We know we need a safety...

[ArmyBengal]

Thought I'd take some time today and look into other team needs drafting right before and right after the Bengals. This is by NO means 100% accuate, but based on the collective average of 5 websites I looked into regarding team needs. Bear with if you disagree. Oh yeah only looked at the first two positions of need...

#11- Cowboys- DE, S

#12- Chargers- DE, WR

#13- Texans- S, OL

#14- Panthers- S, WR

#15- Chiefs- CB, S

#16- Saints- LB, S

#18- Vikings- S, WR

#19- Rams- RT, S

#20- Cowboys- DE, S

Now being the master of the obvious, that I am, it appears there is a huge need at the Safety position. (At least more than I realized) I wonder a few things here... Is everyone going to have the idea of trading down to pick up a safety later?? How far is TOO far to trade down?? Do you see teams "reaching" for safties and what does this do as far as OUR safety need is concerned?? Maybe I have to much time on my hands today... But this did suprise me to see other team needs. Oh yeah, according to nfldraftcountdown.com, Howard from the Saints may be traded to Dallas taking care of their DE "need"....

WHODEY !!!

[Whur CHad At?]

cowboys are likely to sacrafice a 1st rounder for darren howard. They will likely draft thomas davis to fill that gaping hole left by Darren Woodson

[BengalNation1281]

I think that we end up trading down, but not for a SS. There is enough talent in that position to give us an opportunity to pick up a good one even if we wait until after round 3. I just see them trading down to get the extra pick later, not for any specific player or position.

As much as I would like to have Shazor, getting Brimmer in the 4th wouldn't ruin my day...actually, there isn't really a SS in the draft that would ruin my day if he ended up in stripes.

[BersMrnsT]

These are good points, but the need for S isn't quite that dramatic. The Chiefs signed Sammy Knight, so they're out of the running, the Vikes signed Darren Sharper, the Saints got Dwight Smith, and the Panthers signed Marlon McCree to start for them. Also, fortunately for us, the Cowboys want to move Roy Williams to SS, meaning they'll be looking for a FS, and I think that the Texans are also looking for a FS, and St. Louis has Archuleta, so they don't need a SS either (but it becomes a moot point if you want to throw in the whole interchangeable concept). Because of this, Josh Bullocks and Brodney Pool seem like they'd be in the highest demand, which leaves us with a good chance to get Shaze in the 2nd, or get Brimmer or Butler a little later on.

[jjakq27]

These are good points, but the need for S isn't quite that dramatic. The Chiefs signed Sammy Knight, so they're out of the running, the Vikes signed Darren Sharper, the Saints got Dwight Smith, and the Panthers signed Marlon McCree to start for them. Also, fortunately for us, the Cowboys want to move Roy Williams to SS, meaning they'll be looking for a FS, and I think that the Texans are also looking for a FS, and St. Louis has Archuleta, so they don't need a SS either (but it becomes a moot point if you want to throw in the whole interchangeable concept). Because of this, Josh Bullocks and Brodney Pool seem like they'd be in the highest demand, which leaves us with a good chance to get Shaze in the 2nd, or get Brimmer or Butler a little later on.

This is sort of like the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon....

Hopefully we will get a guy that is a difference maker.

[schweinhart]

These are good points, but the need for S isn't quite that dramatic. The Chiefs signed Sammy Knight, so they're out of the running, the Vikes signed Darren Sharper, the Saints got Dwight Smith, and the Panthers signed Marlon McCree to start for them. Also, fortunately for us, the Cowboys want to move Roy Williams to SS, meaning they'll be looking for a FS, and I think that the Texans are also looking for a FS, and St. Louis has Archuleta, so they don't need a SS either (but it becomes a moot point if you want to throw in the whole interchangeable concept). Because of this, Josh Bullocks and Brodney Pool seem like they'd be in the highest demand, which leaves us with a good chance to get Shaze in the 2nd, or get Brimmer or Butler a little later on.

Signings do make a difference but a team like the Saints still has to address safety if they deal or cut Tebucky Jones because their other saftey besides Dwight Smith is a 12 yr vet and their backup at both safety positions is a UFA. So I can see them taking James Butler in the 3rd.

The Texans released their backup SS Eric Brown, Mcree shipped out, and their top other FS is a UFA. So they could pick Marlin Jackson in the 2nd.

The Rams do have Archuleta but backup SS Rich Coady signed w/ Falcons. Plus they have 2 UFA safeties in Aenas Williams and Antuan Edwards and an IR in Zack Bronson. They might move Pisa Tinoisamoa from LB to S w/ the signing of Dexter Coakley, but they could still take OJ Atowge in the 3rd.

Pool and Bullocks both look like 2nd rounders before the Bengals pick Shazor should be there at #48 and I doubt he'd slide past the Packers at #51.

I'm still liking Thomas Davis at #17. But the Cowboys could pull trigger early. They resigned their other starter Lynn Scott and have Roy Williams but Tony Dixon I believe remains a UFA. More likely they pick up another signing than draft though IMO.

[bnglsfan26]

These are good points, but the need for S isn't quite that dramatic.  The Chiefs signed Sammy Knight, so they're out of the running, the Vikes signed Darren Sharper, the Saints got Dwight Smith, and the Panthers signed Marlon McCree to start for them.  Also, fortunately for us, the Cowboys want to move Roy Williams to SS, meaning they'll be looking for a FS, and I think that the Texans are also looking for a FS, and St. Louis has Archuleta, so they don't need a SS either (but it becomes a moot point if you want to throw in the whole interchangeable concept).  Because of this, Josh Bullocks and Brodney Pool seem like they'd be in the highest demand, which leaves us with a good chance to get Shaze in the 2nd, or get Brimmer or Butler a little later on.

Signings do make a difference but a team like the Saints still has to address safety if they deal or cut Tebucky Jones because their other saftey besides Dwight Smith is a 12 yr vet and their backup at both safety positions is a UFA. So I can see them taking James Butler in the 3rd.

The Texans released their backup SS Eric Brown, Mcree shipped out, and their top other FS is a UFA. So they could pick Marlin Jackson in the 2nd.

The Rams do have Archuleta but backup SS Rich Coady signed w/ Falcons. Plus they have 2 UFA safeties in Aenas Williams and Antuan Edwards and an IR in Zack Bronson. They might move Pisa Tinoisamoa from LB to S w/ the signing of Dexter Coakley, but they could still take OJ Atowge in the 3rd.

Pool and Bullocks both look like 2nd rounders before the Bengals pick Shazor should be there at #48 and I doubt he'd slide past the Packers at #51.

I'm still liking Thomas Davis at #17. But the Cowboys could pull trigger early. They resigned their other starter Lynn Scott and have Roy Williams but Tony Dixon I believe remains a UFA. More likely they pick up another signing than draft though IMO.

I highly doubt that Davis will be around at the #17 pick. He is likely go to to Dallas at #11, and may possibly go as high as #8 to the Cardinals.

[schweinhart]

I highly doubt that Davis will be around at the #17 pick. He is likely go to to Dallas at #11, and may possibly go as high as #8 to the Cardinals.

No doubt Parcells will look hard at Davis at #11, both as a SS and an LB in the Cowboys switch to 3-4. But if the Boys swap their #20 in a trade, IMO their #11 pick will most likely be used for Aaron Rodgers or Alex Smith if either should fall or WR because they lack depth behind Terry Glenn and Keyshawn and both of them are aging and were injured last year.

The Cardinals might look at Davis as a LB if they don't resign UFA MLB Ronald McKinnon and switch Karlos Dansby to MLB. But I'd don't see Denny passing on whichever of the top 3 RBs fall to #8, even though the Cards re-signed Troy Hambrick.

[Whur CHad At?]

top 5 safeties in the draft according to NFL.com

1. Brodney Pool, Oklahoma (underclassman)

Positives: Reading offensive keys/quarterback's eyes, ball skills, hands, closing speed, zone-coverage skills, height (6-foot-1), aggressiveness vs. the run ... He has enough playmaking ability to be a late first-round choice or a second-rounder.

Negatives: Strength, coverage technique, maturity.

2. Thomas Davis, Georgia (underclassman)

Positives: Size (6-1, 230 pounds), strength, run support, tackling, blitzing, zone-coverage skills ... After running a 4.69 40-yard dash at the combine, he might find himself playing outside linebacker in the NFL. However, he still has a chance to be selected in the first round, although he seems more likely to go in Round 2.

Negatives: Hands, coverage recognition, discipline vs. play fakes.

3. Vincent Fuller, Virginia Tech

Positives: Speed, instincts, intelligence, long arms, playmaking ... He could stand to add some bulk and some polish to his skills, but he is an intriguing prospect and will likely be selected no later than the third round.

Negatives: Strength, coverage recognition, change-of-direction skills.

4. Ernest Shazor, Michigan (underclassman)

Positives: Size (6-3, 228 pounds), speed, run support, tackling, hands ... His big frame and powerful hitting make him a candidate to play linebacker in the NFL, and he possesses the talent to be a late second-round pick or early third-rounder.

Negatives: Coverage recognition, discipline vs. play fakes, change-of-direction skills.

5. Oshiomogho Atogwe, Stanford

Positives: Strength, versatility, tackling, durability, ball skills ... His playmaking and competitiveness help overcome some physical shortcomings and probably make him a late third-round pick, if not a fourth-rounder.

Negatives: Coverage skills, height (5-11), change-of-direction skills.

Davis in round 2, can't be.

[schweinhart]

As a safety, there's definitely a shot that Davis slides that far.

But it's his versatility as a SS or LB that should keep him in the middle of the 1st.

Shannyhanny had the good sense to trade up to get DJ Williams last year in the middle of the round. He won't trade up to get Davis, but if Davis slides to #25, I'd say the Donkey master would pull the trigger on him....because he could just as easily replace Kenoy Kennedy at SS as he could be in the LB mix with DJ, Al Wilson, and Ian Gold if the Donks switch to a 3-4 this year.

[BengalszoneBilly]

At this point I'd be surprised if Marvin didn't trade down to get some extra picks. He did well with that approach in the last draft, and I fully expect him to employ it again.

[TJJackson]

OK, we all know (or all should know) that Marvin likes safeties that are interchangeable, need to be able to play both spots, cover and tackle.

That said, I think I have found another prospect at this spot now that all the top safeties are falling y the wayside due to poor speeds or lack of coverage ability or both

Take a look:

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/playerpro...lunderwood.html

and

http://www.nflfans.com/draft/2005/showplay...iel%20Underwood

Then look at his pro day speed

http://www.nfl.com/draft/analysis/individual_workouts#sdsu

Tell me this guy wouldn't be a great pick for us in round 5 or 6.....