Bengal4Life85
12-31-2007, 05:06 PM
Right now, all of my projections are based on the Bengals getting the #9 pick in next year’s draft. Also, I am under the assumption that Steinbach signing with the Browns gives the Bengals an extra 3rd round pick. So, without further ado, here is my off season projection for the Cincinnati Bengals. First, the FA projections.
First, the Free Agency projections:
Terrell Suggs OLB/DE Baltimore Ravens: Yes, I think that the Bengals will make a big splash during this off season. The fans are ******, and Marvin needs to make a big splash on the defensive end to save his job. Terrell Suggs provides this splash. This is a guy who consistently gets to the QB, and would help out the young corners immediately. The pressure on the QB would allow the CB’s to not have to cover as long.
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 fill this role.
Deltha O’Neal will get traded to the Atlanta Falcons for a 4th round draft pick, who are in desperate need of a corner with Jimmy Williams stinking it up and DeAngelo Hall imploding.
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. Here is the Bengals only mock draft.
1st round: Sedrick Ellis DT USC: Just imagine this next year: a defensive line tandem of Robert Geathers, Domata Peko, and Sedrick Ellis all putting pressure from the inside, with Terrell Suggs rushing the QB from his DE/OLB spot. That’s a whole lot of pressure on the QB, which not only improves the defensive line, but also the secondary, as they do not have to cover as long. Ellis is an absolute beast who can stop the run and rush the QB. A perfect pick at this point in the draft to take the impact DT that has been needed for years.
2nd round: Barry Richardson OT Clemson: With Willie Anderson getting old, and Levi Jones up and down on the other side, the Bengals have a desperate need for a good OT to protect Carson Palmer and give him time to get the ball down the field to Chad and TJ. Barry Richardson makes a lot of RB’s look better than they really are, and has the ability to protect the QB. A perfect value pick.
3rd round: Wesley Woodyard OLB Kentucky: Wesley Woodyard is a man. Not afraid of anything, he would give this defense a bad*** personality to fire up the team, and can fly from sideline to sideline making plays all over the field. Perfect value pick at this point in the draft. Gives this team some more depth at the LB spot, and allows him to get some playing time to improve.
3rd round: Jacob Tamme TE Kentucky: This has been a need for the Bengals for many years now. Reggie Kelly is a good blocker, but just cannot get it done in the passing game, and Daniel Coats has not shown a lot of consistency as a receiving TE. So the Bengals have to look at the TE position as a need in this upcoming draft. Jacob Tamme is a very good TE, one who can play TE, or line up to the outside as a slot wide receiver. A good NFL comparison for him would be Dallas Clark. With Chad, TJ, Chris Henry, and Jacob Tamme, there would be plenty of weapons for Carson.
4th round: J Leman MLB Illinois: Another guy who will fly under the radar is J Leman from Illinois. The Bengals need LB’s, especially guys who are willing to do all of the little things to improve and stop the run. J Leman is a hard worker who flies around the field making plays. Get him, and he should develop into an impact playmaker for the defense.
4th round: Craig Steltz S LSU: With Madieu and Dexter both gone this off season, the Bengals definitely need another safety to push Marvin White. Craig Steltz is an All-American who flies under the radar a bit because of all the talent on the defense of LSU. This guy will make a great pro, and could contribute like Ndukwe.
5th round: Kenny Iwebema DE Iowa: Another play who works hard, but does not get as much notice is Kenny Iwebema out of Iowa. If you have ever watched Iowa play, this guy works really hard. He can rush the passer, but can also plug up holes to stop the run. A good value pick, as he can also contribute on special teams.
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, and is also an ace on special teams.
7th round: Jason Rivers WR Hawaii: Another fast WR to put next to Chad, TJ, and Chris Henry that is fast and knows the spread offense.
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. Just keep what the Bengals have now.
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, and he blew his chance as the 2nd down back. 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: Jacob Tamme*/Coats
Tamme is a guy from Kentucky who plays like a poor man’s Dallas Clark. Obviously, he should be the starter. Daniel Coats also can come in, and is a decent blocker who can take over for the departing Reggie Kelly, who is getting older and can not spread the field for Carson or catch balls in the red zone for TD’s.
OT: Levi/Stacey Andrews/Barry Richardson*/Adam Kieft
I do not know why, but I just have a hunch that Willie Anderson will be released at the end of the season. He has been battling injuries this season, and just seems to not be able to stay on the field. Levi stays, and Stacey Andrews gets a chance to step up and take over for Willie like he did this past year.
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/Alex 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/Suggs/Iwebema*/Fanene
Geathers and Suggs makes up a nice DE tandem that can get to the QB, and can both drop back into coverage and allow the LB’s and secondary players to go on stunt blitzes. Iwebema was drafted to be a backup who can rotate in, and Fanene has played fairly well and can also rotate in to give the Bengals a nice 4-man rotation. Gone are Frostee Rucker, Justin Smith, and Bryan Robinson.
DT: Sedrick Ellis*/Peko/Mike Myers/Matt Toeina
Sedrick Ellis comes in and gives this defensive line the much needed jolt, a guy who can rush the passer as well as plug up gaps and stop the run. Peko has played alright the last few years, but with some luck, he could be a very good complementary player next to a dominating Sedrick Ellis. Mike Myers and Matt Toeina are guys who can rotate in and do their jobs.
OLB: Landon Johnson/Wesley Woodyard*/Dhani Jones/Eric Henderson
Landon will and should be resigned to play his natural position of OLB. Wesley Woodyard should get a chance to start and make the plays that he can make. Dhani Jones and Eric Henderson can either rotate in, or provide quality depth in case any of the other LB’s gets hurt.
MLB: Ahmad Brooks/Odell Thurman/J Leman*
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.
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.
S: Chinedum Ndukwe/Craig Steltz*/Marvin White/Ethan Kilmer
Ndukwe has come on this year to be a spark for the defense, and should be one of the starting safeties next year. Craig Steltz, the rookie for LSU, is seasoned and will come in ready to start. If Steltz is unable to start, than Marvin White should be a viable option. Kilmer provides depth not only at safety, but also at CB.
K: Shayne Graham
No need to change anything here. Graham has been solid.
P: Kyle Larson
No need to change anything here. Larson has also been solid as a punter.
As far as the rest of the roster goes, just fill in with guys to provide depth and special team guys like Brad St. Louis and John Busing.
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 and to let the young guys get some playing time.
Thoughts?
First, the Free Agency projections:
Terrell Suggs OLB/DE Baltimore Ravens: Yes, I think that the Bengals will make a big splash during this off season. The fans are ******, and Marvin needs to make a big splash on the defensive end to save his job. Terrell Suggs provides this splash. This is a guy who consistently gets to the QB, and would help out the young corners immediately. The pressure on the QB would allow the CB’s to not have to cover as long.
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 fill this role.
Deltha O’Neal will get traded to the Atlanta Falcons for a 4th round draft pick, who are in desperate need of a corner with Jimmy Williams stinking it up and DeAngelo Hall imploding.
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. Here is the Bengals only mock draft.
1st round: Sedrick Ellis DT USC: Just imagine this next year: a defensive line tandem of Robert Geathers, Domata Peko, and Sedrick Ellis all putting pressure from the inside, with Terrell Suggs rushing the QB from his DE/OLB spot. That’s a whole lot of pressure on the QB, which not only improves the defensive line, but also the secondary, as they do not have to cover as long. Ellis is an absolute beast who can stop the run and rush the QB. A perfect pick at this point in the draft to take the impact DT that has been needed for years.
2nd round: Barry Richardson OT Clemson: With Willie Anderson getting old, and Levi Jones up and down on the other side, the Bengals have a desperate need for a good OT to protect Carson Palmer and give him time to get the ball down the field to Chad and TJ. Barry Richardson makes a lot of RB’s look better than they really are, and has the ability to protect the QB. A perfect value pick.
3rd round: Wesley Woodyard OLB Kentucky: Wesley Woodyard is a man. Not afraid of anything, he would give this defense a bad*** personality to fire up the team, and can fly from sideline to sideline making plays all over the field. Perfect value pick at this point in the draft. Gives this team some more depth at the LB spot, and allows him to get some playing time to improve.
3rd round: Jacob Tamme TE Kentucky: This has been a need for the Bengals for many years now. Reggie Kelly is a good blocker, but just cannot get it done in the passing game, and Daniel Coats has not shown a lot of consistency as a receiving TE. So the Bengals have to look at the TE position as a need in this upcoming draft. Jacob Tamme is a very good TE, one who can play TE, or line up to the outside as a slot wide receiver. A good NFL comparison for him would be Dallas Clark. With Chad, TJ, Chris Henry, and Jacob Tamme, there would be plenty of weapons for Carson.
4th round: J Leman MLB Illinois: Another guy who will fly under the radar is J Leman from Illinois. The Bengals need LB’s, especially guys who are willing to do all of the little things to improve and stop the run. J Leman is a hard worker who flies around the field making plays. Get him, and he should develop into an impact playmaker for the defense.
4th round: Craig Steltz S LSU: With Madieu and Dexter both gone this off season, the Bengals definitely need another safety to push Marvin White. Craig Steltz is an All-American who flies under the radar a bit because of all the talent on the defense of LSU. This guy will make a great pro, and could contribute like Ndukwe.
5th round: Kenny Iwebema DE Iowa: Another play who works hard, but does not get as much notice is Kenny Iwebema out of Iowa. If you have ever watched Iowa play, this guy works really hard. He can rush the passer, but can also plug up holes to stop the run. A good value pick, as he can also contribute on special teams.
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, and is also an ace on special teams.
7th round: Jason Rivers WR Hawaii: Another fast WR to put next to Chad, TJ, and Chris Henry that is fast and knows the spread offense.
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. Just keep what the Bengals have now.
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, and he blew his chance as the 2nd down back. 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: Jacob Tamme*/Coats
Tamme is a guy from Kentucky who plays like a poor man’s Dallas Clark. Obviously, he should be the starter. Daniel Coats also can come in, and is a decent blocker who can take over for the departing Reggie Kelly, who is getting older and can not spread the field for Carson or catch balls in the red zone for TD’s.
OT: Levi/Stacey Andrews/Barry Richardson*/Adam Kieft
I do not know why, but I just have a hunch that Willie Anderson will be released at the end of the season. He has been battling injuries this season, and just seems to not be able to stay on the field. Levi stays, and Stacey Andrews gets a chance to step up and take over for Willie like he did this past year.
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/Alex 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/Suggs/Iwebema*/Fanene
Geathers and Suggs makes up a nice DE tandem that can get to the QB, and can both drop back into coverage and allow the LB’s and secondary players to go on stunt blitzes. Iwebema was drafted to be a backup who can rotate in, and Fanene has played fairly well and can also rotate in to give the Bengals a nice 4-man rotation. Gone are Frostee Rucker, Justin Smith, and Bryan Robinson.
DT: Sedrick Ellis*/Peko/Mike Myers/Matt Toeina
Sedrick Ellis comes in and gives this defensive line the much needed jolt, a guy who can rush the passer as well as plug up gaps and stop the run. Peko has played alright the last few years, but with some luck, he could be a very good complementary player next to a dominating Sedrick Ellis. Mike Myers and Matt Toeina are guys who can rotate in and do their jobs.
OLB: Landon Johnson/Wesley Woodyard*/Dhani Jones/Eric Henderson
Landon will and should be resigned to play his natural position of OLB. Wesley Woodyard should get a chance to start and make the plays that he can make. Dhani Jones and Eric Henderson can either rotate in, or provide quality depth in case any of the other LB’s gets hurt.
MLB: Ahmad Brooks/Odell Thurman/J Leman*
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.
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.
S: Chinedum Ndukwe/Craig Steltz*/Marvin White/Ethan Kilmer
Ndukwe has come on this year to be a spark for the defense, and should be one of the starting safeties next year. Craig Steltz, the rookie for LSU, is seasoned and will come in ready to start. If Steltz is unable to start, than Marvin White should be a viable option. Kilmer provides depth not only at safety, but also at CB.
K: Shayne Graham
No need to change anything here. Graham has been solid.
P: Kyle Larson
No need to change anything here. Larson has also been solid as a punter.
As far as the rest of the roster goes, just fill in with guys to provide depth and special team guys like Brad St. Louis and John Busing.
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 and to let the young guys get some playing time.
Thoughts?