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Sports TwitterWhat are the Bengals and Browns looking for in the NFL Draft?
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS — CINCINNATI BENGALS
The Cincinnati Bengals will be hunting for defense at the NFL Scouting Combine this week.
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You name it — tackle, end and linebacker — the Bengals need more impact players to boost their 27th-ranked unit.
After tagging offensive tackle Stacy Andrews as their franchise player, the Bengals need to address their defensive front seven because veteran Justin Smith will likely bolt in free agency.
Defensive ends Chris Long (Virginia) and Vernon Gholston (Ohio State), tackles Glenn Dorsey (LSU) and Sedrick Ellis (Southern Cal); and linebackers Keith Rivers (Southern Cal), Ali Highsmith (LSU), Dan Connor (Penn State) and Curtis Lofton (Oklahoma) are on their wish list.
The Bengals will be in position to grab one because they have the No. 9 overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns' top areas of need are defensive tackle, outside linebacker, safety and wide receiver.
Nose tackle Shaun Smith is solid, but isn't viewed as a long-term answer. Right outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley could use a complement on the left side. Safety depth is needed behind Sean Jones and Brodney Pool. And Pro Bowl wideout Braylon Edwards needs a mate because Joe Jurevicius is a dinosaur.
Trouble is, the Browns don't draft until the second round on April 26 because, in 2007, they traded their second-round pick (No. 36 overall) and first-round selection in 2008 to Dallas to move up and grab quarterback Brady Quinn at No. 22 overall.
Look for Cleveland to fill some voids when the free-agency period begins on Feb. 29.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
