11-01-2016, 07:33 PM
At the halfway point of the season and we have some glaring needs. Rather than do a mock draft, each round I'm going to give 3 potential players the Bengals could/should target and I'll give my reasons why. They're in no order, but these are just my thoughts and what I've seen from said players. This isn't a mock, just potential players for each round.
Round 1
Derek Barnett, DE. Tennessee
The Bengals have struggled finishing sacks this season. Clarke has stepped up early this season as a rotational player, but we desperately need a pass rusher on the opposite side of Dunlap. He can't do it all, and Barnett would be an instant upgrade over everyone we have. He's been consistent his entire college career even as a freshman. He gives offensive lines constant problems and gives pressure to the QB consistently. He can sink his hips and actually turn the corner around OTs, something we severly lack. Strong hands to keep lienman from trying to push him or keep him enganged. He also has proven the ability to use his arms and legs to beat players, depedning on the situation. He also has the speed and athleticism to finish plays. His biggest concern is his size, being only 6"2'. The Bengals don't have a defensive end under 6"6'. Also, to better understand his height, Atkins is 6"1'.
Jabrill Peppers, S. Michigan
Peppers is arguably the biggest boom or bust player in this draft. The Bengals have always struggled against tight ends. Giving Williams a contract prematurely seems to be biting them in the leg, but the addition of Peppers helps tremendously. He may not become a starting safety, but he has the ability to play as a safety/linebacker hybrid the Bengals have been looking for. He works very well in pass coverage and also a tremendous player when it comes to the run game. He shows great instincts and can read plays before they happen. In pass coverage he has shown he can do almost any defense, whether man or zone or press or off man. He is also a very physical tackler and isn't afraid to make a play. He is also an electric special teams player who can take it to the house on almost any return. His biggest knock are his ball skills. He has zero interceptions his entire college career, but has shown the ability to make plays and mirror defenders. He's a better fit at safety than anything and can diagnose plays as they're happening.
Zach Cunningham, LB. Vanderbilt
Every linebacker on this team has taken a step back. Maualuga's time has come to an end, so insert Cunningham. He's a very versatile player who does everything you want in a linebacker. He has the ability to shed blocks, close holes, drop back into coverage, squeeze through to make a play in the backfield, and can even rush the passer. He's instinctive and had a very good sophomore season and has continued to get better over time. He's a three down linebacker who can play any situation and has the ability to make a play. He's a sure tackler and doesn't allow offensive lines to take him out of plays easily. He has a nose for the football and fights almost every play. He's physical and extremely instinctive. The issue is that he plays for Vanderbilt and hasn't been on a good team. However, he has done well against teams like Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. There's a lot to like about this guy and he has proven that he has the ability to get better.
Round 2
Jarrad Davis, LB. Florida
Arguably the most underrated defender in this draft, Davis has been a consistent player and has shown up in big games for Florida. Davis is instinctive and knows where to go when the ball is hiked. He's a fast defender who reads and reacts quickly rather than wait for the ball to come to him. He's a fast player and can explode to the ball. He's very good against the run and has shown he has a knack for where the ball is going. He also has shown he can be a game changer and create turnovers. One of his biggest problems, however, has been that he can over-pursue or even be too aggressive with hits rather than wrap up. There's no denying his presence, however, and we would be a welcome addition to this defense and could make a name for himself early and often. Davis has proven he can show up in big moments, and that's something the Bengals need on defense.
Carl Lawson, DE. Auburn
Lawson may be a huge steal here, as he's been one of the best natural pass rushers in the league. He has the ability to move quickly and give offensive lienman headaches all game long. He's done well against some of the best offensive lineman the past two years and has shown improvement as time goes on. He also has strength to get off of blocks and has shown the ability to consistently shed blocks. However, there are two big problems with Lawson. His size, which may deter the Bengals away from him (also 6"2' as Barnett). The other is his durability, he missed most of the 2015 season and missed 2014. This may be a bit of a gamble but Lawson has upside and would add another pass rusher to this underwhelming pass rush.
Ethan Pocic, C/OG. LSU
The Bengals offensive line has been terrible this season. The right side has struggled and while Bodine has improved this year, he is still a liability. Throw in the fact the Zeitler may end up leaving after this year, the Bengals need to draft for the future. Pocic is versatile in that he can play both center and offensive guard, but would be better suited at center. He's fast at the point of attack and has consistently taken on double teams. He also stays engaged in blocks and has proven the ability to get to the second level and continue to make blocks. Although he isn't the strongest and isn't a bull, he will direct defenders away from the play and has a quick punch at the point of attack.
Round 3
Devonte Fields, DE. Louisville
If it weren't for his off the field issues, he would have been a 1st rounder. He's a difference maker and gets to the QB consistently and quickly. He has a nose for the quarterback and is very fast off the edge. Quick feet; able to turn the corner and stay balanced. He possesses such a quick first step that it makes offensive lineman struggle to get him off his game. Fields has proven he can make a difference not only in the passing attack but in the run game. Fields' pursuit to the ball in unrelenting. His biggest concerns are his pass rushing moves, he needs to develop more. Along with becoming stronger, since he struggles to shed blocks when taking on stronger lineman. The other issue is off the field concerns, but if it weren't for that, he would be a 1st round pick.
Chris Wormley, DT/DE. Michigan
The Bengals love big defensive lineman, and Wormley is certainly that. His biggest strength is against the run and the ability to push offensive lineman back into the play. He also has displayed some quickness and ability to get to the quarterback. His biggest concern was improving his pass rushing ability, since he has had trouble finishing plays. In 2016, he has certainly showed improvement and pursuit to the ball. He makes for a rotational player and would be an upgrade over Hunt.
David Sharpe, OT/G. Florida
With the unknown future of this offensive line, they need depth and plays that could come in if need be. Sharpe is a very good run blocker and has shown he can continue to develop. The issue is that he plays left tackle, but he would be better suited at RT or OG. He has shown athleticism and the ability to keep fighting. He's a tough run defender and has been decent at pass protection, but has shown that he doesn't give up. He did well for half a game against Barnett but then struggled. Sharpe has room to grow but could end up being a starter after a year.
Round 1
Derek Barnett, DE. Tennessee
The Bengals have struggled finishing sacks this season. Clarke has stepped up early this season as a rotational player, but we desperately need a pass rusher on the opposite side of Dunlap. He can't do it all, and Barnett would be an instant upgrade over everyone we have. He's been consistent his entire college career even as a freshman. He gives offensive lines constant problems and gives pressure to the QB consistently. He can sink his hips and actually turn the corner around OTs, something we severly lack. Strong hands to keep lienman from trying to push him or keep him enganged. He also has proven the ability to use his arms and legs to beat players, depedning on the situation. He also has the speed and athleticism to finish plays. His biggest concern is his size, being only 6"2'. The Bengals don't have a defensive end under 6"6'. Also, to better understand his height, Atkins is 6"1'.
Jabrill Peppers, S. Michigan
Peppers is arguably the biggest boom or bust player in this draft. The Bengals have always struggled against tight ends. Giving Williams a contract prematurely seems to be biting them in the leg, but the addition of Peppers helps tremendously. He may not become a starting safety, but he has the ability to play as a safety/linebacker hybrid the Bengals have been looking for. He works very well in pass coverage and also a tremendous player when it comes to the run game. He shows great instincts and can read plays before they happen. In pass coverage he has shown he can do almost any defense, whether man or zone or press or off man. He is also a very physical tackler and isn't afraid to make a play. He is also an electric special teams player who can take it to the house on almost any return. His biggest knock are his ball skills. He has zero interceptions his entire college career, but has shown the ability to make plays and mirror defenders. He's a better fit at safety than anything and can diagnose plays as they're happening.
Zach Cunningham, LB. Vanderbilt
Every linebacker on this team has taken a step back. Maualuga's time has come to an end, so insert Cunningham. He's a very versatile player who does everything you want in a linebacker. He has the ability to shed blocks, close holes, drop back into coverage, squeeze through to make a play in the backfield, and can even rush the passer. He's instinctive and had a very good sophomore season and has continued to get better over time. He's a three down linebacker who can play any situation and has the ability to make a play. He's a sure tackler and doesn't allow offensive lines to take him out of plays easily. He has a nose for the football and fights almost every play. He's physical and extremely instinctive. The issue is that he plays for Vanderbilt and hasn't been on a good team. However, he has done well against teams like Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. There's a lot to like about this guy and he has proven that he has the ability to get better.
Round 2
Jarrad Davis, LB. Florida
Arguably the most underrated defender in this draft, Davis has been a consistent player and has shown up in big games for Florida. Davis is instinctive and knows where to go when the ball is hiked. He's a fast defender who reads and reacts quickly rather than wait for the ball to come to him. He's a fast player and can explode to the ball. He's very good against the run and has shown he has a knack for where the ball is going. He also has shown he can be a game changer and create turnovers. One of his biggest problems, however, has been that he can over-pursue or even be too aggressive with hits rather than wrap up. There's no denying his presence, however, and we would be a welcome addition to this defense and could make a name for himself early and often. Davis has proven he can show up in big moments, and that's something the Bengals need on defense.
Carl Lawson, DE. Auburn
Lawson may be a huge steal here, as he's been one of the best natural pass rushers in the league. He has the ability to move quickly and give offensive lienman headaches all game long. He's done well against some of the best offensive lineman the past two years and has shown improvement as time goes on. He also has strength to get off of blocks and has shown the ability to consistently shed blocks. However, there are two big problems with Lawson. His size, which may deter the Bengals away from him (also 6"2' as Barnett). The other is his durability, he missed most of the 2015 season and missed 2014. This may be a bit of a gamble but Lawson has upside and would add another pass rusher to this underwhelming pass rush.
Ethan Pocic, C/OG. LSU
The Bengals offensive line has been terrible this season. The right side has struggled and while Bodine has improved this year, he is still a liability. Throw in the fact the Zeitler may end up leaving after this year, the Bengals need to draft for the future. Pocic is versatile in that he can play both center and offensive guard, but would be better suited at center. He's fast at the point of attack and has consistently taken on double teams. He also stays engaged in blocks and has proven the ability to get to the second level and continue to make blocks. Although he isn't the strongest and isn't a bull, he will direct defenders away from the play and has a quick punch at the point of attack.
Round 3
Devonte Fields, DE. Louisville
If it weren't for his off the field issues, he would have been a 1st rounder. He's a difference maker and gets to the QB consistently and quickly. He has a nose for the quarterback and is very fast off the edge. Quick feet; able to turn the corner and stay balanced. He possesses such a quick first step that it makes offensive lineman struggle to get him off his game. Fields has proven he can make a difference not only in the passing attack but in the run game. Fields' pursuit to the ball in unrelenting. His biggest concerns are his pass rushing moves, he needs to develop more. Along with becoming stronger, since he struggles to shed blocks when taking on stronger lineman. The other issue is off the field concerns, but if it weren't for that, he would be a 1st round pick.
Chris Wormley, DT/DE. Michigan
The Bengals love big defensive lineman, and Wormley is certainly that. His biggest strength is against the run and the ability to push offensive lineman back into the play. He also has displayed some quickness and ability to get to the quarterback. His biggest concern was improving his pass rushing ability, since he has had trouble finishing plays. In 2016, he has certainly showed improvement and pursuit to the ball. He makes for a rotational player and would be an upgrade over Hunt.
David Sharpe, OT/G. Florida
With the unknown future of this offensive line, they need depth and plays that could come in if need be. Sharpe is a very good run blocker and has shown he can continue to develop. The issue is that he plays left tackle, but he would be better suited at RT or OG. He has shown athleticism and the ability to keep fighting. He's a tough run defender and has been decent at pass protection, but has shown that he doesn't give up. He did well for half a game against Barnett but then struggled. Sharpe has room to grow but could end up being a starter after a year.
![[Image: Mx7IB2.png]](http://i.cubeupload.com/Mx7IB2.png)
