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

Make sure to vote so we can compare the fan picks with my own! At the end of my completed mock draft I will show all the results.

[poll id="7"]

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

Make sure to vote so we can compare the fan picks with my own! At the end of my completed mock draft I will show all the results.

[poll id="6"]

3. Kansas City Chiefs

-Aaron Curry (OLB/Wake Forest)

NFL.com

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

[poll id="4"]

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

So I would like to draw your attention to 10 players to whom you should pay special attention in Indianapolis this weekend:

10) Terrance Taylor-DT/Michigan/ht. 6’0/ wt. 308 

Training with Michigan strength and conditioning coach Mike Barwis should allow Taylor to shine. Has very good top end speed for a DT. Great strength should give him 30+ reps on bench press.

9) Alex Mack-C/Cal/ht. 6’4/wt. 316

Word at the Senior Bowl was that he has a rock solid body. Could be a top bench presser.

8 ) Darrius Heyward-Bey-WR/Maryland/ht. 6’3/wt. 206

Incredible straight-line speed. Will have one of the fastest 40 times.

7) Jason Smith-OT/Baylor/ht. 6’5/wt. 305

Should be great in the positional drills. He has terrific feet, and is very agile.

6) Jarron Gilbert- DT/San Jose State/ht. 6’6/wt. 290

Small school prospect that is extraordinarily strong. I want him on my team!

5) Evander Hood-DT/Missouri/ht. 6’4/wt. 295

One of my favorites.  Expect him to put up good numbers all around. Scouts will love his intensity in position drills.

4) Percy Harvin-WR/Florida/ht. 5’11/wt. 195

Not many guys his size can bench press 400 lbs and run a sub 4.40 forty yard dash.

3) Vontae Davis-CB/Illinois/ht. 6’0/wt. 203

Needs a great showing to offset his conduct problems during the season. Could be the fastest cornerback at the event.

2) Aaron Curry-OLB/Wake Forest/ht. 6’3/wt. 247

Super strong, and rumor has it that he is faster than teammate Alphonso Smith (Cornerback). Will hold his place among the top 5 players in this draft with a strong showing.

1) Brian Orakpo- DE/Texas/ht. 6’4/wt. 260

I expect numbers similar to Vernon Gholston last year. Orakpo might help himself more than any player in the combine.  An absolute beast. Check out the video on him here.

(part 1)

Defensive Ends

No player in this year’s draft has solidified himself as the clear-cut number 1 pick thus far. And frankly, I am not sure anyone WILL run away from the competition like you so often see elite players do this time of year. I can’t say there are any of Mario Williams or Peyton Manning’s caliber who are franchise players. Nevertheless, don’t judge this year’s class on just its top 5 or 10 players, but more so by its depth from pick 1 down to pick 200.

With that said, let me start by discussing the defensive ends.

Like I said before, there may be no Mario Williams types, but a handful of ends will be chosen in the first round alone. This class of ends is mainly suited for defensive schemes where speed and athleticism are emphasized, namely the 4-3 end or 3-4 rush linebacker spots. Brian Orakpo (Texas), Everette Brown (Florida State), Larry English (Northern Illinois), Tyson Jackson (LSU), and Michael Johnson (Georgia Tech) could all go in the first or second round. In fact, depending on who drafts them, English, Orakpo, and Brown are all possibilities to bounce to outside linebacker in the 3-4 schemes.

My favorite player in this group is Brian Orakpo. If it weren’t for frequent injury concerns and some inconsistent technique, I would seriously consider him to be a top 5 pick. Keep an eye on him during the combine (benches 515 lbs. and runs the 40 yard dash in 4.6 seconds). I had a class with “Rack daddy,” and he is a monster in person!  To give you a comparison from last year, think Vernon Gholston type of build. Orakpo will probably do as well at the combine or even better!

Unfortunately, Michael Johnson will also shine at the combine, which may coax teams to grade him higher than he should be. In my opinion, he just disappears on film at times, and seems to be a major underperformer. He is a serious boom or bust type of player who I wouldn’t use a first round pick on.

Next installation will be looking at the linebackers. So check back soon!