2012 Mock Draft: Cincinnati Bengals Full 7 Round Draft

1a) (Raiders Pick) David DeCastro, G Stanford -The most pressing need for the Bengals is interior o-line help. Bobbie Williams is getting old, Livings is arguably the worst starter on the team, and Cook is an ok center at best. Cook was recently signed to an extension so it looks unlikely that the Bengals will want to upgrade the center position but both guard positions could use some help. DeCastro has very deceiving size but is very athletic, often going into the second level of the defense. He anchors very well and has protected QB Andrew Luck admirably.

1b) Alshon Jeffery , WR South Carolina– Many think that Jeffery is a lock for the top ten and a lock to be the first receiver taken but I believe that Jeffery’s poor numbers this year along with a potential poor combine performance will bring his stock way down. Towards the beginning of the year, draft experts compared him towards Calvin Johnson but at this point, he looks more like a better version of Mike Williams. None the less, Jerome Simpson has been widely inconsistent on the field (and he’s probably a drug dealer) thus the Bengals would have to pull the trigger on Jeffery. His potential is through the roof due to his size, hands, and body control and he would complete arguably the league’s best young passing attack compromising of Dalton, AJ Green, Jermaine Gresham, and Jordan Shipley.

2) Chase Minnifield, CB University of Virginia – With a deep cornerback class, Minnifield is flying way under the radar. Not only does Minnifield have great athleticism and size, but he has extremely good instincts. His numbers are slightly down this year but then again, most teams aren’t passing towards him and are exploiting other weaknesses in the Virginia defense. Also, it doesn’t hurt to have your dad be a former NFL star. The Bengals have Leon Hall locked up for the foreseeable future but they need another cornerback to groom as Nate Clements is only a stop gap.

3) Markelle Martin, S Oklahoma State- Martin plays free safety and patrols the middle of the field very well. S Reggie Nelson has been a very valuable piece on defense but he may be better suited for strong safety as he has the size and speed to keep up with tight ends. The Bengals need a center field type safety and Martin would be a great fit. He has good speed and fluid hips and although he has not posted any interceptions this year, he has locked down his side of the field well and has made big plays.

4) Donnie Fletcher, CB Boston College- He has good size, 6’1 and he has a good skill set. He could be groomed by Clements to be a great run stopping CB that the Bengals could use on nickel downs. With the addition of Fletcher, the Bengals cornerbacks would comprise of Leon Hall, Nate Clements, Chase Minnifield, Adam “Pacman” Jones, and Donnie Fletcher. Not bad at all.

5) Jeff Demps, RB Florida- Prior to the start of the season, the Bengals claimed Brandon Tate, the previous special team ace for the Patriots. Tate has had some nice run backs but his decision making at times has put the Bengals in bad situations. Of the nice runs that Tate has had, most of them have been huge holes that nearly any returner could run through. Demps would give us a threat to return kicks every game. He is the playmaker that the Bengals need on special teams.

6) Danny Trevathan, OLB Kentucky – Trevathan has great instincts but he is very undersized. At this point in the draft, you have to draft best player available and Trevathan fits that build. He is a huge part of a surprisingly good Kentucky defense and could immediately come in and play special teams.

7) Bob Hebert, C-LSU- Just another big body for a weak Cincinnati offensive line. If anything, he could become a practice squad body.