04-10-2018, 03:57 PM
(04-10-2018, 03:50 PM)wolfkaosaun Wrote: Ade Aruna is a sleeper pick I don't see many people talk about. Great measureables and raw talent, but will need to continue to learn the game and improve his craft. He hasn't played a ton of football.
I like him a lot! Here are the ones I had in my latest mock draft... sorry the descriptions are a bit lengthy. Shawun Lurry is from my alma mater so he's my homer pick.
4: 112 - NT Deadrin Senat, South Florida
Pat Sims is gone, Andrew Billings has yet to show up, and Chris Baker just signed a 1-year deal. The Bengals really need someone to step up and fill the role as a consistent nose tackle on the defensive line. Deadrin Senat was an extremely productive player last year for South Florida: 66 tackles, 10 TFL, and 6 sacks. Senat is undersized for a defensive tackle at only 6’0” but he is strong as a bull and had 35 reps of 225 at the combine. He is a high energy player who always chases the ball. I really like Senat and think he competes for playing time immediately.
5: 151 - S Godwin Igwebuike, Northwestern
The Bengals are lacking some depth at safety and will most likely look into taking one during this year’s draft. Igwebuike was a four year starter in the Big Ten which is no small feat. He was a tackling machine for the Wildcats and had over 300 combined tackles as well as 7 interceptions in his career. He struggles a bit in coverage but has the athletic ability to match up well (4.44 40 in the combine). Igwebuike would most likely begin by playing on special teams and backing up starting safeties Shawn Williams and/or George Iloka.
5: 158 - RB Kalen Ballage, Arizona State
Ballage is a versatile running back that could be a good late round candidate for the Bengals. He split time with Demorio Richard at Arizona State but still proved to be productive. In his junior year he had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage (536 rushing + 469 receiving) and 15 touchdowns. He was also used on special teams as a kick returner. Overall, Kalen Ballage is a great height, weight, speed prospect who could come in to compete with Brian Hill for the third running back spot now that Jeremy Hill left in free agency.
5: 170 - DE Ade Aruna, Tulane
Late round picks are good opportunities to take a gamble on a player with potential… that’s exactly what Ade Aruna is. Aruna came from Nigeria and has only been playing football for five years. He is very athletic with a good NFL frame. Aruna played in both a 4-3 and 3-4 scheme in college but is more suited to be a base 4-3 defensive end. The concern with him is his lack of experience and relative lack of production at Tulane. His best season came in 2016 when he registered 10 TFL and 5 sacks. He wouldn’t need to play immediately for the Bengals, but with both Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson in contract years, having depth will be important.
7: 249 - TE Ethan Wolf, Tennessee
Sticking to the topic of players in contract years, the Bengals’ top three tight ends are all set to become free agents after the season: Tyler Eifert, Tyler Kroft, and C.J. Uzomah. Ethan Wolf will most likely never become a star in the NFL. That being said, he was a very consistent performer for four years in the SEC. Wolf was surprisingly not invited to the NFL scouting combine despite his quality production. He has good hands and is a willing blocker but doesn’t excel in either area. He only possesses average athleticism but could be a quality contributor in multiple tight end sets.
7: 252 - CB Shawun Lurry, Northern Illinois
I really like what the Bengals have at cornerback right now. Dre Kirkpatrick, William Jackson, and Darqueze Dennard have all played well. Josh Shaw can play safety or corner and KeiVarae Russell was a high draft pick at one point. Nevertheless, cornerback is a position that requires a lot of depth and with the loss of Adam Jones the Bengals could be looking to select at least one in this year’s draft. Shawun Lurry played in a smaller conference but was a exceptional player. He led the NCAA in interceptions in 2015, with 9, and seemed to play up to his competition with his best games coming against Ohio State, Boston College, and Nebraska. He is an undersized player at 5’8” but has some quickness and could be a good fit in the slot.
7: 253 - WR Devin Gray, Cincinnati
Why not take a local kid with the last pick. Devin Gray looked like a breakout player coming into the 2017 season, after gaining over 850 yards from scrimmage in 2016, but really regressed because of poor quarterback play. He performed well at the Cincinnati pro day and ran a 4.42 40 and will be a late round draft prospect. He was also used as a punt returner last season which could add some extra value. The Bengals roster is already full of young receivers (John Ross, Tyler Boyd, Cody Core, Josh Malone, Alex Erickson) but no one has emerged as a capable starter yet.
