2007 Draft and Free Agency

[bengalskyspy]

With a top 10 draft position, who should the Bengals be targeting or hoping for in the draft? Also, what about FA's. Obviously, if we even think about anything other than defense, fans should storm the stadium with stones and torches (just kidding for all you nut cases).

[bengalboomer7]

Damn, i knew I'd see one of these threads today, and i can't say a damn thing about it

[agreen_112]

Why can we not draft? What is the f**king problem?? Look at Indy for example. I don't think it's luck that they get a guy like Joseph Addai. Our scouts must really suck. Look at them, they have all that talent on offense and still can afford to get top guys on defense like Cato June and Freeney and Doss. I don't understand what the problem is... Or am I just being envious?

[BengalPimp]

Top 10 pick? so you're saying that not only will we not make the playoffs, but only win 1 more game the rest of the season? i counted 11 teams with 3 wins or less......

Its ridiculous to post a thread like this when we havent been eliminated from playoff contention yet..

Its even more ridiculous to speculate as to whom, and where we will pick in the draft. HELL the college football season hasnt even ended yet, nobody knows who will be leaving early to enter the draft, and nobody has seen any players in individual workouts, or a combine....post this again in a few months, when some of the questions clear up a bit.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Why can we not draft? What is the f**king problem?? Look at Indy for example. I don't think it's luck that they get a guy like Joseph Addai. Our scouts must really suck. Look at them, they have all that talent on offense and still can afford to get top guys on defense like Cato June and Freeney and Doss. I don't understand what the problem is... Or am I just being envious?

It's hard to knock the draft when so many starters on the team came through it. Nearly every offensive starter was drafted. On D, I refuse to blame the draft for Pollack's failure. Joseph looks great. Odell was a gamble that looked like it paid off then it didn't. Justin's underperformed for a #4 overall but isn't terrible. Simmons has been here forever. Geathers and Peko are good mid-late round pickups.

I will blame the draft for focusing insufficiently on the D line high in the draft, especially DT. Also, the D many times could use more focus overall. The 2004 #1 should have been defense, and the WR picks from this year maybe, but I won't quibble much about 6-7 rounders.

Really, the Slowman pick is the only one where you jump out of your chair and scream at the TV on draft day. In fact, I know I did. Whitworth was a decent pick, playing like a 2nd rounder. It's not clear they needed to get their insurance in the 2nd round when they re-signed both tackles, but I can't complain about having extra protection for Carson. Ratliff is a bust but I think that's a hindsight thing.

So all in all, the drafts haven't been recently. 99 and 00 were all-time atrocious drafts, sure. But 2001 was fantastic - how many times do you have 4 starters from one draft 5 years later? 2002 and 2003 were mediocre. 2004 was actually kind of bad in retrospect given all the picks they had, but they at least got MW, Jumpy, and LJ. 2005 had great talent that has had trouble being on the field due to injury/arrest.

I know there are questions around here lately about whether certain positional coaches can develop a player that wasn't taken on the first day of the draft, but that's not a draft issue.

[bengalskyspy]

Top 10 pick? so you're saying that not only will we not make the playoffs, but only win 1 more game the rest of the season? i counted 11 teams with 3 wins or less......

Its ridiculous to post a thread like this when we havent been eliminated from playoff contention yet..

Its even more ridiculous to speculate as to whom, and where we will pick in the draft. HELL the college football season hasnt even ended yet, nobody knows who will be leaving early to enter the draft, and nobody has seen any players in individual workouts, or a combine....post this again in a few months, when some of the questions clear up a bit.

I think some of those teams are going to win some games, and , yes, this team could win just 2 or 3 the rest of the way. They are that bad. It is possible that they will turn it around and win out and make the playoffs and go all the way to the SuperBowl.... but that would be ridiculous.

[TJJackson]

Draft and FA needs, in no particular order

DE

DT

OLB

CB

S

KR (depends a bit on Tab's injury)

PR (depends a bit on Chatman's injury)

TE

Top FA need

an absolute STAR d-lineman - one who can rush the passer AND stop the run

Top Draft need

an absolute STAR safety - in particular one who can cover the TE and contribute to run defense. Who can be tutored by Williams and Jackson

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Draft and FA needs, in no particular order

DE

DT

OLB

CB

S

KR (depends a bit on Tab's injury)

PR (depends a bit on Chatman's injury)

TE

Top FA need

an absolute STAR d-lineman - one who can rush the passer AND stop the run

Top Draft need

an absolute STAR safety - in particular one who can cover the TE and contribute to run defense. Who can be tutored by Williams and Jackson

I'm not worried about S right now, but they need a real DT. Badly. Hell, if they went D the entire draft, I don't think a soul would complain.

That said, trying to get a pass rush specialist who can stop the run through FA is usually a cap buster. I'd only do it if I thought that the window for this offense was starting to close, and had to gamble to try to win now.

[TJJackson]

Well, you know Marvin can't get through a draft without picking at least two wideouts

TE remains a need on offense, as Reggie Kelly will be moving on at the end of this year. Not sure about Tony Stewart's contract, but I consider him a journeyman anyway. Then again, they've ignored the position for years, whats to stop them from ignoring it again this year?

I can see us picking up a QB to develop as well.

so there's 2-4 picks on offense,leaving 2 to 4 (of the 6) for defense.

[Tasher]

Wow, I think we need to draft some help on the defensive side of the ball...

[GregCook]

Wow, I think we need to draft some help on the defensive side of the ball...

In 2006 I thought the Bengals were drafting for depth. In 2007 they will be back to what they've done for years. Drafting starters.

Dline. Look at the numbers. JSmith leaving(maybe) Thornton, BRob and SamAdams all well over 30 yo.

Next best thing are mid rounders. They had a 21 pt lead and couldn't get after Philip Rivers. They knew he had to throw some passes to have any hopes. Yet no pressure. That is a crime. Of course the secondary got torched. With the time Rivers had, any NFL receiver should get open.

Look at that Dline. Smith, Thornton, BRob and SAM could be playing elsewhere.

Next Linebackers. Pollack is most likely gone based upon his interview last week. Odell too. Simmons is getting old. So last years starting linebackers could be gone entirely. I can see Brooks and Landon starting next year, but who's next?

So your 2007 Bengals might have a front 7 with only one starter from this season and Brooks as a new starter. But don't forget, with Stieny and Justin leaving via FA, the Bengals will get compensatory draft picks. With a trade, they might end up with 10 or 11 picks next year, with an extra 2ed or 3rd too.

[Tasher]

Well, here are the early defensive players ranked within the top fifty overall by one group...

I think that we should be able to pluck two or maybe three of this group on day one...

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=211&p=9&a...124&yr=2007

DE 5 Gaines Adams SR 6-5/265/- Clemson

DE 8 Quentin Moses SR 6-5/250/- Georgia

CB 9 Leon Hall SR 5-11/191/- Michigan

DE 12 Lamarr Woodley SR 6-2/268/- Michigan

CB 15 Darrelle Revis JR 6-0/200/- Pittsburgh

DT 17 Frank Okam JR 6-5/315/- Texas

S 19 LaRon Landry SR 6-2/202/- LSU

CB 20 Antoine Cason JR 6-0/170/- Arizona

OLB 21 Paul Posluszny SR 6-2/229/- Penn State

DT 23 Justin Harrell SR 6-4/300/- Tennessee

S 25 Brandon Meriweather SR 6-0/195/- Miami (FL)

OLB 26 H.B. Blades SR 6-0/240/- Pittsburgh

CB 27 Donte Hughes SR 6-2/188/- California

DT 28 Baraka Atkins SR 6-4/275/- Miami (FL)

DT 31 Brandon Mebane SR 6-3/295/- California

S 32 Tommy Zbikowski JR 6-0/210/- Notre Dame

MLB 36 Patrick Willis SR 6-2/230/- Mississippi

S 38 Michael Griffin SR 6-0/205/- Texas

DT 39 Alan Branch JR 6-6/323/- Michigan

OLB 41 Rufus Alexander SR 6-1/230/- Oklahoma

DT 43 Marcus Thomas SR 6-3/286/- Florida

DE 44 Tim Crowder SR 6-4/270/- Texas

(Note to WhurChadAt: disregard this Crowder entry)

DE 45 Larry Birdine SR 6-3/255/- Oklahoma

DE 48 Adam Carriker SR 6-6/295/- Nebraska

CB 50 Marcus McCauley SR 6-1/190/- Fresno State

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I have no faith in this team on defense - that defense has no heart at all, as Dex said, they're quitters. So I don't how we can expect them to get into the playoffs - sure they can win some games against mediocre teams - but good ones still kick their a$$.

The last 5 games are a good example of why this team doesn't need to waste $ on Justin Smith, and spend it on a quality FA, and get rid of Thorton and Robinson also, among others, including tory James and Brian Simmons. but my guess is Robinson will stay as I think he's signed thru next year.

Any ways Bresh has to go too.

[walzav29]

I still say DT in the 1st, and a center in the 2nd. The rest of the rounds go all defense, and throw in a punt returner as well.

[TJJackson]

with Stieny and Justin leaving via FA, the Bengals will get compensatory draft picks. With a trade, they might end up with 10 or 11 picks next year, with an extra 2ed or 3rd too.

I don't think these compensatory picks are awarded until the year AFTER they leave....so....if we lose a top FA in the 2007 FA signing period, we wouldn't get the compensatory pick til 2008.

I think.

also -- Tasher: please don't let WhurCHadAt know there is a defensive player named "Crowder" in the upcoming draft class......

[Tasher]

also -- Tasher: please don't let WhurCHadAt know there is a defensive player named "Crowder" in the upcoming draft class......

There, is that better?

[TJJackson]

Rockin

[DontPushMe]

I think we all know one thing... if the guy we pick isnt one of the top 2 or 3 people on mel kipers board at the time, or at a position of immediate need, TJJackson will flip out over it.

[bengalsfansince68]

crissakes, our fans are such wimps.

This season is not over and giving up at this point is typical of many of our fans.

Y'all should be ashamed of this thread.

[GregCook]

crissakes, our fans are such wimps.

This season is not over and giving up at this point is typical of many of our fans.

Y'all should be ashamed of this thread.

Being kind of arrogant aren't you? Who gives you the microphone to blast these guys(and girls) feelings?

Speak for yourself, I think thats a hard enough challenge for you. Let the others say their piece, their way.

[Tasher]

crissakes, our fans are such wimps.

This season is not over and giving up at this point is typical of many of our fans.

Y'all should be ashamed of this thread.

Being kind of arrogant aren't you? Who gives you the microphone to blast these guys(and girls) feelings?

Speak for yourself, I think thats a hard enough challenge for you. Let the others say their piece, their way.

I do not recall seeing any statement about the season being over or anybody here giving up.

It is just a discussion of how to fix the defense, which, in case you closed your eyes and took a nap at halftime due to the blowout, gave up 42 points in 30 minutes. Let me say that again, because it just doesn't sound (or look) quite right hearing it or seeing it: the BENGALS (LACK OF) DEFENSE gave up FOURTY-TWO points in THIRTY minutes (2 quarters, for those of you football time clock challenged)!

[TJJackson]

I think we all know one thing... if the guy we pick isnt one of the top 2 or 3 people on mel kipers board at the time, or at a position of immediate need, TJJackson will flip out over it.

Nah, not true.

I don't read Mel Kiper's stuff in part because you have to pay money to read it - plenty of free data and analysis is available online, no need to pay for it.

[HairOnFire]

I don't read Mel Kiper's stuff in part because you have to pay money to read it - plenty of free data and analysis is available online, no need to pay for it.

There's nothing like being dumb on the cheap.

In 2006 I thought the Bengals were drafting for depth. In 2007 they will be back to what they've done for years. Drafting starters.

Agreed, and the defense is screaming for every pick.....and every FA dollar.

[TJJackson]

There's nothing like being dumb on the cheap.

Nah.

No reason to believe based on historical results that Kiper's stuff is better than anyone else's, so why pay for it.

Then again....Hugh Grant had free access to Elizabeth Hurley and decided he'd still pay for Divine Brown

Then again....he has a lot more cash than I do

[schweinhart]

Well, here are the early defensive players ranked within the top fifty overall by one group...

TI think that we should be able to pluck two or maybe three of this group on day one...

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=211&p=9&a...124&yr=2007

DE 5 Gaines Adams SR 6-5/265/- Clemson

DE 8 Quentin Moses SR 6-5/250/- Georgia

CB 9 Leon Hall SR 5-11/191/- Michigan

DE 12 Lamarr Woodley SR 6-2/268/- Michigan

CB 15 Darrelle Revis JR 6-0/200/- Pittsburgh

DT 17 Frank Okam JR 6-5/315/- Texas

S 19 LaRon Landry SR 6-2/202/- LSU

CB 20 Antoine Cason JR 6-0/170/- Arizona

OLB 21 Paul Posluszny SR 6-2/229/- Penn State

DT 23 Justin Harrell SR 6-4/300/- Tennessee

S 25 Brandon Meriweather SR 6-0/195/- Miami (FL)

OLB 26 H.B. Blades SR 6-0/240/- Pittsburgh

CB 27 Donte Hughes SR 6-2/188/- California

DT 28 Baraka Atkins SR 6-4/275/- Miami (FL)

DT 31 Brandon Mebane SR 6-3/295/- California

S 32 Tommy Zbikowski JR 6-0/210/- Notre Dame

MLB 36 Patrick Willis SR 6-2/230/- Mississippi

S 38 Michael Griffin SR 6-0/205/- Texas

DT 39 Alan Branch JR 6-6/323/- Michigan

OLB 41 Rufus Alexander SR 6-1/230/- Oklahoma

DT 43 Marcus Thomas SR 6-3/286/- Florida

DE 44 Tim Crowder SR 6-4/270/- Texas

(Note to WhurChadAt: disregard this Crowder entry)

DE 45 Larry Birdine SR 6-3/255/- Oklahoma

DE 48 Adam Carriker SR 6-6/295/- Nebraska

CB 50 Marcus McCauley SR 6-1/190/- Fresno State

It'd be hard for the Bengals to lay off of any one of those 5 corners. They're all worth 1st round picks IMO but given a choice I'd like to see them take Darrelle Revis over Dameion Hughes, Leon Hall, Marcus McCauley or Antoine Cason...Cason is awfully sleek though even when he got beat by Cal's Desean Jackson on the TD called back because Jackson stepped out of bounds, he still recovered extremely quick.

DE wise I still like Lawrence Jackson. Saw him get his 1st sack of the year vs. Oregon and it came wide at RDE out of the 3-4 USC has switched to. He fared a lot better last year in a 4-3 and has probably proven he won't be on teams lists looking for a 3-4 DE. But he's a straight up 4-3 DE with power and quicks. After him I'd say LaMarr Woodley. He should get tweenered but either way he's what the Bengals could definitely use -- an every down DE or a SSLB who rushes down in passing situations. As a second rounder Baraka Atkins would be tempting. He showed up well vs. the giant Jared Gaithers of Maryland and provides that big frame LDE the Bengals seek in the run game plus he does have burst and the arm strength to rip blockers out of his way as well as experience hand-to-hand inside as a DT.