Check out my mock :)

[Weazzel80]

I just felt like making a very premature mock draft. I have not done my homework yet on scouting these players, but am mostly fitting them in based on our needs

1. Barrett Jones, C/T/G, Alabama
Height: 6-5. Weight: 311.
Projected 40 Time: 5.10.

Dude can successfully play Center, Guard, and Tackle. I'm already a fan because of this. I feel like our offensive line is our offense's biggest weakness but I'm not sure exactly what position needs to be addressed. With this guys versatility it doesn't even matter. We can play him where ever we need him. This pick is simply 'Get a beast offensive lineman'

2. Marcus Lattimore*, RB, South Carolina
Height: 6-0. Weight: 218.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.

We need a beast running back. I do think he can fall to our first second round pick because running backs don't go in the first so often anymore and Oakland's pick is looking to be an early second rounder. Lattimore is the best available and I would be down to take him in the first as well.

2. Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
Height: 6-1. Weight: 215.
Projected 40 Time: 4.47.

It's about time we address the Safety position EARLY in the draft. This guy just seemed to be the most logical prospect at this spot.

3.Kareem Martin*, DE, North Carolina
Height: 6-6. Weight: 260.
Projected 40 Time: 4.73.
I think he'll be a second rounder but hey, it seems every year that all our pick are projected to have gone a round earlier anyway. This pick is to add DE depth and get another player who can contribute in a rotation. Gotta love his size.

4. Jelani Jenkins*, OLB, Florida
Height: 6-1. Weight: 230.
Projected 40 Time: 4.47.

With how much of a passing league the NFL has become, it is going to be important to have linebackers who can cover. I am hoping this guy can do that.

5. Nigel Malone, CB, Kansas State
Height: 5-10. Weight: 180.
Projected 40 Time: 4.46.

Looks like a good nickle corner. Depth at conerback is ALWAYS important.

6. James Wilson, G, Florida
Height: 6-3. Weight: 315.
Projected 40 Time: 5.07.

Looks like he has some potential and a solid backup guard would be nice.

[Carolinabengalfanguy]

I like Lattimore he'd be great early in the second round.

I'm not crazy about Vaccarro as my top S is Rambo

I do like Jenkins in the 4th. He has a lot of speed for a linebacker.

The rest meh. I don't think we need to go o-line first barring we lose Smith.

[SunsetBengal]

Originally Posted by Carolinabengalfanguy

I like Lattimore he'd be great early in the second round.

I'm not crazy about Vaccarro as my top S is Rambo

I do like Jenkins in the 4th. He has a lot of speed for a linebacker.

The rest meh. I don't think we need to go o-line first barring we lose Smith.

I don't know about that. If a good OLman, worthy of the slot is there at the time, you really have to consider him. Let's face it, Whit is really good, but is starting to show some wear, Big Dre may want too much money to stay. Would you honestly be comfortable heading into next year with Collins and Roland as the backups?? Collins is good, but not permanent starter good, Roland is...well, Roland.

Weather Whit stays healthy and Andre re-signs or not, its definitely time to get another starter quality tackle. Maybe not with the 1st pick, but definitely with one of the 2nd round picks.

[Jasonew6]

As Carolina said I don't go O-line in 1 unless we lose Andre.

Not convinced Lattimore lasts that long, but if he does I like it.

Love the Vaccarro pick.

I would go OLB and CB earlier than you did.

[Carolinabengalfanguy]

Originally Posted by SunsetBengal

I don't know about that. If a good OLman, worthy of the slot is there at the time, you really have to consider him. Let's face it, Whit is really good, but is starting to show some wear, Big Dre may want too much money to stay. Would you honestly be comfortable heading into next year with Collins and Roland as the backups?? Collins is good, but not permanent starter good, Roland is...well, Roland.

Weather Whit stays healthy and Andre re-signs or not, its definitely time to get another starter quality tackle. Maybe not with the 1st pick, but definitely with one of the 2nd round picks.

I'm fine with Whitworth, Smith, and I trust Collins as a backup needed starter. Roland can be replaced by a mid to late pick or even FA

[Weazzel80]

Originally Posted by SunsetBengal

I don't know about that. If a good OLman, worthy of the slot is there at the time, you really have to consider him. Let's face it, Whit is really good, but is starting to show some wear, Big Dre may want too much money to stay. Would you honestly be comfortable heading into next year with Collins and Roland as the backups?? Collins is good, but not permanent starter good, Roland is...well, Roland.

Weather Whit stays healthy and Andre re-signs or not, its definitely time to get another starter quality tackle. Maybe not with the 1st pick, but definitely with one of the 2nd round picks.

too add to that, I also think there is also a lot of question and guard and center. We haven't seen anything of Wharton. Boiling is good but is he our stable left guard of the future? And at Center we would be expecting Kyle Cook to rebound from his injury and play at a high level. To top all of that off, we have nothing reliable to back up any of the offensive line positions except for Anthony Collins.

Our running game has been horrible so far this season. Something has to be done about the O-line. This is why I think Barrett Jones in the first is a good pick.

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by Weazzel80

too add to that, I also think there is also a lot of question and guard and center. We haven't seen anything of Wharton. Boiling is good but is he our stable left guard of the future? And at Center we would be expecting Kyle Cook to rebound from his injury and play at a high level. To top all of that off, we have nothing reliable to back up any of the offensive line positions except for Anthony Collins.

Our running game has been horrible so far this season. Something has to be done about the O-line. This is why I think Barrett Jones in the first is a good pick.

Barrett can play 4 oline positions (LG, C, RG, RT), and this makes him very, very attractive. Barrett could cut his teeth at LG early in his career and then move to Center later.

Without Barrett:
LT: Whit/Collins
LG: Boling/Wharton
C: Cook
RG: Zeitler/Robinson
RT: Smith/Rookie

With Barrett:
LT: Whit/Collins
LG: Barrett/Boling
C: Cook/Boling
RG: Zeitler/Wharton
RT: Smith/Rookie

Yes, with Barrett our oline depth is improved shifting Wharton to RG2, but the Bengals would have to cut Trevor Robinson and there wouldn't be a clear backup Center.

All said, I still see MIKE, DE, SAM, & SS as higher priorities than drafting Barrett Jones. But if Te'o & Okafor are gone in the first, Barrett Jones would still be a prize (especially if we can trade back, grab an extra 3rd rounder, and still get Barrett Jones).

[BobJones4980]

Originally Posted by mulligan

Barrett can play 4 oline positions (LG, C, RG, RT), and this makes him very, very attractive. Barrett could cut his teeth at LG early in his career and then move to Center later.

Without Barrett:
LT: Whit/Collins
LG: Boling/Wharton
C: Cook
RG: Zeitler/Robinson
RT: Smith/Rookie

With Barrett:
LT: Whit/Collins
LG: Barrett/Boling
C: Cook/Boling
RG: Zeitler/Wharton
RT: Smith/Rookie

Yes, with Barrett our oline depth is improved shifting Wharton to RG2, but the Bengals would have to cut Trevor Robinson and there wouldn't be a clear backup Center.

All said, I still see MIKE, DE, SAM, & SS as higher priorities than drafting Barrett Jones. But if Te'o & Okafor are gone in the first, Barrett Jones would still be a prize (especially if we can trade back, grab an extra 3rd rounder, and still get Barrett Jones).

I've thought Zeit and Boiling have been improving and playing pretty well, add to that Wharton should be back next year and Cook is signed through 2016 I just cant see spending a 1st round pick on a back up Olineman.

I agree with you MIKE,DE,SAM and SS are more important positions at this point, Id throw in RB for sure I mean look how well Scott ran behind the line before being injured this week, Unless BJGE improves tremendously the rest of the year I think its a pretty big need.

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by BobJones4980

I've thought Zeit and Boiling have been improving and playing pretty well, add to that Wharton should be back next year and Cook is signed through 2016 I just cant see spending a 1st round pick on a back up Olineman.

I agree with you MIKE,DE,SAM and SS are more important positions at this point, Id throw in RB for sure I mean look how well Scott ran behind the line before being injured this week, Unless BJGE improves tremendously the rest of the year I think its a pretty big need.

I agree with this. RB is a big concern. I would add WR2. Outside of the oft-inactive Marvin Jones, the Bengals don't have a complementary speed WR that can force teams to keep 2 safeties deep. (Can Dalton be accurate on the deep ball to complete a deep 30+ yard pass?) Without a speed WR2, opposing teams load the box and confound BJGE who isn't too speedy or evasive.

Unfortunately, it seems that there are too many holes to fix solely in the draft. And even with the defensive struggles and age, I think that the Bengals are going to need to go alternate picks between defense & offense in next year's draft.

1 - DE, LB (SAM or MIKE), SS
2a - speed WR or RB
2b - DE, LB (SAM or MIKE), SS,
3 - speed WR or RB
4 - LB (SAM, MIKE, or WILL2), SS
5 - T or RB
6a - BPA
6b - BPA