ICYMI: Bengals Draft Needs: Linebackers

Joe Johnson — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 19:00:30 +0000

Let’s face it, the Bengals linebacking corps, especially Ray Maualuga, underachieved in 2012, missing tackles and not shredding blocks. The only hard hits seemed to come from the secondary, and, personally, I felt little bit irritated by their overall performance. They have a great talent in Vontaze Burfict, but you can’t expect him to keep making all the tackles. It tends to wear players out. Vontaze needs help, and this class is loaded with potentially great linebackers, which, in my opinion, is the position the Bengals need to fill with their 1st pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Here are my top 3 (in no particular order).

November 24, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Alec Ogletree (9) celebrates a tackle for a loss in the second half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sanford Stadium. Georgia won 42-10. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Alec Ogletree, Georgia

If you couldn’t already tell, I love this guy. He is a monster, a hard hitter, a nightmare for most QBs. He doesn’t miss tackles, and his presence made the Bulldogs one of the nation’s best defenses. He came out of Georgia, and could be drafted by the Bengals. Ask A.J. Green and Geno Atkins how well that has worked thus far.

Jarvis Jones, Georgia

Yet another player to come out of UGA, Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogletree made that linebacking corps one of the best in the nation. He is one of, if not the best linebacker in the country. There is one problem with him though. He is more than likely a top-10 pick. The Bengals are on the upswing. No top-10 pick again. Weird, isn’t it?

NFL Draft: Bengals Needs and Who Could Fill Them

Joe Johnson — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 01:11:33 +0000

As the offseason rolls on, the NFL Draft looms closer, and we have the inevitable question of who will go where starts to be asked. Who will each team take? Who will be the next big thing out of the draft? All of these questions will be answered over time. Let’s talk about the Bengals for a minute. There are quite a few needs: linebacker, safety, running back, and maybe a defensive end or a receiver for depth.

Who will these players be, though? What will the Bengals fill first? Here is my take:

January 01, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Taylor Martinez (3) is sacked by Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Alec Ogletree (9) during the second half of the Capital One bowl at The Citrus Bowl. Georgia defeated Nebraska 45-31. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia

Yet another UGA player will be drafted, and yet again, he is good. Along with fellow linebacker Jarvis Jones, Ogletree made this linebacking corps one of, if not the best in the nation. He has great size and speed, and he hardly ever misses a tackle. It would be a pretty big upgrade to our linebacking corp. with a better linebacking corps comes more pressure on a QB, more sacks and a better run defense.

Matt Elam, S, Florida

Reggie Nelson is a very great safety, but he can’t do all of this himself. Chris Crocker is up there in age. Matt Elam is that help. His highlights are great, and at times unbelievable. He hits hard and has a good vertical leap. That Florida defense was GREAT, and Elam was a big part of it.

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ICYMI: Bengals Draft Needs: Linebackers

NFL Draft: Bengals Needs and Who Could Fill Them