2009 WDR Bengals Only Mock Draft

I'm not a draft expert.

Nor do I watch game film.  I watch a ton of college football, but in no way, shape or form do I know how to properly judge and evaluate collegiate talent.

That being said, I think mock drafts are interesting.  You can't tell me that every time you see a mock draft, any mock draft, you don't take a peek to see who they have the Bengals taking in the first round.  Below, I have compiled potential selections for all eleven draft picks for the Bengals.  Again, I'm no guru...but:

1)  I want to weigh in on the Andre Smith debate (and why the Bengals should NOT take him)

2)  It would be quite hard for me to do worse than one playoff appearance in 19 years and the worst record in the four major professional sports since 1991.

We are going on the following assumptions in the first round:

- The Bengals do not trade up or down in the #6 position.
- Aaron Curry, Jason Smith, and Eugene Monroe are all taken in the top 5 of the draft.

Even for the straight-laced Bengals, it's hard to believe that they will actually draft eleven players this weekend.  They will probably package some picks (the compensatory picks are not available to trade) and end up taking somewhere between 7-9 players.  But, let's just assume they do select a player with all eleven picks.  

Here we go:

Round 1, Pick 6 (6) 
BJ Raji, DT, Boston College

Here's why:  Frankly, the WDR writers are split on this pick.  About half of us still want the Bengals to take a very large man to protect the blind side of Carson Palmer.  Whether that is Andre Smith or Michael Oher.  In my opinion, Oher might still be available at #20 or later in the first round, and investing over $20 million guaranteed on Andre Smith is just too much of a risk.  The guy blew the two biggest job interviews of his life, and he has the tag of being lazy and overweight.  In another city, Andre Smith makes sense at #6.  But in Cincinnati, who exactly is going to kick his rear to get him in shape?  Bengals need to stay away and focus on a run-stuffing tackle that can move the pocket.  The 'positive' drug test was proved false, and remember that 31 teams passed on Tank Johnson until the Bengals signed him in early April.  A future of Pat Sims and BJ Raji at defensive tackle is something you can build a defense around...especially in a division that features run-first teams like Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

Round 2, Pick 6 (38)
Eric Wood, C, Louisville

Here's why:  Even if the Bengals have to trade some of their picks to move up to take Wood...do it.  They need to flat out go get this guy.  He has been called the 'most prepared player in the nation' and the Elder grad would provide stability and leadership to anchor the offensive line.  No matter how much spin the Bengals put on their offensive line...it is a fact that the running game (and offense in general) has not been the same since Rich Braham was at center.  That better change Saturday evening.

Round 3, Pick 6 (70)    
Jamon Meredith, OT, South Carolina

Here's why:  Meredith is a smart, tough player who played through injuries during 2008 (never missed a game) and while a starter at left tackle, is willing and able to play different positions on the line.  The versatility for someone who can actually perform at a high level at tackle and guard is something we haven't seen since Eric Steinbach was here.  In short, the guy is intelligent, plays with a mean streak, and knows his assignments.                

Round 3, Pick 34 (98) (Compensatory selection)
David Veikune, DE, Hawaii      

Here's why:  Going on the WDR principals of the Bengals desperately needing to get pressure on the opposing quarterback, Veikune is a guy who has above average top end speed and plays with an edge.  He also has a variety of pass rushing moves, which would immediately be more than the one that Justin Smith had during his entire tenure as a Bengal.  When Antwan Odom or Robert Geathers gets hurt this season (trust me, it's happening), Veikune could be a valuable guy who will produce immediately.

Round 4, Pick 6 (106)
Tyrone McKenzie, OLB, South Florida               

Here's why:  I was sold on McKenzie for two reasons.  He is a solid, reliable open field tackler and the guy just flat out produced whether it was at Iowa State or South Florida.  With the way the Bengals have lost LB's the past few years due to injury and being the least drunk driving down Kellogg Avenue (Hi Odell!), you can always be stocking that position. 

Round 5, Pick 6 (142)    
Herman Johnson, OG, LSU               

Here's why:  The guy is massive (6'7", 364, biggest player in LSU history) and he could literally be a huge force in the running game.  He needs some polish, but so did Stacy Andrews and that worked out pretty well (for the Eagles at least).  Started every game for LSU the past two seasons at left guard, piling up numerous first-team All-American honors.

Round 6, Pick 6 (179)
Ian Johnson, RB, Boise State           

Here's why:  Most famous for the game-winning touchdown in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma, but Johnson is just a football player who makes things happen.  He is a leader that understands the value of team.  He would be an excellent compliment to Cedric Benson, help out in the passing game, and be the kind of presence in the locker room the Bengals desperately need.

Round 6, Pick 36 (209) (Compensatory selection)
Roy Miller, DT, Texas

Here's why:  High character guy who is durable, strong (500 lb bench press), and one hell of a run stopper.  I'll say it again...WE NEED TO STOP THE RUN IN THE AFC NORTH.

Round 7, Pick 6 (215)
Johnny Knox, WR, Abiene Christian                   

Here's why:  Above average blocking skills, returns punts and kickoffs...oh...and the dude can absolutely fly (4.34 40-yard dash at the combine).  He's on the bad side of 6' but he can be an immediate deep threat that actually produces for the Bengals.  Basically the anti-Chris Henry.

Round 7, Pick 40 (249) (Compensatory selection)
Glover Quin, S, New Mexico

Here's why:  He can play both corner and safety, team leader who is the first one in/last one out at practice, excellent ball skills and he was a playmaker on defense while with the Lobos.

Round 7, Pick 43 (252) (Compensatory selection)

Ian Campbell, DE, Kansas State

Here's why:  Sounds like a special teams ace with a history of blocking field goals, who also has a knack making plays at end.  Leader, captain, and someone who worked his way up to a scholarship after joining the team as a walk-on. 

Comments

[CurseofBoJackson]

No Corners? Seriously? So you're cool with David Jones playing the nickel? Who plays left tackle? You seem awfully dissatisfied with Levi, why not take a guy who played at a high level for a top tier program for a top tier college coach? And, aren't O-linemen supposed to be large? Like everything alse about the combine and pro days, way too much was made of a fat guy being fat.

[P,O.U.M.]

if you are implying that chris henry doesn't produce on the field because he wasn't on the field a lot, then ok. if you are implying that last year's stats when he was on the field are an indication that he can't produce for the bengals, then you don't understand football. if you're implying that chris henry has never produced on the field for the bengals, then you're a filthy pig and can't be trusted. when the rest of the offense has a sound foundation, chris henry's skills are exactly what the bengals need and he's on the "good" side of 6. we'll all wait and see if he's on the field this year, but i'm looking forward to it.

[Ghost of Boomer]

POUM - I can pretty much guarantee you that a large majority of the 31 other teams would not sign Chris Henry, even now.

In fact, ALL 31 TEAMS decided not to sign Chris Henry. One did, however. All the author is saying is that Knox is willing to block, runs good routes, makes all the catches, and will actually be on the field to produce. You should work for the Bengals...you fit right in with their philosophy of picking players.

[Ghost of Boomer]

Curse of Bo - It doesn't matter if Deion is back there...if there is no line to get pressure on the QB...the corners will be toast regardless. I'm not saying I'm in love with David Jones playing nickel...but I'd rather that than no one stopping the run or pass on the d-line. The Steelers, Patriots, etc. have made a freaking living in the playoffs on borderline guys like David Jones in the secondary because their pass rush and d-lines are so strong.

[da]

casper the friendly little fairy ghost, you have no evidence that all 31 teams passed on chris henry. your arguments are pathetic because they come with an undeserved air of authority and expertise that is clearly fluff and puff. bring something solid to the table or keep playing footsy with the big boys in the comment section.

[IgnatiusJReilly]

Nice and all but make another selection for Round 5 because Herman Johnson will be gone in the second. In reference to David Jones, what about Simeon Castille and/or Jamar Fletcher?

[Danimal]

We seriously passed on Monroe??? I knew Andre "Moobs" Smith was our pick from Jump Street, but we should have drafted Monroe(who went #8 to Jacksonville). Refuckindiculous

[i'm your huckleberry]

danimal (that's about as unoriginal as refuckindiculous),

you're no daisy. you're no daisy. poor unfortunate soul, just a little high strung, that's all. just a common knob slobber of the rest of the punks on this site. who gives a baker's fuck if an offensive lineman has titties. he the consensus elite player of the four tackles touted. he has only a marginal past with poor professionalism (he's a college junior for christ's sake), but he's never been a malcontent, an egomaniac, or a common criminal.

i must say you all live in a dark place and stress is a killer. i think it's that shitty bar that you hole up in in d.c. every week. the bottom feeders. we got the talent needed at the critical position. get a girlfriend and stop going to church - you're unwarranted pessimism is making my penis soft.

[Danimal]

I don't give a fuck if he does have titties. My gripe is that our staff isn't professional enough to motivate the guy to play at a high level in the pros. Chances are he's likely to take the money and run with it(Think Levi Jones) because no high caliber player wants to play for the Bengals(or the other team in Ohio for that matter). BTW the consensus best tackle(after the combine and pro days) was Jason Smith, who went #2. Andre was still in the top three after a bad combine and pro day. I'm not saying Andre Smith isn't talented, I'm more or less summing up 18 years of failure with three words that define unprofessionalism. MIKE FUCKING BROWN.

I do hope the tape doesn't lie. Andre Smith was a beast at Bama.

And I drown my sorrows at a shitty bar in Findlay, Ohio(The hometown of Worthlessberger), thank you very much.

I also have a girlfriend and don't go to church(agnostic). We still need a motherfucking center. That better be the top priority of Day 2.