Previous Pick: Cleveland Browns

6. Cincinnati Bengals

-Eugene Monroe (LT/Virginia)

NFL.com

Being a Lions fan, I completely sympathize with any loyal Bengal fan. Having to deal with Carson Palmer’s injuries, the collapse of the offensive line, and the utterly revolting season of Chad Johson. All their woes stemmed from the inconsistent play of the grossly overpaid offensive tackles (and guards). Finally, after seeing the need for change, Cincinnati decided to release RT Stacy Andrews to clear some cap space for a better suited draftee.

This is where Eugene Monroe comes in…. The Bengals have to find a way to protect Carson Palmer because Ryan Fitzpatrick is not a starting caliber quarterback in the NFL. Monroe should help to reduce the likelihood of repeating the 52 sacks allowed during 2008. He is one of the best linemen in America (1st  team All-American) and should be able to knock off Levi Jones by the end of training camp. Jones was a great player, but his career has been plagued by injuries. Eugene Monroe is an ideal pass blocker who will make a point of keeping Carson Palmer on his feet.

-B.J. Raji (DT/Boston College)

NFL.com

Although a tackle seems like a no-brainer, things get complicated by the meager pass rush of the Bengals. Tied for 2nd worst in the league (17 sacks), Cincinnati would love to have a defensive lineman that can clog the middle and rush the passer. That man is B.J. Raji. Domata Peko and John Thornton are not going to strike fear into opposing offenses. Thornton is 32 years old, and Peko is not much of a pass rusher (0.5 sacks). B.J. Raji would help the entire defense by drawing those double teams in the middle of the line.

-Brian Orakpo (DE/Texas)

NFL.com

Robert Gaithers and Antwan Odom didn’t pressure quarterbacks too much last season (5.5 sacks between the two of them). The Bengals have been seeking a stud defensive end for some time now with no luck. Odom had promise, but just hasn’t panned out. So they really should grab a guy in the draft to help them.

Orakpo would be asked to fulfill a familiar role in the Bengals defense. Instead of switching him to a rush linebacker, he would probably play right defensive end. He is a bit undersized, but his strength is far better than the majority of right ends.

All in all, I do think the most pressing need is to protect Palmer. The entire offense is built around him, and it seems foolish not to ensure he stays healthy.

Many fans would love to have a nasty linebacker in the middle like Rey Maualuga. But he probably is a better inside linebacker than a MLB in a 4-3 scheme. If for some reason, Cincinnatis swings a trade down to the middle of round 1, then Maualuga could be considered.

Next on the clock: Oakland Raiders

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Previous Pick: Seattle Seahawks

5. Cleveland Browns

-Brian Orakpo (DE/Texas)

NFL.com

One of my relatives who has season tickets to the Browns told me how fans were laughing at the pitiful pass rush displayed by Cleveland this season. Basically, the team was averaging 1 sorry sack a game (16 for the season).  Kamerion Wimbley, the team’s primary pass rusher had 4 sacks, and Willie McGinest, age 37 (God bless him), had only 1.

Brian Orakpo offers a glimpse of hope to the Browns’ defense. He could push McGinest for some playing time, while learning under the tutelage of one of the game’s all-time pass rushing linebackers. This pick may be a little difficult to see to Cleveland fans because rush linebackers who convert from the defensive end spot take a year at least to learn the position.

Since Eric Mangini had bad luck with Vernon Gholston, who happens to be very similar to Orakpo, he may veto this choice.

-Everette Brown (DE/Florida St)

NFL.com

Everette Brown could be chosen for the same reason as picking Orakpo: improving the pass rush. I think grabbing Brown at this spot is overvaluing him a bit. But necessity may force Cleveland’s hand. Everette Brown was a pass rush extraordinaire at FSU. He had a handful of multiple sack games, helping him get to the quarterback 13.5 times last season.

In all honesty, taking a defensive end to convert into a linebacker is risky and time-consuming. For that reason, I can’t be sure the Browns will go after one of these guys quite so early. Usually these rush linebackers go somewhere after pick #10 unless they are graded through the roof.

-Trade down*

A cornerback or offensive linemen could be other possibilities but maybe not at the #5 spot. Malcolm Jenkins suffered a big hit at the combine with his average numbers. And Andre Smith, a probable right tackle saw his own stock fall off the map after showing up to the combine out of shape. If the Browns could swing a trade to get out of the top 10, then I could see either of these spots being addressed.

Next on the clock: Cincinnati Bengals

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Previous Pick: St. Louis Rams

3. Kansas City Chiefs

-Aaron Curry (OLB/Wake Forest)

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If Scott Pioli takes a trick from Belichik’s hat, he may not choose a young linebacker so early. But the situation certainly seems ripe for a pick at linebacker if one is available.  Derrick Johnson has been inconsistent, and fellow linebacker Donnie Edwards was recently released. If you include the switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defensive scheme, it seems likely that Kansas City will grab a rush linebacker to help with their abysmal pass rush.

If Aaron Curry is still here at this pick, then the Chiefs should take him. Simply put, Curry can do everything a linebacker should do: rush the passer, stop the run, cover receivers, and provide leadership qualities.

-Brian Orakpo (DE/Texas)

NFL.com

In the event that Curry is taken, the Chiefs might take a look at another intriguing player with great upside.  Nagurski award winner Brian Orakpo is as physically built as any player in the league.  At 6’3 and 263 lbs. Orakpo has the size and speed (4.70 sec) to put his hand down and rush the quarterback. Had it not been for injuries, he would have probably registered more than his 10.5 sacks for the season.

Therein lies Orakpo’s major issue: injuries.  Somehow the Texas defensive end can’t stay healthy for any long duration. During his junior year, he missed 4 games due to knee problems. This year, he suffered a knee injury against Texas Tech, having to sit out 1.5 games. And he even pulled a hamstring during the combine.

-B.J. Raji (DT/Boston College)

NFL.com

Besides outside linebacker, the nose tackle can make or break a 3-4 defense. A big, strong space eater who can draw double and triple teams is the ideal player at this spot. Depending on whether the Chiefs think Glen Dorsey can hold the middle, they could go for a true nose tackle prospect.

In this draft, B.J. Raji is the most capable man for the job. Able to rush the passer and anchor in the run, he definitely cannot be single blocked, as was witnessed at the Senior Bowl.

Some teams may question him because of some behavior issues. But other than that, I like him very much.

Next on the clock: Seattle Seahawks

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This was the group of guys that I most wanted to see: linebackers and defensive linemen. A few guys dominated in every drill they competed in, while others succeeded in a single drill and were quite average in others. Unfortunately, Brian Orakpo and Rey Maualuga injured their hamstrings during drills (I was really bummed about that).

But I want to note that Aaron Curry looked fantastic today. He was calm, composed, and he definitely impressed in every drill.

Here are the NFL Combine results for february 23:

1) Brian Orakpo –Texas/DE

Aaron Curry photo provided by NFL.com

Bench press-31 reps

40 yard dash-4.70 sec

vertical leap- 39.5 in

2) Aaron Maybin–Penn St/DE

40 yard dash-4.89 sec

3) )Larry English–Northern Illinois/DE

Bench press-24 reps

40 yard dash-4.90 sec

4) Everette Brown–Florida St/DE

Bench press-26 reps

40 yard dash- 4.73 sec

5) Michael Johnson–Georgia Tech/DE

40 yard dash- 4.75 sec

6) B.J Raji–Boston College/DT

Bench press-33 reps

40 yard dash-5.13 sec

7) Terrance Taylor–Michigan/DT

Bench press-37 reps

40 yard dash-5.24 sec

8 ) Ron Brace–Boston College/DT

Bench press- 32 reps

40 yard dash- 5.47 sec

9) Evander Hood–Missouri/DT

Bench press- 34 reps

40 yard dash-4.91 sec

10) Jarron Gilbert–San Jose St/DT

40 yard dash- 4.87 sec

vertical leap-35.5 in

11) Rey Maualuga–USC/MLB

Bench press-23 reps

40 yard dash-4.83 (unofficial)

12) Aaron Curry–Wake Forest/OLB

Bench press 25 reps

40 yard dash- 4.56 sec

13) James Laurinaitis–Ohio St/MLB

Bench press- 22 reps

40 yard dash- 4.82 sec

14) Brian Cushing–USC/OLB

Bench press- 30 reps

40 yard dash- 4.74 sec

15) Scott McKillop–Pittsburgh/MLB

Bench press- 27 reps

40 yard dash- 4.77 sec

16) Clay Matthews–USC/OLB

40 yard dash- 4.67 sec

17) Clint Sintim–Virginia/OLB

40 yard dash- 4.78 sec

*Surprise Performer:*

18) Connor Barwin–Cincinnati/DE

Bench press-22 reps

40 yard dash-4.66 sec

vertical leap- 40.5 in