Bengals Look To Fill Needs During NFL Draft

With the 2013 NFL draft quickly approaching next Thursday the Cincinnati Bengals will be looking to fill various needs in their defense. The Bengals coming off a fairly successful 2012 season, one that saw the team make it to the playoffs for the second

Feb 22, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

year in a row. Unfortunately an early exit left Bengals fans wanting more, the team looks to add key players that will take them to the next level.

Cincinnati has made some good moves this off season including what appears to be signing LB James Harrison, nothing official yet but signs are pointing to him signing. This off season the team has resigned the following players, Terence Newman, Adam Jones, Rey Maualuga, Robert Geathers, Mike Nugent and Kevin Huber to name a few. They also signed some players to fill a few needs as well including QB Josh Johnson and Tyler Skelton as well as C/G Mike Pollak.

Like every season players sign with other teams some key losses for the Bengals include QB Bruce Gradkowski, OLB Dan Skuta and OLB Manny Lawson.

The team has key needs it needs to fill this draft. Mainly they need to feel the positions of Safety, Line Backer, Running Back and Wide Receiver.

The Bengals have 10 picks in this draft, more than enough to fill their needs.

The first round looks interesting for the team, they need a quality safety or corner like a Matt Elam S (FL), Jonathan Cyprien S (FIU) or DJ Hayden CB (Houston) if one of these three players are around expect the Bengals to snag one. A curveball could be thrown into the mix if Alabama RB Eddie Lacy is still available when the 21st pick roles around. The Bengals need a quality running back, look for them to grab Lacy if he is available. The team hosted Lacy on Monday in Cincinnati.

Past the first round and the star players are the later rounds and the players that make teams. Cincinnati has nine picks from the 2nd round back. Over the later rounds look for them to target another CB, one or two LB’s, atleast one O line player and possibly a wide receiver or two.

Names like Giovani Bernard and Khaseem Greene are popular in Bengals draft circles. But the Bengals never do anything conventional so look for a curveball to be thrown in.

Speaking of unconventional Cincinnati hosted LSU stand out Tyrann Mathieu on Monday, sparking rumors the Bengals will target him in the draft. Cincinnati is known for taking chances on players so this is no surprise. Mathieu would come cheap with incredible upside.

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