Was talking with a friend of mine who is a Bengals fan last night, he was asking me what I thought they'd do in the draft.
Obviously I identified a cover saftey, TE and OG as definite needs, but as I was thinking my way through it, one more occurred to me, running back.
Benson's contract is up after this year, and I don't think they have any intention of giving him a long-term deal given hes turning 28 (I think) this year. I'm not convinced they think Bernard Scott is a long-term #1 option, so they'll likely look for someone to pair with him if they do indeed let Benson go.
With how much the Bengals relied on the run in the face of Carson Palmer's "Chad Pennington with a torn rotator cuff"-level of arm strength after his elbow injury in 2008, they likely need another front line runner so Benson doesn't have to carry the ball 35-40 times a game again. They also desperately need a back who can block and catch on 3rd downs, that doesnt run like an offensive tackle as Brian Leonard does.
Is there a chance if Matthews or Spiller falls that they'd take either? Is a reach for Best out of the question as a great change-up to Benson's between the tackles-style? Does McCluster make sense in round 2 so they can quit using Brian Leonard as a 3rd down option? Maybe McKnight in the 3rd?
Thoughts?
Obviously I identified a cover saftey, TE and OG as definite needs, but as I was thinking my way through it, one more occurred to me, running back.
Benson's contract is up after this year, and I don't think they have any intention of giving him a long-term deal given hes turning 28 (I think) this year. I'm not convinced they think Bernard Scott is a long-term #1 option, so they'll likely look for someone to pair with him if they do indeed let Benson go.
With how much the Bengals relied on the run in the face of Carson Palmer's "Chad Pennington with a torn rotator cuff"-level of arm strength after his elbow injury in 2008, they likely need another front line runner so Benson doesn't have to carry the ball 35-40 times a game again. They also desperately need a back who can block and catch on 3rd downs, that doesnt run like an offensive tackle as Brian Leonard does.
Is there a chance if Matthews or Spiller falls that they'd take either? Is a reach for Best out of the question as a great change-up to Benson's between the tackles-style? Does McCluster make sense in round 2 so they can quit using Brian Leonard as a 3rd down option? Maybe McKnight in the 3rd?
Thoughts?
