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Bengals Biggest Need = DE!!!!


kzba

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We won't be moving up to take Williams, as the cost would be too high.

I think kiwi will be there from 22 on, and if it does happen like that, we should draft him.

Here is why we should not take a DT in 5r1: there si not as much fall-off from the 3rd rated guy (Watson) to the 9th rated guy (LeKevin Smith)...most of whihc can be had in r2-4...

I think the secondary could be the way we go in at least 2 of the first 4...

Again, the fall-off from the 3rd or 4th rated CB (Cromarite/Joseph) is not that big down to the mid-teens of the rated guys....like Maxey or McPherson...all could easily push Ratliff to get in on nickel sets. these guys could still be there in r4-5. Very deep at CB.

Safety is more of a puzzle...some top guys had injuries (Allen) and others are slow (Bing/Blue)....Bullocks intrigues me, he was a force and has the work-out numbers that grab attention. Hard to not consider a guy who is over 215 and can run sub 4.40...and lay wood. Safety is also deep but there are trade-offs with the guys down the list...some slow, some poor in coverage...some injured...some not the biggest hitters...

I see us going DE in r1...pass rush is critical...think of how marvin alwys talks about the "big plays" we gave up...hard to give up the big one when the QB is on his back...

in R2 I see us going TE or S....TE would be my choice, as the WR corps could be thinned out...and Carson needs that extra option.

in r3 could be where we go S.....Watkins...Harper...quite a few options here...

and in r4 could be the CB connection....McPherson...Maxey...Bassey...some talented guys in a deep CB field...

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I hear you King Willy. Those very considerations are what the Bengals will be balancing as the multiple scenarios unfold come draft day.

I think a lot of folks recognize the need for another DE -- especially one that offers some legit pass rush. But IMO based on watching the prospective DEs in college last year and afterwards in addition to following how they've fared during their college careers, I'd have to say that I hope the Bengals do not pick either Kiwi or Hali at #24 based on observations about their play.

Kiwi: As he stands now, he has an uphill climb in convincing teams that he can be an effective 4-3 DE with one major exception -- teams that stunt a lot. Kiwi thrives in open space and has shown excellent patience in letting trash flow before he picks his spot to burst through. On the edge, Kiwi is not going to outquick tackles outside and completely lacks the strength to bullrush or ride a tackle back to the QB. Run wise, that lack of strength at the next level will translate into him frequently getting washed out or pinned. Kiwi really looks like a down OLB in a 3-4 where he can take advantage of the extra space off the edge. However, the frame is there to develop him into a more physical player.

Hali: Gotta love his effort. I doubt there's another player in better condition or more determined but that's about the height of Hali's ceiling. He will outquick no one to the QB and will be a liability in contain on stretch runs because of his lack of quickness. But he is an overachiever who will put up some production out of sheer will.

Manny Lawson would be the better pick of the 3 at #24 because he's got the speed rush off the edge. Run wise, Lawson will struggle until he adds at least as much weight as he did from his junior to senior year. But the upside is major with Lawson as a 4-3 DE in time.

The CB equation for the Bengals probably will be completely based on the availability of the top talent, otherwise there's far less need to draft a primarily zone corner or a lesser cover corner. I would say the top talent at CB is very polarized in this draft: Huff as a DB extraordinaire, Hill as the best proven man corner and quickest in the slot, Joseph as a man corner with incredible speed, Whitner as an extremely versatile DB who should be able to play all CB positions and Antonio Cromartie as a Top 10 talent who can play any CB spot but might have enough questions due to injury and experience to make him drop to the lower 3rd of the 1st round. For the Bengals purposes, I would say that they should not draft either Hill or Joseph because their CB priority is the weakside CB who will find themselves isolated more often vs. the run. Joseph might be able to cut it there, but Whitner and Cromartie look more suited for it.

So short of Whitner or Cromartie, the Bengals ought to see who is left in 3rd or 4th because there is excellent 2nd tier talent at the position in this draft. Obviously, Whitner fills a bill at safety as well, ideally giving the Bengals another Madieu. Ko Simpson should also get a lot of consideration from the Bengals. Even though he's primarily a FS, he should be able to interchange at safety and has enough speed and reaction to handle deep man coverage and seam help when the scheme calls for it.

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good analysis guys. I don't follow college football players... just because there are so many teams... so I appreciate the effort from guys who sound like they know what they are talking about.

That said... CB would still be my first choice in the 1st round... and all the issues that people say Hali has are the same things they said about Freeney. Just something to think about.

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Freeney was running in the 4.4 range pre-draft...

I'm still in the camp of defense with the first pick, regardless of a CB, DE, or DT... I believe there will be someone there at #24 who will have a big impact for our defense. If Kiwi is there, I say grab him, Cromartie would be great, and if Bunk were to happen to fall, that would be crazy !!! Anyway around, we are sitting in a good position in regards to our needs.

WHODEY !!!

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I agree with most people in this thread. Don't trade up, because there are way too many good options that will possibly be available at #24. I wouldn't object to trading down, however, as that mass of defensive talent looks to be falling into the early second round.

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