Saturday, April 20, 2002
Top five likely to be Bengals' 1st pick
By Mark Curnutte, mcurnutte@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Bengals have what they consider the top 15 players in the NFL draft rated on their board. The highest-rated player still available when the Bengals draft 10th overall — almost regardless of position — will be their man. Coach Dick LeBeau said the team has too many needs at various positions to focus on only one or two areas.
Based on projections of what the nine teams drafting in front of them might do, the Bengals figure to come away with one of five players today in the first round.
Here's who they are, a look back at their college careers and why and why not the Bengals should draft them:
• PHILLIP BUCHANON — Cornerback, Miami (Fla.), 5-10, 183 pounds
COLLEGE: In 32 games at Miami, he never was beat for a touchdown pass. His coverage skills — closing speed, ability to play the ball in the air, leaping ability and timing — compare to Deion Sanders'. So does Buchanon's skill as a punt returner, where he averaged 16.7 yards and had returns of 52, 56 and 59 yards as a junior.
WHY THE BENGALS SHOULD DRAFT HIM: They haven't had a shut-down corner like Buchanon him since Ashley Ambrose had his Pro Bowl season in 1996 with eight interceptions. And Buchanon's ability as a punt returner would take pressure off Peter Warrick and give the Bengals another threat.
WHY NOT: Buchanon is barely 5 feet 10, and how will he match up with big receivers such as Pittsburgh's Plaxico Burress? The Bengals also just signed potential starters Jeff Burris and Artrell Hawkins to matching three-year, $4.5 million deals. So why throw more cash at cornerback when the Bengals need a tight end and help on the offensive line?
• JOEY HARRINGTON — Quarterback, Oregon, 6-3 3/4, 216 pounds
COLLEGE: He's a winner. The Ducks were 25-3 in games he started. He engineered comeback wins last season against Wisconsin and Southern California. Then there was the Fiesta Bowl, in which he was 28-for-42 passing for 350 yards and four touchdowns in the victory over Colorado. NFL scouts credit Harrington for improving his footwork and accuracy between his junior and senior seasons.
WHY: Harrington has the look of a 10-year NFL quarterback. He's smart. He handles pressure well. He's intelligent. He's coachable.
WHY NOT: The Bengals say they are on the verge of playoff contention. Other players at other positions will make a more immediate contribution than Harrington, who would need a year or two to develop. The pass offense would figure to be more productive next season with incumbent Jon Kitna having a second full season with the team's young receivers.
• WENDELL BRYANT — Defensive tackle, Wisconsin, 6-4 1/4, 307 pounds
COLLEGE: Had 69 tackles and eight sacks last season. He's a smart player and can read plays quickly. Then he has the speed to chase them down. He had to be double-teamed because no single blocker could contain him.
WHY: Imagine Bryant in the rotation with Bengals tackles Oliver Gibson and Tony Williams, and watch the Bengals' ninth-ranked defense climb into the top five. He is the quickest tackle in the draft and has explosive penetration into the backfield.
WHY NOT: The Bengals have other pressing needs, and they spent last year's first-round pick on Justin Smith — a defensive lineman. Buchanon fills a bigger need as a potential shut-down corner who would make the existing front seven even better.
• JEREMY SHOCKEY — Tight end, Miami (Fla.), 6-5 3/4, 254 pounds
COLLEGE: In his second year with the Hurricanes, he had 40 receptions, a 13-yard average and seven touchdowns. He spent one year in junior college before transfering to Miami as a sophomore. He's at his best in the red zone and down the seam in the middle of the field.
WHY: One of Kitna's best balls is the pass down the middle, which is Shockey's strength. The Bengals had only 29 receptions from tight ends in 2001. A pass receiver of his skills at tight end would add balance to the Bengals' offense. The only three free agents the Bengals signed this season were defensive players (Burris, Hawkins and Reinard Wilson), and doesn't the offense need an impact player?
WHY NOT: He's not the best blocker, although he has added weight and learned to use his quickness to get good angles on his opponent. He also would be a second rookie tight end, joining last year's third-round pick, Sean Brewer, who missed all of 2001 with a groin injury.
• ROY WILLIAMS — Safety, Oklahoma, 6-0 3/8, 219 pounds
COLLEGE: He was the only defensive player to receive Heisman Trophy votes last year. As a junior last season for the Sooners, he had 99 tackles, five interceptions and two sacks. He can cover tight ends and running backs in the pass offense and is a good blitzer. Scouts also predict he will be as big an impact in the locker room as he will be on the field.
WHY: The Bengals have just three safeties on their roster, and Williams would become an immediate starter. He's a big hitter who would improve the pass coverage. He's the rare safety who's worthy of a first-round pick. Williams also has great instincts.
WHY NOT: Last season, strong safety JoJuan Armour developed into an excellent run defender. Depth at safety can be acquired later in the draft, which features several excellent prospects. And, again, don't the Bengals need an impact player on offense?
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Top five likely to be Bengals' 1st pick
