Gil Brandt's look at 2007

[HairOnFire]

Gil Brandt sorta handicapped next years draft by listing the prospects most likely to be drafted in 2007. Obviously underslassmen aren't included and the players aren't ranked, but it's an interesting starting point. BTW, it's a very small and rather crappy class for TE's.

Players likely to be drafted:

93 Adams, Gaines Clemson DL

95 Abiamiri, Victor Notre Dame DL

13 Alford, Jay Penn State DL

98 Atkins, Baraka Miami (Fla.) DL

93 Bazuin, Daniel Central Michigan DL

99 Brown, Kareem Miami (Fla.) DL

96 Burchette, Noland Virginia Tech DL

90 Carriker, Adam Nebraska DL

80 Crowder, Tim Texas DL

92 Harrell, Justin Tennessee DL

66 Howard, Loren Arizona State DL

90 Johnson, Antonio Mississippi State DL

52 Mebane, Brandon California DL

44 Moore, Jay Nebraska DL

94 Moses, Quentin Georgia DL

91 Okoye, Amobi Louisville DL

90 Pitcock, Quinn Ohio State DL

44 Thomas, Marcus Florida DL

72 Tyler, DeMarcus N.C. State DL

42 Alexander, Rufus Oklahoma LB

11 Black, Quincy New Mexico LB

51 Blades, H.B. Pittsburgh LB

40 Connor, Dan Penn State LB

5 D'Andrea, Mike Ohio State LB

7 Davis, Buster Florida State LB

38 DeOssie, Zak Brown LB

52 Durant, Justin Hampton LB

30 Everett, Earl Florida LB

45 Harris, David Michigan LB

34 Holloway, David Maryland LB

45 Lua, Oscar USC LB

31 Posluszny, Paul Penn State LB

42 Simpson, Juwan Alabama LB

40 Waters, Anthony Clemson LB

49 Willis, Patrick Mississippi LB

56 Woodley, LaMarr Michigan LB

1 Bain, Travarous Hampton DB

25 Bannister, Calvin Hampton DB

19 Barringer, Willis Michigan DB

8 Bennett, Fred South Carolina DB

1 Bowman, Zachary Nebraska DB

5 Brown, Tarell Texas DB

3 Davis, A.C. N.C. State DB

23 Franklin, Tony Virginia DB

15 Gilliam, Sergio Clemson DB

22 Graham, Nick Tulsa DB

27 Griffin, Michael Texas DB

29 Hall, Leon Michigan DB

3 Hamilton, Marcus Virginia DB

3 Hughes, Daymeion California DB

4 Irons, David Auburn DB

4 Jackson, DeAndre Iowa State DB

28 Jackson, Tanard Syracuse DB

30 Landry, LaRon LSU DB

17 McCauley, Marcus Fresno State DB

19 Meriweather, Brandon Miami (Fla.) DB

28 Nelson, J.D. Oregon DB

22 Rogers, Roderick Wisconsin DB

31 Ross, Aaron Texas DB

36 Rouse, Aaron Virginia Tech DB

2 Scott, Kenny Georgia Tech DB

4 Stone, Daren Maine DB

11 Talley, John Duke DB

4 Wade, Jonathan Tennessee DB

32 Weddle, Eric Utah DB

23 Wendling, John Wyoming DB

4 Wilson, Josh Maryland DB

9 Zbikowski, Tom Notre Dame DB

5 Edwards, Trent Stanford QB

12 Gutierrez, Matt Idaho State QB

10 Quinn, Brady Notre Dame QB

9 Keller, Sam Arizona State QB

11 Rascati, Justin James Madison QB

10 Smith, Troy Ohio State QB

5 Stanton, Drew Michigan State QB

28 Booker, Lorenzo Florida State RB

1 Banks, Alvin James Madison RB

19 Bush, Michael Louisville RB

22 Coleman, Alonzo Hampton RB

34 Darby, Ken Alabama RB

38 Hilliard, Lex Montana RB

26 Hunt, Tony Penn State RB

23 Irons, Kenny Auburn RB

23 Leonard, Brian Rutgers RB

25 Lewis, Courtney Texas A&M RB

30 Moss, Tyrone Miami (Fla.) RB

34 Pruitt, Greg North Carolina Central RB

21 Wynn, DeShawn Florida RB

2 Allison, Aundrae East Carolina WR

3 Ball, David New Hampshire WR

81 Baker, Dallas Florida WR

80 Bowe, Dwayne LSU WR

15 Breaston, Steve Michigan WR

5 Caldwell, Andre Florida WR

5 Davis, Chris Florida State WR

3 Davis, Craig LSU WR

88 Hicks, Jarrett Texas Tech WR

21 Higgins, Johnny Lee UTEP WR

83 Hill, Jason Washington State WR

9 Holley, Jesse North Carolina WR

2 Jones, Jacoby Lane WR

84 Mines, Fontel Virginia WR

21 Merritt, Anthony North Alabama WR

86 Moore, Ryan Miami (Fla.) WR

13 Newton, Syvelle South Carolina WR

81 Robinson, Laurent Illinois State WR

2 Smith, Steve USC WR

2 Stuckey, Chansi Clemson WR

86 Taylor, Courtney Auburn WR

3 Tolbert, Henry Grambling WR

6 Trannon, Matt Michigan State WR

81 Williams, Deyon Virginia WR

1 Williams, Paul Fresno State WR

88 Ariola, Justin Rocky Mountain TE

87 Chandler, Scott Iowa TE

81 Harris, Clark Rutgers TE

11 Herian, Matt Nebraska TE

87 Milner, Martrez Georgia TE

89 Newton, Joe Oregon State TE

89 Speath, Matt Minnesota TE

75 Beekman, Josh Boston College OL

63 Blalock, Justin Texas OL

67 Brown, Levi Penn State OL

50 Datich, Doug, Ohio State OL

76 Duckworth, Tim Auburn OL

62 Free, Doug Northern Illinois OL

62 Fry, Dustin Clemson OL

74 Frye, Brandon Virginia Tech OL

64 Harris, LeRoy N.C. State OL

68 Harris, Ryan Notre Dame OL

70 Heyer, Stephon Maryland OL

67 Kalil, Ryan USC OL

65 Otto, Mike Purdue OL

63 Ramirez, Manuel Texas Tech OL

50 Santucci, Dan Notre Dame OL

64 Satele, Samson Hawaii OL

76 Sears, Aaron Tennessee OL

73 Staley, Joe Central Michigan OL

72 Thomas, Joe Wisconsin OL

66 Ugoh, Tony Arkansas OL

59 Young, Kyle Fresno State OL

16 Crosby, Mason Colorado PK

[ArmyBengal]

I'll be interested to see how those TE's do through the course of the season !!!

WHODEY !!!

[ChadJohnson-85]

I dont believe ML will take a TE in the 1rst round next year. IMO I think he's gonna take a LB or A DT next year in the first round and take a TE in the second.

[ArmyBengal]

I don't personally care where he takes one, but he's going to be looking at this position very hard in my mind !!!

WHODEY !!!

[Stripes]

We could pick just about anybody next year. Who knows who will be available at 32?

[schweinhart]

Surprised Brandt didn't have Jonny Harline from BYU among the TEs. Great receiving TE but his blocking will be a mystery.

Here's a Top 10 stab off that list:

1. Gaines Adams

2. Quentin Moses

3. Levi Brown

4. Brady Quinn

5. Michael Bush

6. Michael Griffin

7. Patrick Willis

8. Baraka Atkins

9. Kenny Irons

10. Johnnie Lee Higgins

[Smackdown625]

Tyler Palko from Pitt should be on that QB list...

[schweinhart]

Palko probably won't have much to work with to make his case to get drafted. Greg Lee gone early is probably the best thing for him, though, because now he can move on to other targets and leave an overated, pass-dropper like Lee behind. Of course between Wannstedt and Cavannaugh, I wouldn't exactly expect to see much help on the way. I do think he's a tough player though, a little bit like Gradkowski last year but with a livelier arm if not quite as field aware.

The QB who Brandt left off is hands-down Jordan Palmer, but he's got to show he can recupe from damage at the end of the year (ballsy MFer wasn't he). Besides that, there's no question about the arm but another year at the position will help him showcase he can keep his poise well enough to keep the picks down. He's just got to get on the field in time to make his bid.

[alleycat]

Little tidbid from Brandt about Ahmad Brooks. Notice who was working him out. Marvin and Co. are really liking these questionable character linebackers:

Brooks held a workout for pro scouts on June 22 at the University of Virginia. On a 96-degree day and the heat index up at 110, Brooks ran on AstroTurf and worked out on grass that was dried-out. Bengals linebacker coach Ricky Hunley conducted the workout. There were representatives from 31 teams at the workout, with only the Vikings not in attendance. Mike Nolan from the 49ers was the only head coach there. He was joined by San Francisco VP of player personnel Scot McCloughan. Brooks will work out for the 49ers at their place for two days next week. Randy Mueller of the Dolphins, Mike Murphy from the Cowboys and Calvin Branch from the Raiders were also there. Brooks lost 32 pounds in 10 weeks (he was measured at 6-foot-3, 260 pounds) and passed five drug tests in the last 10 weeks. He ran three times, timed at 4.68, 4.75 and 4.74 in the 40, with 10-yard splits of 1.53, 1.58 and 1.58 and 20-yard splits of 2.73, 2.75 and 2.75. His arm span measured 33½ inches and his hands measured 9½. He had a 32-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot-8 long jump, a 4.43 short shuttle, an 11.84 long shuttle, a 7.43 three-cone drill and 19 benches. The conditions were not really good, just average.

The day before the workout, Brooks met with John Dorsey and Reggie McKenzie (GB), had a meeting with Ricky Hunley (CIN) and had dinner with Jerry Reese (NYG).

Brooks, who played linebacker in college but might project as a Julius Peppers-type defensive end in the pros, missed six games with a right knee injury last year. He visited Dr. James Andrews on June 12 for the knee to be examined and that report was made available to all NFL teams.

Brooks' father, Perry Brooks, was a defensive tackle whom New England drafted in Round 7 in 1976. He never played for New England but played 92 games for Washington.

He will continue to work out under Chip Smith in Atlanta.

[HairOnFire]

For whatever it might be worth the talking heads on the NFL Network claimed yesterday that the Bengals were one of the teams most interested in using a supplemental pick on Brooks, and they projected that Brooks will likely fall into 4th round due to concerns about his character. They did acknowledge that there might be a team willing to use a 3rd round pick, but it wasn't considered likely due to other concerns about his recovery from injury, the way he ballooned up to 290 pounds when inactive, and the uncertainty that he might have to switch to DE in the NFL.

[BengalPappaw]

I have been watching Michael Griffin of Texas on tape and I would like us to draft him to eventually replace Dexter Jackson.

[schweinhart]

I hear you Pap. Griffin looked awfully good but his true test should come this year with Huff and the other Griffin gone. He'll probably fit somewhere in between those 2 in the NFL -- not as fast as Huff or as physical as Cedric but still an impact player who can play the ball real well at nickel corner and interchangeable safety.

As for Brooks, if he's anywhere close to how he played 2 years ago, I'd be surprised if a 3-4 team doesn't cough up a 3rd for him. Hard to believe the Bengals would, though, but a 4th or 5th would be worth the risk IMO as Brooks looked like a much better LB than Nicholson ever did.

[BengalPappaw]

I hear you Pap. Griffin looked awfully good but his true test should come this year with Huff and the other Griffin gone. He'll probably fit somewhere in between those 2 in the NFL -- not as fast as Huff or as physical as Cedric but still an impact player who can play the ball real well at nickel corner and interchangeable safety.

Do you have data on Michael Griffin's speed? He looks quick and fast -- but sometime "looks" can be deceiving.

What do you know about the Notre Dame DE, Victor Abiamira?

I like Victor better than Adam Carriker, who I've seen rated higher.

[ArmyBengal]

To bad we won't be picking high enough to grab Ted Ginn Jr. to compliment Chad as another deep threat when he comes out after his junior season. That boy is B-A-D !!!

WHODEY !!!

[Stripes]

To bad we won't be picking high enough to grab Ted Ginn Jr. to compliment Chad as another deep threat when he comes out after his junior season. That boy is B-A-D !!!

WHODEY !!!

I'm not sure Ginn will even be a high draft pick. There will be questions about his size, his hands, and how well his shiftiness will translate to the NFL. We may have a shot, but I doubt we'd take him either way. Not that I wouldn't drool at the prospect of having that sort of weapon added to this rediculous offense.

[ArmyBengal]

Not to mention his capabilities as a return man. With his speed, he would be a huge compliment to any WR corp looking to spread the field and add a deep speed threat... The next question would be, will he even come out ??

WHODEY !!!

[schweinhart]

I hear you Pap. Griffin looked awfully good but his true test should come this year with Huff and the other Griffin gone. He'll probably fit somewhere in between those 2 in the NFL -- not as fast as Huff or as physical as Cedric but still an impact player who can play the ball real well at nickel corner and interchangeable safety.

Do you have data on Michael Griffin's speed? He looks quick and fast -- but sometime "looks" can be deceiving.

What do you know about the Notre Dame DE, Victor Abiamira?

I like Victor better than Adam Carriker, who I've seen rated higher.

NFL Draft Scout has got Griffin at 4.45 but times have a habit of changing. I don't think his looks are deceiving and it looks like Griffin will take over Huff's role this year with Griffin's brother taking over his. So Griffin has a shot to do what Huff and Whitner did last year if teams think he can play some man CB at least out of the slot. He ought to get a lot of field time this year because it's hard to imagine Texas will do on offense what it did with Vince Young.

This should be a good year for DE, especially if USC's Lawrence Jackson enters. I can't recall being impressed by either Abiamira or Carriker in their bowl games other than Carriker's sheer size but there should be some good matchups featuring both of them this year if they have to square off vs. good tackles. (USC and Penn St. for Abiamira and USC and Texas for Carriker). I would say Carriker looks better positioned to get drafted higher because he should be considered as both a 3-4 and 4-3 DE plus a DT pass rusher in the 4-3.

Not to mention his capabilities as a return man. With his speed, he would be a huge compliment to any WR corp looking to spread the field and add a deep speed threat... The next question would be, will he even come out ??

WHODEY !!!

It looks like it'd be real smart for Ginn to enter given the WR senior class -- not much speed. If he continues to route run like he did at the end of the year and not like he did vs. a NFL-caliber secondary like Texas, he should be up there with Calvin Johnson if he enters.

[kurgan74]

1 Junior TE to look out for is Miami's Greg Olsen. Last year he was second on the team in receptions

with 31 catches for 451 yards (14.5 avg) and 4 TD's. He could have came this year after sitting out a year for transferring froM ND to Miami and have been a round 1 or 2 TE.

[Stripes]

I'll predict immediately that the Bengals do not take a TE on the first day of the 2007 draft.

[ArmyBengal]

I would have to think a TE on day one next year will happen "IF" there is one available that they covet when it's time to pick. I really believe had one of the TE's the organization liked had been there in the draft this year, it might have turned out a little differently. I honestly think the chances of a TE day one increases for next year. Other than that, I see a HUGE defensive draft next year in the making...

WHODEY !!!

[HairOnFire]

Well, it seems obvious that the TE position isn't a priority in the Bengals offense. Year after year they've proven that when all things are equal they really aren't, as they've repeatedly drafted backup help at other positions even after losing their starting TE.

Frankly, I can easily envision a scenario where the Bengals plug their perceived hole at TE next year with a journeyman veteran TE added either in free agency or from the waiver wire.

As for the next draft, it may be stupid early, but I've planted my flag firmly in Camp DE.

[schweinhart]

As for the next draft, it may be stupid early, but I've planted my flag firmly in Camp DE.

I agree with the DE but don't know if that should be a 4-3 or 3-4 DE. Assuming a late 1st round pick, possible candidates could be Baraka Atkins as more of a 3-4 end and RDT rusher in a 4-3 or Dan Bazuin of Central Michigan, who can be seen August 31 at 6 p.m. on ESPN2 vs. Boston College.

It looks early like there should be a run on DEs early in next year's draft with ones like Gaines Adams, Quentin Moses, Adam Carriker and Lawrence Jackson (if he declares) maybe gone by the time the Bengals pick.

I want to see more of Atkins who might be the best fit for the Bengals if they want to switch in and out of base Ds. A good early look would be September 4 at 8 p.m. on ESPN when Miami plays Fla. St. But Atkins will probably be playing inside rather than out.

[HairOnFire]

As for the next draft, it may be stupid early, but I've planted my flag firmly in Camp DE.

I agree with the DE but don't know if that should be a 4-3 or 3-4 DE. Assuming a late 1st round pick, possible candidates could be Baraka Atkins as more of a 3-4 end and RDT rusher in a 4-3 or Dan Bazuin of Central Michigan, who can be seen August 31 at 6 p.m. on ESPN2 vs. Boston College.

It looks early like there should be a run on DEs early in next year's draft with ones like Gaines Adams, Quentin Moses, Adam Carriker and Lawrence Jackson (if he declares) maybe gone by the time the Bengals pick.

I want to see more of Atkins who might be the best fit for the Bengals if they want to switch in and out of base Ds. A good early look would be September 4 at 8 p.m. on ESPN when Miami plays Fla. St. But Atkins will probably be playing inside rather than out.

Thanks for the viewing heads up. I'll be on a drunken Mexican vacation when both of those games are played, but I'll set the Tivo to record 'em.

As for which type of DE to draft, well....that's the million dollar question. My gut tells me that 3-4 ends usually lack the pass rushing skills to go early in the draft and can often be had outside of the 1st round, and I've got a strong suspicion that a player like Adam Carriker will slip....maybe to the late 2nd round. His size and run stuffing skills would look pretty good opposite Geathers/Rucker, and he could be groomed to replace B Rob.

Last, I can envision several scenarios that result in the Bengals double dipping for D-Line help.

[schweinhart]

Just don't drink the water. It could turn your arse on fire.

Next year sure does look like the Bengals should go D-Line early in the draft given the status of the entire starting D-line. Of course they could continue with their strategy of filling their needs with vet free agents and not rely on early draft picks there.

However, the DE crop looks above average for 2007 and Carriker will be one DE/DT worth watching, especially Sept. 16 when Nebraska play USC. How much he's viewed as a DE in either a 3-4 or 4-3 or a DT in a 4-3 should increase interest in a wider number of teams if they feel he's versatile enough to be all 3.

The 1st round picture is likely to be impacted by 4 non-senior WRs. Rice, Calvin J, Ginn and possibly Jarrett. Those for plus RBs Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch hopefully make a worthwhile DE drop to the later part of the round for the Bengals to chew on. The one I'd like to see there right now is Lawrence Jackson from USC if he declares.

[ArmyBengal]

I just think it's going to be way heavy on defense next draft with the exception of a TE "IF THERE IS SOMEONE THE ORGANIZATION COVETS". If not, all defensive positions will get added depth !!! Safety is another position that has to get added (younger) depth...

WHODEY !!!