Mock 1

[FootballGod]

1. Bjoern Werner DE Florida State 6-4/255 Allows M. Johnson to move on if he wants to. Werner is an immediate upgrade to the run defense on the other side of Dunlop.

2a. Giovani Bernard RB North Carolina 5-10/205 Bernard is a complete back who can be a work horse while actually being a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield.

2b. Matt Elam SS Florida 5-10/205 He was the #1 rated safety coming out of high school and has continued to showcase those skills at Florida. Only a junior, it appears that he will enter the draft early.

3. Gerald Hodges OLB Penn State 6-2/237 This move allows Burfict to move into the MLB role. Howard takes back his WLB spot and Hodges takes over for Lawson who is struggling almost as much as Maualuga. Say goodbye to Maualuga and free up some $$$.

What do you think?

[Bengals78]

Matt Elam is not that good.

[themaninblack]

I really don't want anything to do with Werner either. That spot could be used to fill a much more pressing need IMO and unless MJ is gonna demand a big contract, which I don't really see him doing as he doesn't really have the leverage to do so, we're not gonna need to waste that pick in that position. Would rather take a LB, DB, or RB in that order. We just saw what our DL rotation can do when it's at full strength against an OL that hadn't allowed more than one sack in a single game all year. I only expect Still and Thompson to continue to improve, which could make Pat Sims replaceable should he choose to test FA, which I suspect he will.

I say we go BPA regardless of position outside of QB/OT in the first round but that's prolly just me. If MJ garners a big contract let him walk and DE becomes a much bigger priority because we have no one to really fill that void that offers much. Gilberry was a solid midseason pick up but I don't see him as much more than a spot player. Geathers is more or less a body anymore.

[Bengals78]

So we could lose MJ, Dunlap can't stay healthy, Gilberry is a spot guy and Geathers is just a body. Even if we KEEP MJ, how is DE not a need?

[StripedWalrus]

Originally Posted by Bengals78

So we could lose MJ, Dunlap can't stay healthy, Gilberry is a spot guy and Geathers is just a body. Even if we KEEP MJ, how is DE not a need?

Bengals prolly won't resign Geathers...at least not to the same deal he has. I would hope not anyway. Likely MJ will want alot, Dunlap can't stay healthy, and when he does he isnt an every down DE. Couple that with my prediction that we won't resign Geathers and you will be going into next season with....

....

Carlos Dunlap and that might be it.

That being said is Werner the answer? No. First off he won't be there when the Bengals pick. If he holds true and is drafted high he won't be there. A big surprise would be that the Bengals use the Plethora of DT's and swing Atkins outside at DE and run a 3-4. Extremely unlikely...but I wonder how it would work? Would hate to see it fail if it did happen.

[rickscott]

I think OLB is more of a need than DE. Howard's return is certainly no sure thing. Lamur is looking pretty good, but a starter; I;m not sure. Lawson flatout stinks. If we could get a solid starting OLB with that #1 pick, I'd take my chances that they can find DE help in Rd 2 or 3. They also have to draft a RB in one of those rounds also and a Safety in the first 4 rds. Can't forget that we get Ghee and Prater back next year and I think both can help us there.I think the organization likes Geathers and hehas to know that he is no million dollar baby anymore. He'll be reasonsable I believe. MJ will be expensive. If he wants to remain, we'll be OK. Atkins should be extended now too

[hobbes2053]

An ESPN mock had us taking Alec Ogletree. I would blow my load if we were able to snag him. Move him outside and have him play alongside Burfict and Luga. Ohmuhgawd.

[Pat Sims 90]

I would take that draft.

[themaninblack]

I'm just opposed to DE in the first, not altogether. Unless of course the player there is too good to pass up a la Mingo or Montgomery.

Ogletree would be a perfect fit for us IMO.