Who Will The Cincinnati Bengals Draft?

Jan 3, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Kony Ealy (47) during the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2014 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Missouri won 41-31. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

With the 2014 NFL Draft fast approaching the question hovering over Cincinnati is who will the Cincinnati Bengals draft with their first round pick? With recent successful first round picks Bengals fans curiously await this upcoming Thursday.

What we do know is the Bengals will pick 24th overall in the first round of this Thursday’s draft. The other thing fans can almost be certain of is the Bengals will more than likely take a defensive player with their first pick.

The Bengals are in need of another cornerback. Thankfully there is a plethora of good corners in the 2014 draft giving the Bengals some options. Most notably Kyle Fuller, Jason Verrett, Darqueze Dennard and Bradley Roby. The Bengals could also take a defensive end like Kony Ealy or perhaps a linebacker like Ryan Shazier.

More likely than not it will be a cornerback that is taken with the 24th pick.

Kyle Fuller

Cornerback, Virginia Tech. Fuller is considered to be a “complete football player.” The corner had a good 2013 season until injury halted his senior season. Fuller had a great 2014 NFL Combine appearance, he ran 4.49 40 yard dash, his 128.0 inch broad jump was the best of the combine. If Fuller is still on the board look for the Bengals to take a hard look at him

Jason Verrett

Cornerback, Texas Christian University (TCU). Verrett comes into the draft off of a very solid 2013 season, a season that saw him record 2 interceptions, 41 tackles and 1 sack. The 5’10” corner shined at the combine as well, his 4.38 40-yard dash was the fastest of the combine. Not to mention his 39.0″ vertical was the best of the combine as well, and while we’re at it Verrett’s 3 cone drill and 20 yard shuffle were the best of the combine as well. Verrett is the best at training, can he parlay that into a good NFL career is the question.

Darqueze Dennard

Cornerback, Michigan State University. Dennard is a very physical corner who will keep receivers in check coming off the line. His 40 time (4.51) was not the fastest of the combine, there are certainly players faster than him. But Dennard’s style of physical play will mesh well with the NFL game. In the 2013 season Dennard had 4 interceptions, and 63 tackles led him to the Jim Thorpe Award at the end of the season. Cincinnati could use a player like Dennard.

Bradley Roby

Cornerback, Ohio State. If Verrett was the best performer at the combine Roby was a very close second. His 40 time was one hundredth of second off Verrett and his vertical was half an inch shorter. Roby is a shut down corner, with 3 interceptions and 69 tackles last season Roby ended up on the Big10 first team. Roby has had some off the field issues in recent weeks with those cleared up now Roby is a talent that will not fall out of the first round. Roby is very physical and has great awareness defending the pass and great awareness in the air.

Kony Ealy

Defensive End, Missouri. Ealy makes his way into the Bengals draft board as a potential wild card if he is still on the board. With the departure of Michael Johnson the Bengals are in need of a new pass rusher. In 2013 Ealy had 8 sacks, and 42 total tackles on the season. Ealy is quick and a menace to offensive lines, if he could gain some more weight he could be even more deadly.

Who the Bengals will pick is a guess to anyone outside of Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals are in need of new defensive players, the departures of the offseason have not left the Bengals with the defenses of the past. Perhaps the Bengals will take a quarterback? Bengals fans can only hope.