02-21-2018, 11:59 AM
*Update* we did trade with the Bills...Glenn and pick 21 instead of 21 and 22...see how that works out
Typically I don't do mock drafts that involve trades but I think this one makes a lot of sense for both teams. There is likely not going to be a clear cut guy at #12 with our biggest needs. Also, the Buffalo Bills could really use a QB and with the big 4 likely to go early on in the draft then trading up with us may be their last shot at one of those guys. This draft also includes some projected comp. picks that the Bengals are likely to have in the upcoming draft.
Round 1 - Pick 21 - Tremaine Edmunds (Linebacker) Not sure if he will last to this point of the draft but he is the type of impact linebacker we could use on this team. Burfict is a great player but is not someone that can be relied on due to injury and suspension. Hobspin wants to paint the picture that they love Jordan Evans and Nick Vigil but I just don't see those guys at sure things at Linebacker right now. They could always grow into better players but you need more talent for this year and Edmunds would provide that.
Round 1 - Pick 22 - Kolton Miller (Offensive Tackle) Maybe not the most popular pick here and I understand that but this is the type of guy I could see the Bengals targeting in this trade scenario. Miller is not a player that I would draft but I think the Bengals will reach for an Offensive Tackle.
Round 2 - Pick 46 - Billy Price (Center) A player that I wouldn't be upset about if we took in the first round. Center's tend to slide to the second and third round every single year so I think this is a safe place to project him at this point. Price is the best Center in the draft and would be an instant upgrade over Russell Bodine and would be cheaper since Bodine is looking at UFA this year.
Round 3 - Pick 77 - Mike Gesicki (Tight End) One of the most talent pass catchers at Tight End in the entire draft. I don't see the Bengals keeping Tyler Eifert and even though Kroft and Uzomah has shown flashes at the position, I still think another talent is needed for that position group going into the season.
Round 3 - Pick 99 (Comp) - Simmie Cobbs Jr. (Wide Receiver) I don't know that Wide Receiver is a glaring need right now but at the same time Lafell may be nearing the end of his career, we don't know what we really have for sure in John Ross, Cody Core, or Malone. Adding someone with the talent of Cobbs this late in the draft would be a wise decision in my opinion. At 6'4" Cobbs has the ability to go up and get the ball which would be very useful opposite of AJ Green and with the potential loss of Eifert who can't stay healthy.
Round 4 - Pick 114 - Quenton Meeks (Cornerback) I also think it is a good idea to draft a Cornerback in each draft at some point. With Pacman getting older and the uncertainty with Dennard entering his final year it makes even more sense. Meeks has good size and speed and really only gets pushed down because of the amount of good Corners in this class.
Round 5 - Pick 153 - Luke Falk (Quarterback) The Bengals have to find another Quarterback to back up Andy Dalton and if it doesn't come in Free Agency which is always unlikely with this team then it will have to come through the draft. Falk would be good value at this point of the draft. He isn't the most spectacular QB but neither was AJ McCarron. Just good solid guys that will stay ready if needed.
Round 5 - Pick 172 (comp) - Kendrick Norton (Defensive Tackle) I actually feel pretty good about the Defensive Line that we should have returning next year. With that said, I think adding some depth at Defensive Tackle is still a necessary move at some point. Norton has good size and will be able to develop behind some talented players early on.
Round 6 - Pick 190 - Daniel Carlson (Kicker) We tried this last year and though Elliot wasn't consistent enough to win the job for the Bengals he still showed plenty of flashes of what he can be in this league with his leg strength for the Eagles. I would hope that pick not working out doesn't deter the Bengals from looking at another very talented Kicker this year.
Round 7 - Pick 250 - Tre Flowers (Safety) Good sized safety that would obviously be looking to make an impact and the team through Special Teams work similar to how Fejedelem earned his spot on the team. At this point you hope for guys that can make that impact or that you can sneak onto the practice squad for a year. Flowers fits that mold.
Typically I don't do mock drafts that involve trades but I think this one makes a lot of sense for both teams. There is likely not going to be a clear cut guy at #12 with our biggest needs. Also, the Buffalo Bills could really use a QB and with the big 4 likely to go early on in the draft then trading up with us may be their last shot at one of those guys. This draft also includes some projected comp. picks that the Bengals are likely to have in the upcoming draft.
Round 1 - Pick 21 - Tremaine Edmunds (Linebacker) Not sure if he will last to this point of the draft but he is the type of impact linebacker we could use on this team. Burfict is a great player but is not someone that can be relied on due to injury and suspension. Hobspin wants to paint the picture that they love Jordan Evans and Nick Vigil but I just don't see those guys at sure things at Linebacker right now. They could always grow into better players but you need more talent for this year and Edmunds would provide that.
Round 1 - Pick 22 - Kolton Miller (Offensive Tackle) Maybe not the most popular pick here and I understand that but this is the type of guy I could see the Bengals targeting in this trade scenario. Miller is not a player that I would draft but I think the Bengals will reach for an Offensive Tackle.
Round 2 - Pick 46 - Billy Price (Center) A player that I wouldn't be upset about if we took in the first round. Center's tend to slide to the second and third round every single year so I think this is a safe place to project him at this point. Price is the best Center in the draft and would be an instant upgrade over Russell Bodine and would be cheaper since Bodine is looking at UFA this year.
Round 3 - Pick 77 - Mike Gesicki (Tight End) One of the most talent pass catchers at Tight End in the entire draft. I don't see the Bengals keeping Tyler Eifert and even though Kroft and Uzomah has shown flashes at the position, I still think another talent is needed for that position group going into the season.
Round 3 - Pick 99 (Comp) - Simmie Cobbs Jr. (Wide Receiver) I don't know that Wide Receiver is a glaring need right now but at the same time Lafell may be nearing the end of his career, we don't know what we really have for sure in John Ross, Cody Core, or Malone. Adding someone with the talent of Cobbs this late in the draft would be a wise decision in my opinion. At 6'4" Cobbs has the ability to go up and get the ball which would be very useful opposite of AJ Green and with the potential loss of Eifert who can't stay healthy.
Round 4 - Pick 114 - Quenton Meeks (Cornerback) I also think it is a good idea to draft a Cornerback in each draft at some point. With Pacman getting older and the uncertainty with Dennard entering his final year it makes even more sense. Meeks has good size and speed and really only gets pushed down because of the amount of good Corners in this class.
Round 5 - Pick 153 - Luke Falk (Quarterback) The Bengals have to find another Quarterback to back up Andy Dalton and if it doesn't come in Free Agency which is always unlikely with this team then it will have to come through the draft. Falk would be good value at this point of the draft. He isn't the most spectacular QB but neither was AJ McCarron. Just good solid guys that will stay ready if needed.
Round 5 - Pick 172 (comp) - Kendrick Norton (Defensive Tackle) I actually feel pretty good about the Defensive Line that we should have returning next year. With that said, I think adding some depth at Defensive Tackle is still a necessary move at some point. Norton has good size and will be able to develop behind some talented players early on.
Round 6 - Pick 190 - Daniel Carlson (Kicker) We tried this last year and though Elliot wasn't consistent enough to win the job for the Bengals he still showed plenty of flashes of what he can be in this league with his leg strength for the Eagles. I would hope that pick not working out doesn't deter the Bengals from looking at another very talented Kicker this year.
Round 7 - Pick 250 - Tre Flowers (Safety) Good sized safety that would obviously be looking to make an impact and the team through Special Teams work similar to how Fejedelem earned his spot on the team. At this point you hope for guys that can make that impact or that you can sneak onto the practice squad for a year. Flowers fits that mold.