Cincinnati Bengals 2011 NFL Mock Draft: Who Will They Select?

The Cincinnati Bengals' playoff hopes are about done. It is time to enjoy the rest of the season and start focusing on the draft.

Who Dey Nation can hope all they want but it is time to face the facts. Considering the remaining schedule, the Bengals could end up with a top ten pick. Forget about the playoffs and forget about an eight win season.

The Bengals' most glaring need is defensive line. However, Carson Palmer, Jonathan Joseph, Cedric Benson, Robert Geathers, Antwan Odom, Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens could all be gone next year. The Bengals may have other needs to look at.

Here are ten players that could end up in stripes. The projected stats came from ESPN.

1. Da'Quan Bowers

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Da'Quan Bowers #93 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Team: Clemson Tigers
Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 280 lbs.

Projected stats:
Tackles: 63
Sacks: 15

Da'Quan Bowers may not be around for the Bengals, but they desperately need a playmaker like this. He could go number one, but Bengal fans can dream that he ends up in stripes.

2. J. J. Watt

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 16: J.J. Watt #99 of the Wisconsin Badgers encourages the crowd during a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Ohio State 31-18. (Photo by Jonathan

Team: Wisconsin Badgers
Position: Defensive End
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 292 lbs.

Projected stats:
Tackles: 60
Sacks: 5

Watt is not at the top of mock drafts right now but he is having a great year so far. Watt is a high motor guy and will remind Bengal fans of Justin Smith.

3. Marcell Dareus

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: Marcell Dareus #57 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Team: Alabama Crimson Tide
Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 306 lbs.

Projected stats:
Tackles: 29
Sacks: 5

Dareus led the SEC in sacks in 2009. He got in a little trouble attending an agent's party, but he came through.

4. Nick Fairley

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 16: Defensive lineman Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates a play during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

Team: Auburn Tigers
Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 298 lbs.

Projected stats:
Tackles: 57
Sacks: 11

Yes, another defensive lineman. Fairley will go somewhere in the first round.

5. Ryan Mallett

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks warms up before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. The Tigers beat the Razorbacks 65-43. (Photo by Mike Zarr

Team: Arkansas Razorbacks
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 238 lbs.

Projected stats:
Yards: 3,674
Touchdowns: 27

Rumors have been swirling around about Carson Palmer being cut. If that happens, the Bengals will take a quarterback with their first pick. Assuming Andrew Luck is gone, the Bengals will go with Mallett.

6. Patrick Peterson

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State Univeristy Tigers runs for a touchdown against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Ima

Team: LSU Tigers
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 222 lbs.

Projected stats:
Tackles: 30
Interceptions: 3

Patrick Patterson is the top cornerback now. If Jonathan Joseph goes, this could be the pick.

7. Prince Amukamara

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Cornerback Prince Amukamara #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver T.J. Moe #28 of the Missouri Tigers during first half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Lincoln

Team: Nebraska Cornhuskers
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 205 lbs.

Projected stats:
Tackles: 44
Interceptions: 0

Amukamara is a close second to Patterson.

8. Ryan Kerrigan

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 23: Ryan Kerrigan #94 of the Purdue Boilermakers attempts to tackle Brandon Saine #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Team: Purdue Boilermakers
Position: Defensive End
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 263 lbs.

Projected stats:
Tackles: 74
Interceptions: 12

The Bengals will need another defensive end to go with Carlos Dunlap. Kerrigan is getting compared to DeMarcus Ware.

9. Mark Ingram

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 23: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball during the SEC game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Team: Alabama Crimson Tide
Position: Running Back
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 215 lbs.

Projected stats:
Yards: 816
Touchdowns: 12

Another Bengal that is likely gone next year is Cedric Benson. Like Benson, Mark Ingram is a straight ahead runner. The Bengals haven't had good luck drafting running backs high, though.

Well, they haven't had luck drafting at all.

10. A.J. Green

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 30: A.J. Green #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs attempts to catch a pass against Ahmad Black #35 of the Florida Gators during the game at EverBank Field on October 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Ima

Team: Georgia Bulldogs
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 212 lbs.

Projected stats:
Yards: 543
Touchdowns: 7

Green's stock would have to fall or the Bengals would have to be even worse than expected for this to happen.

He was suspended for the first four games of the season when he sold his 2009 Independence Bowl Jersey, but the Bengals aren't easily scared away.