Monday, March 29, 2010
Round by Round Top 5
3:05 PM | 
Posted by
Eric
Updated 4/3/2010
Here's a look at Bengals Draft Depot's top 5 realistic prospects per round.
1st Round
1. Earl Thomas,FS,Texas: Thomas just put up a blazing 4.35 a few days ago at the Texas pro day. He's the guy I'd most like the Bengals to land in the 1st round, but it is starting to look like he won't be available at 21. He's the kind of Safety the Bengals are missing, one that has ability to cover in man coverage and makes plays on the ball. The Bengals have definitely shown interest having Thomas in town for a 2 day visit.
2. Brandon Graham,DE,Michigan: This guy's game tape is amazing. He absolutely owned Bryan Bulaga in the Iowa game and Bulaga is a projected top 5 pick. When Odom went down last year so did the pass rush, Graham adds depth at DE and is likely good enough to start now. I think he'd be an upgrade over the overpaid Gathers who would become one of the best backups in the league. Graham does an excellent job of getting penetration vs the run and pass and has the speed to line up at OLB as well.
3. Dez Bryant,WR,Oklahoma State: Yeah Bryant has said some dumb things recently and forgot his cleats, but nothing he's really done has been that bad and he's becoming a target of the media. On the field the guys skills are undeniable and he could come in and probably be the number 2 WR as a rookie. There's no guarantee A. Bryant is gonna be a quick fix at WR so the Bengals may need an early WR. Plus Chad's contract is up after next season. If Bryant is picked by the Bengals they could have the best trio of WR's in the NFL.
4. Mike Iupati,OG,Idaho: I make the statement all the time that if the Bengals spent their 1st round pick on either line every year I would not complain, actually I'd be happy. It looks like Williams is gonna be back, but he's getting up there in age and on the other side they rotated Livings and Mathis. Iupati would be an upgrade over there and it would maybe give the Bengals the best O line depth in the NFL. They would have a quality backup for each spot on the line, Mathis and Livings could back up the 2 Guard spots. Collins backs up Whit, who has already been solid at LT. Roland behind Andre Smith. And Luigs a former Remington winner behind Cook. Football is won and lost in the trenches.
5. Jermaine Gresham,TE,Oklahoma: The Bengals have beat around the bush for years about getting a good TE in here. Gresham is the top TE in the draft and would give Palmer a receiving threat in the middle of the field. His blocking is okay but it's atleast good enough to get him on the field and he can gain weight with his frame. The whole offense could open with a TE that can catch and stretch the middle of the field.
2nd Round
1. Nate Allen,FS,South Florida: Obviously if Thomas is the 1st pick then he's off the list. I'm doing this list under the assumption that's the only round being picked. Allen is a FS that can play all 3 levels, the run, intermediate pass, and the deep ball. I think the FS that can cover is going to become more valuable as the league gets more and more pass happy.
2. Morgan Burnett,FS,Georgia Tech: Burnett played a rover position at Georgia Tech which is like a mix between FS and SS. He can cover very well and plays the run well. I think the Bengals have to have a Safety by the 2nd round due to the schedule of teams that throw it a ton. Zimmer and Lewis will like that Burnett can play both positions.
3. LaMarr Houston,DT,Texas: I'd like to see the Bengals get a DT out of this loaded class. They could get a good one probably into the 4th round. But Houston is a valuable player who can play both DT and DE. He gets after the QB and does a good job vs. the run as well. The Bengals are a Peko injury away from having no depth at DT and a middle of the pack run defense. The more good players on either line the better, especially someone like Houston who can play any spot on the line.
4. Damian Williams,WR,USC: Williams would give the Bengals a good trio of WR's and is ready to play in the NFL now. He is a polished route runner, has good hands, and adequate speed for a WR. He is good with the ball in his hands and can get excellent seperation on underneath routes. That would provide a good possesion WR to move the chains, something the offense was missing last year.
5. Tyson Alualu,DT,California: Again with the DT's, Alualu plays with a motor that doesn't quit and would give the Bengals someone to get pressure up the middle. He played in a 3-4 at Cal and was productive, but he's a better fit in a 4-3 and could end up being one of the best DT's in this draft.
3rd Round
1. Anthony McCoy,TE,USC: He's a good blocking TE that has the ablility to catch and stretch the middle of the field. I think he'd be good value in the 3rd and could take some attention away from the outside keeping Chad and/or Bryant with single coverage.
2. John Jerry,OG,Ole Miss: I think the 3rd is the round to get a Guard. Jerry is massive and a mauler in the run game. The offense is still gonna be a run 1st offense and our interior lineman have to be good run blockers.
3. Mitch Petrus,OG,Arkansas: I have Petrus and Jerry rated about the same. Petrus is a good run blocker, not as good as Jerry but still good. He's a little bit better of a pass blocker but both of their strengths are run blocking. The Bengals love their SEC lineman.
4. Carlton Mitchell,WR,South Florida: The more game tape I watch on this guy the more I like him. He's been one of the fastest risers up the Big Board. He's willing to go over the middle, is one of the biggest WR's in this draft, and also one of the fastest.
5. Mardy Gilyard,WR,Cincinnati: He doesn't have the greatest measurables but bottom line is he was a playmaker in college and has the drive to do the same in the pros. His return abilities add to his value and he wants to be a Bengal.
4th Round
1. Dennis Pitta,TE,BYU: His stock has been rising so by the draft he may be considered a 3rd rounder or even higher. His receiving abliliy is excellent but his blocking is questionable. He'd probably be a project but atleast would give them another option if Coffman doesn't work out.
2. Mike Johnson,OG,Alabama: another jumbo lineman, if the Bengals fail to address Guard by now you'd think one would have to be taken in this round. Johnson is very good and has already played with one of the Bengals lineman.
3. Blair White,WR,Michigan State: This guy was tops in all the drills that matter for WR's at the combine. He has excellent agility and good speed. He is a little raw and should have stayed in school, but I could see this guy being the 2nd coming of Wes Welker. He has the same build, same ability to cut on a dime, and can change directions very quickly.
4. Anthony Dixon,RB,Mississippi State: a big bruising tailback is what the Bengals like. They already have their change of pace back in Scott. Dixon would be insurance in case Ced goes down. Teams must have RB depth as they take a beating as much as anyone if not more.
5. Austen Lane,DE,Murray State: A pass rushing specialist and we all know what happened in the 2nd half of last season. Lane could end up being a sleeper in this draft. The more picks on the lines the better imo.
5th Round
Here's a look at Bengals Draft Depot's top 5 realistic prospects per round.
1st Round
1. Earl Thomas,FS,Texas: Thomas just put up a blazing 4.35 a few days ago at the Texas pro day. He's the guy I'd most like the Bengals to land in the 1st round, but it is starting to look like he won't be available at 21. He's the kind of Safety the Bengals are missing, one that has ability to cover in man coverage and makes plays on the ball. The Bengals have definitely shown interest having Thomas in town for a 2 day visit.
2. Brandon Graham,DE,Michigan: This guy's game tape is amazing. He absolutely owned Bryan Bulaga in the Iowa game and Bulaga is a projected top 5 pick. When Odom went down last year so did the pass rush, Graham adds depth at DE and is likely good enough to start now. I think he'd be an upgrade over the overpaid Gathers who would become one of the best backups in the league. Graham does an excellent job of getting penetration vs the run and pass and has the speed to line up at OLB as well.
3. Dez Bryant,WR,Oklahoma State: Yeah Bryant has said some dumb things recently and forgot his cleats, but nothing he's really done has been that bad and he's becoming a target of the media. On the field the guys skills are undeniable and he could come in and probably be the number 2 WR as a rookie. There's no guarantee A. Bryant is gonna be a quick fix at WR so the Bengals may need an early WR. Plus Chad's contract is up after next season. If Bryant is picked by the Bengals they could have the best trio of WR's in the NFL.
4. Mike Iupati,OG,Idaho: I make the statement all the time that if the Bengals spent their 1st round pick on either line every year I would not complain, actually I'd be happy. It looks like Williams is gonna be back, but he's getting up there in age and on the other side they rotated Livings and Mathis. Iupati would be an upgrade over there and it would maybe give the Bengals the best O line depth in the NFL. They would have a quality backup for each spot on the line, Mathis and Livings could back up the 2 Guard spots. Collins backs up Whit, who has already been solid at LT. Roland behind Andre Smith. And Luigs a former Remington winner behind Cook. Football is won and lost in the trenches.
5. Jermaine Gresham,TE,Oklahoma: The Bengals have beat around the bush for years about getting a good TE in here. Gresham is the top TE in the draft and would give Palmer a receiving threat in the middle of the field. His blocking is okay but it's atleast good enough to get him on the field and he can gain weight with his frame. The whole offense could open with a TE that can catch and stretch the middle of the field.
2nd Round
1. Nate Allen,FS,South Florida: Obviously if Thomas is the 1st pick then he's off the list. I'm doing this list under the assumption that's the only round being picked. Allen is a FS that can play all 3 levels, the run, intermediate pass, and the deep ball. I think the FS that can cover is going to become more valuable as the league gets more and more pass happy.
2. Morgan Burnett,FS,Georgia Tech: Burnett played a rover position at Georgia Tech which is like a mix between FS and SS. He can cover very well and plays the run well. I think the Bengals have to have a Safety by the 2nd round due to the schedule of teams that throw it a ton. Zimmer and Lewis will like that Burnett can play both positions.
3. LaMarr Houston,DT,Texas: I'd like to see the Bengals get a DT out of this loaded class. They could get a good one probably into the 4th round. But Houston is a valuable player who can play both DT and DE. He gets after the QB and does a good job vs. the run as well. The Bengals are a Peko injury away from having no depth at DT and a middle of the pack run defense. The more good players on either line the better, especially someone like Houston who can play any spot on the line.
4. Damian Williams,WR,USC: Williams would give the Bengals a good trio of WR's and is ready to play in the NFL now. He is a polished route runner, has good hands, and adequate speed for a WR. He is good with the ball in his hands and can get excellent seperation on underneath routes. That would provide a good possesion WR to move the chains, something the offense was missing last year.
5. Tyson Alualu,DT,California: Again with the DT's, Alualu plays with a motor that doesn't quit and would give the Bengals someone to get pressure up the middle. He played in a 3-4 at Cal and was productive, but he's a better fit in a 4-3 and could end up being one of the best DT's in this draft.
3rd Round
1. Anthony McCoy,TE,USC: He's a good blocking TE that has the ablility to catch and stretch the middle of the field. I think he'd be good value in the 3rd and could take some attention away from the outside keeping Chad and/or Bryant with single coverage.
2. John Jerry,OG,Ole Miss: I think the 3rd is the round to get a Guard. Jerry is massive and a mauler in the run game. The offense is still gonna be a run 1st offense and our interior lineman have to be good run blockers.
3. Mitch Petrus,OG,Arkansas: I have Petrus and Jerry rated about the same. Petrus is a good run blocker, not as good as Jerry but still good. He's a little bit better of a pass blocker but both of their strengths are run blocking. The Bengals love their SEC lineman.
4. Carlton Mitchell,WR,South Florida: The more game tape I watch on this guy the more I like him. He's been one of the fastest risers up the Big Board. He's willing to go over the middle, is one of the biggest WR's in this draft, and also one of the fastest.
5. Mardy Gilyard,WR,Cincinnati: He doesn't have the greatest measurables but bottom line is he was a playmaker in college and has the drive to do the same in the pros. His return abilities add to his value and he wants to be a Bengal.
4th Round
1. Dennis Pitta,TE,BYU: His stock has been rising so by the draft he may be considered a 3rd rounder or even higher. His receiving abliliy is excellent but his blocking is questionable. He'd probably be a project but atleast would give them another option if Coffman doesn't work out.
2. Mike Johnson,OG,Alabama: another jumbo lineman, if the Bengals fail to address Guard by now you'd think one would have to be taken in this round. Johnson is very good and has already played with one of the Bengals lineman.
3. Blair White,WR,Michigan State: This guy was tops in all the drills that matter for WR's at the combine. He has excellent agility and good speed. He is a little raw and should have stayed in school, but I could see this guy being the 2nd coming of Wes Welker. He has the same build, same ability to cut on a dime, and can change directions very quickly.
4. Anthony Dixon,RB,Mississippi State: a big bruising tailback is what the Bengals like. They already have their change of pace back in Scott. Dixon would be insurance in case Ced goes down. Teams must have RB depth as they take a beating as much as anyone if not more.
5. Austen Lane,DE,Murray State: A pass rushing specialist and we all know what happened in the 2nd half of last season. Lane could end up being a sleeper in this draft. The more picks on the lines the better imo.
5th Round
1. Blair White,WR,Michigan State: I have him rated higher than the 5th round, but most people don't and who knows where the NFL teams have him ranked. This guy could be the 2nd coming of Wes Welker. He was in the top 3 in all the agility drills which tells me he can get seperation out of his breaks, and can stop and change directions very quickly.
2. Brandon Lang,DE,Troy: His stock has slipped after a poor 40 time at both the combine and his pro day. He's a situational pass rusher and although his 40 was slow on tape he looks to play much faster going after the QB.
3. Alex Daniels,DE,Cincinnati: He didn't get invited to the combine but at his pro day put up great numbers. He would also be a situational pass rusher and if he can translate is straight line speed to the field he could be a sleeper.
4. Trevard Lindley,CB,Kentucky: 2 years ago he was one of the top Cornerbacks in the country. Since then he's been dealing with injuries and hasn't looked good. If he can get healthy and back to form he could be a steal in the 5th.
5. Robert Johnson,FS,Utah: This guy was a playmaker at Utah. If the Bengals can't get anyone of value in the earlier rounds Johnson could be a good pickup this late.
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