Wes Bunting of the National Football Post has picked out the top-10 prospects in the All-Star Classic after three days of practice in Little Rock, Arkansas. Those players range from quarterbacks to defensive backs. It's no secret that the Cincinnati Bengals have a lot of holes in their roster to fill as some spots need upgrades and they stand to lose a handful of players in free agency.
According to Bunting, two of his top-10 players would be good fits for the Bengals.
The first is his No. 3 ranked player, Utah State running back Michael Smith -- 5-foot-8, 208 pounds
A short, compact athlete who displays an explosive element to his game when pressing the line of scrimmage. He runs low, has a good feel between the tackles with the short area quickness to side step defenders laterally and accelerates into the open field. Looks like a draftable NFL back to me.
There's no question that the Bengals need a new running back. Not only do the team and Cedric Benson seem to heading in separate directions but the Bengals could use an upgrade to help their flat running game. However, this is likely to be a position that the Bengals will upgrade early in the draft with a player like Trent Richardson, Doug Martin or one of the other top backs in this year's class. If they select Smith, I would think it would be in a later round.
The other player Bunting says would be a good fit may come as a surprise: Richmond quarterback Aaron Corp -- 6-foot-4, 214 pounds
When you watch his footwork from under center and when asked to re-set his feet and balance himself in the pocket, he looks like a NFL caliber QB. He throws a catchable football; looks natural on the move and his arm strength should continue to slightly improve as he adds more bulk/strength to his lean frame.
It's obvious that Andy Dalton is the quarterback of the future and I doubt that the Bengals would look to waste another draft pick on a quarterback in 2012, especially when they can find a journeyman backup like Bruce Gronkowski in free agency. However, if they would draft a quarterback, it would just be to fill a longer term backup roll for Dalton. I just don't see it this season.
0 recs | 14 comments
Mr. Goodberry
Where does Smith rank on your big board for RB’s, or does he I can’t remember.
TCfromDubVee - February 2, 2012
I doubt he has him ranked.
jimbasa - February 2, 2012
I didn’t have him ranked which sucks because I watched 4 Utah St games to watch their starting RB, Robert Turbin. Who I have a 4-5 round grade on. Now i’ll have to re-watch these games.
Joe Goodberry - February 2, 2012 via Android app
The kid looks the part
Michael Smith- HB- #34 Height: 5’8" Weight: 200 Est 40 Time- 4.26
the “other” Utah State RB….. Smith ran a 4.26 over the summer and is like lightning with the ball in his hands…. owns a 7 yard per carry on the season…. has good hands and can make people miss in the open field (doesn’t just run around everyone)….. reminds me a lot of a poor man’s MJD and he will get a shot in someones TC….. type of kid who could surprise everyone in TC and make the roster……
Projection: UDFA (I could see him being drafted if all the stars align though)
biggie22 - February 2, 2012
We could put
Michael Smith, Doug Martin (who I want us to draft in 2nd) and Andrew Hawkins all on the field together and have the “mighty midgets” running around!!!
biggie22 - February 2, 2012
Sounds like he's built like Ray Rice.
jsl413 - February 2, 2012
Not saying 5' 8' is not possible to be successfull
Sproles Ray Rice ….ect….
But I was hoping for the a pounder….I could be wrong but never even had this guy on my radar and I really only see them swaying from the top 4 if for some reason they get swindled with a bad trade….which god help us if that happens.
Toasted_Orange_Monster - February 2, 2012
What about Robert Turbin?
jimbasa - February 2, 2012
see above comment
Joe Goodberry - February 2, 2012 via Android app
Just want to add to the photo caption...
Gratz to Ohio University Bobcats for winning their first bowl game (which was vs. Utah St.) in…geez seems like forever!!?? Yeah…yeah… It was the Idaho Famous Potato Bowl or whatever…but still, keep up the good work ’Cats. (Miss my home town of Athens, OH.)
morrison360 - February 2, 2012
That was a good game
Ohio University’s WR Brazill stood out to me, he was really good in that game, maybe we should look at him if he goes free agent, i mean he’s a bit undersized and small for NFL WRs but we have a thing for small receivers i mean look at Hawkins
ARoo - February 2, 2012
Bennie Brazell all over again?
Whatever happened to him? Looked electric in the preseason a couple years in a row, but I don’t think he ever played in a real game.
indesignkat - February 2, 2012
No... wrong Brazell
He actually is a track and field coach at LSU. But… LaVon Brazill, is 5’10 195lbs runs a 40 in 4.39-4.59 “Brazill racked up 65 catches for a school-record 1,036 yards this season with 10 touchdowns” He’s ranked #33 in receivers in the draft, and he can also do kick returns fairly decent only thing is hurting his stock is he has knee surgery earlier in the year but he still played remarkable in the Idaho Potato Bowl game even though he just had his surgery. I mean i’m not saying pick him up in the draft, but if he’s a FA why not give him a look?
ARoo - February 2, 2012
"With their second first round pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select
KiJana Carter, running back, Penn State".
dingle - February 4, 2012
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