With the departure of cow bell RB Ced Benson I believe the Bengals are shifting towards the pass orientated game with RB’s BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Bernard Scott to be used more in short yardage or goal line situations and therefore the Bengals wasted no time in free agency and the draft in filling up the WR spots on the roster ahead of training camp. Let’s take a look at the Bengals WR situation.

AJ Green is undisputed no.1, no questions. The Bengals and NFL weren’t disappointed by AJ’s contribution  by meeting, if not exceeding the critics and scouts expectations during the 2011 campaign. You tend to forget that this is his only his second season but the real battles are at no.2 wideout and who will be the teams go to slot receiver.

Recent reports indicate ex-Patriot Brandon Tate, who was the teams kick and punt returner last season, has been impressive during the teams recent OTA’s. As it’s likely that Green is going to be double coveraged alot more the Bengals will need an alternative however I would argue Tate is not going to strike fear into many secondaries.

The slot receiving position has many players vying for the position, starting the explosive former Montreal Alouette, Andrew Hawkins. Hawkins has experience from the CFL and the St Louis Rams but was waived after 7 months with the team. Hawkins has 5 touchdowns in the NFL and has become a fans favourite in Cincinnati, so he could well make the team in 2012.

Rookie Mohamed Sanu from Rutgers is physically imposing figure yet footage indicates that he is somewhat elusive and one ought to expect him to gain 2 to 3 yards extra per complete pass. I believe Mo Sanu will end up as the teams slot receiver come the regular season and become a valuable versatile receiver.

Jordan Shipley spent the entirety of last season on the IR list after tearing and ACL during the 2011 pre season. With the drafting of Sanu, it suggests the Bengals hierarchy are worried that Shipley won’t fully recover from his injuries and be able to contribute from the slot. Of course, given that Cincinnati had so many picks this year, they generally went in the direction of ‘Best Player Available’, and Sanu was probably that even with Shipley returning.

Former Cincinatti Bearcat Armon Binns also recently signed to the current Bengals roster. Whilst Binns is a big, physical receiver, he’ll have a tough job making the roster with the amount of talent the team currently have at WR.

Cal Bear WR Marvin Jones was drafted in the 5th round and was considered a steal for the Bengals and has now signed with the team. Some analysts had him going as high as the 2nd round having been impressive for California on the other side of Keenan Allen, a player tipped to be a first round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Jones has a better chance of making the roster than the previously mentioned Binns and having signed his contract it’s almost inevitable that we’ll see Jones in the Bengals line up.

Finally, former Indiana State wideout Justin Hilton http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHjZHzlOIhk was picked up from as an undrafted free agent. You just never know with Undrafted Free Agents and he could well make the team, but he’s going to have to make a huge impact in pre-season to feature.

With no definable no.2 wide receiver, it will be intriguing what schemes Gruden will produce. I can see a situation were the receivers will be flexible and comfortable in all receiving positions across the field. The real argument for the Bengals will be who will make the final roster as training camp progresses.

Friday 27th April 2012

So off goes my alarm at 6.30 am this morning. The first thing I do? Check my phone for what happened in the draft.

First pick of the draft, Andrew Luck, check. 2nd pick, RGIII, check, ooo the Browns have moved up, Richardson, check. As the Bengals are drafting at 17 and 21 I then ignore the other teams before us and scroll down to 17 whilst saying to myself, ‘DeCastro,he’s still there, he’s still there, HE’S STILL THERE!’ when BANG!

17th pick, the Cincinnati Bengals, Dre Kirkpatrick.
WHAT?! WHY HAVE WE PASSED ON DECASTRO???!!!!

There must be some simple explanation surely? And then further along, the situation further changes
We’ve traded away pick 21 to the Pats, what is going on with us? Why are we moving down the 1st when we have so much cap room available? And DeCastro is still there. Even after trading the picks away the Bellichick Patriots decide to pass on DeCastro

So were have we gone? How bad is the damage, oh no! NO!!!! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With the 24th pick of the NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select David DeCastro.

This cannot be happening, I cannot believe that we’ve passed up De Castro and he’s fallen so far to be picked by the bloody Steelers, of all teams. Why did you do it Cincy? Why oh why? Why couldn’t have we been the Bengals of old and not trade to anyone for anything?

Damn you Detroit for selecting Riley Reiff at 23, I felt sorry you guys had picked up the Madden curse earlier in the week but now I hope you all get a good dose of John. You may have Megatron, but your city will always be known as the movie set of Robocop. Damn you Browns, Patriots, Titans, Bears, and Chargers, you could have all had him.

With the 27th pick of the draft, Cincinnati Bengals, Kevin Zeitler.

Finally a guard, but I still can’t believe we passed on De Castro. Of course, we don’t know how any of these players will play in the regular season but I can’t help but feel not only have the Bengals missed a golden opportunity to upgrade the O Line for years but we’ve managed to help our divisional rivals.

Having calmed down here is my analysis of the Bengals draft.

1st round
Dre Kirkpatrick and Kevin Zeitler, welcome to The Jungle. Maybe Cincy would have preferred Gilmore to fall but the Bengals address an outstanding issue with the capture Kirkpatrick. The Bengals miss out on De Castro by trading back 6 places and a 3rd round pick but pick up Wisconsin Badger Kevin Zeitler at 27 to improve the offensive line.

2nd round
DT Devon Still of Penn State, a welcome addition to the trenches and in theory would allow Atkins and Dunlap to apply further pressure and significantly improve the pass rush which at times last season exposed a weakened secondary on far too many occasions.

3rd round
Mohamed Sanu WR of Rutgers and Brandon Thompson DT of Clemson. Sanu is another weapon added to the receiving corps to take away attention from no.1 AJ Green. Sanu isn’t a deep threat receiver but one should expect him to run slants across the middle and take the hits becoming the possession receiver that Cincy haven’t had since TJ Houshmandzadeh. As per the previous round, another D linemen adds depth to what is becoming a strong unit. Thompson was considered by many draft experts as one of the premier DT’s in the class and has since been tied up by the Bengals.

4th round
Orson Charles TE, Georgia. AJ Greens former teammate. He was once considered one of the top tight ends in this draft and was projected to go in the first or second round. A recent DUI and a poor 40-yard time at his pro day (he was clocked in the high 4.7s) caused him to slide to the fourth round. The Bengals will play a lot more two tight end sets with Charles and Gresham. Charles is considered by Cincy to have a very high ceiling.

5th round and 6th round

Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa. Marvin Jones, WR, Cal, George Iloka, FS, Boise State and Dan Herron, RB, Ohio State. Jones of Cal has been tipped to push Sanu all the way in training camp but a receiving corp of Green, Sanu, Shipley and Jones, although young, can grow together and fit perfectly into Grudens offence.
It must be noted that draft classes can only be evaluated once all the picks have been playing in 2 years time. Whilst this draft has arguably been one of the Bengals best ones to date, we should show some caution before they actually get thrown into the NFL. These guys have been the best of the best and that will stop the second they hit training camp and September – some will thrive and some will fall but whatever happens the game is always the winner.

Despite having the largest space in the cap, the Bengals chose a remarkably quiet path through the first month of free agency. The only significant activity consisted of the signing of the RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, the resignation of players Reggie Nelson and Manny Lawson who led them to a 9-7 record in 2011 and the losing Nate Livings and Frostee Rucker. The lack of activity has brought criticism from some pundits; Matt Williamson of ESPN was critical of the lack of activity considering the large amount of cap space available.

However, other pundits did point out that the Bengals are already preparing cap space for new contracts to Andy Dalton and AJ Green who are likely to command much larger contracts than they are on at present. It should be further pointed out that the perennially successful franchises like the Steelers, Giants and Packers are usually quiet during free agency and choose to build their rosters through the draft with good scouting and ruthless decision making.

For the 2012 draft the Bengals have the luxury of two first round draft picks, 17 from the Oakland Raiders thanks to the trade of QB Carson Palmer and at 21 thanks to the 9-7 record and a playoff appearance in 2011. The Bengals have arguably been presented a golden opportunity to add two very good players and build further upon the success of last season’s 1st and 2nd round picks, wide receiver AJ Green and QB Andy Dalton.

Looking at the Bengals weaknesses, the most pressing needs are at offensive guard and in the defensive secondary. Against the Steelers, Ravens and in the playoffs at the Texans their D line and line backers successfully managed to make life uncomfortable for Dalton and continually expose the
secondary.

David DeCastro has been evaluated by scouts and draft experts as the top guard in the draft. Sadly for Cincy he’s unlikely to be available at 17. Recent reports have indicated he’s likely to be selected by either Kansas City at 11 or by Dallas at 14. So Cincy would likely have to trade up to get DeCasto. But don’t get excited, if you know your Bengals history, Mike Brown doesn’t do trades. The 2nd best guard in this draft is Cordy Glenn of Georgia, but I believe there is the distinct possibility of Glenn falling past 17 and being picked up with pick 21.

So with the 17th pick of the NFL draft, the Cincinnati Bengals should select Dre Kirkpatrick, cornerback University of Alabama. Selecting Kirkpatrick will help address the loss of Jonathan Joseph during 2011 free agency to the Texans. The Bengals tried to cover this weakness by signing Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones, yet in the playoffs Jones just couldn’t cover an Andre Johson coming off an injury. Morris Claiborne of LSU is the top CB in the draft yet he’s unlikely to fall to 17 with Tampa the likely suitors.

The next best CB in terms of ability is Janoris Jenkins of North Alabama, yet he’s a complete mess off the field. I would urge Mike Brown not to waste first round money on another athlete with questionable character, but as his talent is undeniable he may be just too tempting for Brown to pass up.

Selecting Kirkpatrick, a national championship winner with the Crimson Tide and Cordy Glenn, an all SEC guard for Georgia, the Bengals address two skill positions the franchise can build upon for years to come.