2012 NFL Offseason Prospectus: Cincinnati Bengals

From one of the worst franchises in sports to one of the best young teams in the NFL. That's the arc the Bengals have taken during the tenure of Marvin Lewis, with a brief respite of respectability when Carson Palmer had full, working ligaments in both knees and his top receiver still had a real last name.

Cincinnati surprised just about everyone last season by going from a cellar-dweller to a playoff participant with a rookie quarterback.

Andy Dalton wasn't as dynamic as Cam Newton, but Dalton won nine games and got his team into the playoffs.

Having one of the best young receivers in the game in A.J. Green certainly helped. Green is a rising superstar in this league, a tall, long receiver who can go across the middle or burn you down the sidelines.

Defensively, the Bengals were a top 10 team last year as well, despite losing a number of starters to injury and Johnathan Joseph, their starting corner, to free agency.

Without changing a thing, this team could win 10 games next year even in an extremely tough division. The young, ultra-talented core will have the chance to mature, plus a pair of first round picks means this team will add even more pieces.

Cincinnati may finally have the team to shed the 'Bungles' nickname for good.
 
Offense
The Bengals already addressed their most glaring offensive need by signing Patriots running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. While not a stud back, Green-Ellis is steady and solid, certainly capable of replacing what they lost with Cedric Benson.

Getting better on the interior of the line should be a priority with Nate Livings signing in Dallas as a free agent. The middle of the line isn't nearly as strong as the tackles and an upgrade there could also boost the running game.

The aforementioned Green and tight end Jermaine Gresham form a formidable duo, but losing Andre Caldwell depletes the group around them and getting a slot receiver would make Green and Gresham that much harder to stop.

Another tight end could also help in both the run game and receiving game, particularly with the kind of athletes this draft has at that position.

I do expect the Bengals to use one of their first three picks on a receiver, which could make this offense much more consistent.

Key Free Agents: Cedric Benson  RB, Andre Caldwell WR (signed w/ Broncos), Anthony Collins OT (re-signed w/ Bengals), Donald Lee TE, Nate Livings G (signed w/ Cowboys), Mike McGlynn G (signed w/ Colts), Terrell Owens WR, Dennis Roland OT, Bo Scaife TE, Jerome Simpson WR, Bobbie Williams G,  

Defense 

Marvin Lewis finally has the players on defense to utilize his talents as a defensive coach. Cinci has one of the best front fours in football, probably the best in the AFC.

Losing Jonathan Fanene hurts, but the Bengals signed Derek Harvey and Denver Jamaal Anderson, to upgrade the depth along that defensive front. Getting another tackle could be beneficial, but this is a talented, physical front.

Adding Jason Allen from Houston is also an underrated move. Allen was extremely productive for the Texans last season and the Bengals are in need of help in their defensive backfield in terms of depth.

When Leon Hall was injured last year, this team didn't play the same defensively. Getting better there and at safety have to be considered priorities this offseason.

Injuries have riddled Cincinnati linebackers the last few years and adding some young talent there would help not only with depth, but with building a long-term blueprint for defense.


Key Free Agents: Jonathan Fanene DE (signed w/ Patriots), Kelly Jennings DB, Brandon Johnson OLB, Adam Jones (re-signed w/ Bengals), Manny Lawson OLB, (re-signed w/ Bengals), Reggie Nelson S (re-signed w/ Bengals), Frostee Rucker DE (signed w/ Browns), Pat Sims DT (re-signed w/ Bengals), Dan Skuta ILB, Gibril Wilson S

Draft Targets

Needs: DB,G,WR,RB,LB
Round 1 (Pick 17 F/ Raiders): Cordy Glenn OL Georgia (Pos. Rank: 2, Overall Rank:19)

The Bengals love massive offensive lineman and Cordy Glenn certainly qualifies. Glenn can play guard or tackle, but would be fine at guard in this offense. The former Bulldog isn't the most agile moving laterally, but is a powerful blocker and is better in pass protection than you might expect from someone his size. Given the punishing defenses in this division, Glenn would be an upgrade inside and has value here.

Round 1 (Pick 21): Kendall Wright WR Baylor (Pos. Rank: 3, Overall Rank: 18)

It seems a little strange to have the Bengals use their second pick on a player ranked higher than they drafted with their first pick, but the need at guard is much higher than at wide receiver and the Bengals should have reason to expect Wright, or another wide receiver with a first round grade to be there when they pick at 21. Wright is the ideal fit to play next to Green and Gresham, working the underneath routes and winning 1-on-1 match-ups with nickle corners. This would be a scary pick for teams in the AFC North.    


Round 2 (Pick 53): Jamell Flemming CB Oklahoma (Pos. Rank: 7, Overall Rank: 54)

If you want stat guys or work-out warriors, Flemming isn't your guy, but if you want someone with elite instincts and a tremendous break on the ball, you want Jamell Flemming. At the Senior Bowl, even if off coverage - his strength is press man - you could see his reaction speed and instincts. As a nickel corner, Flemming is a perfect fit given that he'd regularly be locked up with inside receivers in man coverage. A potential future starter could be a steal here.

Round 3 (Pick 83): Markelle Martin S Oklahoma State (Pos. Rank: 4, Overall Rank: 83)

Once thought to be a first round pick, Martin's play didn't live up to expectations as a senior. Martin is somewhat redundant with Reggie Nelson since Nelson is the kind of center field, deep safety that Martin would be. On the other hand, with the strength of Cinci's front, the Bengals don't need to regularly play with a safety in the box. Martin does a good job with his reads and finding the quarterback's eyes. His fluidity as a an athlete is somewhat limited, but he could be a solid sub-package defender for the Bengals.

Overall

One of three teams with two first round picks, the Bengals have the luxury of picking for need with one and value for the other if they so choose. In other words, if they want to zero in a player they really like at a position of need, they don't need to worry about value with the 17th pick, knowing they have another pick almost right after. This is an even draft in terms of value, plus it brings impact players on both sides of the ball. Three of the four players above could be starters eventually and be significant contributors right away. A draft like this would solidify the young, talented core of this team.

Final Thought

The biggest "need," for this team is just to get older and wiser. In other words, the best way for this group to get better is just keep playing. Talents like Green come around once every few years and Dalton is a potential Pro Bowl quarterback even if he's not an elite physical talent. This defense is young and physical, already one of the best in the league. Adding depth in the back end will be a great boost, as will upgrading the offensive front. There may be a step back in the second season with Dalton and Green, but they have set up the Bengals for long-term success.