Starting to think OL with 1st pick

[ShulaSteakhouse]

They need a big #1-#2 guy to pair with Chad desperately. Just don't draft another Jerome Simpson, and they wouldn't have this problem.

Sadly, they won't draft an 0-lineman in the 1st round, not sure they'll do so on day one at this point, because they don't value o-lineman outside of tackles.

Marvin may be able to override Brown's stupidity in the 2nd with a quality C or G. The entire interior line needs replaced/upgraded.

Keep the same old coach though, and you'll get the same results - a battered franchise QB and RB, and 3 guys who couldn't start for a any other team, yet are thought of as all-world here.

And everyone continues to be baffled as to why the offense sucked 95% of the time this season.

[Pidge]

I would never ever moan about an O-lineman being taken in the first rnd but I agree with Shula here. I doubt they'll go OL in the first this yr. Not for a G anyway and they went that way last yr. Don't see it happening. I wouldn't mind a D-lineman being the pick this yr. Another big body alongside Peko would be most welcome or a genuine pass rushing threat would be great. I hope they don't just cross their fingers that Odom will be able to get maximum push off just coming back from doing his Achilles.

Also, yeah. Brat sux cox etc etc.

[derekshank]

Oh yeah Pidge. I agree with you. My posts have been about what u would be interested in doing if I were in charge.

However, if I'm merely betting on what the Bengals do, I'm guessing they draft a WR. One that will stretch the field. That's why they interviewed Galloway a few months ago, right? Mike Brown wants a WR to produce the way he thought Coles would. And I'm guessing he'll take the best WR available at the #21 slot.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I think the DE's and DL are fine for now, could use another CB, Safety and LB, but the defense would be fine with some high upside mid-round picks and maybe a worthwhile vet FA.

The O needs a threat at TE and WR, and two upgrades on the o-line. If they focus on that and adding depth to the CB's and LB's, they could keep the momentum going.

Depending on rookies to fill all of those weakenesses, which has happened too often, would be their common mistake.

They make too many dumb personnel mistakes every off-season, I just don't have any faith they'll do it right. You need more than just a good draft, and they still don't have nearly enough of those.

[Pidge]

Oh yeah Pidge. I agree with you. My posts have been about what u would be interested in doing if I were in charge.

However, if I'm merely betting on what the Bengals do, I'm guessing they draft a WR. One that will stretch the field. That's why they interviewed Galloway a few months ago, right? Mike Brown wants a WR to produce the way he thought Coles would. And I'm guessing he'll take the best WR available at the #21 slot.

True enough. I think your hunch about which direction they'll go is close. A skill position on offense - namely a pass catcher of some variety. If they could somehow get a good FA TE like Sheffler then that would be awesome but probably unlikely.

Bit of a shame that it will take a yr of iffy production before you really see a return on the pick but hey, the WR corps isn't exactly pulling up trees right now and the loss of #15 makes it the priority.*

*Unless Mays somehow falls - then screw everything else.

[SupaBran]

I think one of the best drafts we could have would be:

Round 1: Mike Iupati, G, Idaho(whether its a reach or not, he is by far the best guard and would immediately start)

Round 2: WR(I think we'll have a lot of choices here, ie. Demaryius Thomas, Dezmon Briscoe, Mardy Gilyard, Danario Alexander, or Eric Decker)

Round 3: Myron Rolle, S, Florida State

And even though I hate Alabama, I would love to have Javier Arenas. He played the nickel when teams went 3 wide and is physical and a great return man. I don't know if he slips to the 4th round.

[walzav29]

I think one of the best drafts we could have would be:

Round 1: Mike Iupati, G, Idaho(whether its a reach or not, he is by far the best guard and would immediately start)

Round 2: WR(I think we'll have a lot of choices here, ie. Demaryius Thomas, Dezmon Briscoe, Mardy Gilyard, Danario Alexander, or Eric Decker)

Round 3: Myron Rolle, S, Florida State

And even though I hate Alabama, I would love to have Javier Arenas. He played the nickel when teams went 3 wide and is physical and a great return man. I don't know if he slips to the 4th round.

I like this plan. I think it's important to solidify everything. The Bengals have to get even better if they'll ever get to the level of the big 3. Pitt,Ind, and NE. I say that because they've represented 8 of the last 9 SB's.

[walzav29]

Scrap this whole thread. The Bengals have to get more guys on defense. We'll never beat the Colts in a shootout. The Defense has to beome stellar. D! D! D! We need a defensive pick in the 1st rnd. I'll trust who they get, BUT Brandon Spikes would fit nicely.

[cincyhokie]

Scrap this whole thread. The Bengals have to get more guys on defense. We'll never beat the Colts in a shootout. The Defense has to beome stellar. D! D! D! We need a defensive pick in the 1st rnd. I'll trust who they get, BUT Brandon Spikes would fit nicely.

Yep, the Bengals need to get more consistent pressure up the middle. DT, LB.

I still think that the Bengals should look at the best pick at 21 to include OL, TE, or WR, to include defense.

[SupaBran]

Scrap this whole thread. The Bengals have to get more guys on defense. We'll never beat the Colts in a shootout. The Defense has to beome stellar. D! D! D! We need a defensive pick in the 1st rnd. I'll trust who they get, BUT Brandon Spikes would fit nicely.

While I love draft talk, why is this not in the draft thread?

Plus, there's 2 different thread talking about the draft...is there a way to organize it?

[Kazkal]

ep, the Bengals need to get more consistent pressure up the middle. DT, LB.

Middle? we need Ends who can create Pressure Even when Odom was sack happy alot had to do with great coverage vs pure Passrushing / speed...

IMO We need some more Speed maybe with Fanene doing a good job replacing Odom They'll have Have him Start and let Jumpy go back to his passrush role and drop 20-25 lbs.

[cincyhokie]

ep, the Bengals need to get more consistent pressure up the middle. DT, LB.

Middle? we need Ends who can create Pressure Even when Odom was sack happy alot had to do with great coverage vs pure Passrushing / speed...

IMO We need some more Speed maybe with Fanene doing a good job replacing Odom They'll have Have him Start and let Jumpy go back to his passrush role and drop 20-25 lbs.

Sure we need more speed on the ends but what disrupts passers like Manning, Brees, and Brady...all QB's we'll be facing? Pressure up the middle disrupts the pocket and gets pocket passers to get out of their comfort zone.

The Jets this year did not get alot of sacks but they were very successful in rushing as few lineman as possible and defending the pass. They were very good at disrupting the pocket, something we need to get better at.

[walzav29]

They are going to have to generate pressure with the front 4. If a Vince Woolfork type is sitting there (like he was in 04!) they should take him. I heard that the DT out of Georgia is doing great at Senior Bowl practices.

[skyline]

Yeah, I'd really like to get another defensive stud in the first round. Safety, DT, or DE would all be very welcome additions.

That said, I wouldn't cry with an OL pick. Our group of rag tag guys did a great job this season, but adding some more talent and depth couldn't hurt as far as the passing game is concerned.

[HairOnFire]

Scrap this whole thread. The Bengals have to get more guys on defense. We'll never beat the Colts in a shootout. The Defense has to beome stellar. D! D! D! We need a defensive pick in the 1st rnd.

Recently I've been wondering why a dedicated draftnik like me can't seem to muster any enthusiasm for the coming draft. Normally I'd have reams of draft material at my fingertips, a mock draft or two already posted, a DVR filled with taped Senior Bowl practices, and my own personal short list topped by a prospect I would happily spend months pimping hard.

This year? I've got nothing.

Nothing that is, but a nagging feeling we're going to see a repeat of the ridiculously "offensive" 2008 draft. (3 WR's and 1 TE)

[HoosierCat]

Recently I've been wondering why a dedicated draftnik like me can't seem to muster any enthusiasm for the coming draft. Normally I'd have reams of draft material at my fingertips, a mock draft or two already posted, a DVR filled with taped Senior Bowl practices, and my own personal short list topped by a prospect I would happily spend months pimping hard.

This year? I've got nothing.

Oh, that's easy to explain: because the Bengals were winning last season. Normally, the draft talk would have started up before Halloween, so by now we would have 3-4 months of prospect-watching, mocking, arguing, etc., in the can. We're just way behind schedule (and of course in this case it actually is all Mike Brown's fault).

Nothing that is, but a nagging feeling we're going to see a repeat of the ridiculously "offensive" 2008 draft. (3 WR's and 1 TE)

Yeah, I know, me too.

[blueridge]

I think the Bengals have to get better and better at the O-Line. it helps everything. It's not sexy, but they can grab a wr in the later rounds. I'm thinking the best guard available. It really depends on who's there @ 21.

You mean get better and better in the O-line while the wr position falls to pieces,the TEs amount to one big question mark and the safety position has no playmakers? Best available GUARD at 21? You must mean Iupati, who is the only guard with a 1st round projection. Or do you really mean the best available guard? Like reach into the 2d or 3rd round,if Iupati is not available, and use our first round pick on a position of only secondary need? This is a horrible idea. And you say the Bengals can wait later in the draft for a WR or TE. Why? Shouldn't the Bengals go early in the draft to fill its positions of huge need with the best players available? A guard! If the Bengals even thought about a guard until the 5th round it would be ludicrous. Guard is a position that you can really wait on. This team needs playmakers. The guard position should only be addressed after WR,TE,Safety,CB,DE and DT. With that said,if the Bengals were forced to go O-line at #21, the best pick by far would be Brian Bulaga.He can play LT-always a value position in the 1st round. He could also probably start at RT from day one. Put Bulaga at RT and move Andre Smith to LG. Smith looks like a prototype guard,would probably be great and would be better than any G the Bengals could draft.On the other hand, all fun aside,please stop this guard talk. Now.

[cincyhokie]

I think the Bengals have to get better and better at the O-Line. it helps everything. It's not sexy, but they can grab a wr in the later rounds. I'm thinking the best guard available. It really depends on who's there @ 21.

You mean get better and better in the O-line while the wr position falls to pieces,the TEs amount to one big question mark and the safety position has no playmakers? Best available GUARD at 21? You must mean Iupati, who is the only guard with a 1st round projection. Or do you really mean the best available guard? Like reach into the 2d or 3rd round,if Iupati is not available, and use our first round pick on a position of only secondary need? This is a horrible idea. And you say the Bengals can wait later in the draft for a WR or TE. Why? Shouldn't the Bengals go early in the draft to fill its positions of huge need with the best players available? A guard! If the Bengals even thought about a guard until the 5th round it would be ludicrous. Guard is a position that you can really wait on. This team needs playmakers. The guard position should only be addressed after WR,TE,Safety,CB,DE and DT. With that said,if the Bengals were forced to go O-line at #21, the best pick by far would be Brian Bulaga.He can play LT-always a value position in the 1st round. He could also probably start at RT from day one. Put Bulaga at RT and move Andre Smith to LG. Smith looks like a prototype guard,would probably be great and would be better than any G the Bengals could draft.On the other hand, all fun aside,please stop this guard talk. Now.

Something will probably get addressed in FA if it's TE, OL, DL, etc. That's going to change the draft priorities.

I don't think you can count out drafting a Guard if it's a good value pick. But don't tell me that it's crazy, tell Marvin and Brat and the run-first philosophy they have built. And hell, I'm more for balance in the offense, so if you can get a stud OL who can run block AND pass block like Iupati...then why not?

But they need to draft best value at 21 within their needs...and with Bobbie at 34 years old, Guard is one of their needs.

[blueridge]

They need a big #1-#2 guy to pair with Chad desperately. Just don't draft another Jerome Simpson, and they wouldn't have this problem.

Sadly, they won't draft an 0-lineman in the 1st round, not sure they'll do so on day one at this point, because they don't value o-lineman outside of tackles.

Marvin may be able to override Brown's stupidity in the 2nd with a quality C or G. The entire interior line needs replaced/upgraded.

Keep the same old coach though, and you'll get the same results - a battered franchise QB and RB, and 3 guys who couldn't start for a any other team, yet are thought of as all-world here.

And everyone continues to be baffled as to why the offense sucked 95% of the time this season.

Picking a guard or a center in the first 3 rounds would truly be stupid. To say that the "entire interior line" needs to be replaced is just ludicrous.

[blueridge]

Well, when you consider that the Jets have 4 (that right... FOUR!!!) 1st round picks in their O-Line... it's no wonder that they are the #1 ranked rushing defense.

The Bengals have only one taken in the 1st round (A. Smith)... and he didn't start this year. Whit and Bobbie were both 2nd round picks... but Bobbie might be leaving. That would leave the entire interior O-Line with guys who started on the practice squad. Hard workers? Sure... but it would be nice to have at least one guy with the type of natural ability to be a day-1 draft pick.

I would not complain in the least if they drafted for the O-Line in the first round, and will be a little pissed if they don't address it in one of the first 2 rounds.

My god,who cares where the guys on the O-line were drafted, if they can play. And they played pretty well this past season.Would you really feel good about this team if they went O-line in the first 2 rounds and ignored WR,TE or Safety? By your logic, the Bengals should draft a Safety high because all this team has are two guys off the scrap heap-Crocker and Roy Williams, a 7th round pick in Ndukwe and an udrafted rookie,i.e.,Tom Nelson. Now that's a position that REALLY needs to be upgraded with top talent.How about TE? The Bengals played the whole season with undrafted TEs. How about WR? No first round picks there.Get serious.

[cincyhokie]

Well, when you consider that the Jets have 4 (that right... FOUR!!!) 1st round picks in their O-Line... it's no wonder that they are the #1 ranked rushing defense.

The Bengals have only one taken in the 1st round (A. Smith)... and he didn't start this year. Whit and Bobbie were both 2nd round picks... but Bobbie might be leaving. That would leave the entire interior O-Line with guys who started on the practice squad. Hard workers? Sure... but it would be nice to have at least one guy with the type of natural ability to be a day-1 draft pick.

I would not complain in the least if they drafted for the O-Line in the first round, and will be a little pissed if they don't address it in one of the first 2 rounds.

My god,who cares where the guys on the O-line were drafted, if they can play. And they played pretty well this past season.Would you really feel good about this team if they went O-line in the first 2 rounds and ignored WR,TE or Safety? By your logic, the Bengals should draft a Safety high because all this team has are two guys off the scrap heap-Crocker and Roy Williams, a 7th round pick in Ndukwe and an udrafted rookie,i.e.,Tom Nelson. Now that's a position that REALLY needs to be upgraded with top talent.How about TE? The Bengals played the whole season with undrafted TEs. How about WR? No first round picks there.Get serious.

There's really not a right or wrong answer to an extent. You're saying start with upgrading the playmakers, the other side is to improve and solidify the OL and/or DL and look at building from the inside out.

Where is the depth in this year's draft? That's going to be important.

What positions are likely to be upgraded through FA?

Also, look at what Marvin has said in the recent past. "We are going to run the ball and stop the run." Whether, I like it or not it is what it is. And if that is what we are going to do, let's be the biggest and baddest at it. Therefore, upgrade the OL and DL and make it a priority.

[Ickey44]

Picking a guard or a center in the first 3 rounds would truly be stupid. To say that the "entire interior line" needs to be replaced is just ludicrous.

I wouldn't mind a guard as early as round 2, unless Iupati falls to us at 21. Guy sounds like a beast.

[blueridge]

I've been pimping Iupati HARD, have him in my mock at the #21 spot and don't care if he is a reach. I don't think people understand just how POOR the pass protection was this past season and his run blocking is also top notch. Now that's not to say it's a MUST HAVE pick in the first, because if one of the safeties fall or a WR that is to good to pass on, then you go get Mike Johnson from Alabama in the 2nd and move up if you have to in order to get it done.

You can't really go wrong with a pick on the o-line in the first. Sexy or not, it wouldn't be wrong.

Oh yes it would be wrong, considering the dire state of the WR,TE and Safety positions.And any guard in the first two rounds would be a dire and inexcusable mistake.As for the allegedly poor pass protection,I think you are flat out wrong.If we had WRs or TEs who could actually get open,Palmer wouldn't have to eat the ball.The biggest problem with the passing offense was the receiving corps.Here's the smart draft plan for the Bengals-playmakers,playmakers, and more playmakers!

[Ickey44]

I've been pimping Iupati HARD, have him in my mock at the #21 spot and don't care if he is a reach. I don't think people understand just how POOR the pass protection was this past season and his run blocking is also top notch. Now that's not to say it's a MUST HAVE pick in the first, because if one of the safeties fall or a WR that is to good to pass on, then you go get Mike Johnson from Alabama in the 2nd and move up if you have to in order to get it done.

You can't really go wrong with a pick on the o-line in the first. Sexy or not, it wouldn't be wrong.

Oh yes it would be wrong, considering the dire state of the WR,TE and Safety positions.And any guard in the first two rounds would be a dire and inexcusable mistake.As for the allegedly poor pass protection,I think you are flat out wrong.If we had WRs or TEs who could actually get open,Palmer wouldn't have to eat the ball.The biggest problem with the passing offense was the receiving corps.Here's the smart draft plan for the Bengals-playmakers,playmakers, and more playmakers!

You can never go wrong with a good OL. Even if the draft WR do you really think he's going to come in and catch 80 balls and score 10 TD's? No. A first round guard can come in a contribute right away. It also may be a need if Williams doesn't come back.

[blueridge]

There were very few games this year when pass blocking was a problem. For the most part, Palmer had as much time as an NFL QB can expct to have. Sure there are times when you are going to be under pressure, but every QB is. The good ones can make plays. The passing game sucked, but it definitely was not due to lack of protection.

WR is definitley a huge need and was a big weakness, as was the lack of a top notch receiving TE.

On defense, it would be nice to have a playmaking pro bowl safety, but that is not nearly as big of a need as our inability to get any consistent pass rush.

The biggest needs we have our receivers on offense(WRs or TEs), and pass rush on defense. After those areas are addressed, then you can look at areas like interior O-Line and safety.

You are right about the need for WRs and TE. But you are unfortunately sloughing off the S position. Look at who the Bengals have on the roster. Recall how poorly the safety play was in December, even after Crocker returned. Its high time this team finally expended a prime-1st or 2d round-pick on a S. If not Mays in the first,then Morgan Burnett,Chad Jones or Nate Allen in the second.