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MVN writers mock draft: 9. Cincinnati Bengals - DT Sedrick Ellis, USC

NFL

By Chris Maier

With the ninth pick in the MVN Writers’ Mock Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select DT Sedrick Ellis out of USC.

If Ellis is available at #9 this is arguably the biggest no brainer in the draft. After failing to trade for DTs Shaun Rogers and Dwayne Robertson, being able to draft Ellis would more than make up for it. The Bengals porous defense’s biggest need is an interior presence and Ellis is a playmaking defensive tackle who should command double teams and provide an interior pass rush. Ellis’ leadership ability and character will also be welcome additions to the Bengals locker room. With New Orleans also hot for a DT, don’t be surprised if the Bengals attempt to trade up to secure the rights of Ellis. Of course, I believe they will only offer a third rounder to make such a move. Getting Ellis at #9 also would free the team up to select a WR or Best Defensive Player available in round 2. If Ellis is off the board DT would all but become a must in round 2.

The challenge for Cincinnati is what will they do if Ellis is not on the board when they pick. The drop-off in talent and need is substantial. The draft lacks a WR deserving of a top 10 selection. After Keith Rivers there are not linebackers worthy of a top 20 selection. Would they reach for DT Kentwan Balmer? Draft DE Derrick Harvey? There will likely be value at CB, RB and OT but they are not big needs. Fortunately, in this draft we don’t have to make that decision. We can only hope the same happens on April 26th.

Chris Maier is a columnist for MVN’s Cincinnati Bengals site, The Bengal Blitz.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 14th, 2008 at 9:40 pm and is filed under Sedrick Ellis, Mock Drafts 2008, 2008 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.