NYE mock draft w/ FA and depth chart

[OchoCincos]

2013 Draft:
1: Alex Okafor, DE Texas or Ezekiel Ansah, DE BYU- I personally would prefer Okafor, but Ansah has crazy potential as well. Both look to be close to a complete package at DE, being good both in run and pass defense. Even bigger need if MJ leaves in FA.
2: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR Tennessee- A great WR to put across from AJ. He works well with the ball in his hands and is physical, fast, and big. More often than not, he is a good pass catcher, but will occasionally drop some due to lack of concentration and thinking too far ahead. He also needs to fine-tune his route running. These traits should cause him to fall to the second round behind other good WRs.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx6pGFvDqt0
2: Kyle Van Noy, OLB BYU or Chase Thomas, OLB Stanford- Either one would fit well as our starting SAM. While some may want a SAM that is better at coverage, Marvin and Zimmer have shown that they want this type of SAM.
3: Bacarri Rambo, S Georgia- Rambo is a ball hawk and a defensive leader on a very good defensive SEC team. However, he can also play the run and hit, making him a versatile safety. Ideally, I think he would be a better FS than Nelson, and Nelson would move to SS. Nelson's skill set fits better for SS anyway IMO, as Nelson is good in the run game, likes to hit, and can cover, but is not a great ball hawk.
4: Kenjon Barner, RB Oregon- The perfect complement to BJGE. Every time Barner touches the ball, there's a chance he can take it to the endzone. He has also shown he can run between the tackles and get those tough needed yards.
5: Marc Anthony, CB Cal- A good run defending and cover CB. His 20+ defended passes shows he is good at getting in between the ball and the receiver that he is covering. However, he needs to develop better ballhawking skills to turn those PDs into INTs. He should compete with our CBs to make it as good depth.
6: Michael Williams, TE Alabama- A perfect run blocking TE that is also a big redzone target. He replaces Roland, which we use as our extra blocking TE. By adding Williams, opposing defenses do not immediately know what we are going to do.
6: Kerwynn Williams, RB/KR/PR Utah St- Some say waste of a pick because we would already get Barner. However, Williams would be primarily used as our returner and third down specialist. He also can replace Barner in case of injury.

Signings:
Michael Johnson
Andre Smith
Wallace Gilberry
Thomas Howard
Adam Jones
Terence Newman
Josh Brown
Kevin Huber
Clark Harris
Cedric Peerman
Andrew Hawkins
Vincent Rey
Dan Skuta

Extensions:
Geno Atkins

This follows the mantra of keeping our own and building through the draft. I did not get OL in the draft because it would be solely for backup and we can sign someone off the street if needed. VRey and Skuta are kept primarily for their ST play, but also for familiarity of the defense. Peerman is kept for backup to BJGE and ST play as well.
I have faith in Howard returning from his injury since it happened so early in the year. In 2011, he was our best, most consistent linebacker. He would be our starting WILL again, with Burfict moving to MIKE. Lamur is a solid backup to Howard.
I also kept Wharton, as he would be an upgrade to Boling in the run game. I think Wharton would be good to backup Boling and come in on clear running situations.
I considered extending Gresham, but he really needs to show some consistency in his game to earn that extension. Too many dropped passes that should have been easy catches.
I see our starting WRs as AJ and Patterson, with Sanu being the starter in the slot. The offense was better with him in. Jones and Hawkins would be best served as extra WRs for depth or special packages. Patterson could be depth early in the season, but would become the starter opposite AJ by year's end. Either way, we would have a great set of WRs.
I figure we sign Josh Brown again, but still consider bringing in a UDFA or possibly take a K with a comp pick. Nugent should not be brought back. He has never completed a full season for us, and shows inconsistency late in the year.

Depth Chart:
QB: Dalton, Robinson
RB: BJGE, Barner, Peerman, Williams
FB: Pressley
OT: Whitworth, Smith, Collins
OG: Zeitler, Boling, Wharton
C: Robinson, Cook
TE: Gresham, Charles, Williams
WR: Green, Patterson, Sanu, Hawkins, Jones

DE: Dunlap, Johnson, Gilberry, Okafor/Ansah
DT: Atkins, Peko, Sims, Still, Thompson
SLB: Van Noy/Thomas, Moch
MLB: Burfict, Skuta
WLB: Howard, Lamur, Rey
SS: Nelson, Mays
FS: Rambo, Iloka, Sands
CB: Hall, Kirkpatrick, Jones, Allen, Newman, Anthony/Ghee

K: Brown
LS: Harris
P: Huber

[Jasonew6]

I really do not see us drafting a DE in 1 if we re-sign MJ and WG. And I think Ansah is a reach in 1.

The rest is pretty solid.

[stknux]

Unfortunately, Kyle Van Noy will be returning to BYU for another season:
Van Noy returning
Looks like it'll have to be Chase Thomas for this particular draft.

Edit: I like the players you have listed in this draft, but I personally would like a starting running back. A discussion for another thread.

[pulses]

Originally Posted by stknux

Unfortunately, Kyle Van Noy will be returning to BYU for another season:
Van Noy returning
Looks like it'll have to be Chase Thomas for this particular draft.

Edit: I like the players you have listed in this draft, but I personally would like a starting running back. A discussion for another thread.

I'd take Khaseem Greene or Sean Porter over Thomas.

[Boywonder]

Originally Posted by stknux

Unfortunately, Kyle Van Noy will be returning to BYU for another season:
Van Noy returning
Looks like it'll have to be Chase Thomas for this particular draft.

Edit: I like the players you have listed in this draft, but I personally would like a starting running back. A discussion for another thread.

thats a bummer

[coachmcneil71]

solid

[Bengals Fan For Life!]

Yes please.

Bummer about Van Noy. Go with Greene.

[mulligan]

Originally Posted by Jasonew6

I really do not see us drafting a DE in 1 if we re-sign MJ and WG. And I think Ansah is a reach in 1.

The rest is pretty solid.

If the Bengals don't draft a DE in the 1st round, then what should they draft?

[OchoCincos]

Originally Posted by Jasonew6

I really do not see us drafting a DE in 1 if we re-sign MJ and WG. And I think Ansah is a reach in 1.

The rest is pretty solid.

I had considered trading back with someone like Jacksonville or KC that may wanna get another key offensive piece, giving us their second and third round pick in return. But I chose not to factor in trades. In this case, I see WR and DE being best slated for BPA at our pick. I like Patterson though and think we could get him at 2A.

I see the point about not wanting a DE in the first, but there really isn't a great candidate (at the moment) who is projected around pick 20-25 that also fits a clear need. I personally think that there is no standout RB, safety, or LB in the late first that is hands above anyone else in the second or even third rounds. However, I think Okafor is far above many of the other DEs that are projected in the following rounds. Ansah is sitting around 30-40 for me, but I think his bowl game and combine will boost him into late first. So Ansah for us would not be too much of a reach.

If we were to go after Porter or Greene, I'd want them as our WILL, not as our SAM. But having a more pass-defending-oriented LB for our SAM wouldn't be bad. If Porter or Greene could add some good muscle to be able to handle lineman and blocking TEs better, they would be good complete OLBs and could be great in our scheme.As long as we get an OLB in the first three rounds (not a college DE that has never played OL, I'll be happy.

[Bengal4ever68]

Originally Posted by OchoCincos

2013 Draft:
1: Alex Okafor, DE Texas or Ezekiel Ansah, DE BYU- I personally would prefer Okafor, but Ansah has crazy potential as well. Both look to be close to a complete package at DE, being good both in run and pass defense. Even bigger need if MJ leaves in FA.
2: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR Tennessee- A great WR to put across from AJ. He works well with the ball in his hands and is physical, fast, and big. More often than not, he is a good pass catcher, but will occasionally drop some due to lack of concentration and thinking too far ahead. He also needs to fine-tune his route running. These traits should cause him to fall to the second round behind other good WRs.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx6pGFvDqt0
2: Kyle Van Noy, OLB BYU or Chase Thomas, OLB Stanford- Either one would fit well as our starting SAM. While some may want a SAM that is better at coverage, Marvin and Zimmer have shown that they want this type of SAM.
3: Bacarri Rambo, S Georgia- Rambo is a ball hawk and a defensive leader on a very good defensive SEC team. However, he can also play the run and hit, making him a versatile safety. Ideally, I think he would be a better FS than Nelson, and Nelson would move to SS. Nelson's skill set fits better for SS anyway IMO, as Nelson is good in the run game, likes to hit, and can cover, but is not a great ball hawk.
4: Kenjon Barner, RB Oregon- The perfect complement to BJGE. Every time Barner touches the ball, there's a chance he can take it to the endzone. He has also shown he can run between the tackles and get those tough needed yards.
5: Marc Anthony, CB Cal- A good run defending and cover CB. His 20+ defended passes shows he is good at getting in between the ball and the receiver that he is covering. However, he needs to develop better ballhawking skills to turn those PDs into INTs. He should compete with our CBs to make it as good depth.
6: Michael Williams, TE Alabama- A perfect run blocking TE that is also a big redzone target. He replaces Roland, which we use as our extra blocking TE. By adding Williams, opposing defenses do not immediately know what we are going to do.
6: Kerwynn Williams, RB/KR/PR Utah St- Some say waste of a pick because we would already get Barner. However, Williams would be primarily used as our returner and third down specialist. He also can replace Barner in case of injury.

Signings:
Michael Johnson
Andre Smith
Wallace Gilberry
Thomas Howard
Adam Jones
Terence Newman
Josh Brown
Kevin Huber
Clark Harris
Cedric Peerman
Andrew Hawkins
Vincent Rey
Dan Skuta

Extensions:
Geno Atkins

This follows the mantra of keeping our own and building through the draft. I did not get OL in the draft because it would be solely for backup and we can sign someone off the street if needed. VRey and Skuta are kept primarily for their ST play, but also for familiarity of the defense. Peerman is kept for backup to BJGE and ST play as well.
I have faith in Howard returning from his injury since it happened so early in the year. In 2011, he was our best, most consistent linebacker. He would be our starting WILL again, with Burfict moving to MIKE. Lamur is a solid backup to Howard.
I also kept Wharton, as he would be an upgrade to Boling in the run game. I think Wharton would be good to backup Boling and come in on clear running situations.
I considered extending Gresham, but he really needs to show some consistency in his game to earn that extension. Too many dropped passes that should have been easy catches.
I see our starting WRs as AJ and Patterson, with Sanu being the starter in the slot. The offense was better with him in. Jones and Hawkins would be best served as extra WRs for depth or special packages. Patterson could be depth early in the season, but would become the starter opposite AJ by year's end. Either way, we would have a great set of WRs.
I figure we sign Josh Brown again, but still consider bringing in a UDFA or possibly take a K with a comp pick. Nugent should not be brought back. He has never completed a full season for us, and shows inconsistency late in the year.

Depth Chart:
QB: Dalton, Robinson
RB: BJGE, Barner, Peerman, Williams
FB: Pressley
OT: Whitworth, Smith, Collins
OG: Zeitler, Boling, Wharton
C: Robinson, Cook
TE: Gresham, Charles, Williams
WR: Green, Patterson, Sanu, Hawkins, Jones

DE: Dunlap, Johnson, Gilberry, Okafor/Ansah
DT: Atkins, Peko, Sims, Still, Thompson
SLB: Van Noy/Thomas, Moch
MLB: Burfict, Skuta
WLB: Howard, Lamur, Rey
SS: Nelson, Mays
FS: Rambo, Iloka, Sands
CB: Hall, Kirkpatrick, Jones, Allen, Newman, Anthony/Ghee

K: Brown
LS: Harris
P: Huber

Not a fan of Okafor.

I like Patterson, but i don't like taking a WR in the 2nd. I have faith in Sanu.

[Jasonew6]

Originally Posted by OchoCincos

I had considered trading back with someone like Jacksonville or KC that may wanna get another key offensive piece, giving us their second and third round pick in return. But I chose not to factor in trades. In this case, I see WR and DE being best slated for BPA at our pick. I like Patterson though and think we could get him at 2A.

I see the point about not wanting a DE in the first, but there really isn't a great candidate (at the moment) who is projected around pick 20-25 that also fits a clear need. I personally think that there is no standout RB, safety, or LB in the late first that is hands above anyone else in the second or even third rounds. However, I think Okafor is far above many of the other DEs that are projected in the following rounds. Ansah is sitting around 30-40 for me, but I think his bowl game and combine will boost him into late first. So Ansah for us would not be too much of a reach.

If we were to go after Porter or Greene, I'd want them as our WILL, not as our SAM. But having a more pass-defending-oriented LB for our SAM wouldn't be bad. If Porter or Greene could add some good muscle to be able to handle lineman and blocking TEs better, they would be good complete OLBs and could be great in our scheme.As long as we get an OLB in the first three rounds (not a college DE that has never played OL, I'll be happy.

Then draft the best player available (except at QB or possibly LT).

[pulses]

Originally Posted by Bengal4ever68

Not a fan of Okafor.

I like Patterson, but i don't like taking a WR in the 2nd. I have faith in Sanu.

I don't know what's not to like about Okafor. I guess you didn't see him dominate against Oregon St.

[OchoCincos]

Originally Posted by Jasonew6

Then draft the best player available (except at QB or possibly LT).

Then that would be Okafor or a WR. There could always be someone that falls that could be BPA instead, but we can't anticipate a great fall until it happens. You could maybe say OL, but that player may never get nearly the playing time that a DE would in our schemes and the players we have ahead of them.

I believe we should go for a BPA-need hybrid where we don't reach SOLELY because of a need (OLB, S, R, but pick at a position of SOME need without reaching (DE or WR, maybe LB if Ogletree's stock rises after combine).