bengals pick

[mrdv1]

I'm really having trouble with these guys in my mock. It seems as if they are always in need of defense right? well if you look at the numbers, they were ranked 29th or lower in rushing, passing, total yards, and points scored on O. Granted palmer was injured. The defense on the other hand, really wasnt terrible, ranking between 12 and 21 in those same categories. Gerald McCoy is staying in school, and this leaves me with a few players I am considering for cincy in my mock. Here's my thoughts

Rey maualuga - Rey would play MLB, and dhani jones would move outside opposite keith rivers, giving them one of the better LB cores in the league. Rivers and Maualuga played in college together, and should already have good chemistry. The question is is that too high a pick for maualuga? Are their better players available? and are there more pressing areas they have to adress first?

If I look at my mock, Cincinnati picks 6th. I have (without revealing what team i have them to) before them picks of Malcolm Jenkins, Andre Smith, Aaron Curry, Sam Bradford, and Michael Crabtree.

This leaves as possibilities other than maualuga
Taylor Mays
Eugene Monroe
Michael Oher
Jason Smith
Jermaine Gresham
Brian Orakpo
and Knowshon Moreno

Now I do think they need a RB, but they seem happy with Perry and Benson, and I highly doubt knowshon goes number 6.

So what do they do? Numbers say they need offensive help, but that will come back with carson palmer. But do they need someone else to protect him? I'm torn myself. I haven't seen much of their previous pro bowl LT Levi Jones. From what I know, he's an outstanding run blocker, but an average pass protector. This for me seems like they could move him to the right side, and draft Smith or Monroe. Monroe is the best overall tackle left, where as Smith is a better pass blocker than Oher.

Another way they could go is draft Mays. Mays could be the most physically gifted athlete in the draft, and with weak safeties, he is a possibility. Is he worth a top 10 pick though?

The other defensive possibility is Orakpo. Orakpo seems to be the higest rated player out of any left, and DE is a week spot on cincy after losing justin smith. Their starting DE's had a total of less than 6 sacks.

So I have arguments for about 4 different players in my head... can anyone shed some insight or an opinion? what is the best value pick and what makes the most sense?

[Saint33]

I think at that point it would be Orakpo or Mays. Those are where they are weakest on defense, at DE and Safety. Their LBs actually outplayed expectations this season. Brandon Johnson was a very solid pick up for them.

[porky88]

I think they'll zero in on three potential players.

Brian Orakpo
Aaron Maybin
Gerlad McCoy

They need help at pass rusher as they simply cannot get to the QB. They coveted Sedrick Ellis last year and I think McCoy is actually just as good as a pro prospect as Ellis is. I actually think Cubbs compared McCoy to Tommie Harris in his mock and I completely agree with that.

I just don't think Taylor Mays is worth the sixth pick in the draft. I also don't think Knowshon Moreno is and taking Eugene Monroe or Jason Smith is also a stretch.

EDIT

I think they'd jump on Michael Crabtree. T.J. is a free agent I believe and I think Chad Johnson is going to be traded this off season so Crabtree makes sense too.

[Saint33]

Originally Posted by porky88 I think they'll zero in on three potential players. Brian Orakpo Aaron Maybin Gerlad McCoy They need help at pass rusher as they simply cannot get to the QB. They coveted Sedrick Ellis last year and I think McCoy is actually just as good as a pro prospect as Ellis is. I actually think Cubbs compared McCoy to Tommie Harris in his mock and I completely agree with that. I just don't think Taylor Mays is worth the sixth pick in the draft. I also don't think Knowshon Moreno is and taking Eugene Monroe or Jason Smith is also a stretch. EDIT I think they'd jump on Michael Crabtree. T.J. is a free agent I believe and I think Chad Johnson is going to be traded this off season so Crabtree makes sense too.

McCoy is staying in school.

[bowler533]

The O-line was terrible. Its not a sexy pick but one I expect them to make.

[cubuffsman78]

Bowler hits the nail on the head. The biggest problems for the Bengals' offense, even when Carson was healthy, was the OL. It was terrible and Palmer never had a chance either. Is there an OL worth taking there is the question.

That's why they might still look defense with the pick because of value. The best players on my board you list available are Orakpo and Maybin. I think Maybin is a 3-4 OLB and Marvin Lewis actually doesn't employ a hybrid defense like he directed in Baltimore. I think Orakpo fits their scheme better. Maybin would be situational in a 4-3 scheme. Orakpo could play every down.

[porky88]

Originally Posted by Saint33 McCoy is staying in school.

Indeed I just read that. I think he could still pull a LeSean McCoy though. He's a top ten pick and I just don't see the reason to stay especially if Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham come out.

Right now my top six would look like this

1. Bradford to Lions
2. Smith to Rams
3. Stafford to Chiefs
4. Crabtree to Seahawks
5. Maybin to Browns
6. Orakpo to Bengals

I think the a couple of scenarios could screw Cincinnati over. If the Chiefs pass on Matthew Stafford and take Brian Orakpo and Aaron Maybin goes to the Browns and Michael Crabtree to Seattle. That leaves Cincy either trading down or reaching for the No. 2 tackle in my opinion or the could take a couple of sleepers for the pick. Everette Brown and B.J. Raji.

You could also have Seattle pass on Crabtree and take Aaron Curry at No. 4. As unlikely as I think that is, Cincinnati facing a decision to grab Michael Crabtree or take Brian Orakpo would be really interesting. Let's just say if I could be in the room while their on the clock with those two on the board, I'd be quite intrigued.

[Saint33]

Originally Posted by porky88 Indeed I just read that. I think he could still pull a LeSean McCoy though. He's a top ten pick and I just don't see the reason to stay especially if Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham come out. Right now my top six would look like this 1. Bradford to Lions 2. Smith to Rams 3. Stafford to Chiefs 4. Crabtree to Seahawks 5. Maybin to Browns 6. Orakpo to Bengals I think the a couple of scenarios could screw Cincinnati over. If the Chiefs pass on Matthew Stafford and take Brian Orakpo and Aaron Maybin goes to the Browns and Michael Crabtree to Seattle. That leaves Cincy either trading down or reaching for the No. 2 tackle in my opinion or the could take a couple of sleepers for the pick. Everette Brown and B.J. Raji. You could also have Seattle pass on Crabtree and take Aaron Curry at No. 4. As unlikely as I think that is, Cincinnati facing a decision to grab Michael Crabtree or take Brian Orakpo would be really interesting. Let's just say if I could be in the room while their on the clock with those two on the board, I'd be quite intrigued.

I think the Chiefs will pass on Stafford personally. I've been very intently watching Thigpen as we let him get snatched up by KC. He's very impressive. I think the Chiefs will draft a QB still, just not at #3. I think Orakpo makes the most sense for the Chiefs.

Cinci will most likely get screwed again this year as the 2 top DE prospects will be taken before them, much like the top 2 DTs were taken before them last year. I think they either take BPA in Aaron Curry at that point, or take a slight reach in Eugene Monroe, Taylor Mays or Everette Brown.

[mrdv1]

Is Maybin really that good? I mean I watched a couple penn state games and didnt hear his name come up much, maybe i didnt pay attention. thats being said, im having trouble placing him. hes 240, which is too small to play DE in the 4-3. The problem there is that only the browns run a 3-4 in the top 10. The next 3-4 teams are the Jets at 16 who wont take another OLB with Thomas, Pace, and Gholston already there. That leaves new England at 20, and thats kind of where I have him now. Would green bay draft him for the 3-4? and would cleveland take him ahead of aaron curry? right now my top 6 looks like this

1.Detroit Lions – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
2.St. Louis Rams – Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
3.Kansas City Chiefs – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
4.Seattle Seahawks – Malcolm Jenkins, CB/S, Ohio State
5.Cleveland Browns – Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
6.Cincinnati Bengals – Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

which leaves maybin falling...

[mrdv1]

EDIT

I think san fran runs a 3-4 also... I have them picking stafford right now. Is it possible they take maybin, only for stafford to fall to the jets at 16?