At first, I didn’t realize who Corey Lynch was, then I was quickly reminded that he was the guy who blocked the field goal that clinched Appalachian State’s upset over Michigan this season.
Personally, I love this pick. Lynch will provide the team with another player with great character (National Honor Society in high school) and a top-notch special teams player (six blocked kicks in college).
This pick provides great value. Lynch will be a special teams stud right away and has showed the ability to be a playmaker/team leader while playing at the safety position.
Corey Lynch Highlights (senior year)
Corey Lynch Highlights (junior year)
Corey Lynch Draft Video
After watching all that video has to make you a Lynch fan, however I don’t know if anyone is a fan of the Bengals other sixth-round pick Villanova TE Matt Sherry.
I don’t know anything about Sherry, except for the fact he majored in finance and had 3.84 GPA.
Everyone was under the impression that the Cincinnati Bengals couldn’t afford another bad character guy, but Fresno State DT Jason Shirley was to phyically dominating that the team had to take a risk.
Shirley is one of the biggest DTs in this draft at 6-foot-5 338 pounds and he uses that size to dominate offensive linemen.
In 2007, Shirley was suspended three times.
This pick is obviously a risk, but has the opportunity to have a huge reward.
Overall, since this pick is risky, hopefully the Bengals have another DT they might target with their last four picks (two sixth rounders and two seventh rounders).
With current injury-prone offensive tackles Willie Anderson and Levi Jones, the Bengals were smart to add some depth in the fourth round with the selection of Kansas OT Anthony Collins
Many people might be unfamiliar with Collins (#78), but this pick could be another steal.
Pro Football Weekly had Collins rated as the No. 7 best OT in the entire draft class and USA Today Sports Weekly had Collins ranked No. 6 (ahead of eventual first-round pick USC OT Sam Baker). PFW projected Collins as a second-to-third rounder, as USA Today had Collins projected as a second rounder.
USA Today writes, “took advantage of the Jayhawks’ breakout 2007 seaon and his big first year on the left side to jump early to the NFL. Has the an outstanding frame with protoypical size but is inexperienced after only one season of high school football. Plays more with power than with quickness or agility. Not afraid to mix it up with bull rushers and has no problem moving forward and creating a push. Playing left tackle last year helped his stock. But without great footwork or quickness, he probably goes back to the right side.”
At first when I saw Collins’ name pop up on the draft ticker, I was disappointed because I wanted another DT and Maryland DT Dre Moore and Texas A&M DT Red Bryant were still on the board.
However, after taking a deep breath, I realized that this was a better pick. Levi Jones wants out of Cincinnati and his knees have actually already left. If Anderson doesn’t hold up this season, he might have to retire. And Stacey Andrews is signed only for one season with the franchise tag.
All that being said, Collins should have at least a season or two to develop before becoming a solid starter for a long time. Personally, I feel really good about this pick.
If you missed it Collins was a first-team All-American last year (the other OT on the team was No. 1 overall pick - Michigan’s Jake Long) and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy.
Say what you want, but I believe that the Cincinnati Bengals made their first steal in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Florida WR Andre Caldwell is lighting quick was predicted to be a second-round pick after running a 4.37 40 at the NFL combine.
USA Today Sports Weekly describes Caldwell as, “a versatile playmaker who has all the tools to become a reliable threat if he overcomes durability concerns that have plagued him since 2005. Accelerates smoothly and is not afraid to use his hands to create separation. Understands how to find openings in zones and has reliable hands to come up with regular and spectacular catches. Lacks great agility but has great speed and is a threat on end-arounds and the option pass. Comes from a pass-happy offense but has to find somebody willing to take a chance on his health.”
Last season, Caldwell caught 56 passes for 761 yards and had seven touchdowns in 11 games.
Overall, his health is a concern, but the pick isn’t that risky if you factor in that the Bengals used a extremely-late third rounder to acquire him. Just think about the bombs Carson Palmer can toss up there for Caldwell, who should be able to blow by past cornerbacks.
Like the Bengals first-round pick, you can’t be upset with the team drafting a major need.
USA Today Sports Weekly describes Sims as a, “classic boom-or-bust prospect who played like one of the best tackles in the country at times last year - but struggled early in his career and left the team in 2005 after a death in his family. He has a big frame and can play like an elite defender with explosiveness, burst and strength. Played most of last season with a cast on his hand to protect broken bones. Still lacks experience and maturity and sometimes wears down. If a team gets the most out of him, he could be a great find.”
The publication had the Auburn DT Pat Sims projected to be selected somewhere in the second-to-third rounds.
Last season, Sims had 37 tackles, 11.5 for loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Overall, Sims is pretty raw and has only started one year at Auburn. However, he showed that he is a playmaker and during games he appeared to be extremely quick for his size.
Again I like this pick, but I would like Cincinnati to select another DT with one of team’s remaining seven picks.
I would have liked the Bengals to pick Notre Dame Trevor Laws or Oklahoma WR Malcolm Kelly with this pick.
Simpson did have the top play on Sportscenter once, however the sports anchor mispronounced his name and called him “Sampson.”
Simpson moved up the draft board and is a great athlete, but again Laws and Kelly seem to have better value here. Let’s wait and see how Simpson performs.
Bengals need a linebacker and they get the best one in the draft in USC LB Keith Rivers
Shane Bulcher of Bengalstripes.com wrote in his in-depth look at the linebacker position as it pretains to the 2008 NFL Draft.
“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.”
The floor is now open, please comment your thoughts and opinions as the draft unfolds.
If you are someone who hasn’t commented before on Bengalstripes.com, you will have to wait until I moderate your first comment. After that initial comment, you will be able to fire comments on the site uninterrupted.
As the draft approaches and also during the draft I will be watching the site very carefully. I will try to update the site with new posts as the new players arrive.
Hopefully this “man child” will be the team’s first pick.
That’s the best way to describe this year’s secondary class, which is without a stand-out cover corner or a light’s out safety (thanks to Malcom Jenkins and others who returned for their senior year).
The majority of the DB’s are outstanding athletes with tons of potential; on draft day there will be several DB’s taken in the first round, but there’s not a single can’t miss prospect available.
Leodis McKelvin, CB Troy 5-11/190 pounds Projected: Top 15 Pick
McKelvin is so fast that he doesn’t look fast. Like many other players gifted with elite speed, he seems effortless when hitting top gear. He’s very good in coverage (despite his lack of interceptions, four career picks), but seems to disappear against the run. His best position on the field may be as a returner (seven career return touchdowns), where he was a game changer. Although he played against small schools, McKelvin seems like he’ll step in and make an impact immediately.
Kenny Phillips S Miami (FLA) 6-2/202 pounds Projected: Late 1st Round
Phillips came to Miami as an all-world recruit with all of the major High School accolades, and he didn’t disappoint. He was the leader/enforcer of the “U” defensive unit during his three year tenure. His coverage skills are above average, but his strength is his physical play in the box or over the middle. His major weakness is his knack for being out of position and it could be exploited at the next level. He reminds me a lot of Buffalo Bills safety Donte Whitner. Miami S Kenny Phillips Highlights
Mike Jenkins, CB South Florida 6-0/197 pounds Projected: 1st Round
Many consider Jenkins to be the top cover corner in the draft. He has the ideal size scouts look for in a corner, and the speed to match. He needs to improve his run defense as most corners do though he does have the foundation to become an effective run stopper. His downfall may be the feared “Character Red Flag” after his arrest last summer for disorderly conduct (a misdemeanor). In the post Chris Henry-era, the Bengals are among many other teams that will have to look long and hard at Jenkins’ character.
Brandon Flowers, CB/S Virginia Tech 5-11/200 pounds Projected Late 1st Early 2nd Round
Flowers is a hard nosed safety who loves to hit. He has great size and seems to play even bigger. He played cornerback in college, but I see him making the switch to safety where he can utilize both his coverage skills and his physical play against the run. I would really like to see him fall to the Bengals in the 2nd round because he could help address the Bengals’ weak run defense. VT DB Brandon Flowers Highlights
Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, CB Tennessee St 6-2/185 pounds Projected: Mid First Round
Every year there is a player whose intangibles are more intriguing than his actual play. Rogers Comartie is a classic example. He used his speed, size and freakish athleticism to become the talk of the combine, thus elevating his stock from 2nd or 3rd rounder to a possible top ten selection. Rogers-Cromartie looks like a boom versus bust pick, so teams will have to weigh risk versus reward.
Aqib Talib, CB Kansas 6-2/205 pounds Projected: Late 1st Round
Talib has the perfect cornerback mentality that he’s the best corner and can’t be beat. But, he can and he often is beat by double moves and good route runners. His blend of size and strength are at a premium in the NFL, and he has the athletic ability to return punts and kickoffs. A major blemish on his resume is the Kansas/Kansas St game, where Jordy Nelson owned throughout, beating him early and often.
Sleeper Jamie Silva, S Boston College 5-11/200 pounds Projected 4th-5th Round
Many have Siva pegged as a career backup/special teams ace. I think he’ll continue to produce at a high level in the NFL. In many ways his style of play is comparable to Pro Bowler Troy Polamalu. Silva really didn’t break onto the scene until his senior year in which he was an All-American who led the Boston College defense. His numbers were very impressive; 125 total tackles, two forced fumbles, eight interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. The numbers don’t lie, the kid is a playmaker and he could be a steal in the 4th round.
Overview
The Bengals will need to draft a DB or two with the loss of Madieu Williams and a potential loss of Dexter Jackson looming post June 1st. There is a chance that they would draft the best available DB in the 1st round if they trade down, but it looks highly unlikely that it will happen. I would look for Cincy to grab one with one of their 3rd round picks or their 4th rounder.
What if the Cincinnati Bengals are sitting at the No. 9 spot in the first round and the defensive stud they wanted is gone?
Many of us (fans) are hoping that USC DT Sedrick Ellis will be available, but what if a different team trades up to take him?
With the new draft format (less time to pick) it might be harder to trade down, so the Bengals might have to make a quick decision.
There is a very good chance that decision would result in the team selecting a running back.
So, let’s take a quick look at what might be the deepest position in the 2008 NFL Draft.
ROUND ONE With the No. 9 pick in the 2008 NFL Draft the Bengals select …
Arkansas RB Darren McFadden - There is a slim chance that McFadden will still be on the board here, however if Ellis is gone there is a chance he might slip. In this situation, DE Chris Long, DT Glenn Dorsey, OT Jake Long, DE Vernon Gholston, Ellis, CB Leodis McKelvin, OT Ryan Clady and QB Matt Ryan would all have to be selected before McFadden (this is very possible). If McFadden does slip to No. 9, it should be easy for the Bengals to trade down considering that their phone will be ringing off the hook with trade offers. Personally, I would love to have McFadden despite his character issues. I have followed his entire college career and he is the best running back that I have ever seen (better than last year’s rookie of the year Adrian Peterson). So passing on McFadden, if he falls to No. 9, could haunt the Bengals for a long time.
Arkansas RB Darren McFadden highlights
Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall - It is a sensitive issue when it comes to the Bengals drafting a running back in the first round, especially when you consider the previous selections of Ki-Jana Carter and Chris Perry. However, if there is a running back that Cincinnati fans are excited about it is Mendenhall, who is receiving high praises on team message boards. Believe it or not, there are a lot of Bengal fans out there that would rather have Mendenhall than Ellis. Right now, he is being compared to LaDainian Tomlinson, which at first I disagreed with, but after thinking about it - the comparison actually fits. Mendenhall probably won’t be as good as “LT”, but he is going to be a solid every-down back for a long time. He would definitely be a safe pick.
Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall highlights
OTHER ROUNDS Quick Overview
The Bengals have so many needs that it makes it hard to imagine that the team will select a running back until very late in the draft, that is if they don’t pick one in the first round.
One of the above RBs might slip to the third round and the with the team having two picks that round, selecting a running back might be a good idea when you consider the talent available. If the team passes on a RB in rounds one through four, it might be useless to pick one at all. If one of the above backs don’t slip, the Bengals might be looking at UCF Kevin Smith, Georgia Tech Tashard Choice or Tulane RB Matt Forte in rounds three and four.
CURRENT RBs
Rudi Johnson (Age: 28) - Johnson looked terrible last season. Biased sources will tell you the reason was because of a hamstring injury, but Johnson has been injured his entire NFL career (usually misses most of the team’s practices leading up to games) and it never hurt him before. In his defense, he needed better blocking from his offensive line, but it appeared as if Johnson was just walking up to the line of scrimmange and then falling down. He didn’t look like the Rudi of old and it showed as he rushed for only 497 yards on 170 carries (2.9 per carry!), had three touchdowns and three fumbles. Hopefully he can come back and continue his successful career, but if he can’t I would like to thank Rudi for his services - he was a great player and a great person (very nice and approachable).
Kenny Watson (Age: 30) - Watson is extremely underrated. Many NFL experts claim that he shouldn’t be a starter and can’t handle being an every-down back, but he had a solid season last year. The former collegiate wide receiver rushed for 763 yards on 178 carries (4.3 per carry) and had seven touchdowns. Watson continued to be a solid receiver out of the backfield, on the year he caught 52 passes for 374 yards. Like Rudi, Watson is not the long-term answer at RB. Despite his solid play, his age is getting up there (30 is old among NFL RBs).
Chris Perry (Age: 26) - Like previous first-round pick Ki-Jana Carter, Perry has been injured for almost the entire duration of his Bengal career. He did show flashes of brilliance in 2005, when he rushed for 279 yards on 61 carries (4.6 yards per carry) and had 51 receptions. It will be interesting to see how Perry plays this preseason after sitting out the last two seasons (played a little in ‘06).
Kenny Irons (Age: 24) - No one is expecting Irons to even play this season. He is actually supposed to be placed on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) when the time comes at the end of the preseason.
DeDe Dorsey (Age: 23) - Dorsey, the new fan favorite, could have trouble making the roster this season. He finished the year with 183 yards on 21 carries (8.7 per carry) and had a blocked punt that he returned for a touchdown. Dorsey is small and not an every-down RB, but he showed that he could be a playmaker. Like Perry and Irons, Dorsey has some injury concerns after suffering a high ankle sprain at the end of the season.
OVERVIEW
With five quality backs on the roster, it wouldn’t seem like the Bengals should draft a running back this week. However, Rudi might be on his way out, Watson can’t last forever and the other three backs are injured. If the team picks Mendenhall or McFadden, don’t be surprised if the Bengals trade Rudi, but like a teammate with the same last name it might be difficult because Rudi is owed a significant amount of signing bonus money. If Cincinnati picks up a RB in rounds two through four it could mean that Perry and Dorsey might be released. Don’t rule out the possibility that the Bengals could keep four RBs on the roster this regular season because Dorsey is a backup return man and a playmaker on special teams. If the Bengals don’t draft a RB in rounds one through four, I expect them to draft a RB in the seventh round or to sign an undrafted free agent to compete with Perry and Dorsey.
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.
Everyone was under the impression that the Cincinnati Bengals couldn’t afford another bad character guy, but 
Many people might be unfamiliar with Collins (#78), but this pick could be another steal.
USA Today Sports Weekly describes Sims as a, “classic boom-or-bust prospect who played like one of the best tackles in the country at times last year - but struggled early in his career and left the team in 2005 after a death in his family. He has a big frame and can play like an elite defender with explosiveness, burst and strength. Played most of last season with a cast on his hand to protect broken bones. Still lacks experience and maturity and sometimes wears down. If a team gets the most out of him, he could be a great find.”
If you are someone who hasn’t commented before on Bengalstripes.com, you will have to wait until I moderate your first comment. After that initial comment, you will be able to fire comments on the site uninterrupted.
That’s the best way to describe this year’s secondary class, which is without a stand-out cover corner or a light’s out safety (thanks to Malcom Jenkins and others who returned for their senior year). 
Many of us (fans) are hoping that USC DT Sedrick Ellis will be available, but what if a different team trades up to take him?