Since this season is a lost, thought we could look ahead. Below is Kiper's top 25.

1.Andrew Luck * QB6-4235
Analysis: Now completing 70.2 percent of passes in pro-style offense. Arm, smarts, intelligence all there. Gift-wrapped QB pick. Last week: No. 1

2.Da'Quan Bowers * DE6-4277
Analysis: His 24 TFL are second nationally. A tremendous physical talent who has shown steady relentlessness this year. Ideal size for 4-3 DE. Last week: No. 2

3.A.J. Green * WR6-4207
Analysis: Green has been mostly unstoppable even with young QB. Not sure people realize what kind of route-runner he's become. Last week: No. 3

4.Patrick Peterson * CB6-1211
Analysis: More than freak athlete, Peterson has continued to improve his technical cover skills. Has quietly become among nation's top return threats. Last week: No. 4

5.Prince Amukamara CB6-1202
Analysis: I'd be more concerned about Amukamara's zero interceptions in 2010 if any quarterback was willing to challenge him. A gifted technician. Last week: No. 5



6.Nick Fairley * DT6-5310
Analysis: Another brilliant showing at Bama, where he dominated even while not 100 percent. Fairley epitomizes ideal penetrating 4-3 DT. Last week: No. 6

7.Robert Quinn * DE6-4267
Analysis: Freakish athlete with decent size, great quickness and pass-rush skills. Ineligible all year, but scouts are captivated by his talent. Last week: No. 7

8.Marcell Dareus * DE6-3306
Analysis: Played well early against Auburn but looked worn with the rest of Bama's defense late. Best suited as 4-3 DT at the NFL level. Last week: No. 8

9.Ryan Mallett * QB6-7238
Analysis: Mallett has become far more than a big arm. Patience, poise and willingness to check down have enhanced his stock. Last week: No. 9

10.Julio Jones * WR6-4211
Analysis: Jones had another game on Saturday in which, when healthy, he was impossible to stop. Has shown greater ability to separate in 2010. Last week: No. 10

11.Ryan Kerrigan DE6-4259
Analysis: Now at 26 TFL, he leads the nation and has become simply impossible to block, even against double-teams. Ideal for 3-4 OLB, possible 4-3 DE. Last week: No. 11

12.Akeem Ayers * OLB6-4251
Analysis: His exceptional athleticism makes him so versatile. Ideal every-down 3-4 OLB who can rush and cover. Ayers should test well in Indy. Last week. No. 12

13.Justin Blackmon * WR6-1208
Analysis: Wrapping up a breakout season, he has been impossible to keep covered. Good size and speed combo with ability to setup DBs. Last week: No. 13

14.Cameron Newton QB6-6250
Analysis: Against Bama, Newton got to show once again that he's more than a running threat. Capable of extending plays to use a big arm. Last week: No. 15

15.Von Miller LB6-3243
Analysis: Miller has shown recently that his ability to drop and cover has grown. Good 3-4 pass-rusher, with great edge quickness; sack machine. Last week: No. 18

16.Drake Nevis DT6-1289
Analysis: Explosive, up-the-field tackle. Ideal three-technique who plays with great leverage and passion. Solid against run and pass. Last week: No. 17

17.Nate Solder OT6-9313
Analysis: Physical freak with improved skills. Should dominate in workout phase and could get bump in draft short on elite OTs. Last week: No. 19

18.Anthony Castonzo OT6-7306
Analysis: Smart, reliable, solid footwork but could add lower-body strength to become better leverage player. Back up after rough stretch. Last week: No. 20

19.Mark Ingram * RB5-10216
Analysis: Average per rush now tick below last year, but explosive and physical after being dinged early. Solid finisher who can make defenders miss. Last week: No. 14

20.Adrian ClaybornDE6-3282
Analysis: Sacks are down but increased attention part of that. A guy who batters offensive lineman; has great motor. Last week: No. 14

21.Derek Sherrod OT6-6305
Analysis: A later entry to the Big Board this year. An athlete at OT, ha moves his feet well and has been steady against good players; continues to improve. Last week: No. 22

22.Gabe Carimi OT6-7327
Analysis: Has had a fantastic fall, battling number of likely-high draft picks to standstills. Once beaten by speed too often, his footwork has improved. Last week: No. 23

23.Jake Locker QB6-3228
Analysis: Skill-set is fantastic but poor year overall. Has done a great deal of his best work versus bad competition. Last week: No. 21

24.Rahim Moore S6-1196
Analysis: Production down this year after breakout 2009 season, but QBs also staying away. Good instincts, and he gets solid marks as cover safety. Last week: No. 24

25.Jon Baldwin * WR6-5225
Analysis: Great physical skills and size. Baldwin has had a rocky season -- games with 1, 3, 2, 3 catches -- but QB issues are part of that. Last week: No. 25

Weird. I thought Kiper didn't include underclassmen until they officially declared.

I'm hardly an expert, but I don't see what the big deal is with Patrick Peterson. I have to watch a lot of LSU games and I just never see what makes him so highly sought after. He gets thrown at, he gets beat on occasion, so it's not like he's a shutdown corner. Some are even saying that his best position would be at free safety.

Same goes for Castonzo. He does a mean Dennis Roland impression at times.

I'm on the AJ Green bandwagon. The guy is just a monster. He attacks the ball as if he we an NBA player rebounding the ball. We need him. If he's not there, Bowers or Fairely would look great in stripes.

(Poor Jake Locker. Possible top 3 pick last year, forth rated QB this year)

Fairly has a cool name. Just get him, I don't care. LT in the 2nd. Sign Graham Harrell QB of the future. S in the 3rd. 4th OG. 5th C. 6th LB. I don't think the team has a 7th.

I think I finally am tired at looking at draft boards in late Nov. early Dec.

count me in the "not that impressed with Costanzo" crowd.

Mark Ingram is the most overrated player on that list. He is a good back, but RBs like him are not worth a first round pick. He isn't even the best RB on his own team right now. Trent Richardson will be a better NFL RB.

What's funny is Castonzo is much better than Solder. Solder is nothing but athletic ability. He is tall and skinny. Terrible in run blocking and still gets abused in pass blocking.

Ayers is extremely overrated as well.

i know we probably won't be if we are picking top 3 we have to pick andrew luck................people keep saying go with best player available........well then its him if he's available if we pick that high.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqJrjwjf55c[/media]

He even wears the same number as Roland.

I agree about Luck. He'll likely be the number 1 pick, I just hope that a.) We don't have the number 1 pick, and b.) He doesn't fall to us. If he's there, you've got to pull the trigger. He's too good.

[quote name='fredtoast' timestamp='1291329562' post='947085']
Mark Ingram is the most overrated player on that list. He is a good back, but RBs like him are not worth a first round pick. He isn't even the best RB on his own team right now. Trent Richardson will be a better NFL RB.
[/quote]


agreed on Ingram....

hell look how many good/great running backs aren't first rounders....

DE or DT...that is all I want to hear in the 1st unless Luck drops to us.

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1291329469' post='947084']
count me in the "not that impressed with Costanzo" crowd.
[/quote]

Yeah, I was watching some of his stuff on YouTube, and he doesn't seem too strong. A shorter Roland.

I know offense is a big need but what if the Bengals traded down and then packaged some picks to pick up an extra first and drafted someone like Akeem Ayers or Von Miller and then got Raheem Moore with the second first rounder? Then you go bpa OT/OG/WR/RB/DE/DT in the next rounds. If the Bengals extend all of their key free agents then it could be possible to make it out of this draft with new starters at safety, linebacker and hopefully o-line. An active free agency period that yields at least one new o-lineman and the return of Benson and the Bengals might not be all that bad off. A lot would have to go right though and the Bengals would have to hit home runs with each of their first three picks.

[quote name='eva4ben-gal' timestamp='1291344020' post='947128']
I know offense is a big need but what if the Bengals traded down (and then back up with another team) to pick up an extra first and drafted someone like Akeem Ayers or Von Miller and then got Raheem Moore with the second first rounder? Then you go bpa OT/OG/WR/RB/DE/DT in the next rounds. If the Bengals extend all of their key free agents then it could be possible to make it out of this draft with new starters at safety, linebacker and hopefully o-line. An active free agency period that yields at least one new o-lineman and the return of Benson and the Bengals might not be all that bad off. A lot would have to go right though and the Bengals would have to hit home runs with each of their first three picks.
[/quote]


Akeem Ayers isn't impressive at all IMO.

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1291344103' post='947129']
Akeem Ayers isn't impressive at all IMO.
[/quote]


Ayers plays somewhat soft. He's a third down linebacker in the current system we have. I'd prefer to pass on him and just keep Brandon Johnson for that role.

watching some more of Castonzo, he is better than I initially stated, but he still plays a little stiff and like he would struggle with elite athletic DE's, and I don't think he's necessarily better than Whit. Or Gabe Carimi.


Regardless, he wouldn't even be an option unless you drop down out of the top 10.




While watching though, the Boston College LG (#75) is someone else to keep an eye on.

I can see it now. Instead of paying JJ, we draft one of those highly rated corners. That'll improve the team.

I salivate over Andrew Luck. He is essentially a smarter Carson Palmer with less arm coming out of college. Probably more accurate.

If he is there, you just have to take him I think. Best pick by a mile in this draft. I'm on the AJ Green or Nick Fairley train if not though.

[quote name='JC' timestamp='1291360929' post='947152']
I salivate over Andrew Luck. He is essentially a smarter Carson Palmer with less arm coming out of college. Probably more accurate.

If he is there, you just have to take him I think. Best pick by a mile in this draft. I'm on the AJ Green or Nick Fairley train if not though.
[/quote]

Man, his career stats are barely one season of Harrell awesomeness.

Castonzo = Cantstandsya

I miss Seinfeld

[quote name='sois' timestamp='1291363586' post='947153']
Man, his career stats are barely one season of Harrell awesomeness.
[/quote]


and yet, one will be the #1 overall pick and the other didn't get drafted at all.


Wonder which one played in a gimmick offense.

the one good thing in our favor about picking so high this year is DL is a huge need and there's plenty of great talent at the top

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1291383370' post='947177']
and yet, one will be the #1 overall pick and the other didn't get drafted at all.


Wonder which one played in a gimmick offense.
[/quote]

Racism against Texas Tech.

Really like AJ, as he's a real game-breaker. Julio Jones is impressive, too - I just like AJ better.

I think Castonzo will be a good tackle... BC OL tend to do well as pros - they're very well-coached. Castonzo's really bright - Biochem major, Rhodes Scholar possibility, I think.

Speaking of BC, assuming he's totally back healthy and checks out OK (he had bone cancer and missed a year, but has made an amazing comeback), I'd be really happy with LB Mark Herzlich in round 2. He's a really good player with good size, he's instinctive, and he plays both the pass and the run well. Great leader, too. Von Miller is a good pass-rushing LB in the Jerry Hughes mold - but maybe more of a 3-4 guy. I think Herzlich is more a 4-3 type.

And put me in the Mark Ingram fan club - he looks a lot like Emmitt Smith to me. Not a burner, just a guy that gets yards. Instinctive, gets yards after contact, etc. I think he'll be a very good pro.

[quote name='texbengal' timestamp='1291387390' post='947195']
Really like AJ, as he's a real game-breaker. Julio Jones is impressive, too - I just like AJ better.

I think Castonzo will be a good tackle... BC OL tend to do well as pros - they're very well-coached. Castonzo's really bright - Biochem major, Rhodes Scholar possibility, I think.

Speaking of BC, assuming he's totally back healthy and checks out OK (he had bone cancer and missed a year, but has made an amazing comeback), I'd be really happy with LB Mark Herzlich in round 2. He's a really good player with good size, he's instinctive, and he plays both the pass and the run well. Great leader, too. Von Miller is a good pass-rushing LB in the Jerry Hughes mold - but maybe more of a 3-4 guy. I think Herzlich is more a 4-3 type.

And put me in the Mark Ingram fan club - he looks a lot like Emmitt Smith to me. Not a burner, just a guy that gets yards. Instinctive, gets yards after contact, etc. I think he'll be a very good pro.
[/quote]


I just don't know about Herzlich. He was a great player pre-cancer, but his play has been down this year. He even said himself that he didn't feel 100% until a week or two ago. Just not sure he'll ever be the same player he was originally.

Plus, I think he's a better fit as a 3-4 OLB IMO.

[quote name='ccartman2' timestamp='1291353420' post='947145']
I can see it now. Instead of paying JJ, we draft one of those highly rated corners. That'll improve the team.
[/quote]

Id love to have patrick peterson. He's a game changer.