The NFL Combine is coming to a close. Teams are falling in love with prospects. Mock Drafters, including me, are drooling over our favorite prospects. But as always, I need you!
Starting tomorrow, the folks involved in the FootballBurrito.com Mock Draft will be busy, Looking to improve their team. Already, we have seen a trade involving Derek Anderson (wait until draft day to find out ). The Lions are on the prowl trying to find the best talent and who to take with first pick of the draft.
I will represent the Bengals of South Western Ohio. Last season, undoubtedly was an upsetting season for Cincinnati. The defense, which has constantly been a weak point only brought the quarterback to the ground sixteen times. The offensive line, once a strong point of this squad, has continued to deteriorate. In order to protect Carson Palmer, left tackle will be a key position to hone in on. It has been one of our weak points since 2005. The defense though, is so weak that I need a good pass rusher.
Here is how I am looking at it right now. I have let it known that I have a major interest in trading down (sixth pick) in order to pick up a solid pass rusher. Don’t get me wrong, the Aaron Maybins of the world are intriguing. A very talented linebacker like Aaron Curry would be a must take if available. But if I can get a solid pass rusher, who might be a bit aged, and add either a tackle or linebacker later in the draft, than I am all about making this squad ready to compete in 2009.
Especially if I can get an extreme talent like Andre Smith, who went AWOL this weekend. I have a wonderful coach in Marvin Lewis, who has made a career out of making head-cases perform. If I can get him in the lower half of the draft, then I am all for it. That gives me a solid pass rusher with veteran experience, and an offensive tackle who has the potential of a top 3 pick.
But what would you do? Would you take Tim Crabtree if he falls to number six? Is Aaron Curry or Aaron Maybin the right fit? Should I sit on the best offensive lineman? Let me know what you guys think. Either leave a comment, or hit up the Fantasy CPR Inbox.
FanSided
There's no doubt the Bengals need a pass rush, and they have enough needs that moving down and collecting more picks is an attractive option. Note that the Bengals already have $60 million combined invested in two DEs, Robert Geathers and Antwan Odom, though, so I'm not sure how viable DE is, especially high in the draft. Geathers was a perfectly good rush end back in '06 (10.5 sacks) before they made him a full time DE and his numbers plummeted.
A. Smith is looking like bad mojo. If you believe Marvin has made a career out of making head cases perform, I can only ask what team in South Western Ohio you've been watching and he's been coaching, because it ain't the Bengals. If Smith can't be bothered to stay in shape for the combine, where he stands to solidify his status as the biggest-bucks OT in the draft, what's he going to be like after he gets paid? No thanks. The Bengals had one guy eat his way off the team last year, FB Jeremi Johnson, and that was a key reason the run game stunk. If you move down, I'd target Oher. He's looking like a bit too much of a project to pay $50+ million to at 6, but at 10-15-20, OK.
Also, depending on where you pick up extra picks, keep in mind the Bengals basically have no center at the moment, and if they don't get Benson back, no real RB either. As for the players you list at the end: Crabtree, no; Maybin, NO. Curry, YES YES YES.
David, great input, will be using when we are on the clock