Cincinnati Bengals Mock Draft: 5 Players Who Could Make Them Contenders

With the 2012 NFL Combine underway and draft prospects trying to prove their value to potential employers, it's time to take a look at which prospects the Cincinnati Bengals front office needs to keep their eyes on.

There are undoubtedly quite a few holes on the Bengals' roster, specifically at guard, running back and secondary, and the Bengals would be wise to add depth to those positions in the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft.

While the Bengals could potentially try to add depth to their roster through free agency, the safer bet is to focus on the 2012 NFL Draft, where they can not only add depth, but also continue to build on the foundation they have for the future of the franchise.

With youthful Pro-Bowl talent like Andy Dalton, A.J. Green and Jermaine Gresham, if the Bengals can manage to get the right pieces in this year's draft, the Bengals came become legitimate contenders in the AFC.

Ahead are five players that the Cincinnati Bengals need to keep an eye on in the 2012 NFL Combine, and subsequently select in the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft.  

Nebraska CB Alfonzo Dennard: 17th Pick (1st Round)

The Cincinnati Bengals had one of the best statistical passing defenses in the NFL, ranking 9th in yards allowed with an average of 208.3 YPG, but the one thing their secondary failed to do was create turnovers.  The Bengals only recorded 10 interceptions all season long, which ranked 26th overall in the NFL.

If the Bengals want to contend in the next few years they have to become more opportunistic on defense, and drafting shutdown corner Alfonzo Dennard out of Nebraska with their 1st pick in the 2012 NFL draft would sure help them in that respect.

Dennard isn't necessarily an interception machine, but he has the ability to lock-down receivers, which will ultimately result in opportunities for other players on the field to create turnovers. Dennard would be a solid addition to a secondary that isn't the youngest, with Nate Clements turning 32 this past season.

Dennard undoubtedly has the capability of putting receivers on lock-down at the next level, but he has to prove that he has the ball-hawking abilities that NFL teams look for, especially if teams are going to take him in the first round.  If Dennard proves that he can turn on the ball and make plays at the 2012 NFL Combine, the Bengals would be foolish to let him slip past them in the first round.

Georgia G Cordy Glenn: 21st Pick (1st Round)

The Bengals offensive line didn't play all that bad in 2011, aside from the play of left guard Nate Livings who just couldn't seem to get his act together.  Livings is a free agent this off-season and there is a very low likelihood that the Bengals will even think about bringing him back.

With a lack of depth at the guard position, drafting the 6'5'' and 330 pound guard Cordy Glenn from Georgia would be a great way to create depth on the offensive line and create competition in training camp.

To earn first round money this April, Glenn needs to prove at the 2012 NFL Combine that he's agile enough to move in tight spaces and get down field to help block in an NFL team's rushing attack.  Scouts will also be looking to see if Glenn's mechanics have improved.  In college Glenn got away with lackluster mechanics, but in the NFL it will be a different story.

Glenn is an aptly sized and extremely strong guard with a very high upside. Glenn is the kind of offensive lineman that could make an immediate impact on the Bengals offensive line and without a doubt earn a starting role by the midway point of the 2012 regular season.

Oregon RB LaMichael James: 53rd Pick (2nd Round)

A lot of experts believe the Bengals will draft a running back with their 17th or 21st pick in the 2012 NFL draft.  While that could be the case, I don't see the Bengals cutting ties with running back Cedric Benson, especially with him rushing for over 1,000 yards this past season.

The Bengals will draft a running back, and if they're smart they'll select LaMichael James with their 2nd round pick.  James would be a perfect fit for the Bengals west coast offense, bringing his elite speed and quickness to a team that's lacked an explosive threat coming out of the backfield for the past couple of years.

If the Bengals bring back Cedric Benson and draft James in the 2nd round, the Bengals would have one of the most exciting "thunder and lightning" duos in the NFL.  Forcing defenses to keep their eye on James coming out of the backfield, could really open up the field for star-studded receiver A.J Green.

James' focus in the 2012 NFL Combine needs to be showing off his improved strength in the weight room.  James will never be a bruiser in the NFL, and the reason why he's projected in the second round is because of his size.  If James' can show that he's increased his strength, NFL teams might be more willing to take a risk on him.  Either way, the Bengals need to take a chance on him if he's still available late in the second round.

Nebraska OLB Lavonte David: 84th Pick (3rd Round)

The Cincinnati Bengals had one of the top defenses in the entire NFL last year, ranking seventh in overall yards allowed, 10th in rushing yards allowed and ninth in points per game allowed, but there's undoubtedly room to improve moving forward.  However the Bengals must improve at linebacker if they want to contend in the defensive minded AFC North.

The one thing Cincinnati lacked last year was the ability to get pressure on the opposing quarterback from the linebacker position.  Of the 45 sacks the Bengals totaled last year, only 4 came from their linebackers.

If there's one guy that has the ability to step in and make an immediate impact, and could be available in the third round, it's Nebraska's OLB Lavonte David. At 6'1'' and 225 lb. David brings a solid combination of explosive athleticism and strength that could fit perfectly into the Bengals' 4-3 defensive front.  In 2011, David accounted for 5.5 sacks coming off the edge and 133 total tackles for the Cornhuskers.

David could be one of the biggest steals of the 2012 NFL Draft, and if the Bengals are able to get their hands on them, it would be one huge step in the right direction for their defense.

Auburn S Neiko Thorpe: 116th Pick (4th Round)

One of the biggest reasons, aside from Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, the Bengals didn't make it out of the wild card round of this year's AFC playoffs was the fact that their play at the safety position got exposed.  

At the age of 31, Chris Crocker isn't getting it done at the strong safety position, and the Taylor Mays project isn't working out as hoped.  It's time for the Bengals to start fresh at strong safety and so they should keep a close eye on Auburn safety Neiko Thorpe.

Thorpe, who converted to safety after first playing corner at Auburn, accounted for three interceptions, three passes defended and 94 total tackles in 2011, but what makes him such a special prospect is his size.  At 6'3'' and 198 lb., Thorpe will have the speed, agility and size needed to run downfield with NFL receivers and defend against the deep ball.

If Thorpe can show off increased performance in the weight room, and an ability to track the deep ball down the field at the 2012 NFL Combine, his stock could sky-rocket. Either way, the Bengals would be smart to keep their eyes on Thorpe, as he could be the answer they've been looking for at strong safety.

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