The recent signing of free agent Antonio Bryan probably takes the Bengals out of the not-so enviable position of having to reach for a wide receiver in the first round of next month’s NFL Draft. As the draft were set up, Cincinnati would have most likely had taken Illinois’ gifted but extremely raw wide out Arrelious Benn with the 21st overall selection.
The 6-foot-2, 220 pound Benn would have offer a similar skill sets to the newly signed Bryan. Both are tall, lanky players with little burst or straight-line speed. But what the former Bucs lacks in explosiveness and suddenness, he more that made it up with crisp cuts, sharp stops and leaping ability. In a nut shell, he should provide the Bengals with a solid, possession-type receiver capable, if properly motivated (remember 2008 when he came out of exile to post a career-83 receptions, 1,248-year), of topping the 70 catch mark.
Unfortunately, Bryan can’t stretch the field, something Cinci desperately need. This is the reason why the club will pick, at least one wide out. Possibilities variety but if for some reason Notre Dame’s Golden Tate (5’11”, 195lb, 4.44) slip pass the Baltimore Ravens at 25th the Bengals will waste little time in making a move at the top of the second round. Another possibility could be Ole Miss’ Dexter McCluster (5’8”, 165lb, 4.42) or Ohio’s fast riser Taylor Price (6’0”, 198, 4.36). Both are expected to be available in the third round.
With their need to reach thrown out of the window the Bengals should go with the best available athlete in the first round. If the draft runs as predicted, head coach Marvin Lewis will have his choice between a speedy end rusher and a pass blocker. Idaho’s guard Mike Iupati (6’5”, 325lb, 5.20) offers the club good value at twenty one. His versatility and strength will allow assistant head coach and offensive line coordinator, Paul Alexander, to move him all along the interior of the line.
If Florida’s DE Carlos Dunlap (6’6”, 290, 4.78) is still on the board, Lewis will be hard press to pass on him. Dunlap carries some off the field baggage and is somewhat immature. But his rare combination of size, strength and speed will entice many teams.
Aside WR, the Bengals will like to come out of New York with a big-play tight end. The current depth chart at position (Chase Coffman, Dan Coats, J.P. Foschi, Darius Hill and Reggie Kelly) reads like a Who-is-who of backup players. Foschi is a dependable target but he is not a different maker. Coats (2nd year out of BYU) can block but offer little else while Hill and Kelly (10th year out of Mississippi State) are below average.
The Bengals would be wise to take Arizona’s Rob Gronkowski (6’6”, 265, 4.76) in the second round, if Tate is gone. ‘Gronk’, as he is commonly known, is arguable the draft’s second best TE. When he is healthy, and he looks to be that way now, the former Wildcat is a solid blocker with great open field playmaking ability. His speed, which tops the more publicized Jermaine Gresham (4.80), will allow Carson Palmer to stretch out the middle of the field on a regular basis.
On the defensive side, the team will look to add depth to its defensive backfield. Another fast cornerback and a big hitting strong safety are needed. This is a particular deep CB class, especially down the bottom half, so the club will have good options in the later rounds. Trevard Lindley (5’11”, 176lb, 4.49) out of Kansas State, Alabama’s Kareem Jackson (5’11”, 192lb, 4.50) and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (6’0”, 205lb, 4.48) out of Indiana, Pa., are good, middle round options. Virginia Tech’s SS Kam Chancellor (6’3”, 232, 4.58) will offer good value in the fourth round.
In the end, Cincinnati needs this draft to be the home run last’s year was if they want to make a prolong playoff run in 2010.
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