2012 NFL Draft: Don't Count out Bengals Selecting Peter Konz in the First Round

As the NFL draft looms closer, it’s still highly unknown what the Cincinnati Bengals intend to do with their two first-round picks.

The team has a well-documented number of needs they could address in the first, including cornerback, wide receiver, guard and running back.

With the team having two selections in the first round, it leaves them with the option to take a gamble on a position that isn’t necessarily a need. It could also enable them to trade down or up depending on which prospects they are targeting.

One surprise player the Bengals could select with either of their first-rounders is Wisconsin center Peter Konz. Cincinnati was in attendance at Wisconsin’s pro day, later attended Konz’s personal workout and had him visit the team’s facilities. It has been reported the Bengals are considering him in the first round.

Konz is far and away the best center in the draft and projects as a mid-to-late first-round pick. The knock against him is his average quickness, but it’s not something that has hindered him in the past. He also only recorded 18 reps on the bench press at the scouting combine, but weight room habits are something that can be instilled by the coaching staff.

During the course of his collegiate career, Konz started 30 games. He was consistently a great locker room presence and showed off his high character with regularity while in school.

Konz even wrote an open letter to Badger fans explaining why he decided to leave the program early (highly recommended read).

Clearly, the center position isn’t the biggest need for the Bengals, but Konz would be an instant upgrade over last year’s starter Kyle Cook.

Cook was disappointing last season because he was wildly inconsistent. Bleacher Report’s very own Matt Miller recently graded the top 32 centers in the league as a part of the NFL 1,000—Cook ranked a measly 25 out of 32:

Cook plays on one of the biggest and most dominant lines in the NFL, and that allows him to hide. His chief job is to get the ball to Andy Dalton on shotgun and under-center snaps and then hold his ground. Cook could still develop, but at this point, after four seasons, he could be replaced.

If the Bengals are set on keeping Cook as the starter next year, they could still take Konz with either of their picks because Konz is more than capable of moving to the guard position.

The Bengals don’t currently have a starting right guard on the roster. Last year’s starter Bobbie Williams is 36 years old and recovering from a broken ankle. Konz could replace Williams on the right side by sliding into the line between Andre Smith and Cook.

If Stanford’s David DeCastro is gone by the time the Bengals pick, Konz could be the selection. Cordy Glenn from Georgia is another candidate as well. However, Glenn’s stock is rapidly rising as he can play tackle as well, which means he could be gone also.

It’s an interesting scenario because the Bengals will likely have the option between two former Badger offensive linemen. Konz being one option, guard Kevin Zeitler being the other. Zeitler is an impressive guard that has finally seen his stock rise to a first-round level.

Wisconsin has been churning out quality NFL-ready offensive linemen for some time now, and this year is no different. Last year, the Badgers had three offensive linemen selected in the draft, and this year Konz is leading the way.

In the end, the Bengals are going to find a right guard in the upcoming draft.

If they elect to go with Konz, they’ll find a versatile offensive lineman that can upgrade two positions on the roster.

The first round is all about finding starters, and Konz could be just that in the trenches for the Bengals next season.

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