Cincinnati Bengals NFL Draft Big Board: Position-by-Position Rankings

The best teams in the NFL find consistent success in the NFL draft. Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown and his organization know a thing or two about this after four consecutive trips to the playoffs.

Now the front office heads into the 2015 NFL draft hungry to reload for another run, if not take the proverbial next step.

This time around, the Bengals may look to not just plug future holes in the early rounds, but find instant contributors after the team's first-round picks in each of the last two seasons didn't see the field much.

With four selections in the top 100, the Bengals are in a position to both find pro-ready players and shore up positions for the future so long as the front office once again knocks its selections out of the park.

Within, let's break down what Cincinnati's big board may look like at each position the team figures to address when things kick off Thursday.

Offensive Tackle

One position the Bengals might address early is offensive tackle. 

It makes sense, with Andrew Whitworth now 33 years old and Andre Smith coming off a season-ending injury and heading into a contract year.

While perhaps not a popular selection early, one of the top offensive tackles will provide a strong swing backup, perhaps an ability to man guard and one day take over as a starter on the edges.

1. Andrus Peat, Stanford

Andrus Peat falls in different spots on various big boards because some teams value pro-ready players more than others. 

When it comes to pro-ready tackles, Peat is the cream of the crop this year. The Stanford product was dominant at Stanford, well coached and has the ability to develop into a strong starter on the left side.

2. La'el Collins, LSU

The knock on La'el Collins seems to be a lack of athleticism preventing him from playing left tackle, but when he would be so great on the right side or inside, he's hard to ignore.

A team in Cincinnati's position won't look away from Collins because of such a negative.

In theory, Collins could act as a backup as a rookie, then take over for Smith, saving the team money to keep players at other spots.

3. Brandon Scherff, Iowa

Brandon Scherff is all over the place in the minds of most, although the growing consensus seems to be he will wind up as a guard at the next level.

Still, it would be tough for the Bengals to ignore the Iowa product if he tumbles, because he would perhaps be the best player on the board. Cincinnati does a fine job with its offensive linemen and might be able to help Scherff play on the right edge in time.

4. Jake Fisher, Oregon

Jake Fisher is perhaps the most likely offensive tackle to catch Cincinnati's eye. 

MMQB.com's Peter King writes "The Bengals, picking next, love Fisher, and if the Eagles pass on him, ace line coach Paul Alexander could mold the quick-footed Fisher into a long-term left tackle."

Fisher has the talent to man the left side in time and needs a coaching staff to help him along.

5. Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M

While a risk thanks to a late injury last year, few are as talented and offer the upside of Texas A&M's Cedric Ogbuehi.

Ogbuehi might not come off the board in the first round, which is nothing short of a good thing for the Bengals. Some would argue he's a first-round talent who projects well, so Cincinnati might keep an eye on him as a major steal in the second if the injury pushes him down the board.

Defensive Tackle

Brett Deering/Getty Images

The Bengals already feature plenty of beef up front, even more so with the return of Pat Sims. 

Still, the front office may want to nab an upgrade early rather than counting on one of Devon Still or Brandon Thompson to show something other than limited impact. It's also important to build for the future with Domata Peko aging.

Keep in mind USC's Leonard Williams would rank No. 1, but let's remove him to get a better look considering he's a lock for the top five.

1. Danny Shelton, Washington

Danny Shelton is the next best thing behind Williams, and for good reason given his ability to put on consistent pressure and clog running lanes. 

NFL.com compares Shelton to Vince Wilfork for good reason. He'd be a natural fit in Cincinnati, forcing at least one player off the roster, although it seems a long shot he'd fall to No. 21. A trade up, though? Who knows?

2. Malcom Brown, Texas

We're at the point where Malcom Brown may not make it to No. 21, either. 

Brown took a massive leap in development this past season. While he seems a tad small at 6'2" and 319 pounds, his ability to gun upfield and help dictate the flow of the running game would be a natural fit next to Geno Atkins.

3. Eddie Goldman, Florida State

Most seem to consider Florida State's Eddie Goldman a great fit for a 3-4 scheme, but his ability to dominate against the rush would be a welcome addition in the Queen City. 

Goldman's negative is the lack of a consistent pass-rush, but line him up next to Atkins in Cincinnati and it's not such a big deal. He's a lock to be in contention at No. 21 barring a surprise.

4. Carl Davis, Iowa

Opinions vary on Iowa's Carl Davis, but he might be available to the Bengals in the second round, which could make him a steal. 

This depends on how the coaching staff feels about him, though, because the biggest negative on his stock is what appears to be an inconsistent effort on film. Still, when Davis is on, he's one of the best rushers from the position in the class.

5. Grady Jarrett, Clemson

While not the biggest name, Grady Jarrett is one to watch if the Bengals are serious about upgrading depth at the position.

An NFC North scout puts it best, per NFL.com's Lance Zierlein: "Grady will take you on a ride when he gets into you. I think grades on him will really vary since the only real fit for him is in a 1-gap 4-3 defense on the nose. Teams will beat him up over his size, but someone is going to get a good football player with him."

Put him in Cincinnati's rotation and the unit improves. 

Defensive End

Defensive end is quite the interesting position for the Bengals this year. 

Some figure the team will spend an early pick on an edge-rusher who can make a difference, while others guess the team will be content to let Margus Hunt and Will Clarke have more snaps, especially with Michael Johnson on board.

Regardless, here' a look at how Cincinnati's board may align.

1. Alvin Dupree, Kentucky

Alvin Dupree would be a no-brainer if he fell to the Bengals at No. 21.

While perhaps better standing up in a 3-4, the Bengals coaching staff wouldn't mind landing perhaps the best player available—and one defensive coordinator Paul Guenther can unleash in a variety of ways.

2. Randy Gregory, Nebraska

The red flags surrounding Randy Gregory are tough to ignore, and he's a bit light to play end in a 4-3, but again, the Bengals may find it difficult to pass on a freak athlete who can apply pressure with ease. 

Gregory is a bit of a project and a risk, but the reward outweighs the risk right away.

3. Shane Ray, Missouri

Shane Ray's stock is in free fall after a run-in with the law, per Brandon Kiley of KTGR in Columbia, Missouri.

The result is a player who many considered a top-five pick not too long ago perhaps being available to the Bengals in the first round.

It's never a bad idea to take a shot on an explosive athlete coming off an SEC Player of the Year award. The Bengals might have some serious thinking to do at No. 21.

4. Arik Armstead, Oregon

Versatility is the name of the game with Oregon's Arik Armstead.

Armstead's stock is all over the place because he can play inside or out on the line. Rotoworld's Josh Norris went as far as to suggest he could come off the board in the top 10, per PFTonNBCSN:

"

"It would not surprise me if Arik Armstead is a Top 10 selection." - @JoshNorris @WinTheDay

— PFTonNBCSN (@PFTonNBCSN) April 15, 2015"

Cincinnati might not be able to ignore a player who can play anywhere on the line.

5. Owamagbe Odighizuwa, UCLA

There are past medical concerns with Owamagbe Odighizuwa, but athletes who weigh in at 6'3" and 267 pounds before running a 4.62 40-yard dash and posting a 127-inch broad jump don't come around so often.

Odighizuwa can produce as a rookie in Cincinnati's scheme and makes perfect sense at No. 21 if the board falls in the right manner.

Wide Receiver

The Bengals have a strong starting three with A.J. Green, Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones. 

Last year said a lot about the team's depth, though, as an inability to create separation hurt the unit in a big way. To remedy the issue, the Bengals may look to the first round of the draft, if not the second should solid prospects tumble.

Here's a look at the board, sans the draft's top two wideouts, Amari Cooper and Kevin White.

1. DeVante Parker, Louisville

DeVante Parker is the type of wideout a team such as the Bengals should trade up for if it wants an instant-impact rookie. A note by NFL Network's Albert Breer says it all:

"

3) Watch DeVante Parker. Some prefer him to Kevin White, bc he’s more pro-ready. Parker is closer to Cooper/White than to the pack at WR.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 24, 2015"

Parker would create right away in Cincinnati's scheme, but it would take some aggressiveness on the front office's end to make it happen.

2. Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma

At 6'5" and 237 pounds, Dorial Green-Beckham resembles Calvin Johnson and does on film at times too with his ability to overpower smaller defenders.

The problems are many, though, as DGB touts one of the biggest red flags in the class thanks to his dismissal from Missouri.

DGB might be there at 21, though, and Cincinnati has to at least consider it. He's a massive target with sure hands defenses won't be able to ignore, but they would also need to account for Green on the other side of the field.

3. Jaelen Strong, Arizona State

An injury hurt Jaelen Strong's stock for a bit, but he's still one of the better wideout prospects in the class thanks to sure hands and silky-smooth routes.

Strong produced at an impressive clip in college and projects well to the pros, but he's overshadowed as of late by workout warriors such as Breshad Perriman.

Cincinnati can't complain if he falls, though, because he'd have few issues helping the offense move the chains.

4. Nelson Agholor, USC

Nelson Agholor seems a bit lost in the hype of others too, but if the Bengals are going to burn an early pick on a wideout, the USC product is a smart way to go.

Agholor is a surefire slot producer at the next level thanks to a great feel for the game, which allows him to find gaps in the coverage. He can create plenty of yardage after the catch too.

5. Phillip Dorsett, Miami (Florida)

One of the biggest late risers, Phillip Dorsett offers plenty of what the Bengals need at wideout.

Dorsett is explosive, having run a 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine and averaging north of 20 yards per catch in each of his last two seasons.

Dorsett can also act as a kick returner, another area Cincinnati may want to upgrade via the draft.

Tight End

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Tight end is an under-the-radar position the Bengals could look at Thursday and beyond thanks to the offseason loss of Jermaine Gresham. 

Gresham could return once his health issues subside, but the thinking for now has to be on finding a backup to place behind Tyler Eifert, as well as someone who can catch passes should he suffer another injury.

1. Maxx Williams, Minnesota

Most consider Maxx Williams the top tight end in the class.

Cincinnati figures to agree with this line of thinking because he's also the most pro-ready at the position, something the Bengals should care about so early.

Williams can do it all right away, so if the Bengals are serious about getting a second tight end, he's the best way to go.

2. Clive Walford, Miami (Florida)

Then again, Clive Walford may be available in the second round and would be a smart addition.

Walford's elite athleticism lends to the notion his ceiling is quite high. He can also be an effective blocker in the running game or line up everywhere on the field and create mismatches.

3. Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State

Lost in what many consider a miserable tight end class is Jeff Heuerman.

Heuerman won't blow anyone away as a blocker, but he's a vertical tight end who can make big plays down the field in a reliable fashion.

4. Jesse James, Penn State

Jesse James touts the size to be a game-changing player at 6'7" and 261 pounds, but his strengths lie as a run-blocker as opposed to a pass-catcher. 

James may be just what the Bengals want out of a second tight end, though, and there's nothing to suggest James cannot develop into a reliable receiver as he develops.

5. Ben Koyack, Notre Dame

The story is much of the same for Ben Koyack out of Notre Dame.

Koyack spent most of his time underused in the Fighting Irish's passing attack but is a player coaches can count on as a blocker. In the mid rounds, Koyack is a player with high upside the Bengals may covet.

Linebacker

Kelvin Kuo/Associated Press

A.J. Hawk's addition helps to reinforce the Bengals' linebacker corps, as does the return of Rey Maualuga and what should be the health of Emmanuel Lamur and Vontaze Burfict. 

Still, the Bengals may look to get deeper in a unit ripe with injuries over the course of the past few seasons.

There aren't many starting jobs open, and a linebacker comes off the field in passing situations, so versatility is key when it comes to the big board.

1. Eric Kendricks, UCLA

It's easy to scoff at Eric Kendricks' size (6'0", 232 pounds), but he's athletic enough to play all over the field and drop back to defend the pass with ease.

Kendricks truly can do it all, and he's not the type of player the Bengals would need to take off the field in passing situations. The only question is whether he makes it to No. 21.

2. Shaq Thompson, Washington

Shaq Thompson continues to float between classification as a safety and linebacker, something the Bengals won't mind after losing linebacker-safety hybrid Taylor Mays this offseason.

Thompson is an exciting prospect to think about in the hands of Cincinnati's defensive coaches, although it's tough to tell where he will come off the board. If he's there in the second round, it makes too much sense to not pull the trigger.

3. Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State

There was a time when Benardrick McKinney was considered a first-round pick, but those days are over thanks to the in-depth dissection of the path to the draft.

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein sums it up well:

"

Productive, steady performer in the middle with above-average size and length for the position but below-average agility. McKinney plays within the scheme and finds himself near the play frequently. He plays with strength and has an ability to take on offensive linemen and get downhill to finish his tackles. McKinney looks like an above-average NFL inside linebacker who could become part of a really good defense. He lacks star-making talent, though.

"

McKinney is an interesting mid-round pick for the team to consider if he falls.

4. Stephone Anthony, Clemson

A lack of versatility hurts Stephone Anthony in these rankings.

Anthony plays well against the run but on film misses gaps and loses battles in the passing game. He'd be a great addition for the Bengals as a depth option, but he shouldn't come off the board early.

5. Denzel Perryman, Miami (Florida)

Denzel Perryman also struggles as a defender against the pass, which knocks him down the board a bit.

If the Bengals want to find a backup sideline-to-sideline enforcer who can lead on special teams and perhaps grow into more, though, Perryman is a great option in the mid rounds.

Safety

Butch Dill/Associated Press

For the Bengals, safety isn't the biggest need.

Then again, it's important to remember Reggie Nelson will be 32 this season and Shawn Williams is still an unproven commodity.

If the Bengals feel a player at the position is the best player available at a given pick, it's hard to imagine the staff would balk at pulling the trigger.

1. Landon Collins, Alabama

Landon Collins figures to be available to Cincinnati at No. 21 and would bring a welcome swagger and big-play ability to the secondary.

He's an elite athlete who struggles in coverage, but as an extra defensive back who can bring the boom against the run, Collins is tough to ignore. Even better, in time, he might develop into one of the best in the league.

2. Jaquiski Tartt, Samford

Jaquiski Tartt is a bit of a late riser, but he won't stick around long, as Bleacher Report's Matt Miller captures:

"

If your favorite team needs a strong safety in Round 2, Jaquiski Tartt is your man. Better get him early, though. He won't last long.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 16, 2015"

Tartt has his struggles in the passing game, but they are issues a coaching staff can work on over the years. The long-term potential and strengths against the rush make him a hot commodity.

3. Damarious Randall, Arizona State

While he comes in at just 5'11" and 196 pounds, such a stature won't stop the Bengals from looking Damarious Randall's way.

Randall projects as a corner-safety hybrid who often comes up big against the rush and can play the pass well. He's an ideal fit as an extra defensive back in Cincinnati.

4. James Sample, Louisville

There's a serious lack of experience with James Sample, but his upside and ability to get his nose around the football against the run make him an intriguing mid-round selection. 

Sample can spend time in Cincinnati on special teams developing his base-defense skills.

5. Derron Smith, Fresno State

Another late riser, Derron Smith might be just what the Bengals are looking for in the mid rounds if they want to spend early picks elsewhere.

Smith is a great cover safety who can run with speedy wideouts in the slot or drop back and play center field. He's a sloppy tackler, but it's something the coaching staff can work on while deploying him in a smart manner as a rookie.

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com as of April 28 at 9 p.m. ET. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.