NFL Draft 2011: Analyzing the Cincinnati Bengals Potential First Round Picks
The Cincinnati Bengals are in a state of disarray that there is no denying. Carson Palmer has thrown his last football at Paul Brown Stadium, and the Bengals could potentially be without Chad Ochocinco, Cedric Benson and Jonathan Joseph. Additionally, the Bengals have glaring holes elsewhere that need addressing, and with former first rounder Andre Smith yet to take off, the pressure on Marv and the gang to get this one right is hotter than ever.
As someone who keeps as up to date as possible with Bengals news, I have read a lot of mock drafts on the Bengals, and while I often agree with what they're saying, I feel like there is not simply one answer with how this Draft could go. It is four weeks until Draft day and I am fairly certain that Bengals management are just as unsure about what they're going to do at number four overall as we are. As Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com put it, when it comes to whom the Bengals will take on Draft day,"Don't write it in pen." While I often disagree with Geoff Hobson's opinions on Bengals issues, he couldn't have hit the nail on the head better here.
It is with this thought that instead of doing a mock draft, I've decided to break down the many possibilities that the Bengals have in front of them, and who I think would be the best fit in Cincy.
Cameron Newton QB
1 of 9
Breakdown
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 248 lbs.
40 Yard Dash Time: 4.59sec
Consensus says
Boom or Bust. Large potential upside, large potential downside. Playmaker. Athletically gifted. Bad footwork. Bad mechanics. Bad reads. Spread guy.
How he would fit in Cincinnati
With Palmer hitting the old dusty trail there is a glaring hole in the Quarterback position. If Cam is available at number four the Bengals will definitely consider pulling the trigger, with fan approval at an all time low they need something to boost morale, and nothing would be 'bigger' than drafting Cam "The Icon" Newton. It comes down to whether the Bengals are willing to take a risk or not, and if a rookie wage scale comes into play, they could be more likely to say hello to Cam Newton. He has the ability to succeed but there are all the obvious issues that people bring up daily that are holding him back (character, years starting, spread, etc).
If Cam Newton does come to town, it will be interesting to see how he gets on with Jay Gruden's West Coast Offense, as Cam Newton has admitted to being the kind of Quarterback who finds a first read receiver and let's rip; he could fit nicely with a run first West Coast scheme. Obviously it will take time for Cam to rein in his impulsive throws, and tendency to go it alone, but it would make for interesting possibilities none the less.
My Opinion
I would be lying if I said i hadn't bought into the hype around Newton. I really do like him, but I would like to see stability going forward in Cincinnati, regardless of whether he is the NFL's next Michael Jordan as some have suggested. This means that I would rather Bengals management didn't take the risk. It would give us fans a sense of faith in our management and that our team are being sensible and moving forward, not continuing to gamble like the Bengals of old.
Blaine Gabbert QB
2 of 9
Breakdown
Height:6'4"
Weight:234 lbs.
40 Yard Dash Time: 4.62 sec.
Consensus Says
Prototypical size and arm strength. Great quickness. Well balanced. Risky thrower. Spread guy. Struggles on deep balls.
How he would fit in Cincinnati
Gabbert is the most game-ready QB on the board, and if the Bengals want someone to start day one, Blaine Gabbert could be their guy. There has been plenty of suggestion that he won't be around at number four, but if he is, like with Cam Newton, the Bengals will definitely consider taking him. He would provide stability for the Bengals, unlike with Newton. Gabbert has a lot more of the skills to make it in the NFL right away and while he arguably has a ceiling that Newton doesn't, he could provide the stability the Bengals desperately need going forward.
My Opinion
If Gabbert or Newton are around at number four overall, they will become a Bengal. As for now I am uncertain how I feel about using the number four pick on Gabbert, but my opinion changes almost daily. He is the one player who I genuinely do not know how to feel about. I hope that by the time Draft day comes around I can say either way how I feel about him, but as of right now I will have to keep studying him. When I watched the guy working out with Mooch of NFL Network I wasn't entirely sold on him, and a number of people have been beginning to question his talent. We'll have to see what changes over the next few weeks.
Marcell Dareus DE
3 of 9
Breakdown
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 319 lbs.
40 Yard Dash Time: 4.93 sec.
Consensus Says
Great intangibles. Explosive. Size and Speed. One of best in class. Hard to critique. Still developing stamina.
How he would fit in Cincinnati
The prospect of adding Marcell Dareus will have Mike Zimmer trembling. He's one of the best prospects in the draft and would be an absolute behemoth placed next to left-end Carlos Dunlap who also had a great rookie season. Dareus is hard to critique and would be a great addition to a defense in search of its identity, adding a lot of firepower.
My Opinion
I love my defense, and however unlikely it is for Dareus to fall to number four, I would be delighted to take him there. Mike Brown, however, loves his offense so it would be interesting to see whether that need is overruled by the prospect of taking Dareus, but we'll have to wait and see. Obviously, this means the Quarterback position would have to be addressed later on, but when a game changer like this comes across your path, you better take him or you're going to get beat up by him for the nest ten years.
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Da'Quan Bowers DL
4 of 9
Breakdown
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 280 lbs.
40 Yard Dash Time: N/A
Consensus Says
Versatile. Impressive blend of height and bulk. Explosive bursts. Strong. Anchor. Great hands. Speed Issues. Technique issues (struggles to get low). Injury concerns.
How he would fit in Cincinnati
Again a Bowers/Dunlap tandem could be a fearsome presence in Cincinnati. Bowers is the outright best pass-rusher in the league and Cincy are in need of that kind of game changer. He would also provide a boost for the Bengals run defense. He put up 61 tackles, 16 sacks and 26 tackles-for-loss last year, and did it all with a bum knee. He has already deemed himself a future Pro-Bowler, and could provide Cincinnati with the explosiveness needed on defense to hang in the AFC North, and bring down big guns like Ben Roethlisberger.
My Opinion
Personally, I disregard the over-the-top concentration on Bowers' knee injury. He's made it quite clear that it's fine and for that to influence my opinion would be unfair. I like the guy a lot. My bias towards taking defensive players early in the draft somewhat influences that, but from the game tape that has been flashed about these past few months, he really looks like the kind of player who will succeed in the NFL. He also comes across well in interviews and carries himself well, as well as being an active film-watcher. I would not have any problem with Cincy sticking their flag in the Bowers camp.
A.J. Green WR
5 of 9
Breakdown
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 211 lbs.
40 Yard Dash Time: 4.5 sec.
Consensus Says
Prototypical speed, height, catch radius. Explodes off line. Win's jump balls. Productive over middle. Highly competitive. Ability to uncover against zone. Not particularly bulky, may struggle with bigger backs.
How he could fit in Cincinnati
With the possibility of Ochocinco being gone before the season begins, and the almost certainty that this could be his last season anyway, the Bengals need depth at receiver. Terrell Owens will likely not return to Paul Brown Stadium either, so the Bengals could do with a sure fire playmaker, especially if a new QB is brought in. A.J. Green could provide that explosiveness on offense and could be a valued asset for years to come.
My Opinion
I'm not sure how I feel about the Bengals taking A.J. Green at number four overall. It is most certainly a lot to pay for a receiver. It comes down to whether the Bengals have enough faith in Simpson/Caldwell to improve their skills, which I do have faith in. For me, I believe in taking a receiver next year if Simpson and Caldwell do not perform well this year. A.J. Green is a great talent right now, but if the Bengals don't have the talent to throw the ball to him, what use is he?
Julio Jones WR
6 of 9
Breakdown
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 220 lbs.
40 Yard Dash Time: 4.39 sec.
Consensus Says
Strong. Physical. Perfect size. Elite body control. Great ball handling. Tough. Great blocker. Good at finding soft spots. Has some trouble in traffic. Still developing as route runner.
How he would fit in Cincinnati
Peter King of SI.com has said that the Bengals have Julio Jones higher on their preliminary draft board, and here's why: Jones is tough and physical. Jay Gruden will need his guys to be willing to block down field with this West Coast style of offense, and what more could he ask for than Julio Jones? He is also definitely a work horse. He is ready and raring to go, and combined with other pro-active rookies, Gresham and Shipley, he could provide excitement for the fans and the team itself.
My Opinion
I am skeptical about taking a receiver at number four like many others are, but if it were a choice between Jones and Green, I would take Jones every time. Green is a much more naturally gifted athlete than Jones, which helps to show just how hard Jones has had to work to get to this position. It is that work ethic and desire that sets him apart for me and many others. If that isn't enough to prove his drive, how about performing at the combine with a broken foot and still lighting it up?
Nick Fairley DT
7 of 9
Breakdown
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 291 lbs.
40 Yard Dash Time: 4.87 sec.
Consensus Says
Size and speed. Great bull rush. Explosive. Great pass rusher. Great hands. Great penetration. Academically poor. Character issues. Emotional.
How he would fit in Cincinnati
Simply put, Fairley is a monster and for as much the same reasons as Dareus/Bowers, he would be useful in Cincinnati as he would give the defense firepower and aggressiveness that is is somewhat lacking, with the currently disappointing Maualuga still trying to find his NFL identity and Carlos Dunlap only surfacing in the second half of the season. In a division like the AFC North, Fairley would be a great addition. He has the ability to be effective from day one and to really thrive under Mike Zimmer's smash mouth style of coaching defense, which is still trying to establish itself.
My Opinion
Call me old fashioned, but I simply don't like Nick Fairley from what I have studied, and that is due to one thing: He's dirty. Some might dispute this and draw comparison to James Harrison as simply an old school hard nosed football player, but I really do have an issue with the cheap-shots I have seen Fairley involved in just too frequently. I have no doubt that the guy is a great football player and should be very successful, but for me sportsmanship is something that is incredibly important. As a Bengals fan I am unsure of whether I would be happy to have him as an ambassador for my team.
Patrick Peterson DB
8 of 9
Breakdown
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 219 lbs.
40 Yard Dash Time: 4.34 sec.
Consensus Says
Monster corner. Good Speed. Great footwork. Strong Press. Great hands. Willing tackler. Great smooth body control. Anticipation issues. Can be inconsistent. Does not have elite recovery speed.
How he would fit in Cincinnati
With Jonathan Joseph being a free agent and Jones/Hall entering the final year of their contracts, the Bengals may look to build for the future. They suggested that Joseph is number one priority, which could mean they will likely address other needs with this pick. If they were to take Peterson, he would help to keep Cincinnati's corners regarded as some of the most formidable in the league. Hall and Peterson would be an incredibly fun tandem to watch.
My Opinion
I really like Peterson, but if the Bengals are serious about competing they need to stick with their already great set-up at the back, re-sign Jonathan Joseph and use this pick to address other needs. Peterson will no doubt be a great player, but as of right now, if the Bengals took a corner, considering the situation they are in, it would be a waste.
Von Miller LB
9 of 9
Breakdown
Height:6'3"
Weight:246 lbs.
40 Yard Dash Time: 4.53 sec.
Consensus Says
Prototypical size. Can flat out run. Explosive first step and closing burst. Great edge rusher. Hard working. Relentless. Great tackler. Reads quickly. Smaller lower half means might struggle with bigger OT's. Lacks man coverage experience.
How would he fit in Cincinnati
Miller could be the pass rusher of Cincinnati's dreams. As Mike Mayock of NFL.com put it when talking about miller, “Two words,” said Mayock. “Defies. Gravity. Bends parallel to the ground. This guy comes off the edge and it’s scary how quick he gets to the quarterback. In my notes from the season, I had the word ‘wow’ written (about Miller) more than any other player.” This could have Zimmer salivating more than Bowers/Fairley, with Dareus likely off the board by number four, he could fall right into Cincinnati's lap. He's been called a class act and a player with great drive and passion for the game. He could well be Cincinnati's best defensive prospect.
My Opinion
As I am sure you have noticed, I like this guy a lot. If the Bengals go defense, Miller is my favourite prospect. He has talent written all over him and yes he does need to bulk up but from what I have seen of his work ethic, this will be no problem for him. I much prefer him to Robert Quinn, and would like to see him slide into Maualuga's spot if Rey shifts to the middle.
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