Jump to content

2015 Cincinnati Bengals draft order: No. 21


Recommended Posts

2015 Cincinnati Bengals draft order: No. 21
January, 12, 2015
Jan 12
8:25
AM ET
By Coley Harvey | ESPN.com
 
CINCINNATI -- With their wild-card round exit in last weekend's AFC playoffs, the Cincinnati Bengals' spot in the first-round draft order was determined.

They'll be picking in a spot this year close to where they did last year -- barring any pre-draft trades -- at No. 21.

Because of another first-round playoff exit last January, the Bengals picked at No. 24, where they selected cornerback Darqueze Dennard. This will be the fourth straight season the Bengals will be picking in the 21-27 range. The 2013 and 2014 selections in that slot range were the result of the Bengals making the playoffs and also losing in the first round. Cincinnati's two first-round picks -- at 17th and 21st -- in 2012 came from trades with the Raiders and Patriots.

The Bengals haven't won a wild-card round playoff game since January 1991.

The last time the Bengals picked at No. 21 they selected tight end Tyler Eifert from Notre Dame in 2012. Injuries have derailed the start of Eifert's career; he was sidelined all but one week this past season. Before him, fellow tight end Jermaine Gresham was drafted 21st overall in 2010. It appears he could be on his way out of Cincinnati when free agency begins in March.

Receiver Tim McGee was the only other Bengal selected 21st overall by the franchise, taken there in the 1986 draft as one of two first-round selections.

It will be interesting to see which direction the Bengals go when this draft comes around. They will have a very clear need at offensive tackle, as they start searching for veteran Andrew Whitworth's replacement, as well as another quality young lineman who can back up both Whitworth and Andre Smith. Tight end will be a spot to watch, too, with the possibility Gresham doesn't get re-signed. The Bengals also may look to shore up their defensive line interior to boost their pass rush, or draft a linebacker in the first round, too.
 
 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't get the talk of a 1st round OT. Whitworth may very well have been the best LT in football last year and Titties played very well before he got hurt.

 

Sure we need depth, but you can find OT depth in the middle rounds.

 

Our first 2 picks need to be in the front 7, that group was laughably bad this year and the best of the healthy LB's is a free agent.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We don't need an OT to come in and play right away, so it would be ideal to pick one up in the middle rounds as you suggest. If we can find Anthony Collins 2.0, that would be perfect. The only scenario where I see a first-round OT as being a good pick would be if he is at the top of our board anyways when we pick and we end up losing Clint Boling to free agency. Paul Alexander seems to think that all tackles can play guard so I wouldn't be surprised if we draft a first-round OT to start off as a guard then kick outside if Whit or Andre decline or leave.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't get the talk of a 1st round OT. Whitworth may very well have been the best LT in football last year and Titties played very well before he got hurt.

 

Sure we need depth, but you can find OT depth in the middle rounds.

 

Our first 2 picks need to be in the front 7, that group was laughably bad this year and the best of the healthy LB's is a free agent.

 

either starting the new OT at guard or moving whit to guard would be ideal.

 

whitworth did well, but at his age, 33, going into his 10th nfl season, in the next 1-3 years, he is going to lose a step keeping up with those speed rushers, and you want a guy in palce to replace the LG immediately, thats not a position you want to spend 1-2 years in development..

 

that, qb, DB, are spots that learning on the field are going to lose you games.

 

a first round ot would give you the talent to put them at LT and have a vested veteran in the system next to him immediately who just played that spot, OR put him at guard, with a small learning curve, also next to a savvy vet..

 

both are ideal situations to protect the QB's blind side.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't get the talk of a 1st round OT. Whitworth may very well have been the best LT in football last year and Titties played very well before he got hurt.

 

Sure we need depth, but you can find OT depth in the middle rounds.

 

Our first 2 picks need to be in the front 7, that group was laughably bad this year and the best of the healthy LB's is a free agent.

 

I agree they don't "need" to take a tackle in 1 this year.  But both Whit and Andre are on their last years.  Personally I want to upgrade the pass rush with our first round pick, but I do think the Bengals will take a tackle in the first 2 rounds.

 

Regarding the article:

 

They won't take a TE in 1, but I do think they take one at some point.

 

And I'm not sold on any of the late 1st round LB prospects.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I agree they don't "need" to take a tackle in 1 this year.  But both Whit and Andre are on their last years.  Personally I want to upgrade the pass rush with our first round pick, but I do think the Bengals will take a tackle in the first 2 rounds.

 

Regarding the article:

 

They won't take a TE in 1, but I do think they take one at some point.

 

And I'm not sold on any of the late 1st round LB prospects.

Really Like Ereck Flowers from Miami and Danny Shelton from Washington with  the 21st pick...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I dont want any backups in the first round. I dont care.

 

I want two players who can come in and be one of the best players on their side of the ball from the first game. I dont care if its DE, DT, LB, WR, QB... whatever. No backups, no project players. no one that will take three years to see the field.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I dont want any backups in the first round. I dont care.

 

I want two players who can come in and be one of the best players on their side of the ball from the first game. I dont care if its DE, DT, LB, WR, QB... whatever. No backups, no project players. no one that will take three years to see the field.

I agree with you 1000000000%..First rounders should immediately get on the field that's why they are first rounders...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I dont want any backups in the first round. I dont care.

 

I want two players who can come in and be one of the best players on their side of the ball from the first game. I dont care if its DE, DT, LB, WR, QB... whatever. No backups, no project players. no one that will take three years to see the field.

 

 

Any T we would take in the 1st would only be a backup if we resign Boling.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

WR might be a real need, with our entire WR crew contracts up in the next two years..

 

LB would be the biggest impact.

 

 

WR makes the most sense to me TBH, I think we could resign Boling on the cheap and wait another year before getting Whit's replacement. LB I'm not opposed to but it would be a guy to replace Lamur as I think it's likely we resign Malaluga which means Ray and Vontaze are the starting two so the rookie would replace Lamur. I also think Dline makes alot of sense too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

WR might be a real need, with our entire WR crew contracts up in the next two years..

 

LB would be the biggest impact.

 

Pass rush would make the biggest impact.

 

There is only 1 LB graded in the 21 range.  He is an ILB with a scouting report similar to Maualuga.

 

 

IN OUR VIEW: McKinney bis an impressive athlete for a man his size, but while he's a stout run defender, he isn't as consistent in space. There is a lot to like about McKinney, but there are some concerns that his struggles against the pass will limit him to a two-down thumper role in the NFL.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I dont want any backups in the first round. I dont care.

 

I want two players who can come in and be one of the best players on their side of the ball from the first game. I dont care if its DE, DT, LB, WR, QB... whatever. No backups, no project players. no one that will take three years to see the field.

Agree, but a first round DT is likely to be a backup. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think most people would agree an OT, DL, LB or WR is likely to be the 21st pick. Going to do a little breakdown to see who the best players are at the position and who I think will be available. Red means I think they are gone by 21.

 

Offensive tackle is really deep this year. These 7 (if they all declare) are likely to earn 1st round grades.

1. Brandon Scherff, Iowa

2. Andrus Peat, Stanford 

3. T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh

4. La'el Collins, LSU 

5. Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame

6. Ereck Flowers, Miami (FL)

7. Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M

 

I think the top 2 are for sure gone. 1 of the next 4 will be gone by 21. I'm guessing Clemmings stock will rise a lot. We'd be lucky to get any of them and stash them as future replacements for Whit. I like Ogbehi the least. Really raw. Couldn't handle LT so he was moved back to RT. Ok we'd be lucky to get any of them but him.

 

On D-line, tackle is extremely deep and talented. End is top heavy. Here are guys with 1st round grades right now:

1. DT Leonard Williams, USC

2. DE Randy Gregory, Nebraska

3. DE Shane Ray, Missouri

4. DE Alvin Dupree, Kentucky

5. DT Danny Shelton, Washington

6. DT Eddie Goldman, Florida State

7. DT Malcom Brown, Texas

8. DE Nate Orchard, Utah

 

Top 4 will be gone for sure. I really like Shelton but there's a chance he goes by 21. Any of them would be a welcome upgrade.

 

Linebacker is another top heavy position:

1. OLB Vic Beasely, Clemson

2. OLB Shaq Thompson, Washington

3. OLB Dante Fowler Jr., Florida

4. ILB Benardrick McKinney, Mississipi State

 

The top 3 will be gone by 21. McKinney is a good fit for us. I do think Maualuga is re-signed and LB won't be addressed in the first though.

 

Wide receivers in the 1st round range:

1. Amari Cooper, Alabama

2. DeVante Parker, Louisville

3. Kevin White, West Virginia

4. Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri

5. Jaelen Strong, Arizona

6. Devin Funchess, Michigan

7. Sammie Coates, Auburn

 

Top 3 are gone by 21 barring any offseason disasters. Green-Beckham has the most talent out of the class but has major character red flags.

 

So here's my extremely early realistic target list:

1. DT Danny Shelton, Washington

2. OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh

3. OT La'el Collins, LSU

4. OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame

5. ILB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State

6. WR Dorial Beckham-Green, Missouri

7. DT Eddie Goldman, FSU

8. DT Malcom Brown, Texas

9. OT Ereck Flowers, Miami (FL)

10. WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i dont really get the pashrush thing.. i mean i get it, but lots of assumptions are being made...

 

Front 4 issues:

 

Geathers getting old

Atkins had a lack luster return from surgery

minimal depth

 

Reasons for fall of in pass rush:

 

all linebackers got hurt.. fucking all of them. including the most talented player on the team. this is a huge factor for pass rush, if the offense knows your biggest non-dline pass rusher is rey maualuga, they can protect with the front 5+te/rb chipping, that doubling geno or dunlap and chipping the other. we had this problem for years, part of the reason people wanted to drop geathers and others.. its nonesense.. virtually no players can beat double teams, if there is no threat behind you, they are targeting you.

 

atkins came back from surgery, for a guy whos entire game skillset is based on his power and legs, coming off a torn up knee injury was obviously going to be a setback.

 

lost a few guys, both to free agency and injury, our entire depth from the previous season was washed away.. a rotation pass rush specialist like m Johnson would be cool to get, but that can be had in the 2nd or even 3rd potentially.

 

2013 was the peak of greatness for a dline and front 7. just because it fell off from injuries, returning from injuries, a DC change.. doesnt mean we have to throw very valuable picks at it..

 

first two rounds are for franchise players.. not spot filling role palyers.. which i feel a DLinemen would be...

 

we have lots of picks invested in the d line already..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Pass rush would make the biggest impact.

 

There is only 1 LB graded in the 21 range.  He is an ILB with a scouting report similar to Maualuga.

 

 

with some mocks having 7 LB's going in the first round, anything is possible, year after year we see a run on a certain position and a bunch of guys drop, 

 

leonard floyd for example:

 

 

 

Floyd is a rangy but physically underdeveloped hybrid who could project to either defensive end or outside linebacker at the next level depending on the scheme. An incredible athlete with terrific speed, quickness and burst, Floyd moves like a gazelle and just seems to glide around the field. Not only is Floyd a dynamic pass rusher off the edge but he is also fluid enough in space to make plays sideline-to-sideline and get the job done in coverage. leonardfloyd.jpgFloyd is raw and will undoubtedly require some patience and development but his body type, skill set, sheer talent and immense potential are eerily similar to Barkevious Mingo.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...