Bengals team president, Mike Brown, briefly addressed the rumor of the Bengals’ trading up from the 9th pick in the upcoming draft.
“Until somebody presents us with some overwhelmingly attractive deal, we’re just content to have the picks,” Brown said.
The Bengals are able to trade their original six draft picks, however, they are not allowed to trade the compensatory picks they received today. It looks as though, at least for the time being, that the Bengals are very content with their current position in the draft and are not entertaining the idea of trading up.
On Monday, the NFL granted the Bengals four (4) compensatory draft picks for free-agents lost in 2007 (safety Kevin Kaesviharn to the Saints; guard Eric Steinbach to the Browns; tight end Tony Stewart to the Raiders; wide receiver Kelley Washington to the Patriots; and quarterback Anthony Wright to the Giants). These four picks add to the previous six, giving the Bengals a total of ten (10) draft picks for the 2008 Draft.
In other news, Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the status of Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman. Goodell said that Thurman, who has been suspended for the last two seasons, remained on a timetable. “I haven’t gotten any update in a couple of weeks,” Goodell said regarding Thurman. “He is going through the [offseason strength] program. I am encouraged.”
On Monday, the NFL granted the Bengals four (4) compensatory draft picks for free-agents lost in 2007 (safety Kevin Kaesviharn to the Saints; guard Eric Steinbach to the Browns; tight end Tony Stewart to the Raiders; wide receiver Kelley Washington to the Patriots; and quarterback Anthony Wright to the Giants). These four picks add to the previous six, giving the Bengals a total of ten (10) draft picks for the 2008 Draft.
In other news, Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the status of Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman. Goodell said that Thurman, who has been suspended for the last two seasons, remained on a timetable. “I haven’t gotten any update in a couple of weeks,” Goodell said regarding Thurman. “He is going through the [offseason strength] program. I am encouraged.”
As the NFL Draft quickly approaches, rumors begin to swirl around the top 10 picks. The studs that stand out this year are DE Chris Long, OT Jake Long, DT Glenn Dorsey, DE Vernon Gholston, RB Darren McFadden, and QB Matt Ryan. Many believe that teams with picks 7-10 (New England, Baltimore, Cincinnati, and New Orleans) will look to trade away their picks instead of reaching to draft a player that does not fit their needs. Will the Bengals stay put or attempt to trade down?
Of the eight new mock drafts that have been published this week, five have USC Defensive Tackle Sedrick Ellis ( 6′1″, 308 pounds) falling into the laps of the Bengals with the 9th overall pick. Other mock drafts have the Bengals choosing Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston, Florida DE Derrick Harvey, and USC OLB Keith Rivers.
Even though one mock draft has Gholston falling to the Bengals, I just don’t see it happening. Since his pro-day workout, Gholston’s stock has consistently been rising. Look for him to possibly go to the New York Jets with the 6th pick, if not higher.
The Bengals would love for Ellis, the second best DT in the draft (behind LSU’s Glenn Dorsey), to drop through the first eight picks. It would be a very welcomed gift, reminiscent of Leon Hall dropping to the Bengals in last year’s draft. It is more likely for Ellis to drop than Gholston, however, the Kansas City Chiefs own the 5th pick and also figure to be in the market for a big man in the middle. One thing is true: the Bengals need a face of the defense that is a force to be reckoned with. It is my belief that Ellis would fit that bill perfectly.
Regarding the Bengals selecting Harvey, I would assume they would seek a trade to move down in the first round before choosing him. Cincinnati has shelled out large contracts to their starting defensive ends (Geathers and Odom) and I don’t see them spending more money on their ends with the dyer needs they still have up the middle. If they cannot work out a trade to move down and possibly add to their (rumored) ten picks, they may draft the 6′5″ 271 pound Harvey and look to moving Geathers to an OLB.
I don’t like the idea of selecting OLB Rivers as high as 9th overall. I would much rather see the Bengals trade down with someone such as Detroit (15th pick) or Arizona (16th) and possibly add another late round pick. I would not be surprised if Rivers was still available with the 15th or 16th pick. Many, including myself, feel as though selecting Rivers at #9 would be a real reach. Rivers just isn’t the difference maker that many look for with a top 10 pick, and choosing him at #9 would force the Bengals to pay him much more money than if he was drafted at 15/16.
As everyone knows, the Bengals’ biggest need is a young, overpowering DT to work alongside Domato Peko. As John Thorton nears the end of his contract, the Bengals need to add a run stopper to compliment Peko. Ellis would provide the Bengals with a defensive tackle that is not only athletic and a force against the run, but also has the ability to generate an inside pass rush. How does this sound for the Bengals future front four: Robert Geathers, Domato Peko, Sedrick Ellis, and Antwan Odom? These four, along with a (hopefully) reinvigorated Odell Thurman, a healthy Ahmad Brooks, Leon Hall, Johnathan Joseph, Chinedum Ndukwe, Marvin White, and possibly David Pollack would provide the Bengals with a very quick and powerful defense for many years to come.
As much hype as players selected in the first round receive, the Bengals emphatically proved last year that those players drafted in later rounds are just as important. Seventh round pick Chinedum Ndukwe ushered the departure of Madieu Williams by recording 35 tackles, 2 sacks and 3 interceptions. Meantime, 3rd round pick Marvin White added 13 tackles in his rookie season.
First Round Draft Prediction: My heart tells me DT Sedrick Ellis, but my gut tells me DE Derrick Harvey.
Ben Utecht signed his contract a week ago but had to wait seven days to see if the Indianapolis Colts would match it. And as of 12:01 a.m. this morning Utecht became the Cincinnati Bengals starting tight end with the Colts declining to match the offer sheet. This is a good pick up by the Bengals who were looking for a tight end that can be a threat in the passing game and another option for Carson Palmer, this also allows the Bengals to focus on defense in the upcoming NFL draft.
Marvin Lewis visited Indiana University to check out CB Tracy Porter who the Cincinnati Bengals may target in the 2nd round of this year’s NFL draft. Lewis also took a drive up to Columbus, Ohio to visit Ohio State’s LB Larry Grant who posted a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash. The NFL draft is just a little over a month away, look for the Bengals to go defense for at least the first two picks of the draft.
The Cincinnati Bengals have lost another player to free agency, Landon Johnson has signed a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers reportedly worth $9 million. Hopefully the Cincinnati Bengals aren’t looking to depend on Odell Thurman who hasn’t played a game in two years or Ahmad Brooks who has yet to play a full season and appears to be injury prone. Where do the Bengals go from here?
The Cincinnati Bengals have finally made their first move in this year’s free agency by signing former Tennessee Titans defensive end Antwan Odom to a five-year contract worth $30 million dollars with $11 million guaranteed. Earlier today the Bengals were on the verge on trading draft picks to the New York Jets for DeWayne Robertson but broke off discussions after speaking with Odom. Hopefully they are not done with free agency.
The Cincinnati Bengals have been quiet these past two days of free agency while other division teams make moves including the Cleveland Browns who took the Bengals trade pick Shaun Rogers. However the Bengals will be hosting a couple of free agents over the next few days. This Sunday former Tennessee Titans DE Antwan Odom will be visiting with San Diego Chargers Safety Marlon McCree and Indianapolis Colts TE Ben Utecht to follow in the upcoming days. Let’s hope the Bengals at least ink two out of the three to improve the team.
