Post by 77bengal on Apr 11, 2020 21:40:47 GMT -5
This draft is one of many that could greatly improve the team. Coming into this draft, the Bengals most prominent needs are QB, RT, RG, WR, TE and LB and this mock draft fills all those needs. Another big need was speed, so I focused heavily on this while also trying to balance talent. I think this draft does this for the most part. Burrow is very good at scrambling and he has deceptive speed. LB'er Willie Gay ran a mind numbing 4.49 forty at the combine. WR's Antonio Gibson and Darrell Mooney both ran sub 4.40 forties. The rest of the draft picks may not be quite the burners as the aforementioned players, but they're faster than some of the players currently on the Bengal roster at the same position. Combined, these draftees will go a long way in making the Bengals faster which is something that really needs to be focused on during the upcoming draft. Enjoy. (Note: I edited this mock. Markus Bailey is just too talented not to include).
Round One: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU. As many of you know, I once had Joe Burrow in class as a high school senior after he signed his letter of intent to play in Columbus for the Bucks. However, that's not why I'm taking him in round one. Here's why. Burrow looks the part standing at six-foot three inches and weighing in at around 216 pounds. Burrow is a natural athlete; has superior vision; a big arm; uncanny accuracy; great pocket awareness; can make plays on the run; can make every NFL throw required; can scramble when things break down; health has never been an issue; keeps his focus downfield even when being mauled by DL; he's aggressive; and a natural leader plus he's just a great guy in general.
Round Two: Josh Jones, OT, Houston. The Bengals must do everything within their power to protect their newest franchise QB. RT and RG are screaming for upgrades. To be blunt about it, protecting Burrow is far more important than drafting a flashy WR. Besides, there will be some great WR's later in the draft. Most draft gurus have Josh Jones going later in round one, but I think there's a good chance he'll fall. I truly think that he'll fall to round two because he's still a bit raw and needs some time to develop thus he may not be a day one starter. The talent is there and he may already be better than Bobby Hart BEFORE he's coached up.
**TRADE** The Bengals trade QB Andy Dalton for a third round pick.
Round Three A: Willie Gay, LB, Mississippi State. I'm reluctant in picking Willie Gay because of his off the field issues and the team suspension he received because of such. If these problems are minor in nature or a 'one time thing' and the Bengals are 101% confident they won't have any problems with him going forward, this will be a great pick. If the Bengals think these problems could arise again, they need to pass. The reasoning behind drafting Gay is straight forward: He's fast - running an incredible 4.49 forty at the combine. He's also aggressive, highly athletic, can defend the pass, plays sideline to sideline and is a big playmaker.
If the Bengals pass because he doesn't have his head screwed on straight, ala Vontaze Burfict, the pick becomes Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State. In Gaither the Bengals get a sideline-to-sideline LB'er that is not only a solid tackler and run defender, but someone who shows some ability in playing the pass, but he does need to improve in this area. Davis-Gaither falls because he played at a small school and didn't face tough competition, but numbers don't lie and Davis-Gaither has the numbers. He also has some 'thumping' ability and confidence. Plays like someone that loves the game instead of someone that's merely there for a paycheck. I like those type of players.
Round Three B: Shane Lemieux, G, Oregon. The Bengals luck out and get a solid G prospect that may turn into a day one starter at RG. What I really like about Lemieux besides his talent is his reputation. Playing in the trenches is a job only for the fearless and Lemieux is just that. When one scout was finished evaluating him, the scout was quoted as saying, "He's as mean as a snake". That attitude is a 'must' in my book for anyone that plays in the trenches. A true warrior that at minimum gives the Bengals some much needed depth unless you think Redmond or Price are the answers.
Round Four: Jacob Phillips, LB, LSU. The Bengals grab another Bayou Bengal and can you blame them? LSU was a juggernaut this year and Phillips played a big role on that D. It's also important to bring in some LSU teammates that Burrow is familiar with. This will help in his development while also strengthening the team. Not only is Phillips a good player, he's also a big upgrade over Preston Brown or Nick Vigil. He also adds much needed depth. Here's a nice little nugget - Phillips was a 5-star recruit out of Tennessee. Therefore, his best football probably lies ahead. It was also hard for him to rack up big numbers because there were so many other great defenders making their share of plays. In one or two years from now, Phillips could become one of the steals of this draft.
Round Five: Antonio Gibson, WR, Memphis. The Bengals need to prepare for AJ Greens 'possible' departure, so what better way to do that than by selecting a six-foot-two, two-hundred and twenty-one pounder with 4.39 speed. Gibson is a solid player with big play ability. To get someone of his caliber at this point in the draft is a steal. Gibson is undervalued in my opinion.
Round Six: Marcus Bailey, ILB, Purdue. The Bengals get a great ILBer in round six due to injuries. While at Purdue, Bailey suffered two knee injuries. This past season, he only played in two games before suffering knee injury number two. I don't want the Bengals to draft any players that have a penchant for injury, but here's why I made an exception for Bailey. Bailey is an immense talent. He's a sideline to sideline player with solid tackling ability and he's a marvel in the pass game. He's exactly what the Bengals need at this position. Concerning his injuries, my thinking is that there's a good chance he won't have another knee issue going forward. Once a player has their knee(s) surgically repaired, they usually don't have another problem with them going forward because the knee(s) are now stronger than they were before. Knee surgery has come a long way in the past twenty plus years. Throw in the fact that the Bengals are only using a sixth round draft pick on him, and you have a draft pick without much risk involved, but with tremendous upside.
Round Seven: Josiah Deguara, TE, Cincinnati. The Bearcats have a knack for producing great TE's and Deguara looks like the next in line. Deguara falls because of his height (6'2"). However, Deguara was a beast in the passing game and in the red zone. He's the type of TE that has the chance of becoming a chain mover type player and a scoring threat. Too much potential to pass up at this point in the draft and Burrow gets another weapon.
Well that's it. There are several more drafts I could come up with that would also be very effective in improving the team, but this one made the most sense to me at this time. I had a few other players included initially, but had to delete them for many different reasons. The trick is balancing talent, needs, position depth and best player available. It's not an easy task. It's quite hard and time consuming, but I love it. I actually spent hours today evaluating over a hundred players. I do have the Bengals selecting three LBer's which I think is needed and here's why. Jordan Evans isn't that good. He's had many opportunities to prove himself, but he hasn't shown anything. I like Bynes. He was a good signing, but he's 30 years of age and can't play forever. Pratt started to come on later in the season, but was it a 'flash in the pan' or the beginning of something great? And lastly, the Bengals only have three LBer's on their roster minus a few fill-ins. Having said that, I hope you enjoy this mock even if you don't agree with every pick. -77
Round One: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU. As many of you know, I once had Joe Burrow in class as a high school senior after he signed his letter of intent to play in Columbus for the Bucks. However, that's not why I'm taking him in round one. Here's why. Burrow looks the part standing at six-foot three inches and weighing in at around 216 pounds. Burrow is a natural athlete; has superior vision; a big arm; uncanny accuracy; great pocket awareness; can make plays on the run; can make every NFL throw required; can scramble when things break down; health has never been an issue; keeps his focus downfield even when being mauled by DL; he's aggressive; and a natural leader plus he's just a great guy in general.
Round Two: Josh Jones, OT, Houston. The Bengals must do everything within their power to protect their newest franchise QB. RT and RG are screaming for upgrades. To be blunt about it, protecting Burrow is far more important than drafting a flashy WR. Besides, there will be some great WR's later in the draft. Most draft gurus have Josh Jones going later in round one, but I think there's a good chance he'll fall. I truly think that he'll fall to round two because he's still a bit raw and needs some time to develop thus he may not be a day one starter. The talent is there and he may already be better than Bobby Hart BEFORE he's coached up.
**TRADE** The Bengals trade QB Andy Dalton for a third round pick.
Round Three A: Willie Gay, LB, Mississippi State. I'm reluctant in picking Willie Gay because of his off the field issues and the team suspension he received because of such. If these problems are minor in nature or a 'one time thing' and the Bengals are 101% confident they won't have any problems with him going forward, this will be a great pick. If the Bengals think these problems could arise again, they need to pass. The reasoning behind drafting Gay is straight forward: He's fast - running an incredible 4.49 forty at the combine. He's also aggressive, highly athletic, can defend the pass, plays sideline to sideline and is a big playmaker.
If the Bengals pass because he doesn't have his head screwed on straight, ala Vontaze Burfict, the pick becomes Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian State. In Gaither the Bengals get a sideline-to-sideline LB'er that is not only a solid tackler and run defender, but someone who shows some ability in playing the pass, but he does need to improve in this area. Davis-Gaither falls because he played at a small school and didn't face tough competition, but numbers don't lie and Davis-Gaither has the numbers. He also has some 'thumping' ability and confidence. Plays like someone that loves the game instead of someone that's merely there for a paycheck. I like those type of players.
Round Three B: Shane Lemieux, G, Oregon. The Bengals luck out and get a solid G prospect that may turn into a day one starter at RG. What I really like about Lemieux besides his talent is his reputation. Playing in the trenches is a job only for the fearless and Lemieux is just that. When one scout was finished evaluating him, the scout was quoted as saying, "He's as mean as a snake". That attitude is a 'must' in my book for anyone that plays in the trenches. A true warrior that at minimum gives the Bengals some much needed depth unless you think Redmond or Price are the answers.
Round Four: Jacob Phillips, LB, LSU. The Bengals grab another Bayou Bengal and can you blame them? LSU was a juggernaut this year and Phillips played a big role on that D. It's also important to bring in some LSU teammates that Burrow is familiar with. This will help in his development while also strengthening the team. Not only is Phillips a good player, he's also a big upgrade over Preston Brown or Nick Vigil. He also adds much needed depth. Here's a nice little nugget - Phillips was a 5-star recruit out of Tennessee. Therefore, his best football probably lies ahead. It was also hard for him to rack up big numbers because there were so many other great defenders making their share of plays. In one or two years from now, Phillips could become one of the steals of this draft.
Round Five: Antonio Gibson, WR, Memphis. The Bengals need to prepare for AJ Greens 'possible' departure, so what better way to do that than by selecting a six-foot-two, two-hundred and twenty-one pounder with 4.39 speed. Gibson is a solid player with big play ability. To get someone of his caliber at this point in the draft is a steal. Gibson is undervalued in my opinion.
Round Six: Marcus Bailey, ILB, Purdue. The Bengals get a great ILBer in round six due to injuries. While at Purdue, Bailey suffered two knee injuries. This past season, he only played in two games before suffering knee injury number two. I don't want the Bengals to draft any players that have a penchant for injury, but here's why I made an exception for Bailey. Bailey is an immense talent. He's a sideline to sideline player with solid tackling ability and he's a marvel in the pass game. He's exactly what the Bengals need at this position. Concerning his injuries, my thinking is that there's a good chance he won't have another knee issue going forward. Once a player has their knee(s) surgically repaired, they usually don't have another problem with them going forward because the knee(s) are now stronger than they were before. Knee surgery has come a long way in the past twenty plus years. Throw in the fact that the Bengals are only using a sixth round draft pick on him, and you have a draft pick without much risk involved, but with tremendous upside.
Round Seven: Josiah Deguara, TE, Cincinnati. The Bearcats have a knack for producing great TE's and Deguara looks like the next in line. Deguara falls because of his height (6'2"). However, Deguara was a beast in the passing game and in the red zone. He's the type of TE that has the chance of becoming a chain mover type player and a scoring threat. Too much potential to pass up at this point in the draft and Burrow gets another weapon.
Well that's it. There are several more drafts I could come up with that would also be very effective in improving the team, but this one made the most sense to me at this time. I had a few other players included initially, but had to delete them for many different reasons. The trick is balancing talent, needs, position depth and best player available. It's not an easy task. It's quite hard and time consuming, but I love it. I actually spent hours today evaluating over a hundred players. I do have the Bengals selecting three LBer's which I think is needed and here's why. Jordan Evans isn't that good. He's had many opportunities to prove himself, but he hasn't shown anything. I like Bynes. He was a good signing, but he's 30 years of age and can't play forever. Pratt started to come on later in the season, but was it a 'flash in the pan' or the beginning of something great? And lastly, the Bengals only have three LBer's on their roster minus a few fill-ins. Having said that, I hope you enjoy this mock even if you don't agree with every pick. -77
