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Bengals have options with 18th pick
Their position could set up a repeat of 2004, when they traded down two positions.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
CINCINNATI — With the 18th pick in the 2007 NFL draft, the Bengals select ...
It might be a defensive lineman. It could be a linebacker. It likely will be a defensive back because Cincinnati's secondary is so porous.
Extras
2007 NFL Draft
- When: Today (noon to 10 p.m.); Sunday (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
- Where: Radio City Music Hall, New York City
- TV: ESPN (noon to 8 p.m. today; all day Sunday) & ESPN2 (8 to 10 p.m. today); NFL Network Bengals
- Top needs: Cornerback, safety, defensive tackle
- Projected top pick: Safety Reggie Nelson (Florida)
- Round/overall pick: 1/18, 2/49, 4/114, 5/151, 6/187, 7/230, 7/253 Browns
- Top needs: Running back, offensive line, cornerback
- Projected top pick: Running back Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma)
- Round/overall pick: 1/3, 2/36, 3/67, 4/103, 5/140, 6/178, 7/213
Is the depth sufficient enough that the Bengals will be happy with the guy they grab at 18?
"Yes," head coach Marvin Lewis said. "We're going to get a fine player at 18 — if we're there picking at 18."
Trading down
In 2004, the Bengals traded the No. 24 pick to St. Louis for the Rams' first (No. 26) and fourth (No. 123) picks. Cincinnati took tailback Chris Perry and offensive linemen Stacy Andrews.
The same scenario could happen this year.
If safeties Reggie Nelson and Michael Griffin — plus cornerbacks Aaron Ross, Chris Houston and Darrell Revis — are available, don't rule out the Bengals trading down for two reasons. They'd still get a quality player and they'd acquire an additional pick.
"It's also good just to take your guy," Lewis said. "If your guy is there that you'd like to have and you think would upgrade your team, then you take your guy. If he's not and someone is willing to trade and allow us to move back, then there is a possibility of that. It takes two to dance."
Huge gap
After the first two picks (Nos. 18 and 49), the Bengals don't select again until the fourth round (No. 114).
That's because they exercised their third-round pick in the July 2006 Supplemental Draft with the selection of linebacker Ahmad Brooks.
"I don't think we have to fill a hole (in the third round) because we got a guy (Brooks) who would go in the first round this year," Lewis said. "So we actually pick up a first-round pick. We can look at it that way. He's got a year under his belt to understand what it means to be an NFL player. I think that's exciting."
Compensatory pick
The club gets an additional seventh-rounder (No. 253) as compensation for the net loss of three free agents in 2006 — quarterback Jon Kitna (Lions), tight end Matt Schobel (Eagles) and linebacker Nate Webster (Broncos).
Party's off
Unlike last year, there is no public draft party at Paul Brown Stadium today.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.
