The 2013 NFL Draft brought in some impact players for the Cincinnati Bengals. Giovani Bernard and Tyler Eifert are both guys who have come in and made an impact from day one. Bernard is a playmaker from the running back position that the Bengals haven’t had in a long time and Eifert has the talent to be one of the top tight ends in the league.
On top of those two the Bengals drafted a few players who are still on the roster, but aren’t going to make a huge impact this year for one reason or another. Margus Hunt is a physical specimen, but is raw and still needs some work Shawn Williams was taken in the third round, but hasn’t been able to crack the starting lineup yet. Add in versatile linebacker Sean Porter, the versatile offensive lineman Tanner Hawkinson and running back Rex Burkhead and you have the makings of a very good draft.
The Bengals have drafted quite well over the past few years and it has helped build one of the best, young teams in the NFL. The Bengals don’t have a ton of needs, but there are a few places they could still use some help, but they have the ability to pick the best player and value available with each of their picks. Here is eDraft’s initial 2014 mock draft for one of the up and coming teams in the AFC.
1st Round: Bradley Roby, Cornerback, Ohio State
Leon Hall is one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL, but he went down with his second achilles injury in as many years. After Hall you have the Terence Newman and Adam Jones who are both getting older and aren’t what they once were. Dre Kirkpatrick, the Bengals first round pick in 2012 hasn’t lived up to what you would want from a first rounder. Roby is a guy who was thought to be a top five pick before the season started, but hasn’t had a great season. He has gotten beat on several occasions, but the talent is undeniably there. Roby is a sure tackler and Zimmer can bring the best out of him.
2nd Round: Christian Jones, Linebacker, Florida State
Vontaze Burfict was a fantastic surprise last year as an undrafted free agent and has become a leader on the defense. However, outside of Burfict none of the other Bengals linebackers look like long term answers. Rey Maualuga has been better this year, but still isn’t a long term starter and while James Harrison has played fantastic this year, he is getting older and is only signed through 2014. Jones has the size and athletic ability to cover tight ends and even slot receivers on occasions. Jones is also adept in playing the run and can disengage and get to the ball carrier.
3rd Round: Travis Swanson, Center, Arkansas
If you ask Bengals fans who on their offensive line needs replaced the most, the name you would hear the majority of the time is Kyle Cook. Cook often gets knocked back into the pocket, making it hard for Andy Dalton to step up when he needs too. Cook can also get pushed back on run plays, making backs have to go east and west instead of up field. Travis Swanson has the athleticism to pull in the run game and set the edge as well as being strong and balanced as a pass protector. He also has the ability to anchor and re-anchor against strong defenders.
4th Round: Jeff Matthews, Quarterback, Cornell
Andy Dalton has shown he can be a great quarterback at times, but his inconsistencies hurt people ability to believe he can be a franchise quarterback. Dalton’s contract is up after the 2014 season and if the Bengals don’t believe that he is their future quarterback, they might take a guy who has a lot of upside who can sit for a year. Jeff Matthews is a quarterback who has played like a man amongst boys against the Ivy League. He has a NFL caliber arm and has shown the velocity to put passes into tight windows. That said, he hasn’t played elite competition and looks just a slight bit slow in his decision making and delivery. He isn’t ready to come in and start right away, but he would be able to sit behind Dalton and learn for a year.
5th Round: James Gayle, Defensive End, Virginia Tech
The Bengals will almost assuredly lose Michael Johnson to free agency since they signed Carlos Dunlap long term. They drafted Margus Hunt in this past draft and still have Wallace Gilberry as well. James Gayle can come in and give them depth and pass rush ability. He doesn’t have great size, but he is quick and explosive off the snap. He needs to develop more pass rush moves to use if he doesn’t win initially off the snap.
6th Round: Michael Campanaro, Wide Receiver, Wake Forrest
The Bengals have a lot of weapons to use in the slot already in Mohamed Sanu, Andrew Hawkins, Brandon Tate and Dane Sanzenbacher. That being said, Hawkins, Tate and Sanzenbacher are free agents after the 2013 season and may not be back. Campanaro is a smart football player who isn’t the biggest of the fastest. He has very soft hands and finds the open soft spot with ease. He is the type of player who won’t blow you away, but always seems to rack up a lot of catches.
7th Round: Spencer Long, Offensive Guard, Nebraska
The Bengals have two young guards in Clint Boling and Kevin Zeitler, but if a guy like Long falls to you because of injury they you take a chance on him. Long was a guy who was looked to be a top 100 selection prior to his season ending knee injury. Long is a mauler in the trenches and can get to the second level, showing good quickness off the snap. He can be a bit stiff in open space, but shows the talent to be a starting guard in the NFL.