2008 NFL Draft: Mock my words - Bengals style - Linebackers

By Shane Bulcher
Guest Blogger

With very little linebacker hype in this year’s draft, one would think this year’s class must be sub-par.

But looking at the players in detail, I think it is full of solid and potentially great players. Out of all the linebackers, I have targeted six that could step in and play right away, and just maybe become a cornerstone of a Bengals’ defense that was ravaged by injury at the position.

Dan Connor, Penn State 6-3/235 pounds
Projected: Late 1st, early 2nd round
Four-year starter at Linebacker U, Connor was an impact player from the day he stepped in at Happy Valley, recording 85 tackles as a freshman. Connor is an outstanding overall athlete who can go sideline-to-sideline with ease. His speed won’t shock you, but his tenacity and smarts more than make up for it as he’s always around the ball. The kid seems to just have the “it” factor.

Keith Rivers, USC 6-3/225 pounds
Projected: 1st Round
Another four-year starter, Rivers came into USC with great expectations as he inherited the famous number fifty-five jersey. The same number worn by USC greats Junior Seau, Willie McGinest and Chris Claiborne. Rivers doesn’t seem to do anything exceptionally well, but he gets the job done and was a leader on a star-studded defense where he had to share tackles with a cast of All-Americans (only 78 tackles as a senior). Personally, the more I see, the less I like the idea of the Bengals drafting him at the nine spot, because he looks like a player who will be solid, but not great at the next level. One positive is that the Bengals are in dire need of leadership and strong character, and both are strengths of Rivers.
2006 Highlights of Keith Rivers

Jerod Mayo, Tennessee 6-2 230 pounds
Projected: Late 1st early 2nd round
Mayo is a stout, rangy linebacker who has a nose for the ball. He will most likely settle in as a middle linebacker where he can utilize his strengths against the run. His weakness is his cover skills against quick running backs or tight ends. Prior to the scouting combine and workouts, many had Mayo ticketed for the late second, early third round. Now, after impressive performances he has elevated his stock to late first, or early second.
2007 Highlights of Jerod Mayo

Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma 6-0 238 pounds
Projected: 2nd Round
Lofton (pic - above right) is built like a fire hydrant, and consistently runs over players with his brute strength. If you were to describe him in one word it would be explosive. His numbers were gaudy (157 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 3 INT and 2 touchdowns) against top-level talent. He’s one of the best against the run, but like many young LB’s he will need to improve his coverage skills in the NFL. I hate to say it, but his play reminds me a lot of Odell Thurman, as he has the ability make big plays and consistently blows up ball carriers. I think he would look very nice in stripes.
2007 Highlights of Curtis Lofton

Beau Bell, UNLV 6-3 245 pounds
Projected: 3rd or 4th round
Beau Bell (left) is a manimal. The guy has the measurables, intangibles and raw potential to be a great linebacker in the NFL. He looks like the best overall athlete at the linebacker position in this year’s draft. The only knack on him is that he often over pursues on plays and puts himself out of position, which coincidentally has been a serious problem for the Bengals. And he’s known for slowly picking up the playbook, which will hurt his stock as well. He could be one of those guys who could slip, but end up being a big steal in the third round.

Jeremy “J” Leman, Illinois 6-3 243 pounds
Projected: 3rd to 5th round
Many may be surprised to see his name here, but this guy can flat out play. He’s not a workout warrior, but once he straps his chinstrap, there are few that work harder and produce more than Mr. Leman. He was the defensive leader for the Illini in both his junior and senior campaigns, in which he helped engineer a Rose Bowl birth. In my opinion, he’s a poor man’s A.J. Hawk, he won’t blow you away at the combine but he will on the field.

In a perfect (my) world, the Bengals land Sedrick Ellis with the first pick, then snag Curtis Lofton with their second round pick. This would add two young and extremely talented players to attack a weakness that has been a chronic problem for the Marvin era and beyond.

Please join us online at Bengalstripes.com for live draft discussion. I want to have a record amount of comments, so please sign up and give us your opinion. The NFL Draft begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 ET on ESPN and on the NFL Network. Rounds three through seven will be on Sunday starting at 10 a.m. ET.