Mock draft - first 4 picks

[eric.mcgee]

1. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR

School: Tennessee | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Junior | Hometown: Rock Hill, SC

I think this guy will be there and he'll be too good to pass up on.

COMPARES TO: Mix of Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs and Nate Burleson, Detroit Lions - Patterson has a similar frame and physical downfield nature as Bowe with the speed and quickness of Burleson to contribute as a return man.

2.Kevin Minter, ILB

School: LSU | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Junior | Hometown: Suwanee, GA

COMPARES TO: DeMeco Ryans, MLB, Philadelphia Eagles -- Like Ryans, Minter is slightly undersized and relies on his instincts and reliable tackling ability -- rather than sheer explosiveness -- to accumulate impressive stat-lines.

3. Matt Elam, SS

School: Florida | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Junior | Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Athletic, instinctive and quite physical, Elam demonstrated the ability to walk up into the box and be a force near the line of scrimmage while also dropping back into coverage as a single-high safety when coaches called for it -- showing off the type of versatility NFL teams are demanding from today's hybrid safeties. Elam shows good vision and anticipation when fighting through blocks near the line of scrimmage and is a reliable, physical tackler.

4. Montee Ball, RB

School: Wisconsin | Conference: BIG10
College Experience: Senior | Hometown: Wentzville, MO

Ball does a nice job finding the run lanes and attacking the line of scrimmage with good quickness in tight areas, showing the speed to get around the edge. He has good balance and deceiving run power to slip out of tackles, rarely going down easily.


Ball has sharp change-of-direction ability to quickly redirect his momentum and the footwork to sidestep defenders, bursting upfield. He is determined and runs with purpose, but also stays patient, following and allowing blocks to develop.

COMPARES TO: Curtis Martin, ex-Patriots/Jets -- While perhaps not possessing any one dominant trait, Ball's all-around game brings back memories of another No. 28 - the 2012 Hall of Fame inductee Martin.

[Slagneb]

Bengals do not need a first round WR pick-they have a lot of good developing WR already. It is time to go to free agent market and get a go to guy that can help AJ-the need is a proven guy at this point. Like need for safety and addressing running back. Dalton will never succeed with his existing line. A blocking center is a high priority. Wharton coming back will help but that does not solve the center problem.

[Second Down]

Originally Posted by eric.mcgee

1. Cordarrelle Patterson, WR

School: Tennessee | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Junior | Hometown: Rock Hill, SC

I think this guy will be there and he'll be too good to pass up on.

COMPARES TO: Mix of Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs and Nate Burleson, Detroit Lions - Patterson has a similar frame and physical downfield nature as Bowe with the speed and quickness of Burleson to contribute as a return man.

2.Kevin Minter, ILB

School: LSU | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Junior | Hometown: Suwanee, GA

COMPARES TO: DeMeco Ryans, MLB, Philadelphia Eagles -- Like Ryans, Minter is slightly undersized and relies on his instincts and reliable tackling ability -- rather than sheer explosiveness -- to accumulate impressive stat-lines.

3. Matt Elam, SS

School: Florida | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Junior | Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Athletic, instinctive and quite physical, Elam demonstrated the ability to walk up into the box and be a force near the line of scrimmage while also dropping back into coverage as a single-high safety when coaches called for it -- showing off the type of versatility NFL teams are demanding from today's hybrid safeties. Elam shows good vision and anticipation when fighting through blocks near the line of scrimmage and is a reliable, physical tackler.

4. Montee Ball, RB

School: Wisconsin | Conference: BIG10
College Experience: Senior | Hometown: Wentzville, MO

Ball does a nice job finding the run lanes and attacking the line of scrimmage with good quickness in tight areas, showing the speed to get around the edge. He has good balance and deceiving run power to slip out of tackles, rarely going down easily.


Ball has sharp change-of-direction ability to quickly redirect his momentum and the footwork to sidestep defenders, bursting upfield. He is determined and runs with purpose, but also stays patient, following and allowing blocks to develop.

COMPARES TO: Curtis Martin, ex-Patriots/Jets -- While perhaps not possessing any one dominant trait, Ball's all-around game brings back memories of another No. 28 - the 2012 Hall of Fame inductee Martin.

THIS! THIS! THIS! Cordarrelle Patterson is the speed that we are lacking not to mention he does returns as well!

Kevin Minter, Matt Elam, and Montee Ball I feel like will go before we pick.

[Second Down]

Originally Posted by Slagneb

Bengals do not need a first round WR pick-they have a lot of good developing WR already. It is time to go to free agent market and get a go to guy that can help AJ-the need is a proven guy at this point. Like need for safety and addressing running back. Dalton will never succeed with his existing line. A blocking center is a high priority. Wharton coming back will help but that does not solve the center problem.

When was the last time the Bengals had luck with a FA WR? Seriously name one.

[Mike M (the other one)]

Originally Posted by Second Down

When was the last time the Bengals had luck with a FA WR? Seriously name one.

TO.
Using your logic, then we shouldn't at least try to get better via Free Agency?

[eric.mcgee]

Originally Posted by Second Down

THIS! THIS! THIS! Cordarrelle Patterson is the speed that we are lacking not to mention he does returns as well!

Kevin Minter, Matt Elam, and Montee Ball I feel like will go before we pick.

Yeah...I think Marvin Jones is going to be pretty good at some point, but if we team Patterson with Green and Sanu in the slot, that's a really good combo.

You may be right about the other 3 being gone before we pick. It's always interesting how everything shakes out between now and then with the combine and pro day and to see whose stock rises and falls.