2011 NFL Draft Debate: Who Should the Bengals Take in Round One?

Continuing NFLDraft101's Draft Debate series, the staff analyzed the Bengals' options for the fourth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.  While there are numerous directions the Bengals can go with this pick, the debate focuses on three scenarios: WR A.J. Green, CB Patrick Peterson and QBs Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert (considered as one since only one is likely to be on the board.

Feel free to join the debate in the comment section at the bottom of the article.

Option 1: WR AJ Green  by Senior Editor Chris Maier

The Bengals offense is a unit in transition as quarterback Carson Palmer has demanded a trade and playmaking wide receiver Chad Ochocinco has succumbed to the aging process, not to mention worn out his welcome. 

Add in running back Cedric Benson's pending free agency not to mention age, 28 (a tipping point for many runners) and the team's skill positions are clearly in transition.  

A quick glance at the roster shows some solid young receivers highlighted by Jerome Simpson (deep threat), Jordan Shipley (slot receiver) and Jermaine Gresham (seam-stretching TE).

Each has emerging talent but the jury is out as to whether any of the three can emerge as a No. 1 receiver.  This group forms a passable unit but lacks an elite option to bring the complementary pieces together.

Many analysts will say the team needs to draft a franchise quarterback, but the jury is clearly out on the franchise qualities of top 10 considerations, Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton.  Neither of these quarterbacks ranks among NFL Draft 101's top 13 players (Gabbert 14th and Newton 22nd) meaning both are a gamble high.

The Bengals have drafted similar boom or bust quarterbacks in the past with Akili Smith and David Klingler and needs to avoid the urge to gamble with the fourth overall selection.

Ultimately, the rationale for drafting A.J. Green is simple: he fills the team's need for an elite skill position player and is not nearly the gamble either quarterback will be.

He is a complete wide receiver who runs good routes, displays tremendous hands and has the ability to be a factor both deep and over the middle.  He is the best wide receiver to come out since Calvin Johnson and has the "it" factor you look for in a wide receiver.  Adding him to the Bengals receiving corps would provide them with one of the best young units in the league.

Option 2: CB Patrick Peterson by Contributor Dan Wernery

The Cincinnati Bengals may have finished with four wins in 2010, but this is clearly a team that has the talent to win 10-plus games.

Poor coaching, lack of chemistry and ownership are the big reasons this team consistently underachieves. Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer is the exception. Zimmer is outstanding as a motivator and game planner.

Why not give Zimmer the best defensive player on the board in Patrick Peterson? If you provide a coach like Zimmer with Darelle Revis, imagine how much better this defense would be.

Patrick Peterson has that kind of a ceiling and would flourish in Zimmer’s scheme.

The Bengals' front seven has youth and talent, but still lacks a consistent pass rush. The Bengals have been able to survive due to corners Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall. Joseph is a restricted free agent under the current CBA but the rules are subject to change.

With no CBA in place and with the rules unknown, the Bengals have to treat Johnathan Joseph as an unrestricted free agent.

In a truly open market, the Bengals will struggle to re-sign any player much less a top-10 corner like Joseph.  Leon Hall is also a free agent next season, furthering the need at the corner position. In addition, the Bengals' lack depth at corner beyond Joseph and Hall and free safety is also a concern.

Given Peterson's high ceiling and the team's short and long-term needs at the corner position make him an excellent and safe pick.

Option 3: Quarterback: Blaine Gabbert/Cam Newton by Associate Editor Fran Duffy

When it comes to the NFL Draft, there are a number of rules that teams and personnel-men follow. One of those rules asks the question, “Does your team have a franchise quarterback?”

If the answer to that question is no, then you better find one in the draft and do what it takes to get him on your team.

You see it time and time again where teams, despite having (seemingly) more important needs, do what it takes to snag a signal caller (i.e. the New York Jets and Mark Sanchez).

How does this relate to the Bengals?

Well, if owner Mike Brown were to ask that question, the answer he’d get would probably be along the lines of a disconcerted shrug, because quarterback Carson Palmer has made it pretty clear that he has no intentions of suiting up for Cincinnati ever again.

If that’s the case, with only Jordan Palmer and Dan Lefevour on the roster, I’d say that quarterback is a pretty significant need in the Queen City. There are some who may think that Palmer is just blowing smoke, and will eventually give in and play for the Bengals.

But even if that is the case, Palmer hasn’t been effective the past few years, has never won a playoff game for the Bengals, and even if he did return, he’d still be a brewing malcontent.

It’s time for a change under center.

Now begs the question, “who should the Bengals take?” Well the Bengals may not have a choice, as they hold the No. 4 pick and draft behind two teams that have a distinct need at quarterback (Carolina and Buffalo) and a third that has done their due diligence on every quarterback in the draft (Denver).

If they want to add Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert, it appears that Cincinnati will have to trade up to at least No. 2 to get one of the top-two passers in the draft.

If they stay put, they may not have a choice, meaning a trade-back for a Jake Locker/Ryan Mallett/Christian Ponder selection.

However, if the Bengals are in a position where they can choose between Newton or Gabbert, I have to think the pick will be the former Heisman winner.

We all know this franchise has never seen baggage as an issue, as the team has made a large number of controversial additions over the years through both the draft and free agency.

Jay Gruden—brother of John Gruden—is the Bengals' new offensive coordinator. The connection there? The elder Gruden brother made headlines last week by coming out and stating that, hands down, Newton was the best prospect in this draft and should be the top pick.

Does his brother feel the same way? I guess we’ll find out if the time comes.

Right now though, there’s no doubt in my mind that the Bengals need to add a signal caller with their selection. If Newton’s on the board, my money is on him.