My take on potential draft needs

[Hammerstripes]

I'm surprised that so many people think that WR has NO draft need.

Is it just me or do we have 1 complete WR, a slot guy and then a bunch of holes?

I'm not saying I would burn a 1st rounder on one, but to say there is no need at WR is a little curious. Sure, we have some young talent, but it's troublesome that nobody has really stepped up and performed.

[berserkerone88]

Originally Posted by Hammerstripes

I'm surprised that so many people think that WR has NO draft need.

Is it just me or do we have 1 complete WR, a slot guy and then a bunch of holes?

I'm not saying I would burn a 1st rounder on one, but to say there is no need at WR is a little curious. Sure, we have some young talent, but it's troublesome that nobody has really stepped up and performed.

Im right there with you. I just think our #1 is so good unless we are faced with tremendous value at WR, we have other pressing needs.

[OSUfan]

Originally Posted by Hammerstripes

I'm surprised that so many people think that WR has NO draft need.

Is it just me or do we have 1 complete WR, a slot guy and then a bunch of holes?

I'm not saying I would burn a 1st rounder on one, but to say there is no need at WR is a little curious. Sure, we have some young talent, but it's troublesome that nobody has really stepped up and performed.

We have three very young guys in Binns, Sanu, and Jones that have shown to have tremendous talent. Not too mention, they are 5 games into their young careers.

You say no one has stepped up and I say Binns has played very well.

[berserkerone88]

Originally Posted by OSUfan

We have three very young guys in Binns, Sanu, and Jones that have shown to have tremendous talent. Not too mention, they are 5 games into their young careers.

You say no one has stepped up and I say Binns has played very well.

Binns has been alright.
Flashes but then isn't a factor for stretches.
He needs a break out game. A statement play. Something.

A nice weapon, but not showing true #2 stuff.

[Hammerstripes]

Originally Posted by OSUfan

We have three very young guys in Binns, Sanu, and Jones that have shown to have tremendous talent. Not too mention, they are 5 games into their young careers.

You say no one has stepped up and I say Binns has played very well.

Tremendous talent? If that was the case, one of them would be putting up better numbers than 15 catches through 5 games.

I'm not saying that this won't be a need by the end of the year (if someone takes the reigns), but right now, I'm torn on what is our worst position on the team:

SS
WR2
MLB
OLB

[OSUfan]

Originally Posted by Hammerstripes

Tremendous talent? If that was the case, one of them would be putting up better numbers than 15 catches through 5 games.

I'm not saying that this won't be a need by the end of the year (if someone takes the reigns), but right now, I'm torn on what is our worst position on the team:

SS
WR2
MLB
OLB

You obviously are not considering that this team spreads the ball around. Virtually every receiver other than Sanu and Jones have catches. Even our #2 TE has been targeted.

[Hammerstripes]

Originally Posted by OSUfan

You obviously are not considering that this team spreads the ball around. Virtually every receiver other than Sanu and Jones have catches. Even our #2 TE has been targeted.

No, I considered that, but I still come to the conclusion that the lack of talent at #2 is an issue.

[SunsetBengal]

What is boggling me is the fact that we have an OL full of great draft picks, yet they cannot move anyone out of the hole directly in front of them. To me, that is a major concern.

Does every one else just not see that as a problem?

Does every one else just think it will cure itself?

[Hammerstripes]

I wouldn't be upset at taking another OG or C.

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by Lolli

Hall had 4.3 speed, IDK if he still has it.

Dee Milliner has the skills, size, speed and hips.

Originally Posted by Lolli

IDK. I do not think he has the speed or the hips to keep up with #1. I hope I am wrong by the way. I think he would be good against TEs and possesion guys, but we do not play that way; we do RCB and LCB. I think if you put him out in a position and leave him there against whom ever the O decides to line up against him, he will get burnt. I would line up my speed guy against him all day long.

Hall will cover the WR1. Dre Kirk will probably cover the slot in 2012. As for 2013, we will see.

[bfine32]

Originally Posted by Hammerstripes

Tremendous talent? If that was the case, one of them would be putting up better numbers than 15 catches through 5 games.

I'm not saying that this won't be a need by the end of the year (if someone takes the reigns), but right now, I'm torn on what is our worst position on the team:

SS
WR2
MLB
OLB

You have all those positions over RB?

[TGISunday]

Originally Posted by SunsetBengal

What is boggling me is the fact that we have an OL full of great draft picks, yet they cannot move anyone out of the hole directly in front of them. To me, that is a major concern.

Does every one else just not see that as a problem?

Does every one else just think it will cure itself?

It's a little concerning. The young pups will have to hit the weight room hard this offseason. Even DeCastro came in and said something to the effect "These guys in the league are a lot stronger than in college. You just can't push them around. It's a hard adjustment."

That said, I'd like a Center drafted along with backups for almost all positions along the line. Please sign 'Dre long term!

[McC]

Originally Posted by mulligan

Nothing like moving a player from his life-long position to a new position before he has even taken an NFL snap. Ridiculous.

That might be the best time of all to do it. Be less emotional and more logical and think about it.

[McC]

Originally Posted by Hammerstripes

Tremendous talent? If that was the case, one of them would be putting up better numbers than 15 catches through 5 games.

I'm not saying that this won't be a need by the end of the year (if someone takes the reigns), but right now, I'm torn on what is our worst position on the team:

SS
WR2
MLB
OLB

I have a problem with assuming a receiver's numbers are all his fault or necessarily say it all about his abilities. I see Binns open and so far he has caught pretty much everything. If Andy is not throwing to him, maybe it's on Andy or due to other factors. Wouldn't matter if it was Jerry Rice over there if Andy isn't looking at him.

[OSUfan]

Originally Posted by McC

I have a problem with assuming a receiver's numbers are all his fault or necessarily say it all about his abilities. I see Binns open and so far he has caught pretty much everything. If Andy is not throwing to him, maybe it's on Andy or due to other factors. Wouldn't matter if it was Jerry Rice over there if Andy isn't looking at him.

Have to agree. I think this is a very talented young group. Everyone was bashing them prior to the season because of inexperience. Now they are turning to numbers only. We spread the ball around. We are tied for 11th in scoring and 10th in passing. Apparently something right is going on.

[Hammerstripes]

Originally Posted by bfine32

You have all those positions over RB?

I do. When you look at who the worst starters on the team are, who would you list?

Strong Safety
Middle Linebacker
Outside Linebacker
Wide Receiver

[berserkerone88]

Originally Posted by Hammerstripes

I do. When you look at who the worst starters on the team are, who would you list?

Strong Safety
Middle Linebacker
Outside Linebacker
Wide Receiver

I think we absolutely need to start giving Jones and Sanu time to evaluate how big of a need WR really is.

[bfine32]

Originally Posted by Hammerstripes

I do. When you look at who the worst starters on the team are, who would you list?

Strong Safety
Middle Linebacker
Outside Linebacker
Wide Receiver

Current starters perhaps; however, when it is time to determine draft need, no.

SS we have some young talent Iloka, Sands, and my personal fav Dye.
MLB we have Burfict that can take over, he has proven to be very talented
OLB We get Howard back and Moch can work into the SAM (plus we got that kid that's in jail)
WR Sanu and Jones are young and talented. Hawkins is productive

RB we got a slow, undrafted, short yardage specialist and a 6th rounder

[berserkerone88]

Originally Posted by bfine32

Current starters perhaps; however, when it is time to determine draft need, no.

SS we have some young talent Iloka, Sands, and my personal fav Dye.
MLB we have Burfict that can take over, he has proven to be very talented
OLB We get Howard back and Moch can work into the SAM (plus we got that kid that's in jail)
WR Sanu and Jones are young and talented. Hawkins is productive

RB we got a slow, undrafted, short yardage specialist and a 6th rounder

That is still a lot of what ifs.
Outside of WR we kinda have to ride with what we have. But we can really see what we have with Jones and Sanu.

[Jasonew6]

Originally Posted by SunsetBengal

What is boggling me is the fact that we have an OL full of great draft picks, yet they cannot move anyone out of the hole directly in front of them. To me, that is a major concern.

Does every one else just not see that as a problem?

Does every one else just think it will cure itself?

Continuity is a huge factor in O-line play. We have a lot of individual talent, but they haven't played together enough yet. If they stay healthy they will get better and better.

[Lolli]

Originally Posted by Hammerstripes

I do. When you look at who the worst starters on the team are, who would you list?

Strong Safety
Middle Linebacker
Outside Linebacker
Wide Receiver

I would have agreed with you 2 weeks ago. But Clements has slightly improved the position.

[Lawless_1]

I think my mock fills most of the needs you've listed

1- Marcus Lattimore/RB/South Carolina
2/1- Kenny Vaccaro/S/Texas
2/2- Dion Jordan/DE/Oregon
3- Nico Johnson/LB/Alabama
4- Desmond Trufant/CB/Washington
5- Aaron Mellette/WR/Elon
6- John Boyett/FS/Oregon
7- Manase Foketi/OT/West Texas A&M (Kansas State transfer)

[Hammerstripes]

Originally Posted by Lolli

I would have agreed with you 2 weeks ago. But Clements has slightly improved the position.

Yeah, but how much longer will he play?

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by McC

That might be the best time of all to do it. Be less emotional and more logical and think about it.

It isn't logical to move a player to a different position. Be less illogical and be more logical.

The Bengals have NO IDEA how Dre Kirk would play as a safety. And the Bengals drafted Dre Kirk to play CB.

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by Lolli

I would have agreed with you 2 weeks ago. But Clements has slightly improved the position.

Perhaps. But very, very slightly. The Bengals played Chris Crocker on a third of the snaps against the Browns.

Imagine another playmaker like Nelson being on the field. It would greatly improve our defense and hopefully get us more secondary INTs.