OldCleat Redrafts the Bengals Draft 2012 - Early Round One Edition

Nick Saban, left, talks Skyline Chili with Dre Kirkpatrick

OldCleat redrafts the Bengals draft 2012 ... early first round edition.

First Round, 17th Overall, Traded from the Raiders for Carson Palmer, the Bengals Select Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama. OldCleat would have taken, I think, Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama. I think that Kirkpatrick will probably be like Leon Hall. I think he is a good player who is a step slow but will make up for that with some good play. The only other player I would have considered was Dont'a Hightower, despite the unfortunate apostrophe. But he is an inside linebacker, and the Bengals are set there. I also liked David DeCastro, guard, but not that high.

First Round, 27th Overall (Bengals traded 21st overall to New England for 27th overall and a third-round pick): Bengals select Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin. OldCleat would have taken Cordy Glenn, G and T, Georgia. I liked that the Bengals traded down. I don't understand why New England was so hot on defensive end Chandler Jones from Syracuse to trade up to get him, but they were. Zeitler is a guard who might also play some center. Glenn is huge (6'5"-plus, 345) who can play tackle and was a guard.

I reserve my right, by the way, to take a second look at this. I am sort of LIVE BLOGGING the draft.

OldCleat Redrafts Bengals Draft - 2011

OldCleat redrafts the Bengals draft once again, this time for the 2011 Draft. This is year No. 4. The rules are, I would draft a player that the Bengals had drafted, or someone drafted after the selection, until the Bengals selected again. So, my universe of players that I would have chosen were the players in-between the Bengals draft.

I have learned that my redrafting isn’t any better than the Bengals normal drafting, nor really worse. Since I’m picking folks near the same universe (or the same players), my track record has been about the same. So the proof in drafting will be in several years to see who is better.

Round one, fourth overall: Bengals select A.J. Green, WR, Georgia. I would have taken Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU, who was selected No. 5 overall by the Arizona Cardinals. I am not a huge fan of taking wide receivers really high in the draft (or, apparently, at all). And, if you do draft one this high, I would hope that the WR is the whole package, including speed. I worry that Green may be a step slower than elite status; he also doesn’t have the bulk at 210 to be a Larry Fitzgerald type. But I am in the minority opinion on this. I think he will be a plus player. Peterson, on the other hand, it the whole deal. He is big, very fast, quick, and productive. I think he will be a shutdown corner from day one. I do understand that there were those who thought his cover skills were not that great, but I never saw that when I watched him. The image is from kellymlambert.blogspot.com.

Round two, 35th overall: Bengals select Andy Dalton, QB, TCU. I would have taken Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson who was selected 51st overall by the Buccaneers. Dalton was a need pick, and there seemed to be several folks who right before the draft commenced thought that Dalton might go as high as 12 overall to the Vikings. His selection by the Bengals has been widely lauded. It was a need pick because Carson Palmer gave the Bengals an ultimatum to trade him or he will retire. I hope that Dalton is as good as advertised. When I look at Dalton, I see a average athlete who is a hard worker and pretty good college quarterback, and about a fifth-round pick or so. I sincerely hope I’m wrong. He does look like a good fit for a West Coast offense that the Bengals will install this year. Bowers slipped because of a knee injury that may require microfracture surgery. And, yet, I would take him. I think he was a Top-5 talent, and I would even give him a redshirt year should he need it to get healthy. And, if not, I think he is at least a pass-rush guy from day one. One of the best values in the draft, if healthy.

Round three, 66th overall: Bengals select Dontay Moch, OLB, Nevada. I would have taken Ryan Mallet, QB, Arkansas, who was taken 74th overall by the Patriots. I really like Moch’s measurables, and I think the Bengals may have a nice pass-rusher from the outside. He also has the speed to be a three-down outside linebacker, though out of the gate I think he will be just a pass rusher. But Mallet is a rare talent who has a lot of questions. He has a cannon, and he produced as a freshman at Michigan and also at Arkansas for two seasons in the SEC. During the season, he was looked at as one of the top three quarterback prospects, and he fell during the postseason, predraft process. He is not fast (he is in fact slow), but he was athletic enough to be a great college QB. I would draft him, sit him, and work with him to become an NFL quarterback.

Round four, 101st overall: Bengals select Clint Boling, OT-OG, Georgia. I also would have selected Boling. I think He can play left tackle in the NFL. But I think he will start off as a guard. He is athletic and very productive as a player. He should be a starter in the NFL in the next two or three years, and he should be a plus player as an NFLer.

Round five, 134th overall: Bengals select Robert Sands, S, West Virginia. I would have selected Ahmad Black, S, Florida, who was selected 151st overall by the Buccaneers. Here is the classic choice between a size-speed candidate (Sands) against a production candidate (Black). Sands would have been my second choice if Black wasn’t on the board (I also really liked Lawrence Wilson, the undersized OLB from U Conn who wasn’t selected until round six, 166 overall). Sands was a very good player in the Big East for the Mountaineers, but Black was one of the best players in college football. Sands is 6-3, 6-4, 215 or so, while Black is 5-9, 185 or 190. Sands ran about a 4.51 40, while Black ran a 4.7 40 at the combine, and a 4.85 at his pro day. So even more than the height issue, Black is not fast. (Of course, there are those who think Sands is too tall to be a DB in the pros.) It will be interesting to see if taking the college productivity guy versus the size-speed guy.

Round six, 167th overall: Bengals select Ryan Whalen, WR, Stanford. I would have taken, oh, most of the other draftees in the sixth round, but specifically, I would have taken Greg Jones, ILB, Michigan State, who was drafted 185th overall by the Giants, barely over Quan Sturdivant, ILB, North Carolina, who was drafted 171st overall by the Cardinals, and Allen Bradford, who was drafted 187th overall by the Buccaneers. Good underneath receivers are fine and dandy, but I of course would have gone for a super productive linebacker like Jones. He was more highly ranked as a junior than as a senior, but he should be a big plus as a special teamer, and he could be a real good linebacker. I see Whalen as a third-down slot receiver. Sturdivant was less productive in college, because of injury, but he may have more upside than Jones. Bradford is a size-speed candidate (240 pounds, 4.6 40). Some of the other folks I would have taken instead of Whalen, more or less in order, are: Jerell Powe, NT, Mississippi, drafted by the Chiefs; Caleb Schlauderaff, G, Utah, drafted by the Packers; Brian Rolle, LB, Ohio State, drafted by the Eagles; Tyrod Taylor, QB, Va Tech, drafted by the Ravens; Charles Clay, FB-TE-TB-HB, Tulsa, drafted by the Dolphins; Ross Homan, LB, Ohio State, drafted by the Vikings; Mike Mohamad, ILB, Cal, drafted by the Broncos; and JT Thomas, OLB, West Virginia, drafted by da Bears.

Round seven, 207th overall: Bengals draft Korey Lindsay, CB, Illinois State. I would have taken Lee Ziemba, OT, Auburn, who was drafted 244th overall by the Carolina Panthers. I admit it, I am a sucker for 6-8, 300-plus pound tackles from the SEC who had a lot of college production and started for several years. From what admittedly little I know about Lindsay, it looks like he has the ability to play nickel corner in the NFL, as well as help on special teams. I liked Brandyn Thompson, the little corner from Boise State. I am intrigued by Stanley Havili, the athletic FB from USC who only weighs about 230 but who may be a great West Coast-type fullback.

Round seven, 246th overall: Bengals draft Jay Finley, RB, Baylor. I would have drafted Terrence Tolliver, WR, LSU, who was undrafted. Finally, OldCleat drafts a wideout. Four years, one wideout. Finley does NOT excite me. I think there are better undrafted running back prospects … guys who were bigger, faster, etc. (I like John Clay of Wisconsin, who is bigger and slower.) I do like Tolliver, who is 6-4, 210, and who is athletic. Not a whole lot of production in college, but Tolliver seems to be maybe one of those guys who may sneak onto a roster.

Cincy
1 4 overall A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
2 35 overall Andy Dalton, QB, TCU
3 66 overall Dontay Moch, OLB, Nevada
4 101 overall Clint Boling, OT-OG, Georgia
5 134 overall Robert Sands, S, West Virginia
6 167 overall Ryan Whalen, WR, Stanford
7 207 overall Korey Lindsay, CB, Illinois State
7 246 overall: Jay Finley, RB, Baylor

OldCleat
1 5 overall Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
2 51 overall Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
3 74 overall Ryan Mallet, QB, Arkansas
4 101 overall Clint Boling, OT-OG, Georgia
5 151 overall Ahmad Black, S, Florida
6 195 overall Greg Jones, ILB, Michigan State
7 244 overall Lee Ziemba, OT, Auburn
7 UDFA Terrence Tolliver, WR, LSU

OldCleat Redrafts Bengals Draft - 2010

OldCleat redrafts the Bengals draft once again, this time for the 2010 Draft. Yes, this is year three of my redrafting the Bengals draft. The rules are, I would draft a player that the Bengals had drafted, or someone drafted after the selection, until the Bengals selected again. So, my universe of players that I would have chosen were the players in-between the Bengals draft.

I have learned that my redrafting isn’t any better than the Bengals normal drafting, nor really worse. Since I’m picking folks near the same universe (or the same players), my track record has been about the same. So the proof in drafting will be in several years to see who is better. The image is from whatthebuc blog.

OK. Redrafting the Bengals draft, 2010:

Round one, 21st pick overall. The Bengals selected Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma. I would have taken Sergio Kindle, DE - OLB, Texas, who fell to the second round, 43rd overall, to the Ravens. I like the Gresham pick, but I worry about the fact that he tore knee ligaments last year and missed the whole season. He does fill a huge hole that the Bengals have had for several years, namely a tight end that can go deep middle as well as block. Gresham, to me, is too much of a gamble. And if I’m going to gamble at this spot, I want to do it with an extremely talented front-seven defensive player. I am a sucker for really athletic guys like Kindle. I think he can play linebacker, and I think he could put his hand down and play a 4-3 defensive end. I passed on many players, including Jerry Hughes, who is also a DE – OLB, and Brian Price, the fireplug DT from UCLA.

Round two, 54th overall. The Bengals selected Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida. I would have taken Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama, who was selected 57th overall, by the Ravens. I have some mixed feelings about Dunlap. He was considered the most talented guy on a hugely talented Florida defense. He is a big, athletic DE, and he is considered a true 4-3 DE. But he had some off-field issues at Florida. At Florida. He was a top-10 talent, and if the Bengals can get that out of him, they may have something. Some questioned his desire. Anyway, I love Terrence Cody, who is an enormous DT and nose tackle. He reminds me of Ted Washington. I think Cody will dominate in the middle of a defense. He really would have taken up two blockers, provided some inside push, and freed up Bengal linebackers to make plays.

Round Three, 84th overall. The Bengals selected Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas. I would have taken Shipley’s battery-mate there at Texas, Colt McCoy, QB, who was selected the very next pick, 85th overall, by the Browns. I liked Shipley in college, and I think he has a chance to be a good slot receiver and return guy. But I really like McCoy. I thought he was the second-best QB prospect in the draft, after Sam Bradford. McCoy falling this far I think was a steal for the Browns. He may not be the tallest QB, but he has a good arm, is extremely accurate, is really athletic, and is a winner. By taking McCoy, I am passing on Navarro Bowman, LB, out of Penn State, who I also really liked. But I take a chance on the QB.

Round Three, 96th overall. The Bengals selected Brandon Ghee, CB, Wake Forest. I would have taken Mike Johnson, G - OL, Alabama, who was drafted 98th overall by the Falcons. Ghee is really athletic, and he is big enough to play in the NFL. But he didn’t produce in college as much as he should have given his ability. The Bengals are taking a flier that they can coach Ghee up and make him a good CB. Johnson was a great guard at Alabama who also moved over to tackle. I also think he could play center if need be. He would a good addition on the offensive line.

Round Four, 120th overall. The Bengals select Geno Atkins, DT, Georgia. I would have selected Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, CB, Indiana (PA), who was taken by the Cowboys 126th overall. I like Geno Atkins some, and I hope that he works out well. I just liked another DT from Georgia, Jeff Owens, better. They are both pluggers, but I thought that Owens had more production in college. (Actually Georgia had three DTs drafted in 2010. Think about that.) Now I am drafting Owusu-Ansah a pick after passing on Ghee. Owusu-Ansah is a size-speed-quickness prospect out of a small school. He did produce quite well on the D-II level, and if he isn’t a CB, at 210 pounds with tackling ability, I think he can play free safety. And he’ll be a special teamer and maybe a returner.

Round Four, 131th overall (the last selection in the round). The Bengals take Roddrick Muckelroy, LB, Texas. I would have picked Robert Johnson, S, Utah, who was selected in the fifth round, 158th overall. Muckelroy is a solid player from a great school. I think he is a bit slight for linebacker, but he is really athletic. He projects to a Will, where he played as a junior. But last year he was moved to Mike because there was an injury problem. I hope that he will become a good player. I love Johnson, who I think can play free safety and strong safety. Also, in a pinch, I think that he could play cornerback. He is an athletic, tough, smart player who is a bit slight for safety.

Round Five, 152bd overall. The Bengals take Otis Hudson, G, Eastern Illinois. I would have picked Anthony McCoy, TE, Southern Cal, who was taken 185bh overall by the Seahawks. This is the head-scratcher pick the Bengals have every year. I have learned from last year not to call anyone names, because I was upset with the Bernard Scott pick, and he really worked out. Having said that, there were several players that Cincy passed on to take Hudson. I like McCoy the most, a good-blocking 250-pound TE who can catch the ball. He may not be able to stretch the field like Gresham, but he can catch.

Hudson is the worst pick the Bengals had this year, I think. With the other picks, I like the Bengals selections and think that they are in the same ballpark. Not so with this one. Here is the list of players I would have taken instead of Hudson: Andrew Quarless, TE, Penn State who can block and catch; Riley Cooper, a big third-down WR out of Florida; two strong safeties who could play special teams: Larry Asante from Nebraska or Reshad Jones from Georgia; Anthony Dixon, a big talented RB from Mississippi State; Greg Hardy, a big DE from Mississippi; two linemen from Notre Dame, Sam Young, a huge OT who may be able to play left tackle! or Eric Olsen, a tough-guy center; Dan LeFevour, the Tim Tebow-esque QB from Central Michigan who may be able to develop in the NFL; a blocking TE from Pitt, Nate Byham; Clifton Geathers, a big old DE from South Carolina who is from the Geathers family who could have joined brother Robert on the Bengals; and Jonathan Dwyer, the big, quick wishbone FB from Georia Tech who projects to TB in the NFL.

Round Six, 229th overall. The Bengals take Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Kansas. I would have taken Kyle Calloway, T, Iowa. Briscoe is a big WR with some speed and lots of production in college. I love Iowa offensive linemen, however, and Calloway is 6-8, 320 or so. Big, strong, productive, technique-sound college o-linemen like Calloway sometimes develop into very good NFL players.

Round Seven, 228bh overall. Bengals take Reggie Stephens, G, Iowa State. I would have taken Jeff Owens, DT, Georgia. Stephens may be a good guard, but I think Owens could be a very good run stuffer at DT.

I have learned that you can’t tell about a draft. Here are the drafts, however.

Cincy
1 21 overall, Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma
2 54 overall Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida
3 96 overall, Brandon Ghee, CB, Wake Forest
3 84 overall Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas
4 120 overall, Geno Atkins, DT, Georgia
4 131 overall, Roddrick Muckelroy, LB, Texas
5 152 overall, Otis Hudson, G, Eastern Illinois
6 191 overall, Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Kansas
7 228 overall, Reggie Stephens, G, Iowa State

OldCleat
2 43 overall Ravens Sergio Kindle, DE - OLB Texas.
2 57 overall Ravens Terrence Cody, DT Alabama
3 85 overall Browns Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
3 98 overall, Falcons Mike Johnson, G, Alabama
4 126 overall, Cowboys, Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, CB, Indiana (PA)
5 148 overall, Titans, Robert Johnson, S, Utah
6 185 overall, Seahawks, Anthony McCoy, TE, Southern Cal
7 216 overall, Bills, Kyle Calloway, T, Iowa
7 243 overall, Eagles, Jeff Owens, DT, Georgia

Here is the 2009 draft comparison:

Cincy
1. Andre Smith, OT, Alabama.
2. Rey Maualuga, MLB, Southern Cal.
3. Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech.
3. Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri.
4. Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas.
5. Kevin Huber, P, Cincinnati.
6. Morgan Trent, CB, Michigan.
6. Bernard Scott, RB, Abilene Christian.
7. Fui Vakapuna, FB, BYU.
7. Clinton McDonald, DT, Memphis.
7. Freddie Brown, WR, Utah.

OldCleat
1. Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia.
2. Rey Maualuga, MLB, Southern Cal.
3. Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech.
3. Dorell Scott, DT, Clemson.
4. Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas.
5. Jasper Brinkley, MLB, South Carolina.
6. Morgan Trent, CB, Michigan.
6. Vance Walker, DT, Georgia Tech.
7. Nick Reed, DE-LB, Oregon.
7. Clinton McDonald, DT, Memphis.
7. P.J. Hill, RB, Wisconsin.

And here is the 2008 draft comparisons:

Cincy
1 Keith Rivers, LB, USC
2 Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina
3 Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
3 Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida
4 Anthony Collins, T, Kansas
5 Jason Shirley, DT, Fresno State
6 Corey Lynch, S, Appalachian State
6 Matt Sherry, TE, Villanova
7 Angelo Craig, OLB, Cincinnati
7 Mario Urrutia, WR, Louisville

OldCleat
1 Keith Rivers, LB, USC
2 Quentin Groves, DE/LB, Auburn
3 Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
3 Justin King, CB, Penn State
4 Jack Ikegwuonu, CB/S, Wisconsin
5 Jonathan Goff, LB, Vanderbilt
6 Andre’ Woodson, QB, Kentucky
6 Chauncey Washington, RB, USC
7 Angelo Craig, OLB, Cincinnati
7 Wesley Woodyard, LB, Kentucky

OldCleat Redrafts Bengals Draft - 2009

OldCleat redrafted the Bengals draft in 2008 and did OK. Of course, after the draft, I thought I did better than after the year. I will examine that before the start of the season. But it is time for OldCleat to redraft the Bengals draft, 2009. As last year, the rules are, I would draft a player that the Bengals had drafted, or someone drafted after the selection, until the Bengals selected again. So, my universe of players that I would have chosen were the players in-between the Bengals draft. I, of course, had the benefit of hindsight on this. Here is the OldCleat draft, 2009 edition.

Round one, sixth pick overall. The Bengals selected Andre Smith, OT, Alabama. I would have taken Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia, slightly over Rey Maualuga, MLB, Southern Cal, and Smith. When a team in the NFL is selecting in the high first round, I think that the most important thing is the floor, not the ceiling. I thought that Monroe was the best, most complete left tackle in the draft, even over the second overall pick, Jason Smith. I think Monroe will be a left tackle who can play in the NFL starting this season. Smith was the best tackle in college football last year, but he has, let's say, some issues. Having said that, I think that if he isn't a left tackle, he probably is a right tackle. He probably is a better run blocker than Monroe. Smith also will most likely be a fine guard if he can't play tackle. Andre Smith reminds me of Leonard Davis, the tackle from Texas who failed with the Cardinals at tackle and is now an expensive guard for the Cowboys. And I LOVE Maualuga. I would have had very little problem with the Bengals taking him here. But I think the pick should have been Monroe.

Round two, 38th pick overall. The Bengals selected Maualuga. I would have taken Rey Maualuga, MLB, Southern Cal. I just have a feeling that this will end up being one of those franchise-changing picks. (The image of Maualuga, above right, is from Jodatoa’s Blog). No pressure, however. This sort of makes up for the Jerome Simpson pick of last year.

Round three, 70th pick overall. The Bengals selected Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech. I would have taken Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech, closely, over two Alabama players -- Rashad Johnson, S, and Antoine Caldwell, center. Rashad Johnson seemed like a safe pick at this point. Caldwell, a little less so. Rashad may start for the Cardinals, and he will likely be a great special teamer because of his athletic ability and football instincts. Caldwell may have some problems from the get-go at center because of his size. But he is athletic and good and should be a good center. Michael Johnson, however, could become a GREAT pass rusher. And at this point I would be willing to give up these two choices for the possibility of greatness. One hopes that Michael Johnson decides to become great, because he supposedly has some of the most impressive physical tools at that position, and he did have some pretty good games in college.

Round three, 34th pick, 98th overall. The Bengals selected Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri. I would have taken Dorell Scott, DT, Clemson, over Travis Beckham, TE, Wisconsin. Coffman was TE of the year in college, just like Beckham was the year before. But I think Beckham is a better athlete who is a more explosive player with more upside, and neither of them are blockers at this point. Coffman is healthy, and Beckham isn't, and so Coffman may be more of a sure thing. Scott is a 6'4", 325-pound space eater in the middle who would have been a pretty good backup and spot player from the get-go.

Round four, sixth pick, 106th overall. The Bengals selected Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas. I would have taken Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas. He's a big boy who has been a great player in college for many years. I think he can come in and start early. This was a very nice pick by the Bengals. Don't get me wrong, the Bengals passed on some nice players, especially D.J. Moore, a corner from Vandy who should become a starter and Mike Thomas, WR and returner from Arizona State who will be a nice slot receiver. Some others that I liked but wouldn't have worried too much about such as Louis Murphy (speedy WR), Mike Goodson (speedy RB - ?returner??), David Bruton (size-speed prospect at S who wasn't a great player at ND), Terrance Taylor (squat NT from Michigan), Gartrell Johnson (size-speed prospect at TB from Colorado State), and Kenny McKinley (quick but slight WR from South Carolina). But Luigs is a top pick.

Round five, sixth pick, 142 overall. The Bengals select Kevin Huber, P, U of Cincinnati. I would have taken any of at least 18 players instead of a punter. I am very very much not a fan of taking a punter or a kicker, especially this high. Huber better be damned good, because I think it's close to a wasted pick. I guess out of all the players, I would have taken Jasper Brinkley, MLB, South Carolina. He's a big boy who would have been a good run-stopper. I'll just mention a few of the others I would have taken, more or less in order: Duke Robinson, very large G, Oklahoma; Victor Harris, CB, VA Tech; Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida; James Casey, TE and slash, Rice; Nic Harris, OLB-SS, Oklahoma; Marcus Freeman, OLB, Ohio State; Javon Ringer, third-down RB and returner, Michigan State; Herman Johnson, larger G than the Duke, LSU; and there are others.

Round six, sixth pick, 179th overall. The Bengals selected Morgan Trent, CB, Michigan. I would have taken Morgan Trent, CB, Michigan, I guess, over Coye Francis, CB, San Jose State, and Cory Harris, CB, Southern Cal. I actually think Trent is a special teamer, corner, and safety. Francis and Harris are sub-package corners. Trent may not be the cover corner Francis and Harris is, but Trent will be a contributor I think right away. If Francis or Harris can't cover the slot, they are in trouble.

Round six, 36th pick, 209th overall. The Bengals selected Bernard Scott, RB, Abilene Christian. Morons. I think that every pick is important. I think they got cute with this one. Scott is smallish, 25, from a DII school, a toublemaker who has gotten kicked out of two schools, and has had run-ins with the law. He is also a good player. But, so what? I would have taken Vance Walker, a talented but smallish DT out of Georgia Tech slightly over Chris Ogbonnaya, a 220-pound RB out of Texas.

Round seven, sixth pick, 215th overall. The Bengals selected Fui Vakapuna, RB and FB, BYU. Vakapuna is 5'11", 245, and he can run and catch. I am OK with this pick. But I would have taken Nick Reed, DE - LB, Oregon. I also liked Rickey Jean-Francois, DT, LSU, who was injured and a little size-challenged but talented. But Reed was extremely productive in his career. He might not have the combine measurables, but he certainly was able to get the job done in college. And he seems to be one of those guys who knows how to rush the passer.

Round seven, 40th, 249th overall. The Bengals selected Clinton McDonald, DT, Memphis. I would have taken Clinton McDonald, DT, Memphis, slightly over Derek Kinder, WR, Pitt, and Rashad Jennings, RB, Liberty. Those were my only options, because with the 252nd selection, the Bengals took a Utah WR.

Round seven, 43rd overall. The Bengals took Freddie Brown, WR, Utah. I would have taken one of many players not drafted. I guess that at this point, they all look good compared to Freddie Brown to me, but I'll go with P.J. Hill, RB, Wisconsin. As a sophomore, he looked like Beanie Wells, the first-round pick out of Ohio State. Then last year, Hill had a DUI, got a little hurt, a little out of shape, and he didn't look very good. If you can light a fire under him, I think he can be a starter in the NFL in the right system.

So here are the picks. I really only have issue with two picks, the punter in the fifth round and the running back in the sixth. If more Bengals drafts had been like this one, they would be a better team. So the differences I took are just players I liked slightly more. I don't know if my draft is all that much better than Cincy's.

Cincy
1. Andre Smith, OT, Alabama.
2. Rey Maualuga, MLB, Southern Cal.
3. Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech.
3. Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri.
4. Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas.
5. Kevin Huber, P, Cincinnati.
6. Morgan Trent, CB, Michigan.
6. Bernard Scott, RB, Abilene Christian.
7. Fui Vakapuna, FB, BYU.
7. Clinton McDonald, DT, Memphis.
7. Freddie Brown, WR, Utah.

OldCleat
1. Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia.
2. Rey Maualuga, MLB, Southern Cal.
3. Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech.
3. Dorell Scott, DT, Clemson.
4. Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas.
5. Jasper Brinkley, MLB, South Carolina.
6. Morgan Trent, CB, Michigan.
6. Vance Walker, DT, Georgia Tech.
7. Nick Reed, DE-LB, Oregon.
7. Clinton McDonald, DT, Memphis.
7. P.J. Hill, RB, Wisconsin.

And here is the 2008 draft comparisons:

Cincy
1 Keith Rivers, LB, USC
2 Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina
3 Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
3 Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida
4 Anthony Collins, T, Kansas
5 Jason Shirley, DT, Fresno State
6 Corey Lynch, S, Appalachian State
6 Matt Sherry, TE, Villanova
7 Angelo Craig, OLB, Cincinnati
7 Mario Urrutia, WR, Louisville

OldCleat
1 Keith Rivers, LB, USC
2 Quentin Groves, DE/LB, Auburn
3 Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
3 Justin King, CB, Penn State
4 Jack Ikegwuonu, CB/S, Wisconsin
5 Jonathan Goff, LB, Vanderbilt
6 Andre’ Woodson, QB, Kentucky
6 Chauncey Washington, RB, USC
7 Angelo Craig, OLB, Cincinnati
7 Wesley Woodyard, LB, Kentucky

thankyouverymuch,

OldCleat

OldCleat Draft and Undrafted Update: Injury Bug

OldCleat just recommends 'em, but they have to play. And to play, they have to stay healthy. Well, that ain't happening.

In redrafting the Bengal's draft, I would have taken Justin King over Bubba Caldwell for the Bengals in the third round. Barely. Well, King tore his toe ligament in the first preseason game and is out for the year. Caldwell is fighting for the No. 3 wideout position for the Bengals.

In the fifth round, I would have taken Jonathan Goff and Alvin Bowen over Jason Shirley (as well as a few other players). Goff injured a vertabrae (a fractured transverse process) and is out indefinitely. Bowen has a torn ACL and is probably out for the year. The big news about Shirley, all this according to the Cincinnati Enquirer, "is that he faces a Sept. 24 trial date in Fresno, Calif., on three misdemeanors: hit-and-run, driving under the influence and driving with a blood-alcohol content of .08 or higher, the Fresno Bee reports. It will be his second trial. In June, a jury failed to reach a verdict after three days of deliberation. The trial had been scheduled to begin Aug. 27, but a judge at a hearing Thursday said he would give Shirley's lawyer more time to acquire and review transcripts of the first trial."

The OldCleat All Did Not Get Drafted Team, with updates, I picked Nehemiah Warrick as one of the top players not to get drafted. The Giants signed him. Warrick hurt his knee in the first preseason game and the Giants cut him. The tough thing is, while many teams keep several safeties because of special teams, there are more strong safeties coming out of colleges than free safeties. So we shall see about Warrick. Vince Hall, another top OldCleat pick, looked impressive in early Rams camp but was waived because of a hamstring injury.

Good news, though, Ali Highsmith is impressing the Cardinals staff. And Wesley Woodyard played very well for the Broncos and is moving up in an injury-depleted staff.

thankyouverymuch,
OldCleat

OldCleat Redrafts Bengals Draft

OldCleat redrafted the Bengals draft - first (2008) edition. The rules are, I would draft a player that the Bengals had drafted, or someone drafted after the selection, until the Bengals selected again. So, my universe of players that I would have chosen were the players in-between the Bengals draft. I, of course, had the benefit of hindsight on this. Here is the OldCleat draft.

First round, ninth pick. Cincinnati picked Keith Rivers, linebacker out of USC (I got the image of him overrunning Darren McFadden from Razorsblog and/or ap). I would have picked Keith Rivers. I disagree with some experts that said that the Bengals should have given up picks to move up for Sedrick Ellis. If Ellis fell to them, fine. But he didn’t. And I think that the Bengals were well served to get the best front seven player on the board. I think Rivers is a 10-year player.

Second round, 15th pick, 46 overall. Cincy picked Jerome Simpson, a wide receiver out of the Carolina School of the Beach. I would have picked ANYONE ELSE. AAAAAAAAHHHHH. As my brother-in-law said, every year the Bengals just have a head-scratcher. This is it. Hope I’m wrong. At this point, I really wanted Quentin Groves, DE/rush linebacker from Auburn. Calais Campbell from the U would have been a pick here as well. If you needed to draft a wideout, Limas Sweed or Malcolm Kelly were on the board.

Third round, 14th pick, 77 overall. Cincy picked Pat Sims, nose tackle out of Auburn. I would have picked … Pat Sims. I like him. He is a run stuffer. He may not be the greatest pass rusher ever, but at this point, I want someone to clog the middle of the porous, tissue thin, let’s face it not very good middle of the Bengals defense.

Third round, 34th pick, 97 overall. Cincy picked Andre “Bubba” Caldwell, wide receiver out of Florida. I would have picked Justin King, cornerback out of Penn State … I guess. Just barely. I think that King may not be that great, but he may be good. He has the physical skills. Caldwell may be awesome. He is UofF’s all-time leading receiver, and he ran a 4.3 something at the combine. But many receivers don’t pan out, and you need all the corners you can get in this league.

Fourth round, 13th pick, 112 overall. Cincy picked Anthony Collins, offensive tackle out of Kansas. I would have picked Jack Ikegwuonu, cornerback out of Wisconsin. I really like the Collins pick. I think he might develop into a right tackle, and perhaps even a left tackle. He also may be able to provide more immediate help at guard. I think Ikegwuonu was a first-round to early second-round talent at cornerback or free safety. He fell to the fourth round because of a knee injury suffered at the combine. I would have gambled on the future at this pick. I like Red Bryant of Texas A&M here as well, but would have gone with Ike.

Fifth round, 10th pick, 145 overall. Cincinnati picked Jason Shirley, defensive tackle out of Fresno State. I would have picked Jonathan Goff, linebacker, Vanderbilt, slightly over Alvin Bowen, linebacker, Iowa State. This was the Bengals worst pick in the draft, not Jerome Simpson, for this reason: Shirley was not worth the gamble. He has been a bad apple on the college level, and … is his upside really worth the pick? Goff is big and a tackler. Bowen is a good player but needs to pick up some size. There were several other selections I would have taken over Shirley. Owen Schmitt, Roy Schuening, Dennis Dixon, Josh Johnson, Dominique Barber, Geno Hayes, Frank Okem, and Barry Richardson, more or less in order.

Sixth round, 11th pick, 177 overall. Bengals picked Corey Lynch, safety out of Appalachian State. I would have taken Andre’ Woodson, quarterback, Kentucky. I really like Corey Lynch. He should be fine on special teams, and maybe he is a safety. I also like Mike Hart of Michigan. The Wolverines (Giant Weasels) were a completely different team when he played. But Woodson is a first round talent. He may have been the most talented quarterback in this draft. To get him in the sixth round is a steal.

Sixth round, 41st pick, 207 overall. Bengals picked Matt Sherry, tight end, Villanova. I would have picked Chauncey Washington, tailback out of USC. I think he is going to be a backup in the NFL, and he may, I repeat, may have a Ryan Grant-type season or two in him. Matt Sherry? I frankly have no idea.

Seventh round, 37th pick, 244 overall. Bengals picked Angelo Craig, pass rush linebacker from the University of Cincinnati. I would have picked … Angelo Craig. With the rules of this little exercise, I have to pick between him and Lionel Dotson, defensive tackle from Arizona, since the Bengals had the 39th pick, 246 overall. Dotson isn’t the stuffer I would look for, though he may become one. Craig should be able to help on special teams and may be able to rush the passer. UC’s defense looked great last year, and he was a reason.

Seventh round, 39th pick, 246 overall. The Bengals signed Mario Urrutia, wide receiver out of Louisville. I would have picked Wesley Woodyard, linebacker out of Kentucky just barely over Ali Highsmith, linebacker out of LSU, neither of whom was drafted. I think that both will have a shot to start in the NFL at some point in their careers. If having to pick a drafted player, I would have picked Kirk Barton, offensive tackle, Ohio State. Barton will be a right tackle in the NFL, and can be guard in the NFL as early as next year.

So here are the drafts. OldCleat’s is more defensive oriented, and, I think, much better.

Cincy
1 Keith Rivers, LB, USC
2 Jerome Simpson, WR, Coastal Carolina
3 Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
3 Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida
4 Anthony Collins, T, Kansas
5 Jason Shirley, DT, Fresno State
6 Corey Lynch, S, Appalachian State
6 Matt Sherry, TE, Villanova
7 Angelo Craig, OLB, Cincinnati
7 Mario Urrutia, WR, Louisville

OldCleat
1 Keith Rivers, LB, USC
2 Quentin Groves, DE/LB, Auburn
3 Pat Sims, DT, Auburn
3 Justin King, CB, Penn State
4 Jack Ikegwuonu, CB/S, Wisconsin
5 Jonathan Goff, LB, Vanderbilt
6 Andre’ Woodson, QB, Kentucky
6 Chauncey Washington, RB, USC
7 Angelo Craig, OLB, Cincinnati
7 Wesley Woodyard, LB, Kentucky

thankyouverymuch,
OldCleat