What To Focus On In The Draft

[cinci_bengals]

The Draft:

We need to finish the season higher than 8-8 to get a good Draft Pick. We need to work on our Defense. Get some guys in the LB spot that are fast,with good arms. We need to try to get some guys as good as we had on our defense in '05.

:bengal: :bengal: :bengal: :bengal:

What's You're Thoughts?

-C_B

[Bengals1]

We need to finish the season higher than 8-8 to get a good Draft Pick.

What's You're Thoughts?

I think you mean we need to finish "lower" than 8-8 to get a good draft pick.

[WhoDey93285]

'05 defense wasn't neccesarily good, it was just lucky and ball-hawking.

[mgilgris]

Draft should start with the best D-Line first round that is on the board. Either a pressing End or a run stobbing tackle.

Resign landlon Madieu and keep Marshall

Pick up a hitting strong safety

Cut DJAX or do not resign him, brob, or Thorton.

[Bengals1]

We need to sign two better than average for their position defensive free agents. It can be any combo of the following:

DE

DT

OLB

SS

Then use our first two picks in the draft to fill in the other two spots. Use the rest of our draft to find another Olinemen, a pass catching TE and for depth at other spots such as RB.

That ought to do nicely. It won't happen even if Hell freezes over but it would do nicely.

[akiliklingler]

I'd like to think that next year's starting LB's would be Sam - Eric Henderson, Mike - Ahmad Broods, Will - Odell Thurman and we therefore wouldn't need to draft a LB w/ the 1st pick. Although that's zero experience and has about as good a chance of happening as a valet getting a good tip from Chris Henry.

DE or DT if a solid one is available. If one's not there than the best LB on the board. Safety would be nice, but we just drafted 2 this year.

[jjakq27]

The Draft:

We need to finish the season higher than 8-8 to get a good Draft Pick. We need to work on our Defense. Get some guys in the LB spot that are fast,with good arms. We need to try to get some guys as good as we had on our defense in '05.

What's You're Thoughts?

-C_B

Sorry but it is a little early to talk about the draft IMO.

[GregCook]

The Draft:

We need to finish the season higher than 8-8 to get a good Draft Pick. We need to work on our Defense. Get some guys in the LB spot that are fast,with good arms. We need to try to get some guys as good as we had on our defense in '05.

What's You're Thoughts?

-C_B

Sorry but it is a little early to talk about the draft IMO.

Way early.

But since its fun, why not?

Comparing the list of Bengal FA's to their needs, it will be a defense draft yet again, especially in the later rounds. What are the conditions of Jeanty and Henderson and Brooks? If they can return healthy, basically good as new, then the Bengals have the makings of either a 3-4 or 4-3. I'd say drafting a big ol NT could be a good use of a high number 1 pick. Of course if they can't resign Landon, then they will need to draft a LB early.

Skill positions are screaming for help. RB is almost mandatory now. Irons is a question mark. Perry is even bigger unknown. Rudi is a shadow of his best years. Got to draft a big fast running back.

Hey how about the Oline, getting kind of thin now. If big Bobby went down, who is the quality replacement?

Things get worse if they can't resign Stacy $$$$ Andrews. Chris Henry has just put on a graduate seminar on his value and yet he's still not trust worthy to stay out of the Goodell Dog House. Getting a top flight WR has to be considered.

For the Bengals the compensatory picks will save their A$$es next year. They should get 2 or 3 fairly high picks out of it.

[Jet23]

Obviously it would depend on who is left on the board, but this is how I rank their needs.

1) DT

2) LB

3) DE

4) OT

5) RB

6) CB / S

Even if Perry and Irons fall through, I am not convinced that Dorsey / Watson could not carry the load next year. Unless you can land a 'can't miss' back in the draft, you may as well wait. Look at Green Bay. They drafted Jackson in the 2nd round and he appears to be a bust. Wynn comes in and wins the job before getting hurt. Now Ryan Grant is doing a good job. Unless you have an elite back, the RB position is overrated. There are serviceable backs out there.

[NJ29]

I'd love to see a combo of Irons / Dorsey next year. Young energy man. I'd love to watch them play. They may not be good, but they'd damn sure be exciting.

[TJJackson]

DE, DT, or OLB in that order of preference

Day 2 could include any of: CB, S, DE, RB, TE, OT/OG.

[HairOnFire]

Obviously it would depend on who is left on the board, but this is how I rank their needs.

1) DT

2) LB

3) DE

4) OT

5) RB

6) CB / S

Even if Perry and Irons fall through, I am not convinced that Dorsey / Watson could not carry the load next year. Unless you can land a 'can't miss' back in the draft, you may as well wait. Look at Green Bay. They drafted Jackson in the 2nd round and he appears to be a bust. Wynn comes in and wins the job before getting hurt. Now Ryan Grant is doing a good job. Unless you have an elite back, the RB position is overrated. There are serviceable backs out there.

Absolute agreement. All I'll add is my most humble of opinions that it's a far deeper crop of RB's than in recent years.

[NJ29]

I'm I the only person that thinks we're far from okay at corner and that we could use a difference maker at safety? Leon's the only corner that we have that I have any confidence in, and both starting safeties are shaky.

[Jet23]

I'm I the only person that thinks we're far from okay at corner and that we could use a difference maker at safety? Leon's the only corner that we have that I have any confidence in, and both starting safeties are shaky.

I'm on board with that. I actually like JJ more than Leon, but I think Hall will be a solid corner. Joseph has a chance to progress into a top 10-15 corner.

I also think they should consider moving Madieu Williams back to corner (nickel back). It wouldn't hurt to go after a decent FA corner as well.

[BengalPappaw]

I think the PLAYER is more important than position. We need PLAYMAKERS on DEFENSE!!!

My order (despite availability to us at our current draft position) is:

Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

Chris Long, DE, Virginia

Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC,

Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (Fla)

Keith Rivers, OLB, USC,

Dan Connor, LB, Penn St

I believe that James Laurinaitis will return to OSU next year. If he doesn't return, I'd put him ahead of Keith Rivers.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I'm a homer but I would love to see Vernon Gholston in stripes.

[kurgan74]

I would second the nomination for Gholston..the man is a beast...of cours St.Dic from Michigan State would be nice as well.

[kentjett]

Gholston would be a huge upgrade over Justin Smith. Kenny Phillips would give as playmaker at safety and Rivers or the animal would be good picks as well. Larry Grant would be a steal in the third and he'll probably jump up the charts during the combine.

[ArmyBengal]

I also think D-Line is a priority with the #1 pick. If it's not a DT, it better be a DE !!! This is the year to take the "risk" on a D-Lineman and at least make the attempt to do something earlier than a 2nd day pick. With Justin probably being gone, I would think DE first, but like I said, DT would not bother me in the least.

I also agree that all the comp picks we should get this draft will help our defensive situation. I'm thinking maybe a third rounder and at least a couple more 2nd day picks as well. There is no reason most of our needs can't be addressed. D-Line, LB's, O-line, WR, or whatever else. There are som many ways we can go, it's not even funny.

The other question is going to be, who is out there in FA and would the Bengals be willing to make a move in that area ?? (Humor me please)

WHODEY !!!

[semiotter]

The Draft:

We need to finish the season higher than 8-8 to get a good Draft Pick. We need to work on our Defense. Get some guys in the LB spot that are fast,with good arms. We need to try to get some guys as good as we had on our defense in '05.

What's You're Thoughts?

-C_B

Sorry but it is a little early to talk about the draft IMO.

Way early.

But since its fun, why not?

Comparing the list of Bengal FA's to their needs, it will be a defense draft yet again, especially in the later rounds. What are the conditions of Jeanty and Henderson and Brooks? If they can return healthy, basically good as new, then the Bengals have the makings of either a 3-4 or 4-3. I'd say drafting a big ol NT could be a good use of a high number 1 pick. Of course if they can't resign Landon, then they will need to draft a LB early.

Skill positions are screaming for help. RB is almost mandatory now. Irons is a question mark. Perry is even bigger unknown. Rudi is a shadow of his best years. Got to draft a big fast running back.

Hey how about the Oline, getting kind of thin now. If big Bobby went down, who is the quality replacement?

Things get worse if they can't resign Stacy $$$$ Andrews. Chris Henry has just put on a graduate seminar on his value and yet he's still not trust worthy to stay out of the Goodell Dog House. Getting a top flight WR has to be considered.

For the Bengals the compensatory picks will save their A$$es next year. They should get 2 or 3 fairly high picks out of it.

The """""Hell""""" with the draft...man what a sig...!!!!!!

[BengalszoneBilly]

I also think D-Line is a priority with the #1 pick. If it's not a DT, it better be a DE !!! This is the year to take the "risk" on a D-Lineman and at least make the attempt to do something earlier than a 2nd day pick. With Justin probably being gone, I would think DE first, but like I said, DT would not bother me in the least.

I also agree that all the comp picks we should get this draft will help our defensive situation. I'm thinking maybe a third rounder and at least a couple more 2nd day picks as well. There is no reason most of our needs can't be addressed. D-Line, LB's, O-line, WR, or whatever else. There are som many ways we can go, it's not even funny.

The other question is going to be, who is out there in FA and would the Bengals be willing to make a move in that area ?? (Humor me please)

WHODEY !!!

I'm for drafting linemen. Defensive or offensive.

[BengalPappaw]

I've added Vernon Gholston to my draft wish list!

After what he did against Jake Long and the other Michigan linemen, I'd love to have him on the Bengals team and he might be there when we draft.