Thepudge's Bengals Draft Database (Updated Big Time)

[thepudgester]

I'm back with all new material. Take your time, make yourself a bag or two of popcorn because the Database is back and longer than before. Just about everything is new and improved. Have fun. Some more sections are coming shortly. Enjoy!

MOCK DRAFT

1. (24)- Ko Simpson, S, South Carolina- Probably the closest Safety in this draft to what Marvin Lewis wants. Figuring Bunkley, Hali, and Hill will be gone, Simpson would be a great pick here who would both fill a need and provide a great value at 24. He’s well built at 6’1 209 and runs a solid 4.45. The guy only play two years of college football, but has been very productive and is already 23-years-old. Simpson is versatile and very balanced. He is willing in run support, is a good tackler, and has been good in coverage at all. Would provide us an immediate starter at Safety.

2. (55)- Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA- Would be an excellent value here and there is a good chance it could happen with Dominique Byrd’s impressive Senior Bowl. Lewis is a big TE, who is a better blocker than he gets credit for. Though he doesn’t have great speed, Lewis is athletic and has very good skills as a receiver. He had a good senior season and has been considered a First Round pick since last year; That changed when Leonard Pope, Vernon Davis, and Anthony Fasano declared and with the emergence of Byrd. Lewis is still a great talent, though he needs to continue to bulk up and refine his blocking skills.

3. (91)- Darryl Tapp, DE, Virginia Tech- Tapp’s stock took a big his when he failed to run a good time at the Combine, coming in with a time of only 4.84 at 6’1 5/8 262 pounds. Obviously his measurables are a bit disappointing, but Tapp was an extremely productive college pass rusher and has an excellent burst off the line of scrimmage. The guy dominated D’Brickashaw Ferguson twice this past year and played at an All-American level the entire season. Tapp will be brought in as a situational pass-rusher and could eventually start. I am a big believer that Tapp will be an above average pro and is every bit the prospect Derrick Burgess was a few years ago.

4. (122)- Brandon Williams, WR, Wisconsin- An explosive receiver who would be a good value here. This guy has an outside shot at going Day 1. Williams was very productive in college as a WR and a KR and PR, and capped it off with a very good senior season. Is a bit on the small side at 5'9 180, but is fast and could contribute as both a PR and a WR. He’s a poor man’s Sinorice Moss. His Combine may have dropped him a bit because of how he weighed in and ran.

5. (152)- Barry Coefield, DT, Northwestern- A guy the Bengals have had their eye on. Why? Your answer is his versatility. This is a guy similar to Carl Powell. Coefield can play inside or outside. At 6’4 304, Coefield has good size for either position. He won’t be a star, or a starter for that matter, but he’ll provide versatile depth for years. Coefield is reliable, durable, experienced, and had a good senior season for Northwestern. This guy would be a great pickup in the 5th Round.

6. (183)- Travis Williams, LB, Auburn- A lot of you are thinking there is no way Williams falls this far, but due to his size 6'1 213 there are going to be plenty of teams that don't think he can play in the pro's. Luckily, Marvin will see this guy as a Special Teams monster and another fast, rangy LB to add to his collection. Williams is a very good player, but at 213 there is no way he can be a starting LB in the pros, scouts will notice that and he will fall, simple as that. A steal, and a bit of a reach for me to put him all the way in the 6th, but hey, that's what happens.

7. (214)- Chris Kuper, OG, North Dakota- Bobbie and Steinbach are good starters but behind them we are a bit lacking. Kuper is a small school prospect that could develop into a fine backup in a couple years. No expects him to ever start, but he should provide adequate depth to round out the Bengals draft.

That's my Post-Combine Mock Draft, hope you liked it.

CHART OF NEEDS

QB-2

RB-1

FB-1

WR-3

TE-8

OT-2

OG-4

DT-8

DE-5

OLB-3

MLB-1

CB-5

FS-1

SS-8

K-1

P-1

and here is a little more... just a few targets for each round

ROUND BY ROUND

FIRST ROUND

1. Brodrick Bunkley DT FSU

2. Ko Simpson S South Carolina

3. Tye Hill CB Clemson

4. Tamba Hali DE Penn State

5. Darnell Bing S USC

SECOND ROUND

1. Marcedes Lewis TE UCLA

2. Daniel Bullocks S Nebraska

3. Jonathan Joseph CB South Carolina

4. Richard Marshall CB Fresno State

5. Jonathan Lewis DT Virginia Tech

THIRD ROUND

1. Pat Watkins S Florida State

2. Mark Anderson DE Alabama

3. Dusty Dvoracek DT Oklahoma

4. Rocky McIntosh LB Miami

5. Dee Webb CB Florida

FOURTH ROUND

1. Stanley McClover DE Auburn

2. Mike Kudla DE Ohio State

3. Jonathan Orr WR Wisconsin

4. Terna Nande LB Miami (Ohio)

5. Brandon Williams WR Wisconsin

FIFTH THROUGH SEVENTH

1. WR, preferably a PR (Greg Jennings, Skyler Green, Willie Reid, etc.)

2. OG depth

3. LB depth, generally faster (Travis Williams, Brian Iwuh, Jon Alston, etc.)

4. QB is a possiblity in the late rounds, Doug Johnson is on a 1-year deal

***NOTES***

DT's---At what we need is talent, not depth. That makes this a Day One need ONLY.With Shaun Smith and Matthias Askew we are fine depth wise. However, Bryan Robinson and John Thornton just aren't really getting the job done. A quicker, stronger, agressive guy is the type of DT Marvin likes. He DOES NOT want a space eater that will sit there and just take up space and not play hard for him. As you can tell, he is trying to build an agressive team, not a lazy team. Note: At this point, signs point to us grabbing Sam Adams.

The dream situation would be getting Brodrick Bunkley. Bunkley is an elite physical specimen who fits the Bengals system extremely well. Bunkley is a quick, strong, and very productive in his senior year. There is a chance Bunkley could bust, but that goes for just about anyone. Bunkley has slight durability issues, but that’s just about it. A great Senior season with 25 TFL and 9 sacks, arguably the best DT in the country a year ago. Will likely be gone by #24.

If Gabe Watson can show that he has a good work ethic the Bengals may take him at #24 because of his talent. No, I am not going against what I said earlier. Watson is not a soft space eater, Watson is a player, when he wants to, who can cause all kinds of problems for opponents OL's, especially stuffing the run. However, will he be willing to cut his laziness out and get to work in the NFL? NO one doubts his talent. Watson is a guy who we could end up taking 24th.

Claude Wroten in the 1st or 2nd round is another guy who fits the system and could contribute immediately. Wroten is not as bulky as Bunkley, but also weighs 300 lbs and is a playmaker in the backfireld. He provided great push for that LSU defensive line this past year. Wroten comes with a bit of a character concern

Dusty Dvoracek is another possibility. Dvorcek right now is 6'2 3/4 306, and he'd be a good find in the 3rd Round. Dvoracek is a fiery, disruptive DT who would bring a little more intensity to the Bengals front four. He is an agressive pass-rusher who would take double teams off Justin Smith. Dvoracek had some character concerns in the past with alcohol, but most signs point to those concerns being gone.

Orien Harris is a possibility in the second round. He’d be a steal if Marvin could get him motivated. He has only average size for a DT but gets a solid push and is a pretty good run stuffer. He is a strong character and is a leader on the field, but tends to be a bit inconsistent. Has had durability issues and still has to work to fulfill his potential. A possibility at #55.

Notice I do not have Rodrique Wright listed anywhere in this whole article. Mostly because Wright's draft stock has been going down as of late. If he shows he is committed and he shows he can be more agressive, I think Wright has monster potential. However, as of right now I, and many others, see a lazy player who is a little soft. Also, Wright recently said he was a finesse player, not an agressive player, for that reason alone Marvin may not go near him. Wright projects right now as a 2nd or 3rd Round Pick.

S's--- The Bengals tend to like their safety's rangy and agressive, yet they will play a big part in coverage as well. Marvin likes versatile, balanced safety's who don't miss tackles and who can make plays. Consistency is another thing that Marvin is very big on and likely won't take a streaky S. As I said before, he doesn't just want an enforcer, he wants a guy that can run and cover too.

Darnell Bing is one guy no one is really sure of. Bing has some speed and cover ability but is only adequate in both categories. Like Ohalete, he tends to overrun plays a little bit, taking himself out of them. Yet Bing is big and is an enforcer. He has plenty of experience and has good natural instincts. Once again his speed though is a concern. He should be a fine NFL Safety, he’s more of a last resort at #24 and could slide to #55 with a couple more rising stars.

If he had his way he'd have another Madieu Williams. That guy this year, could be Ko Simpson, he's versatile, agressive and good in coverage. Simpson may not have been as good as his Freshman production will tell you, but the guy has plenty of talent. He’s a ballhawk who is a very willing run supporter. He’s a good tackler and very balanced as a S. Could play either Safety position. Is a strong possibility at #24.

Donte Whitner’s stock has risen big-time after a very good Combine. Whitner is now a Late 1st-Early 2nd Round guy. There is a chance we could take him in the 1st, because he is a great fit; However, I doubt Marvin would take that kind of a reach. He has nice size, speed, and is very versatile, some think he is a better prospect at CB.

Daniel Bullocks is a guy I believe the Bengals are watching closely. They had several guys at his Pro Day and I’m sure they looked at him at both the Senior Bowl and the Combine. Bullocks is 6’0 ½ 212 and runs a 4.38, great measurables for a Safety. He has had some trouble in coverage, but can improve. Bullocks plays the run very well and has good instincts in coverage. He’d be a great pickup in the 2nd.

Pat Watkins and Bernard Pollard are two 3rd Round options. Watkins is inconsistent and must get stronger, but is a balanced performer that is a good leader on and off the field. Pollard lacks elite speed and has only adequate cover skills, but is bulky and is an enforcer against the run.

TE's---At TE, the Bengals would like their guy to be as balanced as possible. They also want a guy who can take pressure of the WR's and proivide Carson with an alternate option, especially in the redzone. With the Bengals growing problems with WR depth (Kelley Washington as a RFA, Chris Henry will likely be suspened) they are now more likely to draft a guy who is a good receiver.

Leonard Pope is the best fit and is probably the most likely TE for the Bengals 1st Round pick. Pope is huge, fast, and can really stretch the field as a receiver and is one of the best blocking TE’s in this class. At 6'8 260, Pope also has great potential. He is a prospect who is far from polished, but could start immediately and will just get better.

Marcedes Lewis who accelled as a blocker not a receiver at the Senior Bowl and erased balance doubts, is another good fit, but he'd have to fall to the 2nd for the Bengals to take him. With so many prospects on the rise there is actually a good chance Lewis falls to the 2nd Round.

Joe Klopfenstein is a possibility for the Bengals, but would probably have to fall to the 3rd for Cincy to take him. Klopfenstein is tall and a good receiver, but needs to get bigger and become a better blocker. Right now he would just be like another Matt Schobel.

Notre Dame’s Anthony Fasano is a possibility in the 2nd. He may lack athleticism and elite speed, but he has enough and is a solid all-around Tight End. He has very good hands, is big, and might be one of the best fits. He gives a good effort. He may lack potential, but he’ll be a solid TE in the NFL.

Tim Day fits as well, but if the Bengals WR issue gets as bad as it is capable of getting, he may not be enough of a field-stretcher. Day can block well and would provide Palmer with a good safety blanket with reliable hands. He could make an impact in the redzone. Expect Day to be selected in the Late 3rd Round.

CB's---This position is very unclear. Some people believe this is a need that needs to be adressed is the first two rounds, some don't think it's even neccessary. What we need is a fast corner that does not miss tackles. If only that was as easy as it sounds. A cover corner is needed opposite Deltha O'Neal, Tory James is still decent but is aging and misses too many tackles, Keiwan Ratliff is a more physical guy but probably does not have the speed to be a starting CB. Depth is another issue, behind Ratliff there is really no one. Hopefully this need is filled through FA so we don't have to use a pick on it. If not, as said in the beginning, it could be anywhere from a 2nd to 5th round need.

Tye Hill is a very good CB prospect if we are to target one in the 1st Round. He may be this draft's top cover corner. He's very fast and is willing in run support. He's very durable and is a good leader, a capable replacement for Tory James. He'll likely be gone, but he's definitely a good prospect.

Jonathan Joseph is an very good cover corner who really came on for South Carolina last season. This guy is flying up boards and after he ran a 4.31 at the Combine, and may rise even more if a couple top CB’s don’t run well. The problem there is durability and he is a bit inexperienced. If he's there, Joseph may get the call with the 55th pick.

Richard Marshall is another cover corner with similar skills to Joseph. Marshall may not be quite as fast, but his speed is pretty good. He's a better cover corner than Joseph, but is not very polished and doesn't have those ideal instincts. Has pretty good size and is willing in run support. Marshall likely will not be there when we pick in the 2nd Round but is a great fit.

Cedric Griffin is a bigger guy, however, like Keiwan Ratliff, he has only average speed and doesn't fit the mold the Bengals would like to fit.

In the second day, Charles Gordon, Devin Hester, and Will Blackmon would be intruiging picks. All three of these guys also provide a spark on special teams however they are raw as corners and may not upgrade the CB position as much as they would the PR position. They would definitley help to solve the depth problem and all have very good potential. Hester is a 3rd round talent. Blackmon and Gordon will both probably be Early-Mid 4th Rounders.

DE's---Another contoversial position. Some feel this is a need that should be addressed on the first day because they feel Geathers is not getting the job done. Others feel we simply lack depth and youth behind Smith and Geathers and that Robert should continue to get his chance to prove himself. I am part of that 2nd group. With Clemons and Powell both over 30 some new faces are definitely needed. The best fit as a backup RE would be a pass-rusher to supplant Geathers and give him some rest at times. This could be targeted anywhere from the 3rd to 5th round, but it seems pointless to take a DE any later than that.

Penn State’s Tamba Hali would be a great value at #24. At 6’3 275, Hali is not as undersized as originally thought. A good emotional leader who has a great story behind him. He has blown away scouts because of his great interviews and good senior season. He needs to develop a wider array of pass-rushing moves, but is a good pass-rusher and is probably a Top 15 value.

If you are a fan of taking a DE early, Matthias Kiwanuka is a decent fit. Kiwanuka has the potential to be a dominant edge rusher. He is very tall, with long arms and has pretty good speed. However, he lacks bulk and will be shut down by the league's better OT's. If Kiwanuka gains weight and gives a consitent effort he could be an elite DE in the NFL. It would take the Bengals 1st Rounder to get Kiwanuka.

Parys Haralson has l below average size, but is quick off the edge and knows how to get to the QB. If Haralson can put on about 10 lbs he could be a great backup and a potential starter one day. He’s not very fast but showed quick feet and good athleticism in drills at the Combine. Look for him as a potential 3rd Rounder.

Darryl Tapp was one of college's top pass-rushers this past year. Though short, Tapp draws comparisons to the Colts Dwight Freeney. However Tapp doesn't have nearly Freeney's sub-4.5 speed. Still, Tapp shows great burst off the edge and could make a good impact as a pass-rusher. Tapp’s stock has been falling due to his slow Combine time, but his college production and showings at the Senior Bowl should make him at least a Third Round pick.

Indiana's Victor Adeyanju is a name Bengals fans have heard a lot. The guy has all the physical tools, he has the work ethic and he has the experience. At 6’4 267 he runs a 4.67, which are great measurables. Yet Adeyanju remains a raw prospect and would likely fit better on the left side. I would not be willing to use a 2nd Rounder on him, yet if he is there in the 3rd Marvin may take a long look at this guy.

Stanley McClover is another pass-rushing DE that we may look at. McClover, like Tapp, is very quick off the edge and is a very good pass-rusher. At 6'2 252, the guy is undersized. However, McClover has decent speed and potential. Even though McClover lacks experience and ideal size. If he's there in the 3rd, we may consider this tenacious pass rusher.

Mark Anderson has had a very good offseason and Combine. He could emerge as a strong candidate for the 91st. Anderson is flying up the boards; He is 6’4 254 and runs a 4.61, he shows great athleticism and had an impressive game at the Senior Bowl. Still, Anderson lacks good strength and bulk.

Mike Kudla and Eric Henderson are a bit bigger and more experienced. However, Henderson has durability problems and is inconsistent and Kudla may lack the explosiveness to ever start. Kudla is very smart and was an elite college DE, but isn't quick nor is he explosive enough to get consistent pressure, he'll be a solid player whether he play LB or DE.

Enjoy! More will be added shortly.

[HoosierCat]

Good stuff, pudgester.

[BengalPappaw]

What he said!

I would have liked to see some comments about Jason Allen and Antonio Cromartie.

I still like Simpson at 24 -- but hope that Allen or Cromartie slip to 55th

[kentjett]

Good info., nice post.

[Stripes]

Very well put together Pudge. You could possibly add Donte Whitner to the list of 1st/2nd round targets given his recent performance (though I do see you've included him in your list of safeties).

Good stuff!

[Whur CHad At?]

Good read dude. Well I didn't read it here, I read your post on a different fan site.

You know I love your first pick

[ArmyBengal]

Wow, great info and assuming we pick up a DT in FA, I would be more than pleased with that draft !!! Again, nice work !!

WHODEY !!!

[thepudgester]

Wow, great info and assuming we pick up a DT in FA, I would be more than pleased with that draft !!! Again, nice work !!

WHODEY !!!

Ahhh that was one of the problems with my Mock Draft. I am almost counting on getting Sam Adams, or wwe'll be without good DT's once again. However, Sam Adams or not, I think that's the most logical draft I could come up with...

[kingwilly]

pudgester, this Bud's for you!

[thepudgester]

I would have liked to see some comments about Jason Allen and Antonio Cromartie.

I still like Simpson at 24 -- but hope that Allen or Cromartie slip to 55th

A lot of people (on several sights) have said the same thing. Everyone is wondering about these two guys, so soon (maybe tomorrow) I'll be adding them to the prospects section. Cromartie as a CB and Allen as a S.

[NJ29]

Thank you for putting so much time into this for our benefit man. If you want one pudge, Ill make you a sig, cause you sure as hell deserve it.

[cover2]

Really good stuff !

[Spain]

Wow I lost all respect with the Mathias Askew is good depth.

[thepudgester]

Wow I lost all respect with the Mathias Askew is good depth.

Well, I don't know, I suggest glasses... I believe I said Askew and Shaun Smith are fine for depth. I didn't say good, fine means adequate. It means we don't have to look at acquiring late round DT's and should focus on adding talent, not depth.

Reread it now with that little bit clarified, maybe if I'm lucky I'll gain your respect!

[schweinhart]

Bengals staff paid Pro Day visits for a couple players in the pool listed. Gil Brandt had several members of the D staff at Nebraska, which would point to Bullocks but also LeKevin Smith and maybe even Titus Adams.

Also, Ricky Hunley was at Miami's Pro Day. No doubt he watched Rocky McIntosh but could have also been eyeballing Leon Williams who at 245 pounds came off at 4.54 in the 40 at the combine and had the best 10 yard time of all the inside backers plus better than all but 5 of the OLBs there.

Hunley also dropped by Cal Poly to check out Chris Gocong, who makes Pollack look like he's moving in slow motion.

[Indycat]

Bengals staff paid Pro Day visits for a couple players in the pool listed. Gil Brandt had several members of the D staff at Nebraska, which would point to Bullocks but also LeKevin Smith and maybe even Titus Adams.

Also, Ricky Hunley was at Miami's Pro Day. No doubt he watched Rocky McIntosh but could have also been eyeballing Leon Williams who at 245 pounds came off at 4.54 in the 40 at the combine and had the best 10 yard time of all the inside backers plus better than all but 5 of the OLBs there.

Hunley also dropped by Cal Poly to check out Chris Gocong, who makes Pollack look like he's moving in slow motion.

Chrs Gocong would be a good day 2 pick up but the slow motion thing is a little overstated.

Short shuttle: Gocong 4.07 Pollack 3.98

[schweinhart]

Bengals staff paid Pro Day visits for a couple players in the pool listed. Gil Brandt had several members of the D staff at Nebraska, which would point to Bullocks but also LeKevin Smith and maybe even Titus Adams.

Also, Ricky Hunley was at Miami's Pro Day. No doubt he watched Rocky McIntosh but could have also been eyeballing Leon Williams who at 245 pounds came off at 4.54 in the 40 at the combine and had the best 10 yard time of all the inside backers plus better than all but 5 of the OLBs there.

Hunley also dropped by Cal Poly to check out Chris Gocong, who makes Pollack look like he's moving in slow motion.

Chrs Gocong would be a good day 2 pick up but the slow motion thing is a little overstated.

Short shuttle: Gocong 4.07 Pollack 3.98

As a DE, Gocong's 10 yd dash time was only less than Mario Williams, Manny Lawson and Kamerion Wimbley. Pollack does have great short area quickness to change direction, but his straight edge speed off the end compared to Gocong's is comparative slow motion from what I've seen.

Gocong was ungodly quick off the edge in the Shrine Game, be it flashing out to the flats to bust up a pass, knifing inside to stuff the run, blowing by the right tackle for a sack and forcing another like he was shot out of a canon. Plus, he looks physically stronger than Pollack and his motor makes Pollack's look like a trolling motor.

Most impressive about Gocong at the combine was his feet in positional drills. They're jackhammers and his reaction and burst is split second.

It's interesting that the Bengals sent Hunley to look at him, not that they'd necessarily send Jay Hayes out for talent evaluation of D-line prospects anyway. But they're apparently looking at how he'll convert as a tweener. And the Bengals are not alone in that regard. Brandt had the Ravens and Raiders there with the Bengals at Gocong's Pro Day and private workouts set up with 4 DCs of 3-4 teams to gauge how Gocong can convert.

But I like Gocong as a DE. He's got more Freeny in him and strength than Day 1 tweener types like Parys Haralson, Mark Anderson, Stanley McClover and Darryl Tapp. His only downside is he's raw.