Post by Mike on Apr 26, 2009 21:36:25 GMT -5
Round 1 - Andre Smith OT, Alabama
I really think that Smith was the best player in the entire draft. This guy was dominating elite talent in the SEC, one of the best conferences in college football. He can be penciled in at starting RT for the next 10 years or so (assuming that Levi Jones stays at LT). Couple of concerns with him leaving the combine and getting suspended from their bowl game for hiring an agent. Should be a great player. Great pick
Round 2 - Rey Maualuga MLB, Southern California
Best ILB in the draft falls to the Bengals in round two. This guy was projected to go in the middle of round one and the Bengals got great value here. Rey was a MONSTER at USC and will bring swagger and leadership to the defense. Will be the starting MLB for some time. Excellent pick.
Round 3 - Michael Johnson DE, Georgia Tech
Another good value here, Johnson was projected as a first rounder in some mocks. Very tall (6'8"), strong, and fast. Has elite physical tools and is an elite pass rusher. There were concerns about him taking plays off in school, but good coaching can correct this. Will see a lot of playing time as a rookie as a pass-rusher on third down. Good pick here.
Round 3 - Chase Coffman TE, Missouri
Coffman is an elite pass catching TE with decent blocking skills (blocking needs work). Has great size and excellent speed and is able to get good separation. Put up massive numbers at Missouri and should see playing time as a rookie. Can be split out wide. Suffered a foot last year, but it is fully healed. Considered the second best TE in the draft by most draft experts. Another great pick.
Round 4 - Jonathan Luigs C, Arkansas
Good center that won the award for best Center in the nation in 2007. Has good footwork and is very agile for a 300lber. May need to put on some weight to handle bigger DTs. Can also play guard. Has a very good shot to be the starting center. Good pick.
Round 5 - Kevin Huber P, Cincinnati
Best punter in the nation, and best to come out for a few years. Bengals had horrible punting last year and this was an obvious need. Huber will be the Bengals punter for a long time. Grew up in town as a Bengals fan. Excellent pick here.
Round 6 - Morgan Trent CB, Michigan
Tall CB with speed that started a lot of games at Michigan. Backpedal and footwork need help and he got burnt quite a few times. I'd would have liked to have seen them draft a corner with better cover skills (like Mike Mickens) or one that could return kicks (like Macho Harris). Can compete to be the Nickle or Dime back and should contribute on Special teams as a gunner. I question this pick.
Round 6 - Bernard Scott RB, Abilene Christian
Scott is a boom or bust pick. He's and older (25) prospect with legal issues (arrested a few times). He also went to 5 different college programs. He is and explosive play maker that dominated lesser competition. He put up massive numbers and won the division two equivalent for the Heisman award last year. Fast, shifty runner with good vision and surprising power. Excellent receiver with great hands. If he can stay out of trouble, he could become the 3rd down back and is also a KR/PR possibility. I like the pick, pretty high ceiling for the guy and is worth the risk in the 6th round.
Round 7 - Fui Vakapuna FB, BYU
Classic blocking full back with some running and receiving skills. Should either help motivate Jeremi Johnson to lose weight or take his job. Could end up on the practice squad or be the started. Not a bad pick here.
Round 7 - Clinton McDonald DT, Memphis
Productive college DT that may have to switch to DE in the NFL (is only 280lbs). Generated good pash rush at Memphis and was team captain. Will compete for the final DE spot on the roster. Could be on the practice squad. Not a bad pick
Round 7 - Freddie Brown WR, Utah
Big, tall (6'4", 215LB) WR that put up good numbers last year at Utah. Lacks elite speed and is more of a possession receiver. Could be a good red zone target. Will have trouble making the team but will stick on the practice squad. Decent pick this late, but I would have gone for Quan Cosby or a return man here.
Overall, this is the best looking draft (on paper) that the Bengals have had in some time. They got three players with first round talent and filled a lot of need areas. I questioned very few of their moves. When the first questionable pick comes in the sixth round, its been a pretty good draft. I'm way excited about these prospects and can't wait to see them play. Rey Maualuga was the steal of the draft!
I really think that Smith was the best player in the entire draft. This guy was dominating elite talent in the SEC, one of the best conferences in college football. He can be penciled in at starting RT for the next 10 years or so (assuming that Levi Jones stays at LT). Couple of concerns with him leaving the combine and getting suspended from their bowl game for hiring an agent. Should be a great player. Great pick
Round 2 - Rey Maualuga MLB, Southern California
Best ILB in the draft falls to the Bengals in round two. This guy was projected to go in the middle of round one and the Bengals got great value here. Rey was a MONSTER at USC and will bring swagger and leadership to the defense. Will be the starting MLB for some time. Excellent pick.
Round 3 - Michael Johnson DE, Georgia Tech
Another good value here, Johnson was projected as a first rounder in some mocks. Very tall (6'8"), strong, and fast. Has elite physical tools and is an elite pass rusher. There were concerns about him taking plays off in school, but good coaching can correct this. Will see a lot of playing time as a rookie as a pass-rusher on third down. Good pick here.
Round 3 - Chase Coffman TE, Missouri
Coffman is an elite pass catching TE with decent blocking skills (blocking needs work). Has great size and excellent speed and is able to get good separation. Put up massive numbers at Missouri and should see playing time as a rookie. Can be split out wide. Suffered a foot last year, but it is fully healed. Considered the second best TE in the draft by most draft experts. Another great pick.
Round 4 - Jonathan Luigs C, Arkansas
Good center that won the award for best Center in the nation in 2007. Has good footwork and is very agile for a 300lber. May need to put on some weight to handle bigger DTs. Can also play guard. Has a very good shot to be the starting center. Good pick.
Round 5 - Kevin Huber P, Cincinnati
Best punter in the nation, and best to come out for a few years. Bengals had horrible punting last year and this was an obvious need. Huber will be the Bengals punter for a long time. Grew up in town as a Bengals fan. Excellent pick here.
Round 6 - Morgan Trent CB, Michigan
Tall CB with speed that started a lot of games at Michigan. Backpedal and footwork need help and he got burnt quite a few times. I'd would have liked to have seen them draft a corner with better cover skills (like Mike Mickens) or one that could return kicks (like Macho Harris). Can compete to be the Nickle or Dime back and should contribute on Special teams as a gunner. I question this pick.
Round 6 - Bernard Scott RB, Abilene Christian
Scott is a boom or bust pick. He's and older (25) prospect with legal issues (arrested a few times). He also went to 5 different college programs. He is and explosive play maker that dominated lesser competition. He put up massive numbers and won the division two equivalent for the Heisman award last year. Fast, shifty runner with good vision and surprising power. Excellent receiver with great hands. If he can stay out of trouble, he could become the 3rd down back and is also a KR/PR possibility. I like the pick, pretty high ceiling for the guy and is worth the risk in the 6th round.
Round 7 - Fui Vakapuna FB, BYU
Classic blocking full back with some running and receiving skills. Should either help motivate Jeremi Johnson to lose weight or take his job. Could end up on the practice squad or be the started. Not a bad pick here.
Round 7 - Clinton McDonald DT, Memphis
Productive college DT that may have to switch to DE in the NFL (is only 280lbs). Generated good pash rush at Memphis and was team captain. Will compete for the final DE spot on the roster. Could be on the practice squad. Not a bad pick
Round 7 - Freddie Brown WR, Utah
Big, tall (6'4", 215LB) WR that put up good numbers last year at Utah. Lacks elite speed and is more of a possession receiver. Could be a good red zone target. Will have trouble making the team but will stick on the practice squad. Decent pick this late, but I would have gone for Quan Cosby or a return man here.
Overall, this is the best looking draft (on paper) that the Bengals have had in some time. They got three players with first round talent and filled a lot of need areas. I questioned very few of their moves. When the first questionable pick comes in the sixth round, its been a pretty good draft. I'm way excited about these prospects and can't wait to see them play. Rey Maualuga was the steal of the draft!
