MVN - Most Valuable Network

NFL Draft 101: 7 Round Mock Draft

For those who don’t know, in addition to writing the Bengals Blitz, I have also helped found NFLDraft101.com.  This past week, the staff at NFLDraft101.com conducted our 1st annual 7 round mock draft.  It was a long arduous process, but also an incredible educational experience.   To make it interesting we broke the staff into two teams with one team drafting the AFC teams and the other the NFC teams.  There are teams who drafts fans will love and those fans will hate (my personal selection for most bizarre draft the Philadelphia Eagles.  Die-hard Giants fans will be puzzled a bit as well). 

If there was one thing in particular, I learned from this experience it would be that team’s need to take extra care to “Read the Draft”.  For example the NY Giants selected versatile LB Jonathan Goff with their pick at the end of round 2.  Problem was when their turn came up again in round 3, LB Xavier Adibi was still on the board.  The Giants subsequently drafted two excellent linebacker prospects but came out of the first 3 rounds without a CB (or S depending on where Reggie Smith plays).

For the Bengals this season, reading the draft takes added importance if DT Sedrick Ellis is not available.  If Ellis is not there at #9 the Bengals will likely take LB Keith Rivers (or a WR or OT neither of which I am fond of).  This scenario basically forces the Bengal to draft a DT (top need) in round 2 as there aren’t likely to be any top DTs available in round 3. In our Mock the next two DTs on the board when the Bengals picked in round 3 were DeMario Pressley and Frank Okam neither of whom is a top prospect.   If they are able to draft Sedrick Ellis in round 1, it opens up a multitude of possibilities including a WR in round 2.

Enough rambling, the Bengals results from the mock draft are below:

1. DT Sedrick Ellis, USC - The penetrating DT the defense sorely needs.  His leadership skills are an added plus.

2. LB Dan Connor, Penn State - Can play inside or out.  Not an elite athlete but excellent football player and good character guy to boot.

3a. WR Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt - Not a speed burner but an excellent route runner with great hands.  Has some Isaac Bruce like abilities.  A good character guy who will provide Ocho Stinko insurance.

3b. OT Duane Brown, Virginia Tech - An excellent athletic (former tight end) who plays with raw power.  Struggles vs. speed rushers but has good upside who probably fits best at LG or RT.  Provides depth in the event Whitworth has to move to LT.

4. OLB Bryan Kehl, BYU - An athletic player with good size who fits best on the weakside.  Good character and leadership skills. Could challenge for Landon Johnson’s OLB spot.

5. CB Orlando Scandrick, Boise State - An excellent athlete with three years starting experience.  Plays his best in man coverage.  Could challenge for a nickel or dime job down the road.

6a. C Fernando Velasco, Georgia - A mauling type center who could challenge Eric Ghiaciuc down the road.  Also has experience at guard.

6b. RB/KR Anthony Alridge, Houston - A playmaking return specialist.  Undersized running back who has also played some wide receiver.  Versatility could save a roster spot.

7a. DE Louis Holmes, Arizona - A bit of a project.  Has underachieved in college but has pass rushing skills.

7b. WR Kenneth Moore, Wake Forest - Excellent hands and has a knack for getting open.  Set ACC record for receptions in a season.  Team player who moved to RB as a junior out of necessity.

 Overall, I was very pleased with the Bengals draft.  They got the DT they wanted.  Two quality linebackers for a thin linebacking corp.  I believe Earl Bennett could contribute right away and develop into a potential starter at WR although he is not the deep threat Henry was.   Scandrick has good upside.  Getting a return specialist such as Alridge in round 6 would be a plus.  The two offensive linemen provide depth and upside.  Each of the 7th rounders has the skillset to compete for a roster spot.

Feel free to post your comments.

 Also be sure to check out NFLDraft101.com for live draft coverage April 26-27.

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 13th, 2008 at 7:09 pm and is filed under Bengal News, mock draft, NFL Draft. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.