Team-by-Team Draft Recap: Cincinnati Bengals

Brian Bulmer

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This article is part of our ongoing series where we provide team-by-team analysis and veteran divisional winners and losers from the NFL Draft. You can read the entire series here.

The Bengals entered the 2014 draft with few holes to fill and could take best player available at many spots throughout the draft. They did address some needs, but also muddled the running back and quarterback situations. Let’s dive in and take a look at how the Bengals draft changes the fantasy landscape.

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Darqueze Dennard, CB (Round One, Pick #24 Overall)

The Bengals landed a solid second cornerback to start opposite of Leon Hall. Former first round pick Dre Kirkpatrick has primarily been a special teams player, playing behind Pacman Jones and Terrance Newman. Dennard creates competition at the position and could possibly beat out Kirkpatrick to start opposite Hall.

The Bengals first round selection was the Jim Thorpe award winner in 2013 – the award given for the top cornerback in the country. He was also a unanimous first team All-American and a finalist for defensive player of the year in college football. Dennard is a physical cornerback who likes to play at the line of scrimmage and is not afraid to tackle. He recorded 62 tackles, two forced fumbles and four interceptions last season.

Dennard is an ideal cornerback to own in IDP leagues. His ability to play physical at the line of scrimmage could mean solid points from tackles alone. He knows how to set to edge and play the run, but also has solid ball skills finishing 2013 with four interceptions. Dennard is ranked as the 36th rookie by DLF rookie IDP rankings (third among all rookie cornerbacks).

Jeremy Hill, RB (Round Two, Pick #55 Overall)

One surprising pick in the draft happened when the Bengals passed on Ohio State product Carlos Hyde and took LSU running back Jeremy Hill. The Bengals opted to take Hill because he came from a pro-style offense and is already a solid pass protector. The Bruiser from the Bayou complements fellow teammate Giovani Bernard very well. Hill is a complete back who can pick up tough yards between the tackles, but also catch passes out of the backfield.  At 6’1” and 235 lbs., Hill has the body type to withstand punishment in the NFL.

Hill had a great 2013 campaign as he finished second in rushing yards in the SEC behind St. Louis Rams’ draft pick Tre Mason. Hill averaged nearly seven yards on 200+ carries on the season – this set an SEC record for yards per carry. He also has a nastiness and competitive edge in his running that few others in this draft class share. His ability to gain yards with power and will is unmatched by most.

The red flags off the field can be concerning for fantasy owners. Hill has two charges one of sexual assault and another with him punching a man outside of a bar. For these reasons, Hill was proactive leading up to the draft and sent a letter to all 32 teams explaining his position when it comes to his own personal character concerns. With the recent news of Ray Rice, Josh Gordon and possible pending suspensions, it is a risk to take a player with a history of legal issues that can cost him time on the football field.

The 2014 Bengals camp will be competitive to determine who wins the short yardage and goal line work between Hill and Benjarvus Green-Ellis.  In the last two seasons Green-Ellis has averaged 850 rushing yards and 6.5 touchdowns. If Hill wins the job outright in camp and can stay healthy, he could be a viable RB2/flex in his rookie season. Hill is going early second round in most 12 team drafts. His ADP will likely jump he wins the job outright in camp.

Will Clarke, DE (Round Three, Pick #88 Overall)

Clark is a productive defensive end out of West Virginia. The Bengals get a player who is long and can potentially grow into the mold of former Bengal Michael Johnson. Clarke is 6’6” and 270 lbs. He had one of the widest wingspans in the draft. He has the prototypical size of a great defensive end and the Bengals hope he grows into his body and learns the position so he can become a large part of the defensive rotation. Clarke is currently listed as the 30 ranked IDP rookie on DLF’s IDP rookie list of players.

Best of the Rest

In the fourth round, the Bengals traded up to get one of the largest Centers in the draft in Russell Bodine of North Carolina. Bodine is a strong, competitive blocker, but is slow to get to the next level. His 42 reps on bench press were six better than the next offensive lineman competitor in the class.

In the fifth round, the Bengals surprised many by taking quarterback AJ McCarron. McCarron had a great record as a collegiate quarterback, but will have to wait his turn in Cincinnati with Andy Dalton playing well. McCarron may never be more than a backup quarterback. Don’t forget the whispers get louder if the Bengals continue to lose in the playoffs. At some point McCarron may get his shot, but I don’t think that happens in 2014.

In round six, the Bengals selected Marquis Flowers who is a former safety, but is strong and very athletic. He will likely be nothing more than a special teams guy with a solid nucleus of linebackers in Cincinnati.

In the seventh round, the Bengals added wide receiver James Wright from LSU and CB-S Lavelle Westbrooks from Georgia Southern. Both are great athletes that are more likely to get their first chance on special teams.

Another name to note is undrafted free agent James Wilder Jr. He is a former five star athlete that could be a solid contributor for the Bengals. He has family that has played in the NFL and certainly has the physical ability to withstand the pounding of the NFL game. He could be a nice stash in leagues with deep benches (30+ roster spots).

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