aforementinoed, i will be excited.
DivaWidereceiva - February 12, 2012
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