04-05-2017, 11:07 PM
So I will be doing one more mock draft after this one. But I figured it was time for a mock draft, so here we go.
Round 1: Derek Barnett, DE. Tennessee
One of the most prolific pass rushers this draft, Barnett is able to bend the edge and make plays. Not the most athletic player, but he's been consistent, gotten better each year, and is only 20 years old. Uses technique extremely well and sets up the tackles. He is smart and has a relentless motor. Something Bengals fans have wanted is a guy who can finish and get the quarterback down. Wins with anticipation and lower body technique. One of the things that doesn’t show up on the stat line is his ability to take away running lanes and forces half backs to change direction. Barnett is a pretty safe pick with the chance to become very good. If he can learn more inside moves and learns how to counter better, he will be deadly in the NFL.
Round 2: Dan Feeney, OG. Indiana
The Bengals only have 4 active guards, 5 if you include Andre Smith. But Smith has been injury prone lately and seems to be on the decline. The Bengals build for the future by drafting one of the best offensive lineman in the draft. Feeney is powerful and generates a push at the point of attack. He's very good as a run blocker and opens holes. Feeney would be a great asset to this team and could help solidify a shaky offensive line. Feeney is a plug and play starter, plus he's versatile enough that he's played offensive tackle; but he is a better fit at guard.
Round 3: Chris Godwin, WR. Penn State
Quite possibly my favorite "sleeper" receiver in this class, Godwin gives us a very similar player to Marvin Jones. He's a fast player who wins jump balls. He's quick and has pretty good route running. While he isn't the tallest or fastest, he is a good mixture of both. He isn't afraid to go over the middle of the field and make plays. An explosive receiver. If you want to watch some really good tape on the guy, watch him against USC. He put Adoree Jackson on skates and was an amazing player all the way around. Godwin is a good player and has a chance to be a starter down the road.
Round 4A: DeVonte Fields, DE. Louiseville
A player with red flags, but Fields was once viewed as a top prospect while at TCU. He struggled early after having time off from TCU due to injuries and the character issues. However, he has gotten better. Fields has tremendous upside, but certainly needs to get more consistent. He has great closing speed and pursuit. He has everything you want in a pass rusher outside of consistency and character problems. Since the Bengals don't seem to have an issue with drafting players with checkered pasts, why not take one in the draft with big upside.
Round 4B: Howard Wilson, CB. Houston
One of my personal favorites in a deep cornerback class. While he only played one full season as a starter, he was a ballhawk. He's quick and can make plays on the ball that are in the air. He's raw and will have to learn to read routes better, but he has every chance to be a really good player in the NFL. He has fluid hips and has shown the ability to mirror receivers.
Round 5A: Elijah Qualls, DT. Washington
A nose tackle for one of the best defenses this last season, the Bengals need a backup plan at this position. Hardison, Sims, and Thompson are always hurt. Qualls isn't a pass rusher by any means, but he excels as a run stuffer. The Bengals need to get stronger and better at this position. Even though we have players with "potential" here, potential gets you nowhere if they're always on the injury report.
Round 5B: James Conner, RB. Pitt
One of the feel good stories in football. Conner has lost a step due to health reasons, but he is still was a bruiser. Conner was a very good runningback before his illness, but he has some much potential. He gives the Bengals a bruiser and someone who has some quickness to him. Conner could see some playing time and may end up as a steal.
Round 6A: Zane Gonzalez, K. Arizona State
After the Bucs drafted a kicker early last year and he struggled early, kickers may start to fall again. The Bengals met with him and are looking to add some competition in their kicking department. He's done well as a kicker, hitting 83% of his kicks.
Round 6B: Eric Wilson, LB. Cincinnati
Wilson is a bit undersized, and he may be better suited as an outside linebacker. He was a safety converted to linebacker, so Marvin may like him quite a bit as a SAM. Wilson could be a good special teams player.
Round 7A: Trevor Knight, QB. Texas A&M
The Bengals may be looking to move on from McCarron, and they also seem to like to carry 3 QBs. Knight is a good sleeper QB pick who has a lot of the same qualities coaches like in McCarron.
Round 7B: Josiah Price, TE. Michigan State
The Bengals grab a blocking tight end. Something we haven't aimed for in quite some time.
Round 1: Derek Barnett, DE. Tennessee
One of the most prolific pass rushers this draft, Barnett is able to bend the edge and make plays. Not the most athletic player, but he's been consistent, gotten better each year, and is only 20 years old. Uses technique extremely well and sets up the tackles. He is smart and has a relentless motor. Something Bengals fans have wanted is a guy who can finish and get the quarterback down. Wins with anticipation and lower body technique. One of the things that doesn’t show up on the stat line is his ability to take away running lanes and forces half backs to change direction. Barnett is a pretty safe pick with the chance to become very good. If he can learn more inside moves and learns how to counter better, he will be deadly in the NFL.
Round 2: Dan Feeney, OG. Indiana
The Bengals only have 4 active guards, 5 if you include Andre Smith. But Smith has been injury prone lately and seems to be on the decline. The Bengals build for the future by drafting one of the best offensive lineman in the draft. Feeney is powerful and generates a push at the point of attack. He's very good as a run blocker and opens holes. Feeney would be a great asset to this team and could help solidify a shaky offensive line. Feeney is a plug and play starter, plus he's versatile enough that he's played offensive tackle; but he is a better fit at guard.
Round 3: Chris Godwin, WR. Penn State
Quite possibly my favorite "sleeper" receiver in this class, Godwin gives us a very similar player to Marvin Jones. He's a fast player who wins jump balls. He's quick and has pretty good route running. While he isn't the tallest or fastest, he is a good mixture of both. He isn't afraid to go over the middle of the field and make plays. An explosive receiver. If you want to watch some really good tape on the guy, watch him against USC. He put Adoree Jackson on skates and was an amazing player all the way around. Godwin is a good player and has a chance to be a starter down the road.
Round 4A: DeVonte Fields, DE. Louiseville
A player with red flags, but Fields was once viewed as a top prospect while at TCU. He struggled early after having time off from TCU due to injuries and the character issues. However, he has gotten better. Fields has tremendous upside, but certainly needs to get more consistent. He has great closing speed and pursuit. He has everything you want in a pass rusher outside of consistency and character problems. Since the Bengals don't seem to have an issue with drafting players with checkered pasts, why not take one in the draft with big upside.
Round 4B: Howard Wilson, CB. Houston
One of my personal favorites in a deep cornerback class. While he only played one full season as a starter, he was a ballhawk. He's quick and can make plays on the ball that are in the air. He's raw and will have to learn to read routes better, but he has every chance to be a really good player in the NFL. He has fluid hips and has shown the ability to mirror receivers.
Round 5A: Elijah Qualls, DT. Washington
A nose tackle for one of the best defenses this last season, the Bengals need a backup plan at this position. Hardison, Sims, and Thompson are always hurt. Qualls isn't a pass rusher by any means, but he excels as a run stuffer. The Bengals need to get stronger and better at this position. Even though we have players with "potential" here, potential gets you nowhere if they're always on the injury report.
Round 5B: James Conner, RB. Pitt
One of the feel good stories in football. Conner has lost a step due to health reasons, but he is still was a bruiser. Conner was a very good runningback before his illness, but he has some much potential. He gives the Bengals a bruiser and someone who has some quickness to him. Conner could see some playing time and may end up as a steal.
Round 6A: Zane Gonzalez, K. Arizona State
After the Bucs drafted a kicker early last year and he struggled early, kickers may start to fall again. The Bengals met with him and are looking to add some competition in their kicking department. He's done well as a kicker, hitting 83% of his kicks.
Round 6B: Eric Wilson, LB. Cincinnati
Wilson is a bit undersized, and he may be better suited as an outside linebacker. He was a safety converted to linebacker, so Marvin may like him quite a bit as a SAM. Wilson could be a good special teams player.
Round 7A: Trevor Knight, QB. Texas A&M
The Bengals may be looking to move on from McCarron, and they also seem to like to carry 3 QBs. Knight is a good sleeper QB pick who has a lot of the same qualities coaches like in McCarron.
Round 7B: Josiah Price, TE. Michigan State
The Bengals grab a blocking tight end. Something we haven't aimed for in quite some time.
![[Image: Mx7IB2.png]](http://i.cubeupload.com/Mx7IB2.png)
