Cinncinati Bengals Forecast
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Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
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(24) Donte Whitner, S. Ohio State
(55) Joe Klopfenstein, TE. Colorado
(91) Victor Adeyanju, DE. Indiana
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The Cincinnati Bengals are in a position different from every other team in the NFL. They have said publicly that they are satisfied with their team's constitution following free agency. In other words, they are claiming to have essentially no team needs. Value will play a pivotal role in all of their draft choices. Given the depth chart, it appears the team is weakest at tight end. No pass catching option exists outside of the very average Matt Schobel. Expect a tight end to be drafted as a value pick on day one. An offensive tackle will probably be selected before the end of the draft, but expect two of the three picks day one to come on the defensive side of the ball. Both the secondary and the defensive line could use depth. Adding a pass-rushing specialist at DE or a run-stuffing specialist in the middle would give their defense an added dimension. In the secondary, finding depth behind Tory James and Dexter Jackson would be beneficial. Ultimately, however, the first round selection for the Bengals will likely be a pure value pick.
(24) Donte Whitner, S. Ohio State
A hip injury to a defensive back is equally troubling as a shoulder injury to a quarterback. Without fluid hips, defensive backs simply can not cover NFL receivers man-to-man. Needless to say, Jason Allen's dislocated hip injury left teams seriously considering his status. Prior to the injury, Allen was easily a first-round pick in this draft. A 6'1"/209 safety with leadership qualities and 4.39 speed can play anywhere and for anyone. Medical exams have said that Allen has regained 100% mobility and 85% strength in his hip to this point. This news has moved Jason Allen back into the first-round mix. A speedy ball-hawk in Allen would compliment the physical front seven of the Bengals. He could start opposite Madieu Williams at safety or supply depth to the cornerbacks.
(55) Joe Klopfenstein, TE. Colorado
Matt Schobel is not the ideal pass-catching tight end. The Bengals could add a new dimension to their already potent passing attack by adding a pass catching specialist. Finding a guy like Joe Klopfenstein would be ideal. Among all the tight ends in the draft class, Joe Klopfenstein is the most underrated. Kloppy has the hands and size (6'6"/255) of a more elite prospect. His 4.56 speed is elite for a tight end, and his college career has shown him to be a very reliable target. Having missed out on the likes of Mathias Kiwanuka and Darryl Tapp for the defensive line, the Bengals will be better served taking a great value pick in Joe Klopfenstein than reaching for a defensive lineman. Ultimately, Klopfenstein would take pressure off of Palmer, giving him another viable option to Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmanzadeh in the passing game.
(91) Victor Adeyanju, DE. Indiana
Robert Geathers is the slated starter opposite Justin Smith at defensive end for the Bengals. Geathers is not he permanent solution. Victor Adeyanju may well be one day. Adeyanju has incredible acceleration and agility considering he is oversized at 6'4"/274. Amazingly, his frame can easily accomodate even more weight. His technique is raw, but -even so- he produced in the Big Ten. Adeyanju is a small project that will at the very least supply depth to a position that needs some. Should his upside be achieved, Adeyanju could be a dominating force on the field. He can overwhelm even the most massive offensive tackles.
(*) Mercedes Lewis, TE. UCLA
The first round pick for the Bengals will be one of pure value. Mercedes Lewis is an option because he is simply a monster in the passing game. His 6'6"/261 size is excellent. He has outstanding hands and is even an excellent blocker. He lacks elite speed (4.84), but he simply has all the pass catching skills of an elite tight end prospect. Originally though of as a first round pick, Lewis has slipped due solely to his poor timed speed. Trying to find value, Lewis would fit the bill. When you consider the team needs as well, Mercedes Lewis is an excellent fit for the Bengals.
Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
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(24) Donte Whitner, S. Ohio State
(55) Joe Klopfenstein, TE. Colorado
(91) Victor Adeyanju, DE. Indiana
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The Cincinnati Bengals are in a position different from every other team in the NFL. They have said publicly that they are satisfied with their team's constitution following free agency. In other words, they are claiming to have essentially no team needs. Value will play a pivotal role in all of their draft choices. Given the depth chart, it appears the team is weakest at tight end. No pass catching option exists outside of the very average Matt Schobel. Expect a tight end to be drafted as a value pick on day one. An offensive tackle will probably be selected before the end of the draft, but expect two of the three picks day one to come on the defensive side of the ball. Both the secondary and the defensive line could use depth. Adding a pass-rushing specialist at DE or a run-stuffing specialist in the middle would give their defense an added dimension. In the secondary, finding depth behind Tory James and Dexter Jackson would be beneficial. Ultimately, however, the first round selection for the Bengals will likely be a pure value pick.
Having the luxury of grabbing a pure value pick,
Jason Allen offers flexibility to the defense
(24) Donte Whitner, S. Ohio State
A hip injury to a defensive back is equally troubling as a shoulder injury to a quarterback. Without fluid hips, defensive backs simply can not cover NFL receivers man-to-man. Needless to say, Jason Allen's dislocated hip injury left teams seriously considering his status. Prior to the injury, Allen was easily a first-round pick in this draft. A 6'1"/209 safety with leadership qualities and 4.39 speed can play anywhere and for anyone. Medical exams have said that Allen has regained 100% mobility and 85% strength in his hip to this point. This news has moved Jason Allen back into the first-round mix. A speedy ball-hawk in Allen would compliment the physical front seven of the Bengals. He could start opposite Madieu Williams at safety or supply depth to the cornerbacks.
Joe Klopfenstein has elite speed for a tight end
(55) Joe Klopfenstein, TE. Colorado
Matt Schobel is not the ideal pass-catching tight end. The Bengals could add a new dimension to their already potent passing attack by adding a pass catching specialist. Finding a guy like Joe Klopfenstein would be ideal. Among all the tight ends in the draft class, Joe Klopfenstein is the most underrated. Kloppy has the hands and size (6'6"/255) of a more elite prospect. His 4.56 speed is elite for a tight end, and his college career has shown him to be a very reliable target. Having missed out on the likes of Mathias Kiwanuka and Darryl Tapp for the defensive line, the Bengals will be better served taking a great value pick in Joe Klopfenstein than reaching for a defensive lineman. Ultimately, Klopfenstein would take pressure off of Palmer, giving him another viable option to Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmanzadeh in the passing game.
(91) Victor Adeyanju, DE. Indiana
Robert Geathers is the slated starter opposite Justin Smith at defensive end for the Bengals. Geathers is not he permanent solution. Victor Adeyanju may well be one day. Adeyanju has incredible acceleration and agility considering he is oversized at 6'4"/274. Amazingly, his frame can easily accomodate even more weight. His technique is raw, but -even so- he produced in the Big Ten. Adeyanju is a small project that will at the very least supply depth to a position that needs some. Should his upside be achieved, Adeyanju could be a dominating force on the field. He can overwhelm even the most massive offensive tackles.
Mercedes Lewis is a production machine on the field
(*) Mercedes Lewis, TE. UCLA
The first round pick for the Bengals will be one of pure value. Mercedes Lewis is an option because he is simply a monster in the passing game. His 6'6"/261 size is excellent. He has outstanding hands and is even an excellent blocker. He lacks elite speed (4.84), but he simply has all the pass catching skills of an elite tight end prospect. Originally though of as a first round pick, Lewis has slipped due solely to his poor timed speed. Trying to find value, Lewis would fit the bill. When you consider the team needs as well, Mercedes Lewis is an excellent fit for the Bengals.