My theory is a Safety at #21

[kingwilly]

Can you point to a recent, highly taken Defensive lineman who has really made an impact, one who has to be schemed for?

Is last year recent enough? If so, how about my boy, Brian Orakpo and his dozen sacks, a Pro Bowl invite, and a DROY award?

Even with Williams un-signed, I see the current offensive line as having good depth and tons of upside with guys like Mathis, Livings, Luigs, Roland, Collins and obviously Andre and Whit. I do not see a huge need to take any offensive line help earlier than r3.

A huge need? No. But upgrading the interior offensive line with a premium pick does represent an opportunity to find an immediate starter AND talent upgrade with the 1st round pick, something that isn't always true of other positions being considered at #21.

For example, the Bengals were 6th best at producing big running plays to the left, 15th rated when running to the right, and 27th ranked when rushing up the middle. That smacks of a team needing a talent upgrade at multiple interior OL positions. But which ones? Obviously ORG is mentioned plenty because of Bobbie Williams advancing age and uncertain contract status. So start there. But many Bengal fans remain unimpressed by the play at OLG where a Mathis/Livings platoon lacks a true starter. So there's another.

But let me remind readers of how just last year this board was filled with talk about the Bengals pressing need for a new starting OC. The argument was they needed a new pivot so badly they would have to select one early. 3rd round at the latest, right? But they didn't, and one year later most of us seem satisfied with Kyle Cook, mostly because of who he isn't rather than who he is. And there's the rub because I'm going to further remind everyone that not only were the Bengals one of the NFL's poorest rankings running up the gut...Kyle Cook was ranked as one of the bottom 5 pass blocking centers.

Just saying.

Maurkice Pouncey

I sure did overlook Orakpo, even with that pick starting me in the face, but there were 3 other r1 DE's who really were unimportant.

I would have no issue if the moved whichever of Livings or Mathis, or even Collins inside, to cover the right G. I think the talent is there and developing a new RG, next to a virtual rookie in Andre makes little sense.

Cook emerged, and they did take Luigs, just in case. Santucci is on the roster, so C does have some depth.

I do like Pouncey, and would only be upset if by selecting him they were passing on Mays, Thomas, Bryant or a defensive LB/DE who was in a freefall.

It comes down to where the holes are, and I do not see the holes on the O-line that I do at S, TE, DE or WR.

[alleycat]

Sorry to bring the discussion back to TE's but one thing to consider:

As of training camp last year we were going into the season with (what we assumed would be), two pass-catching tight ends. People always say we only look for a certain type of TE (blocking), but Brat HAS been trying to give Carson the nimble, flighty, pass-catching types. They just keep getting hurt. So for those that think we won't go for another pass-catcher because we have Coffman (who is so far completely unproven), you may want to think again...

[ArmyBengal]

Sorry to bring the discussion back to TE's but one thing to consider:

As of training camp last year we were going into the season with (what we assumed would be), two pass-catching tight ends. People always say we only look for a certain type of TE (blocking), but Brat HAS been trying to give Carson the nimble, flighty, pass-catching types. They just keep getting hurt. So for those that think we won't go for another pass-catcher because we have Coffman (who is so far completely unproven), you may want to think again...

All I will say to that is, when they have Kelly under contract, I'll agree. They went into the season last year with what I viewed as a blocking TE in Kelly and a passing TE in Utecht and having drafted a half assed Coffman who they thought could sit back, heal up, and learn. People went down, Foschi was brought in and the rest was garbage. I want Gronkowski.

[Kazkal]

. But many Bengal fans remain unimpressed by the play at OLG where a Mathis/Livings platoon lacks a true starter. So there's another.

I stick by being Happy with Mathis play my only concern is his health.

[HairOnFire]

Cook emerged....

Not using any reasonable standard, he didn't. His pass blocking ranked amongst the very worst at his position and the Bengals were one of the worst performing teams in the NFL when running the ball up the middle.

Frankly, I appreciate what Cook accomplished but if the Bengals are looking to add a true starter with the 21st pick there are few positions that could be improved more dramatically than OC. And that's true because Cook was marginal at best, and Pouncey is considered by some to be the highest rated OC since Nick Mangold.

I do like Pouncey, and would only be upset if by selecting him they were passing on Mays, Thomas, Bryant or a defensive LB/DE who was in a freefall.

I can't bring myself to pimp Pouncey over all comers under all potential circumstances, but I can wonder aloud if Kyle Cook was really so good that OC is no longer a need. And again, Pouncey has plenty of experience at Bobby Williams ORG position, and has been described as..."the safest pick any team will make in the first round".

[Walrus]

Cook emerged....

Not using any reasonable standard, he didn't. His pass blocking ranked amongst the very worst at his position and the Bengals were one of the worst performing teams in the NFL when running the ball up the middle.

Frankly, I appreciate what Cook accomplished but if the Bengals are looking to add a true starter with the 21st pick there are few positions that could be improved more dramatically than OC. And that's true because Cook was marginal at best, and Pouncey is considered by some to be the highest rated OC since Nick Mangold.

I do like Pouncey, and would only be upset if by selecting him they were passing on Mays, Thomas, Bryant or a defensive LB/DE who was in a freefall.

I can't bring myself to pimp Pouncey over all comers under all potential circumstances, but I can wonder aloud if Kyle Cook was really so good that OC is no longer a need. And again, Pouncey has plenty of experience at Bobby Williams ORG position, and has been described as..."the safest pick any team will make in the first round".

Take into account that this was Cook's first year as the starting OC -- a position which, by all accounts I've heard, takes some time to settle into. Cook had a fine first year and there's a very good chance he'll improve with more experience. I like the idea of drafting Pouncey, too -- if he's seen as our center of the future -- but he's probably not going to be our starting center in 2010 under any circumstance. If we did draft him, best case he would break into the starting lineup at OG.

[ArmyBengal]

I can't and won't be disappointed by a pick for the interior of the o-line in the first, but can't help but wonder what they think of Luigs from last year being able to either take Cook's spot or get time at one of the Guard positions. If they choose to pass on either Iupati or Pouncey to go after another player, I could see them waiting until much later to address the position. In doing that however, what good are you really doing by adding the same talent level that you already have ??

The Bengals are sitting in a nice spot in the rounds to get quality players, but there are so many directions they could go in, there won't be much that would surprise me come draft time.

[TJJackson]

Can you point to a recent, highly taken Defensive lineman who has really made an impact, one who has to be schemed for?

I think that skirts the point - it's like you are saying there will never be a star D Lineman taken in the draft ever again.

We both know thats not true.

Every year the draft produces stars and busts. In the words of Forrest Gump's mother, you never know what you're gonna get.

I look at it that while fully aware that you may pick a bust, you pick a player you hope (even expect) to be a star

The place where we need that star, imho, is one of the lines. Either one. The OL needs to passblock better, and the DL needs to rush the passer better. A decent improvement to either situation would greatly improve our chances of a playoff win (or two. dare i say three.)