OK guys, need your help

[Kirkendall]

The site I write for is actually apart of a large sporting network (we even have golf, UFC, cycling and boxing blogs). Anyway, the football guys are in the middle of running their mock draft right now. The draft is being hosted here, http://www.fieldgulls.com/

This thing is taking days to run, each site drafting their own guy. I won't be up for a few more days...

So here's my question.

Do you guys think I should draft best available? I'm in the mindset of grabbing the best available Cornerback -- or Patrick Willis if he's available still.

This is the CB ranking I have, if I go that route:

Leon Hall

Darrelle Revis

Marcus McCauley

Daymeion Hughes

Thoughts?

Also, me, the Steelers and Browns bloggers are going to help draft for the Ravens because we can't find a single Ravens blogger worth inviting for the life of us. I really don't think they have any fans...

[Stripes]

Allow me to hold a cross and a necklace of garlic in the direction of Daymeion Hughes. Any of the other three CBs would be acceptable, with Revis on top IMO. Chris Houston also warrants consideration. If Patrick Willis does actually fall that far, then jump all over it! Lawrence Timmons is also worth a look. Best available will probably be the best way to go, as long as it isn't Hughes!

[Kirkendall]

So I should go after Hughes?

OK, I'll use this list (pick first available).

Leon Hall

Patrick Willis

Darrelle Revis

Lawrence Timmons

Thoughts?

[BengalPappaw]

So I should go after Hughes?

OK, I'll use this list (pick first available).

Leon Hall

Patrick Willis

Darrelle Revis

Lawrence Timmons

Thoughts?

I believe that the Bengals should draft the Best Available DEFENSIVE Player.

My list (in order of preference) is an expanded version of yours:

Leon Hall

Reggie Nelson

Patrick Willis

Darrelle Revis

Lawrence Timmons

Jarvis Moss

Please, in the 1st round, do NOT draft Hughes or McCauley

[HoosierCat]

I wouldn't lock into CB. Face it, our D has so many holes that you could pick just about any position and it'd be an upgrade. I would go with Best Defensive Player Available. Tho I'd probably shy away from DE unless I was planning on moving Justin as part of my draft day activities.

[Sundance_Kid]

Reggie Nelson only had 1 good year! Everyone is jumping on him, and I could be wrong, but the dude only had 1 good year....

Michael Griffin is getting extremely shafted

[mjm47]

I generally agree with Hoosier but might be more open to drafting a DE - it seems to be one of the deeper positions in the class (Adams, Anderson, Moss, Carriker, Spencer all seem like legit first rounders) and it would allow more flexibility in subsequent negotiations with J. Smith and open the possibility of cutting Robinson (not that I'm necessarily in favor of cutting him, just in favor of the option).

[7/11]

Reggie Nelson only had 1 good year! Everyone is jumping on him, and I could be wrong, but the dude only had 1 good year....

carson only had one good year, too.

this year, he was clearly a dominant ed reed-type force in the secondary...

[jditty47]

um johnathan joseph only had one good year in college too. id have nelson as a top 3 choice up there as well.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

TRADE DOWN!

[HoosierCat]

I generally agree with Hoosier but might be more open to drafting a DE - it seems to be one of the deeper positions in the class (Adams, Anderson, Moss, Carriker, Spencer all seem like legit first rounders) and it would allow more flexibility in subsequent negotiations with J. Smith and open the possibility of cutting Robinson (not that I'm necessarily in favor of cutting him, just in favor of the option).

I do like some of the DEs, and there's a lot of appeal to the idea of Jarvis Moss at 18, I just think we have bigger fish to fry at this point. Taking Carriker, if he's there, and making him another DE/DT swing type is an option, too.

[Stripes]

TRADE DOWN!

Sounds good to me. This looks like the best year to try that since 2004... when we did trade down. We'd have to find a team willing to move up though, and that's no guarantee.

[Kirkendall]

OK, here's an update -- keep in mind, there are those that traded picks so this will be off the template of the existing draft order.

1. Oakland. JaMarcus Russell, QB

2. Tampa Bay. Calvin Johnson, WR

3. Cleveland. Joe Thomas, OL

4. Detroit. Gaines Adams, DE

5. Arizona. Levi Brown, OT

6. Washington. Jamaal Anderson, DE

7. Minnesota. Adrian Peterson, RB

8. Atlanta. LaRon Landry, S

9. Miami. Brady Quinn, QB

10. Buffalo. Patrick Willis, LB (damn)

I still think Leon Hall will be gone before I go. But if he's not, he's now my target. If he goes, then would you guys go with Darrelle Revis or a linebacker or another corner?

Here's my adjusted target list.

1. Leon Hall

2. Darrelle Revis

3. Lawrence Timmons

4. Brandon Siler

Thoughts?

[Spor_tees]

You have to go Revis...but I don't understand why Jarvis Moss isn't part of this discussion. If the Bengals took him this year, he could have a year under Justin Smith to get up to pace and take his place next year. Like many have said before...a great pass rush can make medicore CB's look like Pro-Bowlers.

[mjm47]

I assume that Carriker will be gone - but if he gets past the Steelers I think that he should get some consideration too. He seems like he can hold the point against the run and kick down to tackle on passing downs to provide some pressure up the middle - seems like a good fit.

[Kirkendall]

You have to go Revis...but I don't understand why Jarvis Moss isn't part of this discussion. If the Bengals took him this year, he could have a year under Justin Smith to get up to pace and take his place next year. Like many have said before...a great pass rush can make medicore CB's look like Pro-Bowlers.

...and you might be right. My only point going with CB is that it would be an immediate need. Especially with the low-level talent behind JJ and the unknowns with O'Neal (will he be, or won't he be here). And I might be able to go with a guy like that in the second round...

[HoosierCat]

Here's my adjusted target list.

1. Leon Hall

2. Darrelle Revis

3. Lawrence Timmons

4. Brandon Siler

Thoughts?

Also to consider: Okoye, Branch, Nelson, Houston, Carriker. Frankly I like any of them better than Timmons or Siler. May all be gone by 18 tho.

You have to go Revis...but I don't understand why Jarvis Moss isn't part of this discussion. If the Bengals took him this year, he could have a year under Justin Smith to get up to pace and take his place next year.

I like Moss. The problem I see is that were already stocked at DE with Justin, B-Rob, Rucker and Geathers, plus swingman Fanene (and possibly Pollack down the road). Adding Moss would likely mean waving goodbye to B-Rob, and thus yet another swap-off of youth for experience. Judging from their apparent pull-back on a Deltha trade I suspect they feel they've done enough of that already this offseason. OTOH, a guy like Carriker could also play DT, and there we have a roster slot open.

[HairOnFire]

Okoye, Revis, Carriker....and then a host of others.

Truth be told, it's embarrassing how long my short list is.

[Kirkendall]

San Francisco picked up Adam Carriker.

[Stripes]

Among those still on the board, I rank them thusly:

1. Amobi Okoye

2. Darrelle Revis

3. Lawrence Timmons

4. Leon Hall

5. Paul Posluszny

[Kirkendall]

Among those still on the board, I rank them thusly:

1. Amobi Okoye

2. Darrelle Revis

3. Lawrence Timmons

4. Leon Hall

5. Paul Posluszny

Leon Hall -- from what I've read, which isn't a lot -- is nearly the consensus number one cornerback in the draft. If he's available, I'm really siding with taking him. Only because our CBs are hurting... especially with existing variables.

[jditty47]

hall will not be available in the real draft at 18. gauranteed.

[Kirkendall]

hall will not be available in the real draft at 18. gauranteed.

I agree. Most mocks I've seen that have experience and credibility have him long gone.

[jditty47]

so even if he is available in that little mock, u shouldnt take him cuz it would be a pointless mock if u ask me.

[Stripes]

Hall's measurables are impressive, but I like Revis more as a prospect -- especially as a #2. I wouldn't call Hall a bad pick though.