Oct 9, 2011; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Andre Smith (71) reacts at the line of scrimmage against the Jacksonville Jaguars during a game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Fernando Medina-USA TODAY Sports

Could the Bengals be targeting a right tackle early in the 2013 NFL Draft? There are starting to be some signs and whispers around the NFL that say yes they are. Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk reports the Bengals may be looking at letting Andre Smith walk and draft a cheaper option.

As one league source explains it, the Bengals are now inclined to see if they can find a cheaper and younger replacement for Smith via the draft.  If the Bengals can, they’ll possibly pull the plug on efforts to re-sign Smith, a first-round pick in 2009.

Now Smith was the #1 rated right tackle in the league by PFF last year, so conventional wisdom says you have to bring him back. Rumors are that Smith is wanting around 9 million per year and with all the big time players the Bengals need to re-sign and extend next year, 9 million a year is too much especially since a market for him doesn’t seem to exist.

With the draft just around the corner, you have to take information like this as you will. The reports could be completely right and the Bengals could take D.J. Fluker or Menelik Watson at 21, or this could be a smokescreen to drive Smiths price down. Either way it should be an interesting next few weeks in Cincinnati.

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Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears jumped out of the gate to a 7-1 start and were being seen as Super Bowl contenders. Then injuries came and plagued them and they only went 3-5 down the stretch, missing the playoffs. Jay Cutler suffered a concussion in a loss to the Texans and some key defenders got injured. protecting Jay Cutler better this season has to be the Bears main priority. They signed Jermon Bushrod, but he wasn’t an elite level tackle while in New Orleans with those great guards on the line with him. The Bears also need to draft a replacement for Brian Urlacher. Alshon Jeffery should take over the #2 WR role this year, but they could still use some more weapons for Cutler.

Sep 8, 2012; Winston Salem, NC, USA North Carolina Tar Heels guard Jonathan Cooper (64) plays in the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB

Jonathan Cooper – The Bears have to protect Jay Cutler better this year. They signed Jermon Bushrod in the offseason expecting him to be their starting LT and bringing in Cooper would be another huge step in making that line respectable. Cooper is an extremely athletic guard who can move as well left as he can right. With a team that likes to get the ball in Matt Fortes hands in a number of ways, including the passing game, a guard who can get upfield with him is necessary. Cooper gets to the 2nd level as well as any guard in recent memory. He isn’t as strong as Chance Warmack and can tend to get pushed back by bigger, stronger DTs.

September 29, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Rashad Greene (80) is congratulated by offensive linesman Menelik Watson (71) after they scored a touchdown against the South Florida Bulls during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Menelik Watson – Even though the Bears signed Jermon Bushrod, I don’t think an offensive tackle is out of the question here. Watson can come in and play right tackle from day 1. He is still raw, but is an amazing athlete and an explosive player. Watson is also an insurance policy in case newly signed Bushrod doesn’t play as well as hoped. Watson has an explosive first step and good quickness and mobility. Is flexible and has a powerful punch against defenders. Gets to the 2nd level very well. Is still raw with limited playing experience and because of this his footwork still needs some work.

March 20, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton answers questions from reporters during the annual NFL meetings at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints season did not go anything like they wanted it to. After the Bounty Gate scandal came to light and Sean Peyton got suspended, the Saints seemed to fall apart. The Saints offense was still outstanding, but that was to be expected with Drew Brees at the QB position and all the weapons they have on offense. However, their defense gave up the most yards per game in the NFL and the 2nd most points in the NFL. The Saints defense had the 6th least sacks in the NFL with 30 and they switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 this year. On top of them not being able to get to the QB, their secondary was horrible. Roman Harper was a liability and Malcolm Jenkins wasn’t much better. They signed Keenan Lewis in the offseason who should help with their CB situation.

Oct 27, 2012; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jarvis Jones (29) sacks Florida Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) at EverBank Field. The Bulldogs won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

Jarvis Jones – One of the best pass rushers in the draft and was an absolute playmaker at Georgia. The Saints couldn’t get to the QB last year and they had players that fit their scheme then. With the switch to the 3-4, Martez Wilson, Junior Galette and Victor Butler are their only pass rush options. Jones has as much ability as any pass rusher in this draft, if not for his medical red flags he is probably a top 5 pick. Jones has enough flexibility to dip under the OT and get around him to the QB. Also athletic enough to drop into coverage and is very adept at forcing turnovers. Doesn’t have a lot of room for additional mass on his body.

September 29, 2012; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Barkevious Mingo (49) during a game against the Towson Tigers at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Towson 38-22. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Barkevious Mingo – Another pass rush option for the Saints. Mingo has one of the quickest jumps off the snap that I have ever seen. Mingo is a great athlete, but he needs to get bigger. His body has plenty of room for that growth. He has great flexibility to dip under the arms of the OT and get to the QB. He has very long arms that he can get up and get into the passing lanes.  Mingo has an amazing upside that is as high as anyone else in this draft. He does need to add some muscle to his frame, but that shouldn’t be a problem once he gets into an NFL strength program. He also isn’t very good against the run or in coverage. Will probably have to be used much like Bruce Irvin was this past year.

September 29, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Rashad Greene (80) is congratulated by offensive linesman Menelik Watson (71) after they scored a touchdown against the South Florida Bulls during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6’6″

Weight: 320 pounds

Position Rank:

Drafted By: Oakland Raiders (2nd round, 42nd overall)

40 Yard Dash:  N/A

Bench Press:  N/A

Vertical Jump:  N/A

Broad Jump:  N/A

20-Yard Shuttle: N/A

Scouting Report/Player Notes

Very interesting prospect who played one year at Florida State after spending time at a Junior College in California. Great size and athletic ability. The Florida State Athletic Site reports that he runs a 4.7 second 40 yard dash at 320 pounds. Will have to see that to believe it. Either way, Watson is a very good athlete who has good feet and is able to overpower some smaller defenders. How about this for a journey to football, via SB Nation’s Tomahawk Nation:

Watson came to Florida State by way of junior college, to which he came by way of boxing, to which he came by way of playing basketball at Marist University, and he’s originally from England. Most interesting background on the Florida State team? Absolutely.

Watson could emerge as a top 100 pick or even better due to the athletic ability he possesses. He only has one year of college experience at the highest level, and he did pretty well with that year. Still, I think as a right or left tackle in the NFL, he’s going to need some good coaching and grooming. He is already 25 years of age, having graduated high school in 2006.

This is one of the more interesting prospects in this year’s draft.

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