(04-04-2017, 09:52 AM)ochocincos Wrote: I decided that I would try to do a mock where it was as realistic as I could think of for the Bengals to do, but add my personal preference for the first three rounds as an alternative.

More Bengals-like scenario:
1) Derek Barnett, DE Tennessee (6'3", 259 lb) - The Bengals actually break from their preferred DE mold and go with someone who just flat out always won in college. Barnett isn't any kind of athletic freak so his ceiling might be lower, but he has produced over 30 sacks and 50 TFLs in three seasons in the SEC. Barnett also has near identical measurables to Wallace Gilberry, so I expect the Bengals could also try to use Barnett inside occasionally on passing downs. It should also be noted both Jacob Burney and Paul Guenther were working out Barnett at Tennessee Pro Day.

2) Joe Mixon, RB Oklahoma (6'1", 228 lb) - Ahh yes, everyone's favorite topic of discussion. Immense talent, but his character is a big concern. Now that Mike Brown has voiced his backing of Adam Jones after his latest incident, I think Mixon is even more possible.

3) Bucky Hodges, TE Virginia Tech (6'6", 257 lb) - The Bengals met with the "athletic freak". He's a size-speed guy that has a high ceiling, but he need refinement in some areas (mainly blocking). Hodges could contribute immediately as a receiving threat while he works on rounding out his game.
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4) Daeshon Hall, DE TAMU (6'5", 266 lb) - The Bengals get their traditional-type tall, long DE in Hall. He likely should be here on Day 3, as he wasn't ever the top DE on his team and didn't produce a ton. But he has great potential and can be groomed for a year or two.

4comp) Josh Reynolds, WR TAMU (6'3", 194 lb) - Reynolds is a good deep threat that can be used in a Chris Henry type of role as a rookie. His vertical ability should open up underneath routes for Eifert, Boyd, and LaFell. Reynolds could become a very good WR2 early in his career.

5) Julie'n Davenport, OT Bucknell (6'7", 318 lb) - Davenport dominated lesser competition and is raw when it comes to technique. PA will love his measurables (especially arm length), so Davenport could be a good swing tackle candidate behind Fisher and Ogbuehi that could emerge a starter after a couple years. Also, it's been reported the Bengals are hosting a private workout with him, making this selection more plausible.

5comp) Zane Gonzalez, K Arizona St (6'0", 202 lb) - Big leg kicker that has the most FGs in college football history.

6) Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB Tennessee (6'0", 230 lb) - The Bengals have their 3 starters in Burfict, Vigil, and Minter, plus quintessential backup VRey. JRM could be a good depth addition that can cover, has great instincts, and has played all LB spots.

6comp) Chase Roullier, C/OG Wyoming (6'4", 312 lb) - Many people may wonder who the heck this guy is. Roullier is a scholar athlete who was rated the #1 guard in college football in 2016 by PFF, but switched to C his senior season. As a senior, Roullier was 1st-team all-MWC and 2nd-team all-American by USA Today. He's extremely intelligent and shows that he can anchor well and drive off the ball. He helped lead the Wyoming offense to first place in the MWC in point per game and helped Wyoming RB Brian Hill to rush for 1767 yards and 21 TDs.
Roullier has very short arms (32.25") which will cause many teams to bypass him completely. But he has the versatility to play all three interior OL spots (which Bengals coaches covet) and the desire and demeanor to succeed in the NFL. If selected, Roullier could push for a roster spot in TC or possibly spend a year on the PS if the Bengals are stubborn about Bodine and TJ Johnson, but he should be able to make his way up a depth chart and become a quality starter within a few years.

7) Josh Tupou, DT Colorado (6'31", 353 lb) - Big NT that should help backup Billings. Tupou is good run stuffer and block eater simply due to his sheer size, but he doesn't offer much besides that. Tupou is a very similar player to Pat Sims, so it would be easy to cut Sims and have him take over that backup NT spot.

7comp) Brendan Langley, CB Lamar (6'0", 201 lb) - Langley has good size and speed to stay at CB in the NFL, but he is relatively new to the position after switching from WR. Therefore, he's very raw, but should be very moldable. Given the cluster at CB already, Langley would be an ideal pick to sit on the PS for a couple years and potentially come up after Pacman's contract is up after the 2019 season.

*What I would prefer in first three rounds:
1) OJ Howard, TE Alabama (6'6", 251 lb) - I could actually see this happening based on BPA. While many feel it's not worth taking a TE at 9, Howard is considered a top-15 talent and the top TE in the best TE class in a long time (possibly ever). He's the best all-around TE and an athletic freak. He ran a 4.51 at 251 lbs, which is insane for a TE. He's got the speed to stretch the field, great length and hands, and is a good blocker.
Plus, Eifert is in a contract year and the TE depth behind him is questionable. Given the Bengals' likely unwillingness to sign a TE to a bigtime deal, they could allow Eifert to walk in FA and keep Howard for four more years behind that at a cheap rate.
I could see Eifert going to Indy to play with Luck in a TE-friendly offense. This makes even more sense when you look at Jack Doyle's contract having no dead money after 2017, and the fact Dwayne Allen was traded to the Patriots.
Last, I think Howard offers up more than a WR or RB because of his blocking ability. Given the state of the OL, they likely will need to use 1-2 TEs to stay in and block. This should help allow Dalton more time and open up more holes in the run game.

2) Carl Lawson, EDGE Auburn (6'2", 261 lb) - The Bengals need a true edge rusher that can be at least a pass rush specialist out of the gate. That's what Lawson brings. He needs to build some consistency in the run game, but should be able to rush from the outside on passing downs as a rookie.

3) Kareem Hunt, RB Toledo (5'10", 216 lb) - Hunt is a well rounded RB that is like a jack-of-all-trades type. In a way, he reminds me a lot of Burkhead. He's got good size, can run both inside and out, and can catch and pass block. He would fit well in this offense.

(04-04-2017, 11:18 AM)Au165 Wrote: I like your realistic much more than your preferred, In fact I'd be pretty happy with your "realistic" draft. I have given my opinion on TE at 1 a couple times so won't rehash. Lawson screams bust to me there are a couple other guys in the 2nd I'd rather have at DE. Would rather see a different back in the 3rd as well, but we have been tied to Hunt so not a crazy view.

(04-04-2017, 11:36 AM)ochocincos Wrote: Yea, I know your view on TE.

Lawson, McKinley, Willis, Walker, Basham, take your pick. My point was to take a pass rusher in the 2nd round because I don't think the talent drop off will be that much between Derek Barnett or Taco Charlton compared to the early 2nd round guys.

For RB in the third, I wouldn't mind Perine if not Hunt. Perine is a tough runner but also not fast. I think Hunt fits more given he is more established as a pass catcher. Jeremy McNichols also would be a solid selection. Not a spectacular RB, but well-rounded and solid.

I wouldn't mind the Bengals taking a DE in the third and then waiting until the 4th round for a RB either as I think at least one of the RBs I just mentioned will be there. But I wanted to make it easier in my mock to just replace the top 3 rounds.

(04-04-2017, 11:38 AM)Au165 Wrote: I agree I think round 4 may be the sweet spot for HB. I could even go for doubling up at DE in the 2nd and 3rd just to be safe if we pass on a first round DE.

(04-04-2017, 01:19 PM)rezolve11 Wrote: It wouldn't bother me if we drafted OJ Howard, but the more I think about it the more I just don't think it would happen. I have nothing to back this up, but I think they're probably higher on Uzomah after getting to watch him play sparingly last year. He is no Eifert, but I think he could still help in 2 TE sets.

(04-04-2017, 01:35 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Definitely could be. That's why I have Howard as my preference and not what I expect the Bengals to do. I think a more likely scenario is they find another depth TE to groom and possibly cut Hewitt. The reason I think this could happen is because Hewitt's usage dropped a ton last year and I expect more of the same this year with a worse OL.
http://www.cincyjungle.com/2016/10/19/13326324/why-ryan-hewitt-is-on-the-bengals-bench-so-often-2016

I just think Kroft and Uzomah are decent TE2 types and if Eifert is not in there, there's a pretty decent drop off. Plus, if Eifert leaves in FA after this year, I think the TE position will be weak. I don't have faith that our coaches can develop a mid-round TE pick to become an elite TE. They need to invest a first or second round TE to get good production from the TE position. But that's my opinion, not likely what they believe.

(04-04-2017, 01:45 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: I also like you're realistic version much better. In fact, I'd be pretty stoked if it plays out like that. Well other than not taking an o-lineman until round 5. I'd be pretty pissed about that.