Cincinnati Bengals Off-season Review, Draft Grades, and 53 Man Roster Projection

The Bengals area  team that has faced a lot of turmoil over the past decade, but appear to be a team on the rise.Last year the Bengals did receiver great marks for the selection of Andy Dalton, but he lead them to a very impressive season. His continued improvement and a draft class that was one of the consensus  winners of the Bengals has them poised to be big time playoff contenders in the 2012 NFL Season. Let’s break down their draft, off-season, and give you a preliminary look at their 53 man roster.

1st round-Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

This was a pick that the Bengals almost had to make. Despite his off the field concerns, and his relative tight hips, Kirkpatrick has all the makings of a lockdown cornerback in the N.F.L. Big, strong, fast, and a player who plays with good instincts. Kirkpatrick might make a pro-bowl cornerback or even safety for the Bengals. The Bengals had a pretty good defense, but had suspect talent in the secondary, Kirkpatrick is a step in the right direction. I like the pick. A-

1st round-Kevin Zeitler, G, Wisconsin

This is a pick that will forever be heavily scrutinized. The decision for the Bengals to move down and select Kevin Zeitler resulted in two occurrences. The first was that they passed up on Stanford G David Decastro who was considered the “Andrew Luck” of the guard class and even worse it allowed the talented Cardinal to fall to the Bengals rival the Pittsburgh Steelers. If Decastro ever becomes the All-pro many think he could be this pick might get hammered despite how good Zeitler is. Now, Zeitler was not a reach–he was considered a first round talent on a lot of teams boards from what I hear (Ravens among the teams that were interested), but it was an interesting decision to move down to take as opposed to take Decastro. Zeitler should contribute very early and should be a pretty good player. B+

2nd Round Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Devon Still was as good as he wanted to be at Penn State. The issue was that he could not show that he always wanted to be good. That inconsistency cost him a first round selection and instead he went in the middle of the second round. At this point it was a risk worth taking. Sometimes these moves pan out big time other times the player fizzles out early. B

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers

Here’s where the Bengals started clearing house. Sanu is a terrific complement to A.J. Green. Green is dangerous down the field and Sanu should be able to clean up in the short to intermediate part of the field. Sanu reminds people of Hakeem Nicks, except Nicks is better after the catch and a better down the field threat. Both have good size, run good routes, and both are not afraid to get physical and go over the middle. This was a really good value and pick. A

Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

With the selection of Devon Still in the second round DT wasn’t a huge need for the Bengals at this point, but the value was to good to pass up. Geno Atkins is a dangerous pass rusher, but Thompson and Still could form one of the best run stuffing DT pairings in the league in two years. Thompson was never a first round talent, though he get that kind of publicity during the 2011 college football season, but he was a mid 2nd round player and getting him late third is great for the Bengals. A

4th Orson Charles, TE, Georgia

Charles is an under-rated blocker and a good move TE candidate. Charles had an absolutely awful pre-draft process. Not running at the combine, running a slow forty yard dash at his proday, getting arrested. Bad move after bad move. That’s a terrible sign, but the value  is good here. I still wonder why the Bengals always seem to wind up with the character risks–I like the Bengals talent, but still don’t trust the locker room and I’m not sure this is the best place for Charles off the field. B-

5th round Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa

Prater could come in and compete for Nickel snaps right away. He’s an athletic cornerback who has a good feel in the passing game. Prater might not ever start on the outside, but should be a viable and reliable cornerback for the Bengals who eventually might be responsible for checking Antonio Brown in the slot–which is not an easy task, but could really help the Bengals out in the future. B+

5th round-Marvin Jones, WR, California

I had Marvin Jones pegged as a fifth round sleeper in mid-October but then he did extremely well at the Senior Bowl and people started talking about him like he was slated for the early second round–which I thought was too high. I like Jones a lot in the fifth round. The Bengals need a #2 type WR to pair with A.J. Green and between Sanu and Jones they likely have found one.  A

George Illoka, S, Boise State

The Bengals seemed to snag all big name players in the 2012 nfl draft. Time will tel if they were getting great values, or just the big names. The great thing about this pick is that Iloka has NFL measurables and good production, and also fills a need for the Bengals. Another really good pick. A

Daniel “Boom” Herron, RB, Ohio State

Herron was a fourth or fifth round prospect on our board so again this is good value. You also have to add in the fact that the Bengals needed another running back for the future. A

Overall A

The Bengals had a very good draft by consensus rankings and there is a lot to like about this draft. The Bengals got a lot of good players from big schools. A lot of these players were big time winners and many of them don’t come with a laundry list of character concerns. The other thing the Bengals did really well is address needs. They also snatched up Vontaze Burfict as a undrafted free agent. The thing that worries me is how where all of these players available when they were? Was the draftnik community missing something? Time will tell, but I really liked what they did.

Off-season recap (walterfootball.com)

Offseason Moves:

Bengals announce retirement of G Jacob Bell
Vikings sign WR Jerome Simpson
Bengals re-sign OLB Dan Skuta
Giants acquire OLB Keith Rivers from Bengals for 5th-round pick
Bengals sign CB Terence Newman
Bengals re-sign OT Dennis Roland
Bengals sign G Jacob Bell
Bengals cut S Chris Crocker
Bengals re-sign OLB Manny Lawson
Bengals re-sign DT Pat Sims
Bengals sign DE Jamaal Anderson
Bengals re-sign OT Anthony Collins
Bengals sign DE Derrick Harvey
Bengals re-sign CB Pacman Jones
Bengals sign RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Broncos sign WR Andre Caldwell
Bengals re-sign S Reggie Nelson
Bengals sign CB Jason Allen
Bengals sign G Travelle Wharton
Colts sign G Mike McGlynn
Browns sign DE Frostee Rucker
Patriots sign DE Jonathan Fanene
Bengals franchise K Mike Nugent

53  man Roster Projection

Quarterback (3): Andy Dalton, Bruce Gradkowski,Zac Robinson

Running Back (5): Benjarvis Green-Ellis, Bernard Scott, Brian Leonard, Dan Herron, Chris Pressley

Wide Receiver (6) : A.J. Green, Armon Binns, Brandon Tate, Mohamed Sanu, Marvin Jones, Jordan Shipley

Tight End(3): Jermaine Gresham, Orson Charles, Donald Lee

Offensive Line (8): Andrew Whitworth, Travelle Wharton, Kyle Cook, Kevin Zeitler, Andre Smith, Anthony Collins, Clint Boling, Dennis Roland

Defensive Line (8): Robert Geathers, Domata Peko, Geno Atkins, Michael Johnson, Devon Still, Pat Simms, Carlos Dunlap,Brandon Thompson

Linebacker (8): Manny Lawson, Rey Maluaga, Thomas Howard, Vontaze Burfict, Dontay Moch, Vincent Rey, Roddrick Muckelroy

Cornerback (6): Leon Hall, Nate Clements, Dre Kirkpatrick, Terrance Newman, Pacman Jones, Jason Allen

Safety (4): Reggie Nelson, Taylor Mays, Geroge Iloka, Robert Sands

Kicker (1): Mike Nugent

Punter (1): Kevin Huber

Long Snapper (1): Clark Harris

Positions of strength:

Defensive line: Geno Atkins is one of the most impressive defensive tackles in the league as a pass rusher. Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson have flashed a lot of ability. Domata Peko is a very good run stopper and the additions of Brandon Thompson and Devon Still give the Bengals two very promising young defensive tackles. An impressive group of players along the defensive lin=e.

Tight End:

I really like what the Bengals have at tight end. Donald Lee is a very nice #2 Tight End, Orson Charles could develop into a mismatch nightmare and a big season from Gresham could have him in the “elite” tight end conversation. I think the WR are in a prove it state outside of Green though that position has tantalizing talent.

Positions of weaknesss:

Running back-Benjarvis Green Ellis, Bernard Scott,  Brian Leonard? Maybe there’s something there but they have to prove it.

Safety: young talent at safety, but unproven talent. Plus Reggie Nelson had his best year in 2011, will he repeat that kind of season again?

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Let me know what your prediction for the Bengals record in 2012?