Cincinnati Bengals: Full 2016 Draft Guide and Preview

The Cincinnati Bengals enter the 2016 NFL draft in rather unfamiliar territory.

Head coach Marvin Lewis and his staff aren't in a position to take the best player available and call it a draft, not after offseason losses such as Marvin Jones and spots either needing an upgrade (defensive tackle) or an infusion of depth (defensive end).

There also aren't any compensation picks, meaning Cincinnati has seven picks to get it right, in theory striking the perfect balance between immediate contributors to get over the first-round playoff hump and long-term outlook insulating the roster from a collapse.

It's a tall task, indeed. Here's a look at the 2016 full draft guide for the Bengals.

Draft Picks

Draft Picks

Round 1, pick No. 24 overall

Round 2, pick No. 55 overall

Round 3, pick No. 87 overall

Round 4, pick No. 122 overall

Round 5, pick No. 161 overall

Round 6, pick No. 199 overall

Round 7, pick No. 245 overall

What to Know

1. This is the fewest amount of draft picks Cincinnati has had since the 2007 draft. It comes at an odd time, too, because this year feels like the first in a long time the Bengals could use some extra depth picks.

2. Lewis and Co. aren't afraid to trade up and get a guy they like, such as in 2014 when the team struck a deal with the Seattle Seahawks to move up in the fourth round and take center Russell Bodine.

3. Cincinnati has gone offense with a first-round pick six of eight times since the 2009 draft. The two exceptions were for cornerbacks, so if the team isn't getting quarterback Andy Dalton some help, corner is the position to watch at No. 24.

Top Needs

Gary Landers/Associated Press

A.J. Green needs some help at wideout.

1. Wide Receiver

Cincinnati might have more needs than usual this year, but that doesn't mean there are a ton of them.

The Bengals lost Jones and Mohamed Sanu this offseason, meaning one of the league's best No. 2 wideouts and a key depth guy walked out the door. While young guns such as James Wright and Mario Alford might play a future role, as will free agent Brandon LaFell, the Bengals need more of a sure thing.

Observers can expect the Bengals to grab a No. 2 wideout in the first or second round to put across from A.J. Green.

2. Defensive Tackle

Cincinnati didn't take a major hit on the interior of the defensive line this offseason, but it's more important than ever to upgrade at the spot next to Geno Atkins.

The Bengals still have Domata Peko and Pat Sims. While worthwhile veterans, neither is starter material, and prior attempts to unearth a starter via the draft have face-planted.

In a defense-heavy draft, now is the time for the Bengals to find their guy.

3. Defensive End

Like the interior of the defensive line, the Bengals haven't had much success building the future on the edge.

Margus Hunt came close to losing a roster spot last summer, and the jury's still out with Will Clarke. Compounding the issue is the loss of Wallace Gilberry in free agency.

With the rotation hurting behind Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson, it's time for the Bengals to hit the position relatively high in the draft to ensure a strength remains a strength.

4. Safety

Cincinnati lost Reggie Nelson to free agency, something that seemed inevitable after his stellar season upped his price tag and his age (32) suggested it was time for a change.

The coaching staff might like one of Derron Smith or Shawn Williams rotating in next to George Iloka based on the situation, but it couldn't hurt to go out and get some depth and groom it for the future just in case.

5. Offensive Line

The Bengals aren't a team willing to admit mistakes often, though the front office might not have a choice this year with the aforementioned Bodine still not proving himself as a reliable starter.

Grabbing an interior guy at some point is a good idea, if not to push Bodine at center, then to provide critical depth at guard.

Top Targets

Wide Receiver

1. Josh Doctson, TCU: Josh Doctson will remind some of Jones, and he's got the ability to step in right away and play the same role for the Bengals thanks to a polished route tree and an ability to beat most to the ball at its highest point.

2. Corey Coleman, Baylor: A speedster in the DeSean Jackson vein, Corey Coleman would slot right in and give the Bengals a deep threat they haven't had in years.

Defensive Tackle

1. A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama: Sheldon Rankins out of Louisville would be nice, but A'Shawn Robinson is probably a better fit as a run-stuffing machine at 6'4" and 307 pounds.

2. Jarran Reed, Alabama: Ditto for fellow Alabama product Jarran Reed, who comes in at 6'3" and 307 pounds. According to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, "…teams looking for a battle-­tested run ­stuffer will find an instant upgrade who should be able to come in and start immediately if needed."

Defensive End

1. Kevin Dodd, Clemson: With bigger names off the board by 24, Clemson's Kevin Dodd isn't a terrible consolation prize. He's 6'5" and 277 pounds and a bit of a work in progress, which is great for a rotational role.

2. Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky: One of the bigger character risks in the draft, Eastern Kentucky's Noah Spence seems like a typical Lewis rehab project. His relentless motor and elite athleticism could have him eating more snaps as a rookie than expected.

Safety

1. T.J. Green, Clemson: A late riser in the draft process, T.J. Green is a freak athlete at 6'2" and 209 pounds who ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the combine. Shades of Taylor Mays (who is back on the roster), but a high-upside guy worth a look.

2. Vonn Bell, Ohio State: Though smaller at 5'11" and 199 pounds and somewhat lacking as a run defender, Ohio State's Vonn Bell is a solid center fielder who can defend the pass well and is worth a look in the second round.

Offensive Line

1. Ryan Kelly, Alabama: If Cincinnati wants a center, it doesn't get better than Alabama's Ryan Kelly. A mauler even in the SEC, Kelly is assured a first-round selection.

2. Nick Martin, Notre Dame: While not as athletic after a knee injury, Notre Dame's Nick Martin is a smaller center (6'4", 299 lbs) who uses intelligence and leverage to win.

The Latest Rumors

Darron Cummings/Associated Press/Associated Press

The Bengals met with corner William Jackson.

1. William Jackson III Visits Bengals

Remember that nugget about the Bengals only taking corners in the first round as of late? Don't be shocked if it's William Jackson III out of Houston.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Jackson set up a visit with the Bengals: "University of Houston cornerback William Jackson III visits the Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars this week following recent visits with the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams, according to a source not authorized to speak publicly."

Jackson certainly fits the Bengals from a schematic standpoint and comes in at 6'0" and 189 pounds, so mutual interest makes plenty of sense.

2. Emmanuel Ogbah Visits Bengals

According to NFL Network's Rand Getlin, the Bengals met with Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah.

More of a run-stuffing end than a rusher at 6'4" and 273 pounds, Ogbah showed motor issues in college. However, when he was on, he looked like one of the better players in the country. Slapping him in a rotation with veterans will squeeze the most out of his huge upside.

At the least, an apparent visit shows Cincinnati knows it has work to do on the edge.

3. Chris Jones Visits Bengals

Also according to Getlin, the Bengals met with Mississippi State tackle Chris Jones.

While perhaps not a first-round prospect, the caveat with Jones, who comes in at 6'6" and 310 pounds, is versatility. He can play any spot on the line, meaning he's a strong plug-and-play option in most scenarios.

If Cincinnati wants a two-birds, one-stone approach, Jones is the guy.

7-Round Mock Draft

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Josh Doctson gets a nod in the first round.

Round 1: Josh Doctson, WR, TCU: If Doctson drops, he's the pick. He's the perfect fit, a guy who can take pressure off Green and tight end Tyler Eifert while also making the most of those jump balls Dalton loves to toss up.

Round 2: Chris Jones, DL, Mississippi State: The interest in Jones is intriguing. A force against the run, he'd have the basic talent to start next to Atkins if the coaching staff gives a rookie that much run at a spot manned by trusted veterans.

Round 3: Max Tuerk, C, USC: A guy who tore up his knee in October or he'd come off the board higher, Max Tuerk is a nice high-upside pick. He's perhaps far enough away from playing to not threaten Bodine too much, but good enough to put him on notice and spur competition.

Round 4: Jihad Ward, DE, Illinois: Jihad Ward is a typical Cincinnati edge pick given his huge frame at 6'5" and 297 pounds. He'd be a strong rotational guy on the edges as a rookie and put Hunt and Clarke on even hotter seats.

Round 5: Roger Lewis, WR, Bowling Green: An over-the-middle guy who can move the chains and get physical, Roger Lewis comes in at 6'0" and 201 pounds. He can't be expected to take over the Sanu role right away, but that's what the Bengals have a season of LaFell for.

Round 6: James Bradberry, DB, Samford: A large defensive back at 6'1" and 211 pounds, James Bradberry fits the Lewis mold because he can play press coverage well and looks like a transition candidate if the team wants to move him to safety.

Round 7: Tre Madden, RB, USC: The Bengals don't have an abundance of picks this year, but at this point, the roster has more talent than it will fill anyway. It's always smart to take a running back given the wealth of injuries always happening there. Tre Madden provides a bonus, which is a must—he can run well when healthy and is an explosive special teams contributor.

Stats are courtesy of NFL.com and accurate as of April 26. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.