04-26-2017, 09:01 AM
(04-25-2017, 10:50 AM)JungleRock85 Wrote: Every year I come up with a list of 20 to 25 names that I think are likely highest on the Bengals Big Board and what it might look like. Obviously this is just my own prediction on how they might have these guys ranked and feel free to rank your own.
1. Myles Garrett - Best player in the draft and a position of need. Won't be available but can't imagine he isn't number one on the big board for the Bengals.
2. Solomon Thomas - May fit best inside but regardless he is a pass rusher and for a team that finished 23rd in the league in sacks they need pass rushers. Thomas could fall depending what happens at pick #2. Would be a great pickup if he did.
3. Jonathan Allen - Another player that can play inside or outside on the line. Could see him falling to #9 and if he does and the other two are off the board then he would likely be the selection.
4. Leonard Fournette - Marvin Lewis thinks there is another Zeke in this draft and Running Back and while he might be talking about Mixon I think the safest bet for who he is talking about is Fournette. The size, speed, and athleticism combination is elite. Would be hard to pass up at #9 but I don't see him getting there since he is linked to SF, Jax, and Carolina.
5. Jamal Adams - I really don't see the Bengals moving on from Shawn Williams but Jamal Adams is a special player that if he slipped to #9 it would really test them sticking to their board and BPA.
6. Malik Hooker - 1b to Adams 1a as far as Safety talent. Same opinion of him as Adams...if available it tests the theory of BPA versus BPA at a position of need.
7. OJ Howard - Geoff Hobson is all over Howard as the pick at #9. I actually could see him drafted before that but if he available and all the guys ranked ahead of him on this board are gone then it really comes down to Howard and the guy I have ranked directly behind him in Barnett. I think pass rusher is a bigger need and if they are ranked 1 spot apart they should go with the pass rusher but I don't know if that is what would happen based off recent history.
8. Derek Barnett - Undersized and not the greatest athlete. But he is a hell of a football player. You don't break Reggie White's sack record in three years and by the time you are 20 years old and not have the potential to be an impact player in the NFL.
9. John Ross - Wouldn't be in personal top 10 just because size/injury concerns to take a guy that early in the draft. However, the Bengals loved Wil Fuller last year when I wasn't a fan and by all accounts he would have been the pick if available in the 1st. Ross is even faster and honestly a much better football player. I could see the Bengals thinking this is exactly what they need in their receiving corp. and making him the selection.
10. Haasan Reddick - Marvin loved Von Miller the year we drafted AJ Green and the reports were that he actually wanted Miller over Green. If he thinks Reddick has that kind of potential and when watching his tape I could see it then I think he is a dark horse candidate for pick #9. If we could trade down a few spots he becomes even more of an option.
11. Reuben Foster - The shoulder injuries and the failed drug test should probably have him lower on this board but at one point I feel like he was probably in the top 5 of the Bengals big board and they want push him too much farther down. Can't see him being the selection at #9 but if they trade down or he falls to the 2nd round I think they would still love to grab a player with his talent.
12. Christian McCaffery - This is really a pure guess on my part that they would have McCaffery this high. It seems his stock is higher than everyone originally expected and his ability as not just a runner but pass catcher and blocker may have him as the 2nd highest rated RB on their board. Don't see him being the pick at #9 even if he is available but I am sure they like him as a feature back in general.
13. Corey Davis - Another player that could have been a lot higher on this list if it wasn't for injury. Not knowing his 40 time and seeing him work out during this process along with the fact he is a small school guy likely moves him down on this board possibly even lower than what I have him listed. I do think he would fit in great in this offense across from AJ with Boyd in the slot based on the film I have seen of him.
14. Dalvin Cook - Reports that Cook could fall to the 2nd round. That would be a good thing for the Bengals because it could push not only him but the guy I have ranked next both toward pick #41 for the Bengals.
15. Joe Mixon - Mixon is a talented but troubled player. The Bengals have shown a ton of interest in him and most of the time guys like Hobson just say they don't see him being available in the 2nd. I think that is there way of avoiding the domestic violence issue. I think he will be there at pick #41 and if he is then he is a very likely selection.
16. Taco Charlton - A guy that wouldn't even have in my top 30 at all but I think the Bengals will. They love the size and long Defensive Ends. That is Charlton in a draft that there aren't a whole of body types like that. His minimal production over the course of his career is concerning to me and I just don't see him ever being anything more than an average rotational piece. Not a guy I would want in the 1st (even if we traded down).
17. Mike Williams - Williams would be a lot higher on my personal board but I don't get the sense that the Bengals are that interested in him. They want someone with more speed and route running ability. Williams is a beast at high pointing the ball and very physical but I think they would prefer Ross and even Davis before Williams.
18. Charles Harris - A really good pass rusher who's stock is all over the place according to most expects. I think he could be even higher than 18 and would certainly have him above Taco on my personal board. If the Bengals don't go pass rusher in the first and they have a chance at Harris in the 2nd that would be a fantastic selection.
19. Garrett Bolles - Obviously Offensive Line is a concern but it seems like the Bengals aren't going to force a pick early in the draft for one. They did meet with Bolles so I think he is somewhere on their big board just in the event he slips from late first down to their pick in the 2nd. Would be similar to when they took Whitworth in the 2nd even though they had Levi Jones.
20. Cam Robinson - Another Offensive Lineman they met with. Same thougths as above with Bolles on why he would be on this big board in the top 20.
I don't know if you're a writer for any site but if not you should be.Although I didn't agree with everything it was a damn fine read.
