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ANALYSIS: The Bengals would likely be disappointed if the draft shaped up like this, since I believe they'd be targeting a DT with their first pick. If Dorsey and Ellis are gone, I think they'd look to replace the disappointing Dhani Jones with Keith Rivers. Other options include Mendenhall, since they don't really have a complete back on their roster or Clady, since Willie Anderson is getting older. If this was how the draft went, I think they would trade out of the pick. Palmer got too much pressure this year, so they might try to trade back and pick up someone like Branden Albert to help on the interior line. If they were successful in trading down they could also try to pick up Kenny Phillips, since they could also use help at safety. But since we can't do trades in this mock, they do with Rivers. Rivers is a fantastic athlete who would work well at weak-side linebacker, where he'd be able to use his speed to help contain the outside, rush the passer, or drop back into coverage. The Bengals had a lot of trouble pressuring the QB last year, and the loss fo Justin Smith won't help. But adding a playmaker outside could take some of the onus of the D line to make plays, since Rivers is a similar style player (not similar talent) to Seau or maybe DJ Williams. He could play the ILB spot in a 3-4 in a pinch, but might have a little trouble getting off blockers. |
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| Pick | Player | Drafter | Analysis | |||
| 1 | Jake Long | McRipper | Details | |||
| 2 | Chris Long | Chad | Details | |||
| 3 | Glenn Dorsey | mas12 | Details | |||
| 4 | Vernon Gholston | Doctor Chicago | Details | |||
| 5 | Sedrick Ellis | whitebearsox23 | Details | |||
| 6 | Darren McFadden | DaNate23 | Details | |||
| 7 | Leodis McKelvin | tyger1147 | Details | |||
| 8 | Matt Ryan | McRipper | Details | |||
| 9 | Keith Rivers | tomas21 | Details | |||
See a list of the mock draft participants
The New Orleans Saints are on the clock...