2012 NFL Draft: 8 Players Who Can Do the Most for the Cincinnati Bengals

There's no doubt that free agents can help a team, but let's be honest: We all like to see rookies come in and change a team's foundation. 

Now, Cincinnati really isn't in need of someone to "change the organization." What it does need is more help on what is already a young team.  The Bengals were the third youngest team in football in 2011, and that translated to a postseason appearance.

It seems the Bengals are right there on the verge of having a string of good seasons, perhaps competing for a Super Bowl once all of these rookies develop and become NFL-ready.  Andy Dalton and A.J. Green had wonderful rookie campaigns, but they can't do all the work themselves.

These players are available in the 2012 NFL draft and could really help Cincinnati.

Trent Richardson, Running Back

Let's just get this out of the way early: Trent Richardson is the obvious choice.  If, for some reason, he should fall to the 17th selection, I don't see any reason the Bengals should pass on him.

This is not a campaign to get the Bengals to trade up—it's not necessary.  However, when looking at the teams that precede Cincinnati in the draft, there aren't many that really are in need of running backs.  Further, the ones that do need a running game—well, that's probably not their top need.

There's no doubt Richardson is the best running back in the draft.  If he falls into Cincinnati's lap, I'll bet the moon that it won't be passing on him.

Lamar Miller, Running Back

OK, this one is a far likelier choice at 17.  Lamar Miller out of Miami is a decent running back, built primarily for speed.

Cedric Benson's contract is up in Cincinnati and is likely not coming back.  He's had three productive seasons after his career was assumed over, but it's time for him to move on. He's averaged less than four yards a carry in each of the last couple seasons and just barely cracked 1,000 yards in 2011.  Age has begun to catch up with him.

Miller, meanwhile, is one of the quickest guys in the draft, and he'll be a good complement to the passing game.  He'd likely be the starting running back in black and orange come Week 1, with Bernard Scott as the backup.  I like Scott, as he started as a special teams guy and is a good third-down back.

Miller's speed will be a very welcome addition in Cincinnati.

Cordy Glenn, Guard

Cordy Glenn is a monstrous presence.  Coming in at 6'5" tall and 300-plus lbs., the man would definitely provide some protection up front for Andy Dalton.

Glenn is currently 26th on Mel Kiper, Jr.'s Big Board, so you'd think he would fall to 17 or 21 for Cincinnati. 

Nate Livings, the team's current left guard, has got to go.  He's penalty prone and doesn't block well.  Glenn is a beast and has an intimidating presence. Tell me that this guy can't clear some lanes for a running back or guard Dalton, and I'm pretty sure I'll start laughing.

Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback

Cincinnati's secondary is in shambles right now.  Leon Hall will be returning from a torn Achilles, so it's unclear how he'll bounce back.  Nate Clements' age began to show as the season wore on (he couldn't keep up with Kevin Walter), and Reggie Nelson and Chris Crocker are average safeties. 

Janoris Jenkins could really be of assistance to that mess.  He's 15th on the Big Board and is the second-ranked cornerback behind Morris Claiborne (who would be good for Cincinnati, but is likely to go in the top 10). 

Jenkins is incredibly fast, and if he can stay on the field (and out of trouble‚ though this is the kind of athlete Cincinnati attracts), he'll be one of the big-time victories in the draft for the Bengals.  They need someone like him to keep up with receivers and be able to read routes.

Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver

Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd isn't the fastest receiver in the draft, but he's one of the bigger ones at 6'3". 

The problem for the Bengals getting Floyd is they'd likely have to use one of their two first-round selections to get him.  They don't need a receiver that bad—it would be nice to snag Floyd, but he won't slip so far into the second round.

Still, A.J. Green is in need of a competent No. 2 receiver.  Jerome Simpson wasn't bad, but had a lot of issues with inconsistency.  Jordan Shipley will be coming off a knee injury, and while Andrew Hawkins showed signs of being a good receiver, the team won't put the faith in him yet.

Floyd is a big guy and is a bruiser.  This would be a big-time steal for the Queen City.

Lavonte David, Outside Linebacker

Lavonte David is pretty small for a linebacker, but he makes up for it by being one of the faster ones.  He's not going to be a bruiser and he won't tear through blockers on the pass rush, but what he can do is drop back into coverage.

He's always done a good job of reading the pass and finding the football.  This comes to be a big help on a defense that has a problem against the pass.

David would be a solid second- or third-round option.

Vontaze Burfict, Inside Linebacker

Now here's a guy who will tear someone up!  Vontaze Burfict has been a hot topic of debate recently, as some experts believe him to be a top 20 pick, while others find him to be more of a third-round guy.

Should the 250-lb. Sun Devil fall to the second round, Cincinnati should jump on him instead of Lavonte David.  While David is good against the pass, the Bengals already have Rey Maualuga, who drops back into coverage more often than he blitzes (because he can't—but that's another article for another time).

Burfict, on the other hand, would pack a punch on this already hard-hitting defense.  This would be the guy blitzing Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger.

For the record, I recently found out Carson Palmer and the Oakland Raiders will play in Paul Brown Stadium in 2012—oh, the money I'd pay to see the monster Burfict lay out Palmer.  Just sayin'.

David DeCastro, Guard

Again, we're back to the help that is needed to really solidify a promising offensive line.

At more than 300 lbs., David DeCastro deserves a lot of credit—he's one of the guys that protected Andrew Luck and made him look like a real star. 

I'd love to see the Bengals get both DeCastro and Cordy Glenn, but that won't happen.  Unfortunately, they're both first-round talents and the Bengals would have to choose between them.  Still, DeCastro is full of aggression and is particularly effective against the pass (wonder why).

This man would give Andy Dalton a lot of time to find a receiver.