Pro Football Draft Network | 2012 Pro Football Draft Analysis

1^st Round (#4) WR A.J. Green, Georgia

2nd Round (#35) QB Andy Dalton, TCU

3rd Round (#66) DE Dontay Moch, Nevada

4^th Round (#101) G Clint Boling, Georgia

5th Round (#134) S Robert Sands, West Virginia

6^th Round (#167) WR Ryan Whalen, Stanford

7^th Round (#207) CB Korey Lindsey, Southern Illinois

7^th Round (#246) RB Jay Finley, Baylor

Analysis of Notable Selections:

A.J. Green: It is time for Cincinnati to part ways with old receivers, Chad Ochocinco (33) and Terrell Owens (37).  Green has the skills to become a quality lead receiver.  In addition, Green is not a diva and will play within the offense.  His act consists of scoring touchdowns without all of the antics afterwards to generate publicity.  The Bengals wisely refused to reach for a quarterback with this very high pick. 

Andy Dalton: PFDN was not on-board the Andy Dalton is a future quality NFL-starting quarterback bandwagon.  We evaluated Dalton to be a good back-up/ marginal starter.  His mediocre arm and foot quickness will limit his team’s offense.  Carson Palmer put Cincinnati in a very difficult spot.  The team does not plan to cave-in to Palmer’s demand to be traded or else he will retire.  The Bengals had to draft a young quarterback because there is little behind Palmer.  The team’s current back-ups are Jordan Palmer (ironically, Carson’s younger brother) and Dan LeFevour.  Neither is the answer at quarterback.  The Bengals passed on Colin Kaepernick who is very raw, but has superior physical tools (bigger, faster and a much stronger arm) to Dalton.

Dontay Moch:  Cincinnati will mix in more 3-4 defensive fronts this year to complement the team’s base 4-3.  Moch is a terrific athlete who can rush the quarterback.  However, he is very raw as a linebacker and looks to be strictly a pass rush specialist early in his career.   Moch is a boom-or-bust type of player.  He could easily get lost at linebacker and has to develop more than a fast outside rush. 

DeMarco Murray was the most notable player that the Bengals passed on.  Cincinnati has to incorporate a short passing game to cater to Andy Dalton’s skills.  A running back who is skilled at catching the ball will be vital to Dalton having some success.  Murray has the ability to be a fine 3^rd down back and is terrific at catching passes.  The Bengals lack this type of running back.  Cincinnati’s running game was not productive last season (3.6 yards per carry and only 8 touchdowns on the ground).  Murray might have been a fine combination when paired with Cedric Benson.

Clint Boling: The Bengals would like to run the ball more efficiently in 2011 and that starts with the offensive line.  Boling had a fine career at Georgia and can play tackle or guard.  He likely will be best inside against NFL-caliber athletes.  He lacks outstanding size and power, but he does play with leverage and solid technique.  Boling provides depth and has the work ethic to become a starter down the road.    

2011 NFL Draft Grade:  C+

Bottom Line:  Cincinnati took some chances with the Dalton and Moch decisions.  They need both to pan out to become a regular contender in the difficult AFC North.  The Bengals did not address in the 2011 NFL Draft their inability to stop the run (opponents averaged 4.4 yards per carry in 2010).  A run-stuffing defensive tackle is still badly needed.