2016 Mock Draft 1.0

[DanBengalfan]

I fully expect the NFL to step in and fix things if we get any picks that matter.

 

[Kingspoint]

The Bengals put Miss St DL Chris Jones through a workout at his Pro Day on Sat, the 12th. Jones doesn't turn 22 until July and he's 6'3", 302. He's looked at right now near the end of Rd 1

Also, Missouri's Kentrell Brothers is being compared to Paul Dawson. Just sayin'.

 

[Kingspoint]

If I was looking for Marvin Jones' clone in this draft, I'd choose the Bulldogs' Malcolm Mitchell. I have a strong opinion that the Bengals won't touch a Receiver until the third round, and he could very well be gone by then. But, in this very weak WR class, afted a few get overdrafted, the rest could fall quite a bit, making Mitchell available when the Bengals select late in the round.

One player that a lot of teams will consider in that third round, including Cincinnati, is...

From Rotoworld...

Tulsa WR Keyarris Garrett has visits set up with the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers, reports TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline.

Per Pauline, "there's a definite buzz building" around Garrett, who came into the season with a UDFA grade from scouts. He forced them to reconsider after posting a 96-1,588-line last year and running a respectable 4.53 second forty for a 6-foot-3 1/2, 221-pounder at the Combine. So much so that the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals (who sent a WR coach) were in Tulsa last week to watch Garrett work out at his pro day. Garrett logged a vertical jump of 38 inches (36.5 inches at combine). "He then had a terrific positional workout," Pauline wrote. "Scouts also love the fact the big-bodied receiver comes with 34 inch arms."

Source: Walter Footbal

 

[Kingspoint]

The Bengals put Miss St DL Chris Jones through a workout at his Pro Day on Sat, the 12th. Jones doesn't turn 22 until July and he's 6'3", 302. He's looked at right now near the end of Rd 1

Also, Missouri's Kentrell Brothers is being compared to Paul Dawson. Just sayin'.

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

Mississippi State DL Chris Jones was arrested on Wednesday after being pulled over for speeding and driving with a suspended license.

Bond was met at $922, so Jones was released after his arrest at 2:22 pm. The arrest took place near Mississippi State's campus. On the spectrum of off-field incidents, this one seems very minor. Jones is widely viewed as a first or second round prospect in an outstanding defensive line class. His freshman and junior seasons are far superior to his sophomore tape.

Source: Clarion Ledge


That could be a bargain for the Bengals at the end of Rd 2, now.

 

[Kingspoint]

Rotoworld's Evan Silva and Josh Norris's draft needs of the Bengals:


No. 1 Team Need: Wide Receiver

Silva's Analysis

The Bengals have pursued Brandon LaFell after losing Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu in free agency, but their wideout search shouldn't end even if LaFell signs. Behind A.J. Green, the depth chart is presently rounded out byMario Alford, Jake Kumerow, Michael Bennett and special teamers James Wright and Brandon Tate. If LaFell is brought aboard, his best-case utilization would be Sanu's old role. Cincinnati would still need a legitimate No. 2 bookend to Green. It's very possible the Bengals use their first-round pick on a wideout, targeting a Z receiver to complement Green's X.


No. 2 Team Need: Defensive Line

Silva's Analysis

Whereas LE Carlos Dunlap and three-technique DT Geno Atkins are premier NFL starters in their prime, REMichael Johnson and NT Domata Peko are both in states of decline. Cincinnati does have some interior depth in run-stuffing role player Pat Sims, 2015 fourth-round pick Marcus Hardison, and fifth-year DT Brandon Thompson. More help is needed on the edges, where the Bengals could use someone to push Johnson. Failed recent draft picks Will Clarke and Margus Hunt have not been up for the task.


No. 3 Team Need: Secondary

Silva's Analysis

The Bengals did well to retain RCB Adam Jones and FS George Iloka, but strong safety is a question mark withReggie Nelson still on the market, and LCB Dre Kirkpatrick was one of last year's weakest starting corners. Slot cornerback is another concern with incumbent Leon Hall unsigned. Perhaps Cincinnati is ready to turn the page on aging Nelson and Hall, looking to youngsters Shawn Williams and Darqueze Dennard for increased roles. Those players should still face competition, and Kirkpatrick's starting job deserves to be on the spot.


Norris' Mock Draft

Round 1 (24): WR Michael Thomas, Ohio State - There’s so much of Michael Crabtree’s game in Michael Thomas. He truly is sneaky athletic after the catch as he destroys defenders’ angles of anticipation and glides into full speed very quickly, in similar fashion to Demaryius Thomas. I wouldn't be surprised if some teams rank Thomas as the class’ top receiver.

Round 2 (55): EDGE/DL Jihad Ward, Illinois - Every team, especially the Bengals, likes edge players who can move inside on sub-package downs. Ward fits the bill, using his length on the outside to press blockers back and then using footwork and quickness inside to make an impact there.

Round 3 (87): WR Leonte Carroo, Rutgers - The Bengals have dabbled with different receiver types in the slot, sometimes utilizing bigger targets (Mohamed Sanu), other times shiftier ones (Andrew Hawkins, Rex Burkhead). Carroo was used all over and fits the “big” game mold by coming down with difficult contested catches.

Round 4 (122): DT D.J. Reader, Clemson - A run stuffer at his foundation who could take that role over if the Bengals ever move on from Peko or Sims. Reader understands who he is as a pass rusher, though, and uses his power to get upfield.

Round 5 (161): CB Blake Countess, Auburn - Countess played 176 snaps in the slot last year and comes from two big programs, Michigan and Auburn, which the Bengals seem to value. Highly.

Round 6 (199): S Clayton Fejedelem, Illinois - A split safety who played a number of snaps in a “strong” position, Fejedelem is an aggressive player moving forward and tested like an above-average athlete.

Round 7 (245): LB Reggie Northrup, FSU - Big school, athletic prospect at a position where the Bengals need an injection of speed.

NFL Draft Needs: Bengals - Rotoworld.com

 

[Kingspoint]

I probably agree with none of those "attempts" by Norris, especially the 1st Round selection mainly because the two teams that pick directly ahead of us, Minnesota and Houston, have the same need at Wide Receiver. While Michael Thomas would be great, he won't get past both of those teams.

 

[Kingspoint]

Possibly a 1-2 of CB Mackenzie Alexander, Clemson/DT-DE Austin Davis, Penn State; or,
WR Josh Doctson, TCU/CB Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech; or,
DE Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky/WR Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma; or,
DE/DT Chris Jones, Mississippi State/CB Will Redmond, Mississippi State.


Possible 3rd Rd picks:

Jordan Jenkins, Georgia
Leonte Caroo, Rutgers
Sean Davis, Maryland
Jalen Mills, LSU
T. J. Green, Clemson
Rashard Robinson, LSU

 

[Kingspoint]

If I had to pick right now, I think the Bengals will go:

WR Josh Doctson, LSU/CB Will Redmond, Mississippi State.