NFL free agency began on Friday February 27th with former Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth signing a 7-year, $100 million contract with the Washington Redskins. To no one’s surprise, the Cincinnati Bengals started free agency slowly, doing very little on the opening weekend, aside from resigning: safety Chris Crocker, back-up running back DeDe Dorsey, and linebacker Darryl Blackstock. In addition to these three rather small signings, the Bengals have lost two starters in starting offensive tackle Stacy Andrews and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, one of the most prolific wide receivers in Bengals history. After these two players left, the Bengals re-signed running back Cedric Benson and signed veteran receiver Laveraneus Coles to a 4-year deal. It seems likely that the Bengals are basically done signing major free agents this year, so they will have to fill major holes at: offensive tackle, center, wide receiver, defensive tackle, and running back must be filled through the draft, in addition to increasing the depth at all other positions.
The 2009 NFL Draft is set to take place on Saturday April 25 and Sunday April 26th in New York City. The NFL is an extremely dynamic league, so even in between writing this paragraph and the next, a number of trades or signings could happen that could completely disrupt these predictions. Regardless, here is how I think the first 5 picks in the draft will go.
1. Detroit Lions- the first team to ever go 0-16 has the top pick in the draft. It is widely speculated that they will take Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford with this pick. The next picks, in order, go to: St. Louis, Kansas City, Seattle, Cleveland, and then Cincinnati at sixth. What the previous five teams do will obviously determine which players are available when the Bengals pick first.
2. St. Louis Rams- assuming that Detroit takes a quarterback, St. Louis is in dire need of offensive line help, so they will probably take Virginia offensive tackle Eugene Monroe or Baylor OT Jason Smith.
3. Kansas City Chiefs were formerly in the running for a quarterback, but recently traded a second round pick to New England for quarterback Matt Cassell. Their defense was one of the worst in the league last season, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they took Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry.
4. Seattle Seahawks- draft analysts initially speculated that Seattle would take a receiver like Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree or Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin with the fourth overall pick. However, they just signed Houshmandzadeh, so they no longer need to spend a first round pick on a wideout. Seattle will probably go with the safe pick and take an offensive lineman like either Smith or Monroe, depending on which of the two (if either) is still available. They may also go with a defensive tackle like Boston College’s B.J. Raji.
5. Cleveland Browns- the Browns are relatively set at offensive line, and they will most likely try to improve on defense. A defensive end like Texas’ Brian Orakpo or Florida State’s Everette Brown would help Cleveland’s pass rush, or a cornerback like Illinois’ Vontae Davis or Ohio State’s Michael Jenkins would help their pass defense. They may also look at tight ends or receivers, since Kellen Winslow was just traded to Tampa Bay and top receiver Braylon Edwards’ contract is up after this season.
What these five teams decide to do with their picks will directly affect what the Bengals can do. Assuming, like I’ve predicted above, that one quarterback, two offensive lineman, and two defensive players are gone by the sixth pick, the Bengals could choose to go in one of several directions. Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith was once considered to be one of the top players in this draft. Some people even thought Detroit would take him with the top pick overall. However, Alabama suspended Smith for this year’s Sugar Bowl for improperly dealing with a sports agent (which his team lost to Utah). He then chose to not work out at the NFL Combine and even left early without telling anyone. Although he may be physically gifted, his intangible characteristics, maturity, and motivation to be in the NFL are now being called into question. Regardless of this, Mike Brown may still choose to bring in this big, bruising, lineman (he did re-sign troubled receiver Chris Henry) assuming that Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe are gone. The Bengals may also look at Ole Miss tackle Michael Oher.
In 2008, the Bengals finished last in the league in total offense, but running back and wide receiver are likely out as first-round possibilities. Halfback Cedric Benson was just resigned to a 2-year deal. The Bengals could use a more talented backup than Chris Perry or DeDe Dorsey, but that can be addressed in later rounds. Although T.J. is gone, Chad Ocho Cinco isn’t getting any healthier (or happier), and Chris Henry is still a legal question mark, the Bengals just signed big-name free agent Laveranues Coles to a 4-year deal. They also invested three draft picks last year in receivers Jerome Simpson (2nd round), Andre Caldwell (3rd round), and Mario Urrita (7th round). They could also choose to draft a defensive tackle like B.J. Raji, whom the Bengals are reportedly very impressed with. Regardless of all these possibilities, I believe that if the Bengals are unable to trade down their pick, they will take Andre Smith. Smith, or any other lineman, will help fill the team’s biggest hole: protecting oft-injured Carson Palmer, the face of the franchise.
Assuming that the Bengals do take a lineman in the first round, I believe they will take a center (like Louisville’s Eric Wood) in the second round. They may take a running back in the third round. Although it’s unclear, I feel the Bengals would be wise to also draft a cornerback, wide receiver, defensive tackle, defensive end, and fullback in the later rounds.
In comparison to what I’ve suggested, different Bengals fans have different opinions. Most of the people who responded agreed that the Bengals offensive line was in dire need of a big tackle. Todd S. said that the Bengals should take, “the best offensive tackle available. Absolutely no wide outs.” Ohio State fan Tim M. joked that the Bengals should take OSU alum Beanie Wells, despite the fact that the Bengals don’t really need a running back. Getting back to the point, Tim said, “best o line available, Jason Smith. Never know with Mike Brown’s cheap ass, although I did say it was needed to resign Benson and Crocker. Coles was a good signing too.” Some other people had different opinions. Economically minded Don. W feels that, “they should draft an outside linebacker. But they should wait until the third or fourth round so they don’t have to pay him as much.” Matt S. said, “We should draft a backup to replace Ryan Fitzpatrick. I don’t care if we sign someone instead, as long as we don’t get that piece of crap Rex Grossman.” Matt can set his worries aside, since the Bengals just signed J.T. O’Sullivan to be Carson Palmer’s backup this season. A few other people opted to go with defense. Jon W. said, “Our pass rush was 30th in the league, we need a good defensive end like Julius Peppers or Mario Williams (who both have been to the Pro Bowl).” I suggested that Texas’ Brian Orakpo would be a good fit based on his logic. Jamie H. feels that if there is no one worth taking with the first pick, “they should trade down and take a linebacker like Rey Mauluga or James Laurinitis later on in the first round.”
Regardless of what people hope or think the Bengals should do, Mike Brown will do what he wants to do at the end of April. Last year’s draft has so far been a success, with picks like linebacker Keith Rivers, receiver Andre Caldwell, offensive tackle Anthony Collins, and defensive tackle Pat Sims positively contributing to the team’s performance. Let’s just hope that this year’s draft has the same level of success.
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