2008 NFL Draft: Mock my words - Bengals style - Defensive tackles

By Adam Kiefaber

With less than month until the 2008 NFL Draft, the Internet is overflowing with mock drafts.

Personally, I find it rather humorous that thousands of people, some paid and some not, are able to determine what 32 NFL franchises are going to do in the NFL Draft.

As a Bengal fan, I have no clue what my favorite team is going to do on April 26th. I might think that I do. However, one thing that I do know is that it’s impossible to predict what every team is going to do.

That all being said, I feel the best way to breakdown the NFL Draft would be by discussing it by position.

Today, the topic is defensive tackle.

DT is a huge need for the Bengals.

If you were paying attention during free agency you would know that the Bengals almost acquired Shaun Rogers and after that fell through they supposedly traded for Dewayne Robertson.

Obviously the team wants a DT, whether it be for the 4-3 or the 3-4 defense, it is surely a need.

According to Pro Football Weekly, DT is the team’s second biggest need. The publication grades the DT class as a C- and states the obvious, “this class features some exceptional talent at the top of the class, and teams in need of defensive linemen will have a very difficult time finding one on the second day.”

It might be difficult finding one on the second day, however I don’t know if the magazine realizes that this year’s first day will only cover the first two rounds instead of the normal first three rounds.

I believe that a team can draft a quality DT in rounds one through four. If Cincinnati doesn’t pull the trigger by its fourth-round pick, it will be in trouble. (click on prospects names for scouting reports)

ROUND ONE
- Bengals would love to have -
LSU DT Glenn Dorsey - Two weeks ago, I complied 11 mock drafts and 45.5 percent of them had the Bengals selecting Dorsey. It is funny how that prediction has changed (Dorsey did have his pro day on Tuesday, but his stock rose somehow without doing anything prior to that) as most mock drafters have Dorsey being long gone before the Bengals pick at No. 9 overall.
USC DT Sedrick Ellis - This week, many mock drafters have Ellis falling to the Bengals at No. 9. Personally I don’t care how it happens, if Cincinnati could acquire Ellis or Dorsey in the first round, it would be huge. Both have the talent to be potential pro bowlers.

- What if the Bengals trade down -
Right when you think you know something, the Bengals do something else. I remember in the 2004 NFL Draft, the Bengals were sitting pretty when Steven Jackson fell to them at No. 24 overall. I watched the TV in excitement, cheering for Cincinnati to pick him, right when the team traded down to acquire Chris Perry. Personally, I’m not a Michigan fan, so I didn’t take it that well. However, with the trade the Bengals acquired a fourth-round pick used on the team’s current franchise-tagged player, Stacy Andrews. So, that being said, try to be patient if the team trades down to draft UNC DT Kentwan Balmer.

ROUND TWO
- Bengals would love to have -
UNC DT Kentwan Balmer - My personal belief is that Balmer will be gone by the Bengals second round pick. Balmer is projected to be a a first-round pick by nfldraftcountdown.com and is projected to go in the first or second round by Pro Football Weekly.

- Possible picks in rounds two through four (my personal favorites) -
Texas A&M DT Red Bryant - According to nfldraftcountdown.com, Bryant is projected as a second or third rounder. Pro Football Weekly has Bryant projected as a third or fourth rounder. Despite the mid-round value, I believe that Bryant is a great prospect. Honestly, he reminds me of Dorsey, except bigger (6-foot-4, 328 lbs.). Like Dorsey, Bryant is an emotional leader that plays hard on every snap.

Notre Dame DT Trevor Laws - Projected to be a second and third rounder by Pro Football Weekly and reminds me of Domata Peko. However, he might be better. Laws proved to be very athletic for his position at the combine. He is another player that is a great tackler that has what the scouts call “a non-stop motor.”

Other possible picks in rounds two through four
Arkansas DT Marcus Harrison (projected to be a second and third rounder by Pro Football Weekly), FSU DT Letroy Gunion (projected to be a second and third rounder by Pro Football Weekly), Auburn DT Pat Sims (projected to be a third or fourth rounder by Pro Football Weekly), N.C. State DT DeMario Pressley (projected to be a third or fourth rounder by Pro Football Weekly), Maryland DT Dre Moore (projected to be a third or fourth rounder by Pro Football Weekly), Iowa State DT Ahtyba Rubin (projected to be a third or fourth rounder by Pro Football Weekly), Texas DT Frank Okam (projected to be a fourth or fifth rounder by Pro Football Weekly) and FSU DT Andre Fluellen (projected to be a fourth or fifth rounder by Pro Football Weekly).

Current DTs

John Thornton (Age: 31) - Thornton is in the last year of a six-year deal. While he has been a solid player for the Bengals, he hasn’t been an elite DT. His starting days could be numbered.

Michael Myers (Age: 32) - Myers was adequate in his role as the main backup at defensive tackle. Like Thornton, Myers is in the last year in his deal. Myers might not be back after this season and has never been an elite DT.

Domata Peko (Age: 23) - Peko has two years left in his contract and figures to be in the team’s long-term plans at defensive tackle. After emerging as a rookie in 2006, Peko failed to improve in 2007. At times it seemed as if he couldn’t break free from one-on-one blocking. In his defense, he could benefit by being paired up with a dominant DT, i.e. Dorsey or Ellis.

Titus Adams (Age: 25) - Adams was on the team’s practice squad the last two games of the 2007 season. The former seventh-round pick (NY Jets) has never see the field during a regular season game. It will be interesting to see him perform in the preseason.

Jonathan Fanene (Age: 26) - Fanene is more of defensive end, but can slide into the middle at DT in the 4-3 defense. He is the prototypical defensive end in a 3-4 and signed a three-year deal worth $4.4 million this offseason. The Bengals obviously have a lot of confidence in a player that has only 12 total tackles in three seasons.

Overview
You have to figure that only Peko has a long-term future at DT in Cincinnati. Fanene could be on the team for awhile, but isn’t the long-term option in the middle. Personally I think DT is the biggest need that has to be addressed in the upcoming draft. If a quality DT is not chosen - I grant you permission to panic.