Bengal4Life85
01-14-2008, 09:41 PM
Well, the first edition of my mock draft went pretty well. Most of the people that responded to my post gave me constructive criticism, so I decided to go back and try again. So, without further ado, here is off season projection #2.
Free Agency projections:
Corey Williams DT Green Bay: Instead of going with the big acquisition that takes up a lot of money, I now believe that the Bengals will go with 2-3 smaller additions that will end up making a nice difference. Corey Williams is a good DT who can clog up holes and also rush the passer.
Paul Spicer DE Jacksonville: Another guy that could come in and make a difference is Paul Spicer. Yes, he runs his mouth a little bit, but he does back this up with some solid play at his DE position. With Justin Smith most likely gone this off season, Spicer can come in for 3-4 million and play just as well at ½ the cost.
Randy Starks DT Tennessee: This is a guy who rotates in on a very strong defensive line who can plug gaps, and also put some occasional pressure on the QB. A total makeover of the defensive line is needed, and these signings, along with the draft, will remake the defensive line into a much more consistent unit.
Drayton Florence CB San Diego: This is a good pick up, especially to allow the young corners to grow and develop. Florence is an above average corner who can play in almost any scheme. With Deltha O’Neal being traded (explanation later); the Bengals are in need of a nickel corner. Florence could come in and fill this role.
Gibril Wilson S New York Giants: Ndukwe and Marvin White showed some great potential this year, but someone needs to be signed this off season with both Madieu and Dexter Jackson most likely leaving. Wilson is a savvy vet who could work with the young guys.
Deltha O’Neal will get traded to the Atlanta Falcons for a 4th round draft pick.
So in terms of draft picks, that gives the Bengals 1 1st round pick, 1 2nd round pick, 2 3rd round picks, 2 4th round picks, 1 5th round pick, 1 6th round pick, and 1 7th round pick. Bengals have #9.
1st round: Sedrick Ellis DT USC: Sedrick Ellis is just too good of a tackle to pass up. He can penetrate and create havoc in the backfield. He wouldn’t have to be an every down player if the Bengals were able to sign some DT’s to have a good rotation, giving him rest and allowing him to go all out on every play.
2nd round: Chris Ellis DE Virginia Tech: Chris Ellis is looking better and better to me at this point in the 2nd round. Okam, if he falls this far, would be the obvious choice, but I think that Okam will either go late first round or very early in the second. So the Bengals should with the next best option, which is Chris Ellis. Ellis has the ability to rush the passer, and has the frame that he can fill out if he hits the weight room hard. An excellent addition to the DL.
3rd round: Martin Rucker TE Missouri: The Bengals have had a lot of problems in the red zone this year, and Martin Rucker is the type of TE who can come in and give Carson a nice option. Rucker is big at 6’ 6” and 255 pounds, and can also run with a 4.68 40. A nice value pick that should shore up the red zone offense for the Bengals.
3rd round Shawn Crable OLB Michigan: Crable is a stud and a great pick up at this point in the draft. This guy can put pressure on the QB, as shown by his 6 sacks this past season, and can also drop back into coverage. A potential Terrell Suggs like player who can make plays all over the field. Can’t ask for a better value pick at this point.
4th round: Dre Moore DT Maryland: Many people on this board absolutely love Dre Moore in the 4th round, and I am one of those people. This is a flat out steal. Moore is a run stuffer who can clog up lanes.
4th round: Dwight Lowry CB San Diego State: Lowry is one of those guys who doesn’t play for a big school, but is the type of player who could make a big time impact with some coaching. An excellent pick at this point, as he would come in and immediately be the 4th CB and would learn from Drayton Florence.
5th round: Johnny Dingle DE West Virginia: I had never seen Dingle play until the Fiesta Bowl, and as soon as I saw this guy, I wanted the Bengals to pick him up. This guy has a motor that is constantly running, and never stops. Get him, and he will work hard for you every single down.
6th round: Trey Brown CB UCLA: At this point, you have to look for players that will make an impact on special teams, and in a dime package. Trey Brown could handle the dime corner job. He led the NCAA in deflections this past year, and though this may be a bit of a reach at this point in the draft, it is still a very nice pick up.
7th round: Jason Rivers WR Hawaii: Another fast WR to put next to Chad, TJ, and Chris Henry that is fast and knows how to run in a fast paced offense evident by him playing at Hawaii the year before.
Well, after all of those draft and FA projections, here is my projection as to how the depth chart on offense and defense will be next year. * = rookie
QB: Carson Palmer/Ryan Fitzpatrick/Jeff Rowe
Carson is the starter, and there is really no need for a new back up QB that will hardly ever be used. Look at the Colts, they only have 2 active QB’s because of the trust they have that Peyton will not get hurt. It should be the same for a big QB like Carson Palmer.
RB: Kenny Watson/Kenny Irons/DeDe
In a big surprise, look for the Bengals to let go of both Chris Perry and Rudi Johnson. Rudi has no burst, dances too much, and is way overpaid for the production that a team gets out of him. Chris Perry is too fragile. Give Watson, who has carried the load this year, a chance again, with the nice change of pace backs of DeDe and Kenny Irons.
WR: Chad Johnson/TJ/Chris Henry/Jason Rivers*
See you later Antonio Chatman and Skylar Green. Both have not made an impact on this team, so both need to go. Chad, TJ, and Chris Henry are givens, and Jason Rivers is a very nice 4th wide receiver. If a 5th wide receiver is ever used, look for Glenn Holt to be that guy.
TE: Martin Rucker*/Coats/Reggie Kelly
Rucker is a stud in the red zone, and can spread the field for Carson. If he works on his run blocking ability a little bit, this guy will be a stud. Daniel Coats also can come in, and is a decent blocker who can block for Kenny Watson and also catch a few passes. Reggie Kelly will still be back, but with a little bit of a reduced role.
OT: Willie/Levi/Stacey Andrews/Adam Kieft
The tackles from this year will be back next year, as Willie and Levi return for one more year to anchor the O-Line. Stacey and Kieft provide some quality depth in case of injury.
OG: Andrew Whitworth/Bobbie Williams/Scott Kooistra
Whitworth and Williams have been decent this year, so let them go ahead and stay the starters next year. Kooistra maintains his role as the back up offensive lineman, a guy who can play pretty much any position in the case of an injury.
C: Eric Ghiaciuc/Stepanovich
Eric Ghiaciuc has done a decent job, and Stepanovich should get resigned for a low price to play the back up role.
Now, it is time to project who is going to start on the defensive side of the ball.
DE: Geathers/Paul Spicer/Chris Ellis*/Johnny Dingle*
Geathers has played well this year, even though he may not have been recognized. But the defensive line make over begins, as 3 new faces come in to make an impact. Spicer is a high motor guy who can stop the run, and Chris Ellis and Johnny Dingle can come in and get to the QB. A nice rotation to keep guys fresh will surely pay dividends.
DT: Sedrick Ellis*/Corey Williams/Randy Starks/Peko/Dre Moore*
The defensive line makeover continues, as only one player, Peko, returns to the line next year. The defensive tackles this past year were just too old, and got pushed back way too much. That ends now, with Corey Williams, Sedrick Ellis, Randy Starks, and Dre Moore imposing their will on opposing O-linemen.
OLB: Landon Johnson/Jeanty/Dhani Jones/Shawn Crable*
Landon will and should be resigned to play his natural position of OLB. Rashad Jeanty is a very good glue guy who should improve with better health and more experience. Dhani Jones showed leadership this past year, and Shawn Crable is a rookie who should get some playing time that will allow him to show what he can do.
MLB: Ahmad Brooks/Odell Thurman/Eric Henderson
Brooks and Odell will form a killer MLB combo, two guys who fly around the field making plays. Brooks needs the chance to get some consistent playing time, and show what he can do. There is a reason that Marvin gave up a 3rd round pick last year to get this guy, and next year is the year when Ahmad will show why he is a beast, and Odell will be reinstated and play with some fire in his belly. Henderson, although he is not a MLB, is another LB/DE hybrid like Geathers who can rush the passer and make a difference.
CB: Leon Hall/JoJo/Drayton Florence/Trey Brown*
Deltha O’Neal is gone, and the secondary should be young and hungry. Leon and Jonathan, with a year under their belts, will play well and should give the Bengals a nice CB tandem. Florence provides the veteran presence, and is also a very good nickel corner. Trey Brown provides depth and a decent dime corner.
S: Ndukwe/Gibril Wilson/Marvin White/Kilmer
Ndukwe has come on this year to be a spark for the defense, and should be one of the starting safeties next year. Gibril Wilson is able to provide some valuable experience and savvy in the secondary. If injuries hit, than Marvin White should be an option. Kilmer provides depth.
As far as the rest of the roster goes, just fill in with guys to provide depth and special team guys like St. Louis and Herana-Dez Jones. This team should be much improved next year, with a good balance of young and old. Look for the Bengals to cut underachieving veterans this off season in an effort to clear cap space.
Thoughts?
Free Agency projections:
Corey Williams DT Green Bay: Instead of going with the big acquisition that takes up a lot of money, I now believe that the Bengals will go with 2-3 smaller additions that will end up making a nice difference. Corey Williams is a good DT who can clog up holes and also rush the passer.
Paul Spicer DE Jacksonville: Another guy that could come in and make a difference is Paul Spicer. Yes, he runs his mouth a little bit, but he does back this up with some solid play at his DE position. With Justin Smith most likely gone this off season, Spicer can come in for 3-4 million and play just as well at ½ the cost.
Randy Starks DT Tennessee: This is a guy who rotates in on a very strong defensive line who can plug gaps, and also put some occasional pressure on the QB. A total makeover of the defensive line is needed, and these signings, along with the draft, will remake the defensive line into a much more consistent unit.
Drayton Florence CB San Diego: This is a good pick up, especially to allow the young corners to grow and develop. Florence is an above average corner who can play in almost any scheme. With Deltha O’Neal being traded (explanation later); the Bengals are in need of a nickel corner. Florence could come in and fill this role.
Gibril Wilson S New York Giants: Ndukwe and Marvin White showed some great potential this year, but someone needs to be signed this off season with both Madieu and Dexter Jackson most likely leaving. Wilson is a savvy vet who could work with the young guys.
Deltha O’Neal will get traded to the Atlanta Falcons for a 4th round draft pick.
So in terms of draft picks, that gives the Bengals 1 1st round pick, 1 2nd round pick, 2 3rd round picks, 2 4th round picks, 1 5th round pick, 1 6th round pick, and 1 7th round pick. Bengals have #9.
1st round: Sedrick Ellis DT USC: Sedrick Ellis is just too good of a tackle to pass up. He can penetrate and create havoc in the backfield. He wouldn’t have to be an every down player if the Bengals were able to sign some DT’s to have a good rotation, giving him rest and allowing him to go all out on every play.
2nd round: Chris Ellis DE Virginia Tech: Chris Ellis is looking better and better to me at this point in the 2nd round. Okam, if he falls this far, would be the obvious choice, but I think that Okam will either go late first round or very early in the second. So the Bengals should with the next best option, which is Chris Ellis. Ellis has the ability to rush the passer, and has the frame that he can fill out if he hits the weight room hard. An excellent addition to the DL.
3rd round: Martin Rucker TE Missouri: The Bengals have had a lot of problems in the red zone this year, and Martin Rucker is the type of TE who can come in and give Carson a nice option. Rucker is big at 6’ 6” and 255 pounds, and can also run with a 4.68 40. A nice value pick that should shore up the red zone offense for the Bengals.
3rd round Shawn Crable OLB Michigan: Crable is a stud and a great pick up at this point in the draft. This guy can put pressure on the QB, as shown by his 6 sacks this past season, and can also drop back into coverage. A potential Terrell Suggs like player who can make plays all over the field. Can’t ask for a better value pick at this point.
4th round: Dre Moore DT Maryland: Many people on this board absolutely love Dre Moore in the 4th round, and I am one of those people. This is a flat out steal. Moore is a run stuffer who can clog up lanes.
4th round: Dwight Lowry CB San Diego State: Lowry is one of those guys who doesn’t play for a big school, but is the type of player who could make a big time impact with some coaching. An excellent pick at this point, as he would come in and immediately be the 4th CB and would learn from Drayton Florence.
5th round: Johnny Dingle DE West Virginia: I had never seen Dingle play until the Fiesta Bowl, and as soon as I saw this guy, I wanted the Bengals to pick him up. This guy has a motor that is constantly running, and never stops. Get him, and he will work hard for you every single down.
6th round: Trey Brown CB UCLA: At this point, you have to look for players that will make an impact on special teams, and in a dime package. Trey Brown could handle the dime corner job. He led the NCAA in deflections this past year, and though this may be a bit of a reach at this point in the draft, it is still a very nice pick up.
7th round: Jason Rivers WR Hawaii: Another fast WR to put next to Chad, TJ, and Chris Henry that is fast and knows how to run in a fast paced offense evident by him playing at Hawaii the year before.
Well, after all of those draft and FA projections, here is my projection as to how the depth chart on offense and defense will be next year. * = rookie
QB: Carson Palmer/Ryan Fitzpatrick/Jeff Rowe
Carson is the starter, and there is really no need for a new back up QB that will hardly ever be used. Look at the Colts, they only have 2 active QB’s because of the trust they have that Peyton will not get hurt. It should be the same for a big QB like Carson Palmer.
RB: Kenny Watson/Kenny Irons/DeDe
In a big surprise, look for the Bengals to let go of both Chris Perry and Rudi Johnson. Rudi has no burst, dances too much, and is way overpaid for the production that a team gets out of him. Chris Perry is too fragile. Give Watson, who has carried the load this year, a chance again, with the nice change of pace backs of DeDe and Kenny Irons.
WR: Chad Johnson/TJ/Chris Henry/Jason Rivers*
See you later Antonio Chatman and Skylar Green. Both have not made an impact on this team, so both need to go. Chad, TJ, and Chris Henry are givens, and Jason Rivers is a very nice 4th wide receiver. If a 5th wide receiver is ever used, look for Glenn Holt to be that guy.
TE: Martin Rucker*/Coats/Reggie Kelly
Rucker is a stud in the red zone, and can spread the field for Carson. If he works on his run blocking ability a little bit, this guy will be a stud. Daniel Coats also can come in, and is a decent blocker who can block for Kenny Watson and also catch a few passes. Reggie Kelly will still be back, but with a little bit of a reduced role.
OT: Willie/Levi/Stacey Andrews/Adam Kieft
The tackles from this year will be back next year, as Willie and Levi return for one more year to anchor the O-Line. Stacey and Kieft provide some quality depth in case of injury.
OG: Andrew Whitworth/Bobbie Williams/Scott Kooistra
Whitworth and Williams have been decent this year, so let them go ahead and stay the starters next year. Kooistra maintains his role as the back up offensive lineman, a guy who can play pretty much any position in the case of an injury.
C: Eric Ghiaciuc/Stepanovich
Eric Ghiaciuc has done a decent job, and Stepanovich should get resigned for a low price to play the back up role.
Now, it is time to project who is going to start on the defensive side of the ball.
DE: Geathers/Paul Spicer/Chris Ellis*/Johnny Dingle*
Geathers has played well this year, even though he may not have been recognized. But the defensive line make over begins, as 3 new faces come in to make an impact. Spicer is a high motor guy who can stop the run, and Chris Ellis and Johnny Dingle can come in and get to the QB. A nice rotation to keep guys fresh will surely pay dividends.
DT: Sedrick Ellis*/Corey Williams/Randy Starks/Peko/Dre Moore*
The defensive line makeover continues, as only one player, Peko, returns to the line next year. The defensive tackles this past year were just too old, and got pushed back way too much. That ends now, with Corey Williams, Sedrick Ellis, Randy Starks, and Dre Moore imposing their will on opposing O-linemen.
OLB: Landon Johnson/Jeanty/Dhani Jones/Shawn Crable*
Landon will and should be resigned to play his natural position of OLB. Rashad Jeanty is a very good glue guy who should improve with better health and more experience. Dhani Jones showed leadership this past year, and Shawn Crable is a rookie who should get some playing time that will allow him to show what he can do.
MLB: Ahmad Brooks/Odell Thurman/Eric Henderson
Brooks and Odell will form a killer MLB combo, two guys who fly around the field making plays. Brooks needs the chance to get some consistent playing time, and show what he can do. There is a reason that Marvin gave up a 3rd round pick last year to get this guy, and next year is the year when Ahmad will show why he is a beast, and Odell will be reinstated and play with some fire in his belly. Henderson, although he is not a MLB, is another LB/DE hybrid like Geathers who can rush the passer and make a difference.
CB: Leon Hall/JoJo/Drayton Florence/Trey Brown*
Deltha O’Neal is gone, and the secondary should be young and hungry. Leon and Jonathan, with a year under their belts, will play well and should give the Bengals a nice CB tandem. Florence provides the veteran presence, and is also a very good nickel corner. Trey Brown provides depth and a decent dime corner.
S: Ndukwe/Gibril Wilson/Marvin White/Kilmer
Ndukwe has come on this year to be a spark for the defense, and should be one of the starting safeties next year. Gibril Wilson is able to provide some valuable experience and savvy in the secondary. If injuries hit, than Marvin White should be an option. Kilmer provides depth.
As far as the rest of the roster goes, just fill in with guys to provide depth and special team guys like St. Louis and Herana-Dez Jones. This team should be much improved next year, with a good balance of young and old. Look for the Bengals to cut underachieving veterans this off season in an effort to clear cap space.
Thoughts?