Mock Draft 1.0 (Post Combine)

[Bech72]

I looked at teams that would be likely trading partners should we look to move down. I think the best fit is Minnesota. They really need a DE (especially with the Udeze situation). A trade to them would all but guarantee that they are able to nab Harvey, who would be a good fit for them. The 9th pick is worth 1,350 on the value chart and their 1st and 2nd rounders add up to 1,380. So the trade would be our 1st and our 6th in 09 for their 1st (18) and their 2nd (47) this year. I also am drafting based on the belief that we are going to a 3-4.

1. Jonathan Stewart RB Oregon
-Stewart has the size to be a bell cow and get 25-30 carries per game. He proved he is fast enough at the combine and could take over as the starter as early as mid-season. This move would signify the end of Perry's tenure.

2a. Dre Moore DT/DE Maryland
-Moore put on a show yesterday at the combine, 6'4" 300, 4.88 forty and 30+ reps. He has the size and the speed to develop into a stellar 3-4 end and could start early on.

2b. Shawn Crable OLB Michigan
-Crable is a perfect fit at 3-4 OLB at 6'5" 250. Could initially play behind Jeanty, but I don't think it will take long for him to develop into a starter.

3a. Craig Stevens TE Cal
-Stevens is a very reliable TE and has had a very strong offseason. He worked out very well and looks like he could develop into a very Dallas Clark esque player. 4.58 speed is just icing on the cake.

3b. Frank Okam DT Texas
-Okam possesses the size to be a steller NT in the 3-4. He would back up Peko initially until it is decided if Peko is a better fit at NT or at DE. Okam really impressed at the combine, his speed isn't awful for a man his size, and it's not like he is expected to go sideline to sideline anyway.

4. Gary Guyton LB Georgia Tech
-Yes this pick is very much influenced by his combine performance. But Guyton has the size to play ILB in the 3-4 and could be a very good backup to Brooks, and if we learned anything last year, you can never have enough backup LBs. Had a fairly impressive college career.

5a. Dorian Bryant KR/WR Purdue
-Does not possess eye popping speed, but Bryant is a very good KR and PR. I know we resigned Chapman, but I think Bryant would excel immediately and would give us something we haven't had in quite some time.

(5b?). Kirk Barton OT Ohio St.
-Barton may be gone by here and we may not even have a 2nd fifth rounder; that said Barton looks like he could be a very solid. Could play OT or OG and may be able to develop into a starter.

6. Martel Van Zant CB Oklahoma St.
-This would be a very tough pick to make. Van Zant is 6'2" and has been timed at 4.4. He also was a 2 year starter, a guy with his physical attributes and experience should make him a pretty good CB prospect, but the issue is that Van Zant is deaf. I realize that coaching him will be very difficult, apparently he has a translator that helps, but the risk may be worth it. He is the type of guy that could play CB or S and could hold up very well. If not I would look at a guy like Jack Williams CB Kent St or David Roach FS TCU.

7. Marcus Dixon DE Hampton
-Admittedly I do not know much about Dixon, and his bench at the combine was not impressive (21), but he has the size of a 3-4 end; which will be hard to find in the 7th.

[pledgi]

I like Stewart, but the Bengals need defense much more desperately in the first three rounds. Okam looks to have eaten himself out of consideration as an every down nose tackle (347 at combine). He also has some reportedly terrible work habits. I'll pass on these two. I like the other picks.

[Bech72]

I like Stewart, but the Bengals need defense much more desperately in the first three rounds. Okam looks to have eaten himself out of consideration as an every down nose tackle (347 at combine). He also has some reportedly terrible work habits. I'll pass on these two. I like the other picks.

Okam has all the tools to be a dominate player, he just needs the right coaching and strength program. He doesn't need to be an every down player this year, and may not need to be at any point if Peko pans out at NT. As far as Stewart, I think we do need an answer at RB and he is the guy. As far as D needs, if we want to go to a 3-4, who is there at 9 who sticks out? Who is that at 18 (if this trade happens) that sticks out? 18 may be too early for Groves, and I think Crable could develop into an even better OLB than Groves, so why not grab the RB when you can. I agree we need D in the worst way! But if it isn't there I would be happy with a top tier offensive guy.

[pledgi]

Okam has all the tools to be a dominate player, he just needs the right coaching and strength program. He doesn't need to be an every down player this year, and may not need to be at any point if Peko pans out at NT. As far as Stewart, I think we do need an answer at RB and he is the guy. As far as D needs, if we want to go to a 3-4, who is there at 9 who sticks out? Who is that at 18 (if this trade happens) that sticks out? 18 may be too early for Groves, and I think Crable could develop into an even better OLB than Groves, so why not grab the RB when you can. I agree we need D in the worst way! But if it isn't there I would be happy with a top tier offensive guy.

I don't think Peko can hold down the NT spot alone despite good size and strength and I think we really need a dominant player there. I would be fine with Stewart or Mendenhall at #1 as long as we got Ahtya Rubin and a decent defensive end as well, but I think we'll miss out on all the ends who can play 3-4 if we wait till the 3rd. I like Rubin a lot more than Okam at this point based on the impact he made for Iowa State compared with when he was injured, but Okam will be available in the fourth as opposed to the 2nd and gives you the opportunity to draft another player. What about both Rubin and Okam (backup)and moving Peko to 3-4 end opposite Fanene and/or Rucker? This massive front 3 would eat up lots of blocks. **** we could even go 4-3 on 1st down with Fanene, Rubin, Okam, and Peko. Imagine trying to run against that line!

[NATI BENGALS]

Okam has all the tools to be a dominate player, he just needs the right coaching and strength program. He doesn't need to be an every down player this year, and may not need to be at any point if Peko pans out at NT. As far as Stewart, I think we do need an answer at RB and he is the guy. As far as D needs, if we want to go to a 3-4, who is there at 9 who sticks out? Who is that at 18 (if this trade happens) that sticks out? 18 may be too early for Groves, and I think Crable could develop into an even better OLB than Groves, so why not grab the RB when you can. I agree we need D in the worst way! But if it isn't there I would be happy with a top tier offensive guy.
I dont think 18 would be too high for Groves. A lot of early predictions put him in the second rd but I just dont see it happening. He is a giant fast tweener who could wreak havoc as an OLB in the 3-4. At 6' 3" 250 pounds he fits the bill as a prototype defensive game changer ala Suggs, Dansby, Demarcus Ware, Umenyiora. He could be the next Merriman. While he didnt have a lot of sacks last year (only 3)his 24 QB hurries could be just what this team needs. I think Geathers and Groves as OLB in the 3-4 would be a very formidable duo as pass rushers, especially with Thurman and Brooks playing the middle.

[pledgi]

I dont think 18 would be too high for Groves. A lot of early predictions put him in the second rd but I just dont see it happening. He is a giant fast tweener who could wreak havoc as an OLB in the 3-4. At 6' 3" 250 pounds he fits the bill as a prototype defensive game changer ala Suggs, Dansby, Demarcus Ware, Umenyiora. He could be the next Merriman. While he didnt have a lot of sacks last year (only 3)his 24 QB hurries could be just what this team needs. I think Geathers and Groves as OLB in the 3-4 would be a very formidable duo as pass rushers, especially with Thurman and Brooks playing the middle.

I like your thinking:Clap:

[Bech72]

I don't think Peko can hold down the NT spot alone despite good size and strength and I think we really need a dominant player there. I would be fine with Stewart or Mendenhall at #1 as long as we got Ahtya Rubin and a decent defensive end as well, but I think we'll miss out on all the ends who can play 3-4 if we wait till the 3rd. I like Rubin a lot more than Okam at this point based on the impact he made for Iowa State compared with when he was injured, but Okam will be available in the fourth as opposed to the 2nd and gives you the opportunity to draft another player. What about both Rubin and Okam (backup)and moving Peko to 3-4 end opposite Fanene and/or Rucker? This massive front 3 would eat up lots of blocks. **** we could even go 4-3 on 1st down with Fanene, Rubin, Okam, and Peko. Imagine trying to run against that line!

I have Okam as my second 3rd rounder and finding a bigger body at that spot could prove impossible. I seriously doubt that he makes it out of the 3rd so getting him where I have him might not happen. I would still prefer Moore at end and Crable at OLB in the 2nd, although I wouldn't be disappointed with Rubin if one of them is gone.

[Bech72]

I dont think 18 would be too high for Groves. A lot of early predictions put him in the second rd but I just dont see it happening. He is a giant fast tweener who could wreak havoc as an OLB in the 3-4. At 6' 3" 250 pounds he fits the bill as a prototype defensive game changer ala Suggs, Dansby, Demarcus Ware, Umenyiora. He could be the next Merriman. While he didnt have a lot of sacks last year (only 3)his 24 QB hurries could be just what this team needs. I think Geathers and Groves as OLB in the 3-4 would be a very formidable duo as pass rushers, especially with Thurman and Brooks playing the middle.

At this point I think Groves is a reach at 18. I also think that in 2-3 years, Crable will be the better 3-4 OLB.