What to do with a mid-first pick?

[OchoCincos]

If we end up right in the middle of the pack, some will say it would be beneficial for us to trade back and acquire extra picks. Others have said we should try and trade up to get a stud in the early first round.

So what would you do? Try and trade up for a stud, trade back to get more picks, or stay put and take the best available (that fits our needs)?

[NKUATO]

I voted with the NE method. You build and rebuild through the draft. Yes, we are only a few players away from a serious contender but the way I see it, It's smarter to have a good set of quality back ups (who when practicing will make your starters THAT much better) than having one really good player. Two examples of us having a "REALLY" good player that we had traded up for or had picked and having had a chance to see are: Ki-Jana Carter (this is before my time but I have read countless reports of it) and honestly Dre.

An injury isn't something you can account for so in essence, I'd rather diversify my risk by picking a higher quantity of "good" players than a less quantity to get one "great" player

[Hammerstripes]

Originally Posted by NKUATO

I voted with the NE method. You build and rebuild through the draft. Yes, we are only a few players away from a serious contender but the way I see it, It's smarter to have a good set of quality back ups (who when practicing will make your starters THAT much better) than having one really good player. Two examples of us having a "REALLY" good player that we had traded up for or had picked and having had a chance to see are: Ki-Jana Carter (this is before my time but I have read countless reports of it) and honestly Dre.

An injury isn't something you can account for so in essence, I'd rather diversify my risk by picking a higher quantity of "good" players than a less quantity to get one "great" player

The New England method only works if you draft good players. It worked for New England for awhile, but then they started missing on several picks.

The real issue is what you would have to give up to get up into a spot to get one of the elite guys. If we are at 15/16, then it would take too much for my liking.

As for Ki-Jana Carter, that was a great move to get up to #1, but the Bengals took the wrong player. Tony Boselli was the guy that they should have taken. Carter was a ticket seller, Boselli was a franchise cornerstone.

[SunsetBengal]

Originally Posted by Hammerstripes

The New England method only works if you draft good players. It worked for New England for awhile, but then they started missing on several picks.

The real issue is what you would have to give up to get up into a spot to get one of the elite guys. If we are at 15/16, then it would take too much for my liking.

As for Ki-Jana Carter, that was a great move to get up to #1, but the Bengals took the wrong player. Tony Boselli was the guy that they should have taken. Carter was a ticket seller, Boselli was a franchise cornerstone.

Wow, that's a tough one there. There was no indication that Carter wasn't going to be a dominating runner in the NFL, freak injuries happen. It's easy to point to Boselli as the better selection, in hindsight. But, for every Tony Boselli out there, there are two Tony Mandrichs and Brian Bosworths.

However, this current roster has it's cornerstone stars on the roster. What they really need are some solid role players to compliment them. I really like the idea of trading back for another 2nd and later pick, giving a total of 3, 2nd round picks. Most every man available in the 2nd round has or had a 1st round "grade", at some point, and are usually capable of being day 1 starters, if need be.

What are we really looking for this year? Most likely a RB, WR2, and a T on offense, and DE, LB, and S on defense. On offense WR2 is debatable, with the emergence of Sanu, and a healthy Marvin Jones. On defense, a healthy Thomas Howard gives us a pretty decent LB corps, with continued development of Burfict, and I like what I've seen thus far from Lemur. So that leaves RB and T on offense, with T not being a priority, should they lock up Andre Smith with a nice deal. On defense DE is not a priority need, just looking to add a pass rush specialist for package duty. That leaves S as the priority position of need on defense.

So, just to recap. We're looking for a super star RB and the best S that can be had, to bolster the starting roster, and a handful of complimentary or specialty players to fill in the gaps. Trading back, gaining picks, resigning our own and having our own healthy for a change, should produce a Conference Champion caliber roster.

[Burma]

Originally Posted by SunsetBengal

Wow, that's a tough one there. There was no indication that Carter wasn't going to be a dominating runner in the NFL, freak injuries happen. It's easy to point to Boselli as the better selection, in hindsight. But, for every Tony Boselli out there, there are two Tony Mandrichs and Brian Bosworths.

However, this current roster has it's cornerstone stars on the roster. What they really need are some solid role players to compliment them. I really like the idea of trading back for another 2nd and later pick, giving a total of 3, 2nd round picks. Most every man available in the 2nd round has or had a 1st round "grade", at some point, and are usually capable of being day 1 starters, if need be.

What are we really looking for this year? Most likely a RB, WR2, and a T on offense, and DE, LB, and S on defense. On offense WR2 is debatable, with the emergence of Sanu, and a healthy Marvin Jones. On defense, a healthy Thomas Howard gives us a pretty decent LB corps, with continued development of Burfict, and I like what I've seen thus far from Lemur. So that leaves RB and T on offense, with T not being a priority, should they lock up Andre Smith with a nice deal. On defense DE is not a priority need, just looking to add a pass rush specialist for package duty. That leaves S as the priority position of need on defense.

So, just to recap. We're looking for a super star RB and the best S that can be had, to bolster the starting roster, and a handful of complimentary or specialty players to fill in the gaps. Trading back, gaining picks, resigning our own and having our own healthy for a change, should produce a Conference Champion caliber roster.

There is only 1 player I would trade up fron a mid round pick to get and that is Jarvis Jones. Unfortunately according to the trade chart we would have to give up our first 4 picks to move from 13 to 2. Now if we trade back from say 13/16 to 24/25 we could snag Alec Ogletree and a low 2nd. This would allow us to take a Safety, LB/RB, and second tier DE all in the 2nd round
which should be 4 immediate starters.

[SunsetBengal]

Originally Posted by Burma

There is only 1 player I would trade up fron a mid round pick to get and that is Jarvis Jones. Unfortunately according to the trade chart we would have to give up our first 4 picks to move from 13 to 2. Now if we trade back from say 13/16 to 24/25 we could snag Alec Ogletree and a low 2nd. This would allow us to take a Safety, LB/RB, and second tier DE all in the 2nd round
which should be 4 immediate starters.

That's the kind of plan that I'm talking about.

[Ron Mexico]

Unless someone big falls to the Bengals that you just can't pass up on, I would be all for them trading back and acquiring more picks. Picks in the top few rounds of the draft can really help build a solid team, and if they picked up an extra 2nd or 3rd, that player will likely end up being a solid backup or potential starter. The top ten picks is where you find the majority of the big stars,....but the picks after that are more important to build a franchise with....imo.

[CincyGuy344]

With the team we have now needs include RB, LB, SS, and DE Fix 2 in FA Grab Byrd, and a DE or something. I want impact players not a guy thats going to ride the bench. trade up for J. Jones who will make an impact. We already have depth we need starters in fron of them.

[Hammerstripes]

Originally Posted by SunsetBengal

Wow, that's a tough one there. There was no indication that Carter wasn't going to be a dominating runner in the NFL, freak injuries happen. It's easy to point to Boselli as the better selection, in hindsight. But, for every Tony Boselli out there, there are two Tony Mandrichs and Brian Bosworths.

However, this current roster has it's cornerstone stars on the roster. What they really need are some solid role players to compliment them. I really like the idea of trading back for another 2nd and later pick, giving a total of 3, 2nd round picks. Most every man available in the 2nd round has or had a 1st round "grade", at some point, and are usually capable of being day 1 starters, if need be.

What are we really looking for this year? Most likely a RB, WR2, and a T on offense, and DE, LB, and S on defense. On offense WR2 is debatable, with the emergence of Sanu, and a healthy Marvin Jones. On defense, a healthy Thomas Howard gives us a pretty decent LB corps, with continued development of Burfict, and I like what I've seen thus far from Lemur. So that leaves RB and T on offense, with T not being a priority, should they lock up Andre Smith with a nice deal. On defense DE is not a priority need, just looking to add a pass rush specialist for package duty. That leaves S as the priority position of need on defense.

So, just to recap. We're looking for a super star RB and the best S that can be had, to bolster the starting roster, and a handful of complimentary or specialty players to fill in the gaps. Trading back, gaining picks, resigning our own and having our own healthy for a change, should produce a Conference Champion caliber roster.

True, Carter was a stud, but do you remember the line we had at the time? I thought it was obvious that they would pick Boselli.

[BengalRugby]

Mid first round is a good, safe spot to sit and pick the best safety in the draft. If not a safety, then a linebacker to fill another need.


I know everyone loves to trade back and aquire picks, but why not sit pat and take the best player that fills a need, and might not be there in another 6 picks? Don't take a chance, trade back, and get second best, Steven Jackson on the table and the Bengals trade back and get Perry instead...


I like the spot for filling the Bengals needs, heck, might even reach a little for a back they really like or a #2 to pair with Green if Sanu isn't the guy. Reaching a little is okay if you get the guy you want and trust your scouts.


Getting too greedy might cost then the best player for their needs. That's something I don't want to see. Though it did work out in aquiring Zeitler this past draft, so who knows?

[bradfritz21]

We don't have that many needs where we need more picks, but just upgrades at position, so I think that this is a quality over quantity draft.

The thing is, I want a safety, running back, and linebacker, and any of the three I want- Randle, Jefferson, Ogletree- could go anywhere in rounds on to three, so I guess it just kind of depends on how things go down. (I don't think Randle makes it to the third, and we could go with a guy like Mosley and put him on the outside, but I don't think he makes it out of the first round.)

[SunsetBengal]

Originally Posted by bradfritz21

We don't have that many needs where we need more picks, but just upgrades at position, so I think that this is a quality over quantity draft.

The thing is, I want a safety, running back, and linebacker, and any of the three I want- Randle, Jefferson, Ogletree- could go anywhere in rounds on to three, so I guess it just kind of depends on how things go down. (I don't think Randle makes it to the third, and we could go with a guy like Mosley and put him on the outside, but I don't think he makes it out of the first round.)

Right, our immediate needs are few, and can be filled with just a few picks. But, sometimes its good to have the extra high round picks to build roster stock. You know, improve the quality of the bench. Most championship teams have quality depth because we all know that injuries happen, sometimes you need specialty players that don't quite make all around starters, but have a skill set that makes them really good at one thing. It takes those type of players to make a championship roster, all your specialty packages need specialty players, your backups have to be starting caliber.

[Jasonew6]

I hate these random polls. I need to know who is available.

There are a limited number of guys this year I would trade up for. And if we are at 16 or so and we need to get into the top 5 range, that's too much.

If one of them is still available at 12, I would consider trading up.

If we can trade down and pick up another 2, that's cool, but what if Milliner is still there? I'm staying put.

[bradfritz21]

Originally Posted by SunsetBengal

Right, our immediate needs are few, and can be filled with just a few picks. But, sometimes its good to have the extra high round picks to build roster stock. You know, improve the quality of the bench. Most championship teams have quality depth because we all know that injuries happen, sometimes you need specialty players that don't quite make all around starters, but have a skill set that makes them really good at one thing. It takes those type of players to make a championship roster, all your specialty packages need specialty players, your backups have to be starting caliber.

I agree, but, like I said, it all depends on how the cards fall.

This organization is so horrible at developing players that I don't have too much faith in late-round guys panning out, so I think it's stupid for us to take more late round picks. (Few exceptions, like TJ.)

I'd rather us fill depth through FA with vets that at least are somewhat proven.

[StLucieBengal]

Originally Posted by SunsetBengal

Wow, that's a tough one there. There was no indication that Carter wasn't going to be a dominating runner in the NFL, freak injuries happen. It's easy to point to Boselli as the better selection, in hindsight. But, for every Tony Boselli out there, there are two Tony Mandrichs and Brian Bosworths.

Yes I agree. Ki-Jana just had a bad deal. The really bad miss was not taking Marshall Faulk and going with big daddy.

[StLucieBengal]

Originally Posted by bradfritz21

I agree, but, like I said, it all depends on how the cards fall.

This organization is so horrible at developing players that I don't have too much faith in late-round guys panning out, so I think it's stupid for us to take more late round picks. (Few exceptions, like TJ.)

I'd rather us fill depth through FA with vets that at least are somewhat proven.

We have drafted well IMO. Not getting injuries has helped he past few years.

[BengalRugby]

Yes I agree. Ki-Jana just had a bad deal. The really bad miss was not taking Marshall Faulk and going with big daddy.


Apparently you forgot how dominant Big Daddy was as a Bengal. He was one of the best Bengals DT's ever, well top 5, and did it without a lot of help.

Cater was straight up bad luck though. Terrible.