Bengal Blitz Four Round Mock Draft

Wednesday night I plugged away through a four round mock draft. Before I could post the mock, with the requisite article and Bengal selection breakdowns, a trade occured (Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta) as tends to happen this time of year. My apologies for not correcting it but the ripples of the trade are many through a four round mock and another trade will happen before the draft which will change it again. In the end take the mocks for what they are a projection. No one is going to get all the picks correct, but you get to see the thought processes team's go through and who might be available when you team picks. Without further ado here are the Bengals picks followed by the mock:Round 1: OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia - The Chiefs passing on Curry causes Seattle to take Curry which allows one of the top 2 tackles to land in Cincinnati and avoiding the risk of taking Andre Smith. That said, I think there is a 40% chance the Bengals take Andre Smith over Monroe anyway.Round 2: C Eric Wood, Louisville - Taking a center is a need pick, with Mack off the board the selection comes down to Unger or Wood. They are graded about the same but Wood's ability to pull and trap gives him the edge. Don't be surprised if the Bengals take a running back (McCoy?) or defensive end (Michael Johnson? Paul Kruger?) here.Round 3a. TE Jared Cook, South Carolina - Tight End would be a surprise but Cook has the measureables the Bengals tend to like. A bit of a luxury pick but Reggie Kelly is in the final year of his deal and Utecht vastly underperformed. Cook has tremendous upside. Shonn Green and middle linebackers Jason Phillips and Jasper Brinkley also were considered.Round 3b. MLB Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina - Brinkley is an excellent athlete who has a lot of upside if his knee is 100%. He could compete for time immediately on the strong side and develop behind Dhani Jones in the middle.Round 4: DE Brandon Williams, Texas Tech - All Williams does is get sacks as 13 of his 25 tackles were quarterbacks last year. He is a bit of a project but is a good athlete who would be a nice addition as a situational pass rusher.Round 1 RoundPickTeamPosPlayerSchool 11Detroit LionsQBMatthew Stafford Georgia 1 All indications are the Lions are going to draft Stafford and it is the smart pick. They can get offensive and defensive line help later but they won't get a franchise quarterback later. 12St. Louis RamsOTJason Smith Baylor 1 The word is the Rams are torn between Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe and the team can't go wrong with either guy. Both players would fill the team's need at left tackle. 13Kansas City ChiefsDTBJ Raji Boston College 1 While Aaron Curry is listed in 95%+ of mocks it is hard to imagine Scott Pioli investing this kind of $$$ in a 3-4 inside linebacker. The team has given out few if any indications as to their plans. A trade down is very likely if someone actually wants to move up (add they will trade down at a discounted rate). If they stay at #3 the decision is between Eugene Monroe, Brian Orakpo and BJ Raji. Based on past history in New England, Pioli knows the best 3-4 defenses are built around the D-line and Raji is by far the best nose tackle in the draft. They are rumored to love Tyson Jackson but will only take him if they trade down. 14Seattle SeahawksOLBAaron Curry Wake Forest 1 The Seahawks are rumored to be interested in Mark Sanchez but picking Sanchez would be waving the rebuilding flag which means it is a likely smokescreen. Taking Sanchez out of the mix it comes down to Curry or Eugene Monroe. Curry is the only player on the board who could get the Seahawks to not take one of the top 2 tackles. 15Cleveland BrownsWRMichael Crabtree Texas Tech 1 With the Browns having traded Kellen Winslow and likely to trade Braylon Edwards they need to add a playmaker on offense and Crabtree is the best one in the draft. He is not fast but has the polish you look for in a top wideout. 16Cincinnati BengalsOTEugene Monroe Virginia 1 If Monroe or Jason Smith is on the board they are the pick is easy as both are top talents at the team's highest need position. The pick gets interesting if those two are gone. While Andre Smith would probably get the nod, the Bengals are rumored to be interested in Brian Orakpo. Don't forget they were extremely interested in Derrick Harvey last year after signing Antwan Odom. 17Oakland RaidersWRJeremy Maclin Missouri 1 Andre Smith is considered but Al Davis loves speed receivers. The only question is whether it will be Maclin or Darrius Heyward-Bey. Maclin's return skills bring back memories of Tim Brown. 18Jacksonville JaguarsOTAndre Smith Alabama 1 The Jaguars need a good young tackle and Andre Smith is worth the risk at #8. He may or may not be able to play left tackle but at a minimum he should be a solid right tackle. 19Green Bay PackersDETyson Jackson LSU 1 With Aaron Kampman slated to play the pass rushing OLB role the number one concern in switching to the 3-4 is improving the talent in the trenches and Jackson is the best 3-4 DE in the draft. Michael Oher or Andre Smith would both get consideration if they are available due to the team's tackle need. 110San Francisco 49ersQBMark Sanchez USC 1 I don't think the 49ers select Sanchez but they will if he falls to them at #10. Look for someone to trade up with Cincinnati, Oakland or Jacksonville at #6-8 to get the highly discussed QB. Denver, NY Jets and Washington are the team's most likely to trade up. A 1st plus a 2nd and a 2010 3rd may be all it takes to move up. (The Jets would have to pay more since they pick later in round 1) 111Buffalo BillsOTMichael Oher Ole Miss 1 Trading disgruntled LT Jason Peters has created a black hole on the offensive line and the Bills would be thrilled if one of the top 4 offensive tackles are still on the board here. If they are gone don't be surprised if Brandon Pettigrew is the pick. They will have a better shot at a DE at #28 than they will have at an OT. 112Denver BroncosDEBrian Orakpo Texas 1 Orakpo is considered to be a top 10 talent and the Broncos would be thrilled if he slid to them at #12. If they don't trade up for Sanchez expect the Broncos to take the best defensive player on the board. 113Washington RedskinsDEEverette Brown Florida State 1 If one of the top 4 offensive tackles are off the board look for the Redskins to go for a pass rushing defensive end. Brown is undersized but knows how to get to the quarterback. SLB Brian Cushing also gets consideration. 114New Orleans SaintsCBMalcolm Jenkins Ohio State 1 Look for the Saints to have a tough decision here between CB/S Malcolm Jenkins and LB Brian Cushing. Without another pick until round 4, getting an impact defender in round 1 is a must for this struggling defense. 115Houston TexansOLBBrian Cushing USC 1 Cushing would fill the team's need for a strong side linebacker. If he is off the board look for them to consider the top secondary player on the board or running back Beanie Wells. 116San Diego ChargersILBRey Maualuga USC 1 Knowshon Moreno gets serious consideration with his LT-like skills but finding a right tackle or taking the best defensive player available is more likely. The inside linebackers for the Chargers are nothing special and Maualuga would be able to make an immediate impact. 117New York JetsRBChris Wells Ohio State 1 Most mocks have the Jets taking a wide receiver but if Wells is on the board he is likely the pick in an effort to take the pressure off of the team's young quarterbacks. If they go receiver it is likely going to be Heyward-Bey. QB Josh Freeman is a possibility but is not the type of QB who is ready to play right away. 118Denver BroncosRBKnowshon Moreno Georgia 1 If the Broncos don't trade up to get Sanchez they would likely take either Moreno or Wells with one of their first round picks to take pressure off the quarterback. Moreno's skills fit nicely with McDaniels' Patriots style offense. 119Tampa Bay BuccaneersDTPeria Jerry Ole Miss 1 Michael Johnson and other defensive ends are getting a lot of attention here as is QB Josh Freeman. That said, Peria Jerry would fill a DT need that will be much harder to fill in round 3. 120Detroit LionsOTWill Beatty Connecticut 1 After taking Stafford at #1 the key to his success will likely be how well Detroit is able to protect him. While Beatty is a bit of a reach at #20, he is the best LT on the board very much like Sam Baker was for Atlanta last year. 121Philadelphia EaglesRBDonald Brown Connecticut 1 With their tackle need filled the Eagles will look to add a skill position guy on offense at RB, WR or TE. Pettigrew is tempting but Donald Brown is the last of the elite running backs available and finding a running mate to pair with Westbrook is a priority with him turning 30 this year. Like Moreno, Brown's skills as a runner and receiver are a good fit for the Eagles offense. 122Minnesota VikingsOTEben Britton Arizona 1 Despite several top receivers and corners on the board, the Vikings are very likely to draft Britton to upgrade the right side of its offensive line if he is available. 123New England PatriotsWRPercy Harvin Florida 1 The Patriots could go in numerous directions with this pick and the thought of adding the versatile Harvin to their offensive is a scary option. Kenny Britt is an option if they prefer a more polished receiver who can play outside. A 3-4 rush linebacker is also a possibility. 124Atlanta FalconsTEBrandon Pettigrew Oklahoma State 1 If Pettigrew is available he will be hard to pass up. His blocking/receiving combination would be an excellent fit for their offense. If he is off the board the Falcons will consider DT, DE or SLB to beef up its defensive front seven. 125Miami DolphinsCBVontae Davis Illinois 1 The Dolphins will reluctantly consider wide receivers but considering how much Parcells despises first round wideouts, a cornerback is more likely in round one. 126Baltimore RavensWRDarrius Heyward-Bey Maryland 1 Finding a wide receiver with deep speed to pair with strong armed QB Joe Flacco is a top need for Baltimore and Heyward-Bey would be an ideal fit. If he is gone they consider Britt, Nicks or a cornerback. 127Indianapolis ColtsDTEvander Hood Missouri 1 This pick is a little bit of a reach but Hood is an ideal fit for the Colts Tampa 2 defense and would be a major upgrade to the interior of their defense. Don't be surprised if they consider WR Kenny Britt as well. 128Buffalo BillsDEAaron Maybin Penn State 1 Maybin's stock has been all over the board this off-season. He is undersized but is a tremendous pass rusher. While he may be limited to being a designated pass rusher early in his career he would be hard to pass on here. If he is gone Larry English or Robert Ayers are fall back options. 129New York GiantsWRKenny Britt Rutgers 1 If the Giants are not able to finalize their trade for Braylon Edwards they will likely select Kenny Britt or Hakeem Nicks here. If they don't go wide receiver here MLB James Laurinaitis is a possibility. 130Tennessee TitansDERobert Ayers Tennessee 1 Wide receiver is considered the top need but Jeff Fisher has proven he prefers to build his team's in the trenches and adding talent to his defensive line is very likely in round 1. Ayers all-around defensive end skills make him an excellent fit for the Titan defense. A cornerback such as Sean Smith or Alphonso Smith is also a possibility. 131Arizona CardinalsCAlex Mack California 1 If the top 3 running backs are off the board look for the Cardinals to upgrade its porous offensive line with the top center in the draft. A 3-4 OLB is also a possibility. 132Pittsburgh SteelersCBSean Smith Utah 1 Offensive line is a possibility but if the top tackles are off the board the decision will come down to drafting a center or a cornerback. Sean Smith is an intriquing talent who gives their defense another physical presence in its secondary.Rounds 2-4 Be sure to join me at NFLDraft101.com for live coverage of the 2009 NFL Draft April 25-26 including a Live Chat and Pick by Pick Analysis.