Cincinnati Bengals: Which Stars Could End Up in Stripes?

Yes, it is time to get back on the pre-draft bus. It has been a while since I wrote on the draft, mainly due to this being one of the deepest drafts I have ever seen, thus causing a huge amount of tape needing to be watched. However, this isn't your typical "who will the Bengals draft" article we are all probably sick of by now. I am just going to look into the future and talk about the five players I could see in Bengals stripes come fall (or whenever we get football back.) Once again, this is NOT a who we will, could or would think about drafting, just who I could really see on our team.

5. Nick Fairley

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates the Tigers 22-19 victory against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (

Yes, this guy out of Auburn is one bad man and could definitely be an attractive pick up for a defense that already has some young studs at defensive tackle. I could see the big man who tore through the championship game falling happily into the Bengals laps at pick No. 4 in April. I could see the big guy lining up next to Peko and Dunlap come fall, with Sims and Atkins coming off the bench to create one deep DT core.

4. 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)

Imagine Dwight Freeney in stripes...sound good? This guy lining up next, as a complement to the young stud Dunlap, would be nothing short of a nightmare to all who step into the jungle.  Period.

3. Mark Ingram

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

I could see this Alabama runner doing the tough work of the AFC North. This guy would look great coming off the bench to spell Benson and as an eventual successor to Ced. A future with Scott and Ingram as a one-two punch sounds pretty nice, agreed?

2. A.J. Green

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: A.J. Green #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs fails to pull in this reception against Richard Samuel #22 of the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

This one has seemed obvious to me since I saw him come off of his suspension early last season. Green would be a stud for the Bengals and could be the successor to Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson. Swap that bulldog helmet for a Bengals one...looks nice.

1. Cam Newton

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers scrambles against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Peters

Ah....Cam Newton. Of course, he seems to be the buzz of NFL mocks for the last eight months or so, but the image of him in stripes has been flashing in my mind since he began his obliteration of college defenses. Besides, it would be a fan-friendly move that would make fans buy seats again after the Palmer debacle and also bring great national attention. I could see Mike Brown trying to get Newton so he can lead this new look young offense on an all-out West Coast attack. I wouldn't love this pick, but if there is anyone in the draft that looks like, talks like and acts more like a Bengal than Newton, I surely haven't seen him yet.

Who do you think looks good in stripes?