Bengals Draft Depot

2 Rounds ( 1 Week Before The Super Bowl)


1. Carolina Panthers- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

Fairley was unblockable this past season at Auburn. He came up biggest in the biggest game of all the National Championship Game. Fairley is the type of player that is a game changer. He can't be blocked one on one and teams are going to have to game plan around him. He gets good penetration and disrupts the running game. He can get after the QB and will force double teams which will free up other players on his team.

2. Denver Broncos- DaQuan Bowers, DE, Clemson

John Fox is now the head coach in Denver. He took Julius Peppers early in a draft in Carolina and will try to get that elite pass rusher again in Denver. The thing he has in Denver already is Elvis Dumervil which will give him an elite pass rushing duo and make it tough for teams to get both of them blocked.

3. Buffalo Bills- Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina

The Bills are attempting to convert to a 3-4 defense. They took Aaron Maybin to be their stud pass rusher a couple years ago and he hasn't lived up to expectations. Plus he's not a good fit in a 3-4 defense. Quinn is a perfect fit for a 3-4 team as a pass rusher coming off the edge at OLB. Even though he was suspended in 2010 his athleticism is too much to pass up on for a team that has to contend with Tom Brady twice a year and needs a pass rusher.

4. Cincinnati Bengals- AJ Green, WR, Georgia

I believe in the philosophy that you build the lines to win in the NFL and if Fairley is somehow still available I would take him. Since he isn't this is the perfect opportunity to run Chad and TO out of town. It's no coincidence that Carson had his best games when those two were out of the lineup. The reason Carson wants traded is because he's tired of the circus those two bring. Carson isn't going to get traded and he isn't going to retire.

Green is the best WR prospect to come out since Calvin Johnson and he's right there on his level. He can do it all as a WR. He has an excellent combination of size and speed. He does a great job creating seperation and for his limited experience his route running is very good and will only get better. He can use his size and go up over defenders and get the ball. He can stretch the field vertically or use his size and body to shield defenders on the short routes.

Getting Green will give the Bengals a legit number one WR. Add him to Jerome Simpson who came on strong at the end of last year and looks like he could be one of the best number two WR's in the NFL. Jordan Shipley led all rookies in third down catches and may be the best slot WR in the NFL besides Wes Welker. Jermaine Gresham is a match-up nightmare for opposing defenses as LB's and Safeties can't cover him. That gives you the best young group of WR's and TE's in the NFL and the makings of an explosive offense. The best part is they will actually listen and allow Carson to be the leader.

5. Arizona Cardinals- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

Once Andrew Luck announced he was going back to school Gabbert started flying up draft boards. This may be a bit of a reach, but QB's almost always go higher than they should or than they are rated. Arizona needs a QB in the worst way as they have no viable QB's on their current roster. It's a waste to have Larry Fitzgerald, one of the best WR's in the NFL, if you have no one to get him the ball.

6. Cleveland Browns- Marcell Dareus, DT/DE, Alabama

Cleveland needs a WR in the worst way, but Holmgren has never taken one in the first round and I doubt he'll reach for one with this high of a pick. Especially since they are switching to a 4-3 defense and all they have is Shaun Rodgers at DT. He's been hurt the past couple of years anyway. Dareus is a versatile D lineman that will help them up front as he can move all over the place giving their D coordinator lots of options to work with.

7. San Francisco 49ers- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

The only QB Jim Harbaugh would consider here is Gabbert in my opinion. He won't reach for anyone else. There are two ways to win in the NFL. The first is to have an elite QB that carries you. The second is to have a dominant defense and a good running game. SF has the pieces in place on defense and getting a lock down CB like Peterson may vault them into a dominant D.

8. Tennessee Titans- Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois

The Titans have needed an upgrade at DT since Haynesworth went to Washington via free agency. Smart move by Tennessee letting him walk, what a basket case. Anyway getting a good DT will also help free up last year's first round pick Jason Pierre-Paul.

9. Dallas Cowboys- Nate Solder, OT, Colorado

The Cowboys offensive line struggled starting week one last season when they had a game winning TD called back on a holding penalty. They continued right through the season including getting Tony Romo his broken collarbone. Solder looked very good at the Senior Bowl this week and is emerging as the best OT in this draft.

10. Washington Redskins- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

The Redskins are not going to go with Rex Grossman at QB next season. Newton is the next best QB and he was a winner at Auburn. Shanahan will be cocky enough to think he can turn Newton into an elite QB and he might just do it. There are the Vince Young comparisons but Newton is a much better passer than Young. When you have a skill set like Cam you don't need to be an elite pocket passer to win in the NFL.

11. Houston Texans- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

This draft should be easy for the Texans at least the first few rounds. Take the best defensive player on the board that fits your new system by coordinator Wade Phillips. The Texans secondary was awful at best last season and here they can get one of the two elite CB's in this draft and that should help big time.

12. Minnesota Vikings- Cameron Jordan, DT/DE, California

The Williamses are getting older in Minnesota and the Vikings could also use an upgrade across from Jared Allen at DE. In a 4-3 like Minnesota runs Jordan could play DE on running downs and move inside some on passing downs helping keep the Williamses fresh and adding another pass rusher inside. When you have Aaron Rodgers in your division you need as many as you can get.

If Cam Newton is available here I think Minnesota pulls the trigger.

13. Detroit Lions- Tyron Smith, OT, USC

The Lions could use secondary help, but they need to upgrade their offensive line first. Since Stafford has been there he has been hurt. It's time to get the players to keep him protected and see what he can do.

14. St. Louis Rams- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

Sam Bradford looks to have a bright future in the NFL, he played very well as a rookie. The Rams also have a talented young group of WR's. The thing they are missing is a legit number one WR. Jones will give them that, he is a big strong fast physical WR that reminds me of Anquan Boldin in his prime.

15. Miami Dolphins- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama

Ronnie Brown is likely not going to be back in Miami, he was almost traded before last season. Ricky Williams is too old to be an every down back in the NFL or anywhere for that matter. Ingram is the only RB worthy of a first round pick and is a big enough back to be an every down guy.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars- Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

Before last season Jacksonville signed Aaron Kampman and he blew out his knee before the season started. The Jaguars play in a division with pass happy teams like the Colts and Texans and need as many good pass rushers as they can get.

17. New England Patriots- Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M (from Oakland)

Miller is the type of player Belicheck will love as he can do it all as an OLB. He can play the run well, is an excellent pass rusher, and can drop into coverage. The Pats have been missing that elite pass rusher for quite a few years.

18. San Diego Chargers- Akeem Ayers, OLB, UCLA

The Chargers have needed a good pass rusher every since they made Shawn Merriman quit taking steroids. Larry English hasn't really lived up to expectations. Ayers will give them that pass rusher coming off the edge.

19. New York Giants- Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin

The Giants starting five offensive lineman have been together forever it seems. They are getting up there in years and some youth needs to be added. I don't really think Eli Manning trusted his line last season and hurried throws that's the reason for all the interceptions.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin

I love what the Bucs did in last year's draft taking McCoy and Price, two DT's, in the first two rounds. If they can add a DE the caliber of Watt they will have the makings of a dominant D line for years to come. Like the one that won them a Super Bowl several years ago.

21. Kansas City Chiefs- Jonathon Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh

The Chiefs were unable to get the ball to Bowe at all during their playoff game with the Ravens. That's because their only threat at Won BowR was Bowe and the Ravens focused all thier attention on Bowe and didn't have to worry about anyone else. Baldwin did have a down year at Pitt this past season, but that was due to their bad QB play. Baldwin has the skill set to be a number one WR and will give KC a duo of number one WR's.

22. Indianapolis Colts- Mike Pouncey, OC/OG, Florida

The Colts offensive line wasn't very good at all last season. Pouncey will give them an instant upgrade on the interior of that line where they need it the most. Pouncey can play Guard until Saturday decides to retire and then take over Center. He will also help the Colts and their pitiful running game. If you have Peyton Manning you should keep the offensive line stocked with talent and depth, if you do he will win you Super Bowls.

23. Philadelphia Eagles- Anthony Castanzo, OT, Boston College

The Eagles have one of the most, if not the most, illusive QB's in the history of the NFL and they still gave up a ton of sacks. Andy Reid loves to take offensive lineman early and often in drafts and here it fills a need. If the Eagles get Vick a good, young, athletic line their offense can be scary good.

24. New Orleans Saints- Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State

I don't know how serious Paea's knee surgery was, but if it wasn't too bad he would make a good compliment as a run stuffer next to Sedrick Ellis, the pass rusher. Maybe if they had Paea Seattle doesn't run all over them in the playoffs. Paea is a little undersized, but he's a physical freak with how strong he is.

25. Seattle Seahawks- Jake Locker, QB, Washington

This pick would be a fan favorite in Seattle. Locker is a hometown player that played at the University of Washington. At one point people thought Locker might be the number one overall pick in this draft. He has all the tools to be an elite NFL QB he just needs some development and to gain his confidence back. This would be a perfect situation for him if they bring Hasselback back for a year or two and let Locker learn behind him.

26. Baltimore Ravens- Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State

Heyward is a perfect fit as a five technique in the Ravens 3-4 defense. The Ravens were dominant against the run for years, but the past couple years they haven't been quite as dominant. They have still been good but putting Heyward next to Ngata could get them back to being that dominant run stopping unit.

27. Atlanta Falcons- Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri

John Abraham has a lot of miles on him and looked gassed in the second half of the playoff game against the Packers. On the other side Anderson has been a bust and Smith would be an upgrade. At the very least he'd provide another pass rusher to rotate in and help keep Abraham fresh.

28. New England Patriots- Brandon Harris, CB, Miami

The Pats could use an upgrade at the CB spot across from Devin McCourtey. This is NE's second pick in the first round and they should use it to get another defensive player as that was the weakest unit for the Patriots. In the NFL you can't have too many good CB's and you're seeing more and more teams go CB in the first round in consecutive years.

29. Chicago Bears- Benjamin Ijalana, OT/OG, Villanova

The Bears offensive line was inconsistent all season long. Some games Forte had nowhere to run and some games Jay Cutler got absolutely flattened. Ijalana is an intruiging prospect as he can play about anywhere on the line besides Center.

30. New York Jets- Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor

Kris Jenkins has been hurt basically the last two seasons. To me Nose Tackle is the most important position in a 3-4. If you have a good one who can eat up multiple blockers it really frees up your defense to do alot more both against the run and pass. While the Jets defense was good it wasn't impossible to run on them.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers- Demarcus Love, OT, Arkansas

I'm pretty sure if there's an offensive lineman that the Steelers like they'll take one in the first round. They were decimated by injury this season. There's no way they can count on Flozell Adams for another season.

32. Green Bay Packers- Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

Charles Woodson is still playing at a high level, but he's not going to be able to continue to do that forever, is he? Anyway the Packers could still use an upgrade at Nickel CB and it'd be good for the future starting CB to learn from Woodson. When you play with the lead often teams are forced to throw on you so having a bunch of depth at CB is a good idea.


2nd Round


33. New England Patriots- Allen Bailey, DE, Miami (from Carolina)

This is basically New Englands third first round pick. They have needed an upgrade at DE since they traded Richard Seymour before last season. If the Patriots take the three players they are mocked their defense should be much improved as they add a first rounder to every level of that defense and they'll probably be the favorites to win it all next season.

34. Buffalo Bills- Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

The Bills have already announced that Ryan Fitzpatrick is their starting QB in 2011 and he deserves to be he played well in 2010. That being said Fitzpatrick is not a franchise QB that will take you all the way, Mallet could be. Mallett can make all the throws, he has good size, a strong arm, and good accuracy. He just needs development on his footwork in the pocket and throwing the ball under pressure.

35. Cincinnati Bengals- Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

With Rahim Moore still on the board this would be a tough choice. If the Bengals could get Kerrigan or a defensive lineman similiar that would be the pick for me. For one Kerrigan is the higher player on the board and two the team that wins in the trenches usually wins the game. Plus the Bengals finished towards the bottom in sacks last year. But Carlos Dunlap really came on the second half of the season recording 9.5 sacks in the last eight games.

Putting Kerrigan across from Dunlap would give the Bengals an elite pass rushing duo and their sack totals would be way up. Especially having Micheal Johnson and Odom playing behind them, they could rotate and would be fresh the entire game and season for that matter.

If they take a DE here they could go out and get a FS in free agency or hope Rasheen Mathis can live up to his potential. Either way going with the lineman is the way to go here, football is won up front. Plus the Bengals have two pro bowl caliber CB's and if they get a good pass rush their job becomes much easier.

36. Denver Broncos- Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

Champ Bailey is likely not going to be back in Denver next season and even if he is he's getting to be too old. Jimmy Smith really looks like a good prospect the more tape I watch on him and could be ready to be a starter week one.

37. Cleveland Browns- Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland

Justin Blackmon and Micheal Floyd going back to school really hurts Cleveland. They may have the worst group of WR's in the NFL. They have no true number one WR. Smith doesn't project to be one either, but he's still an upgrade over anyone they currently have and is an additional weapon for Colt McCoy as he could be a very good number two if they get a legit number one WR.

38. Arizona Cardinals- Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia

Houston looks to be the best fit in a 3-4 defense at OLB coming off the edge rushing the passer. The Cardinals signed Joey Porter to do that last off season, but they found out that he's just a loud mouth that is over the hill and under productive.

39. Tennessee Titans- Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State

I don't even know who the Titans head coach is going to be it's tough to say who they will draft. I do know they could use some upgrades on the offensive line and try to help Chris Johnson get back to that 2,000 yard rusher he was a couple years ago.

40. Dallas Cowboys- Brandon Burton, CB, Utah

The Cowboys could use an upgrade at CB big time. Terrence Newman is getting a little long in the tooth and losing his biggest asset, his track star speed. Mike Jenkins effort is pathetic, in a prime time, national televised game he backed off a tackle and let the ball carrier walk into the end zone untouched because he was afraid to tackle him.

41. Washington Redskins- Drake Nevis, DT, LSU

The Redskins could use a DT after the Albert Haynesworth fiasco in Washington. Their defense is a couple of pieces away from being really good.

42. Houston Texans- Jeremy Beal, OLB, Oklahoma

Like I said before, best defensive player on the board that fits Wade Phillips 3-4 defense. In this case it's Jeremy Beal who will be a relentless pass rusher coming off the edge for Houston. If you line him up outside Mario Williams it'll be tough to get both guys blocked on the same side of the field.

43. Minnesota Vikings- Ras I Dowling, CB, Virginia

The Vikings have one CB that is in his mid thirties and another coming off of his second ACL tear. They took Chris Cook with their first pick last year, but I think he needs to be converted to Safety like Malcom Jenkins did with the Saints.

44. Detroit Lions- Mason Foster, OLB, Washington

The Lions are close as a team to being a playoff contender. They have a lot of talented young players. On defense they need a couple of cover guys on the outside and they need to upgrade their weakside LB. Foster has really risen his stock from a late round prospect to an early 2nd day prospect.

45. San Francisco 49ers- Rahim Moore, FS, UCLA

Like I said with SF earlier if you don't have the elite QB you can win with dominant defense and a good running game. The Niners were already good up front and if they can get Patrick Peterson and then Rahim Moore the best CB and best Safety in this draft their defense could be the best in the NFL shortly.

46. Denver Broncos- Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina

John Fox was a firm believer in you run the ball and stop the run to win in Carolina and it worked well for him he won a lot of games and even went to the Super Bowl. The Broncos will be switching to a 4-3 which means he'll need to get the defensive line revamped.

47. St. Louis Rams- Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame

Why not get your franchise QB another weapon. Young QB's love to have good TE's that can catch the ball and keep the chains moving on third down and in the red zone. Rudolph is the best TE in this draft and is pretty well rounded he can block and catch the ball.

48. Oakland Raiders- Curtis Brown, CB, Texas

Nmandi Asomoagh is now an unrestricted free agent and there's no reason to believe he will return to the Raiders. Why would he when they just fired the coach that finally had them on the right track.

49. Jacksonville Jaguars- Deunta Williams, FS, North Carolina

The Jaguars spent a first round pick on Rasheen Mathis, a FS, a couple of years ago and he didn't pan out in Jacksonville, hopefully he will in Cincinnati. Anyway they need to try to find someone else to put back there in coverage and try to slow down Peyton Manning.

50. San Diego Chargers- Muhammad Wilkerson, DE/DT, Temple

The Chargers current starting DE's are unrestricted FA's and the fans in SD should be happy about that as neither are very good. Wilkerson really played his way up draft boards this past season and some have him going as high as the first round.

51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina

Quincy Black is an unrestricted free agent and I'm sure TB would like to find an upgrade for him anyway as he didn't play well in 2010. The Bucs haven't had a LB as talented as Carter since they had Derrick Brooks.

52. New York Giants- Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech

Brandon Jacobs was not happy about his role as the backup to Ahmad Bradshaw this past season. I think he isn't with the Giants next season. Ahmad Bradshaw hasn't been able to stay healthy for an entire season. Williams is a big bruising back that can handle the entire workload if he had to.

53. Indianapolis Colts- Jarvis Jenkins, DT, Clemson

As much as the Colts struggled to run the ball in 2010, that's how easy teams ran the ball on them. Jenkins is known as a run stuffer and the Colts should continue drafting interior lineman on both sides of the ball.

54. Philadelphia Eagles- Rashad Carmicheal, CB, Virginia Tech

The Eagles were torched in the passing game many times last season. Asante Samuel is overrated and across from him they are getting zero production. Carmicheal is the best CB left on the board and will be an upgrade.

55. Kansas City Chiefs- Jabaal Sheard, DE/OLB, Pittsburgh

The Chiefs two biggest needs are WR and a pass rusher across from Tamba Hali. They landed a WR in the first and Sheard will give them the pass rusher they need. Chiefs fans should be excited as they have a ton of young talent on their team, especially the defense.

56. New Orleans Saints- Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State

Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush can not stay healthy for an entire season, they are lucky if they can get 16 games between the two. The Saints can't keep winning by picking up RB's off the streets and playing them that weekend.

57. Seattle Seahawks- Orlando Franklin, OG, Miami

Franklin is the best pure Guard in this draft. If Seattle can get an upgrade at Guard maybe Marshawn Lynch can have more Madden Football style runs for TD's. Pete Carroll likes to run the ball and needs some road graders up front.

58. Baltimore Ravens- Vincent Brown, WR, San Diego State

Derrick Mason is another year older and Housh was only in Baltimore on a one year contract. Brown has really proven himself at the Senior Bowl this week as one of the best WR's in this draft.

59. Atlanta Falcons- Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami

I can't believe that Roddy White puts up the numbers that he does with absolutely no help from the other WR's. Hankerson is the most underrated player in this draft in my opinion and could end up emerging as one of the best WR's in the NFL he has those types of skills.

60. New England Patriots- Rodney Hudson, OC/OG, Florida State

Neal the Patriots Center has announced that 2011 will be his last season in the NFL. Hudson is an athletic Center that does a good job getting out on LB's and will come in handy against 3-4 defenses like the Jets. He can play Guard across from Logan Mankins until 2012 then take over at Center.

61. San Diego Chargers- Quan Sturdivant, ILB, North Carolina (from NY Jets)

Every one of the LB's in San Diego will be a free agent in a couple of weeks. Sturdivant is the top inside LB in this draft and will really help SD in a division where all the other teams have a run first philosophy on offense.

62. Chicago Bears- Greg Little, WR, North Carolina

The Bears could use another playmaker outside at the WR position. All of their WR's are on the shorter side and Little brings a different dynamic as a taller WR for Cutler to throw it to, or whoever plays QB in the 2nd half.

63. Pittsburgh Steelers- Davon House, CB, New Mexico State

The Steelers play at CB has been less than impressive the past couple of years. If they didn't have the pass rush that they have their CB's would really be in trouble. After House there is a considerable drop off in talent at CB.

64. Green Bay Packers- Greg Jones, LB, Michigan State

Jones measurables are less than impressive, but when you watch him in actual games all he does is make plays. The Packers could use an upgrade across from Clay Matthews, they don't need Jones to be an elite pass rusher, just to do what he does be in the right spots and stuff the run.