Apr 28, 2011; New York, NY, USA; ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

In a recent ESPN insider article, Mel Kiper Jr. broke down the draft needs and mock selections for the entire AFC North, and thanks to ESPN AFC North Blogger Jamison Hensley, we are able to get a sample size of how he believes the Bengals will attack the draft:

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Rd. 1 (21) S Kenny Vaccaro, Texas
Rd. 2 (37) RB Montee Ball, Wisconsin (via Oakland)
Rd. 2 (53) LB Khaseem Greene, Rutgers
Rd. 3 (84) WR Denard Robinson, Michigan

Hensley’s comment: The Bengals would be very happy if Vaccaro fell into their lap at No. 21. Strong safety is the biggest need on the team. While I agree the Bengals need to add youth to the backfield, Ball is more of an inside runner like BenJarvus Green-Ellis. North Carolina’s Giovani Bernard represents a better change of pace. Greene, who led the Big East in tackles for the past two seasons, can step in at weakside linebacker. Robinson could become a Josh Cribbs-type return man for Cincinnati. All of these picks address the top needs for the Bengals.

If Kenny Vaccaro, who’s widely regarded as the draft’s top safety prospect, was able to fall to the Bengals at pick #21, Mike Zimmer would sprint onto the stage to hand Roger Goodell the selection card. While many will claim that Montae Ball is a reach at pick #37, he still would be a solid contributor on a Bengals team in desperate need of a backup to BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Khaseem Greene could easily be the Week 1 starter at weakside linebacker, so getting him at #53 would be another great pick.

Denard Robinson is a bit of a wildcard in the late third-round. Perhaps Kiper foresees the Bengals using him in a wildcat-role while helping the former Michigan quarterback transition to receiver. The problem is, that seems to be the kind of role the Bengals have planned for Mohamed Sanu, so the Robinson pick really just doesn’t make sense.

Still, to get two starters in Vaccaro and Greene in the first three rounds would be a strong start to this year’s draft.

In another insider article, Kiper makes several spot-on points at to how the Bengals should approach the upcoming draft. He notes the biggest weakness being at safety, but also goes on to point out how the Bengals shouldn’t even consider drafting a cornerback or tight end. With Dre Kirkpatick waiting in the wings at CB, as well as Orson Charles developing into a solid TE, those are two areas that Cincinnati shouldn’t even consider on draft day.

In order for Cincinnati to have a successful draft, he believes they need to get a Week 1 starter at safety to pair alongside Reggie Nelson. Most Bengals fans would agree with his assessments.

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March 19, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski answers questions from reporters during the annual NFL meetings at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

There’s still a number of quality free agents left on the market, and if their gents are smart, they’re on the phone with the Cleveland Browns trying to gauge their interest. After the Browns cut linebacker Chris Gocong and safety Usama Young, they now lead the NFL in free salary cap with $33.8 million.

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Alameda Ta’amu pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and drunken driving stemming from an October 14th incident. Ta’amu was cut by the Steelers following the arrest, but finished up the season on their practice squad.

Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Terrence Cody recently underwent hip surgery, but is expected to be fully healed when training camp opens.

Oct 27, 2012; Lawrence, KS, USA; Texas Longhorns safety Kenny Vaccaro (4) comes onto the field for the game with the Kansas Jayhawks at Memorial Stadium. Texas won the game 21-17. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. held a Wednesday conference call in which he discussed the NFL Draft and what each team needs to improve their deficiencies, and when it came to the Bengals, he praised the recent drating of Marvin Lewis and company, while stressing their need for a game-changing safety:

Adding a safety has to be a priority for them.  It’s a team that has always done a good job evaluating players from a talent standpoint. They know who has talent. Marvin has been there a long time and he coaches these guys well. Some teams have shied away from a player here or there and maybe they’ve reached a bit, but at the end of the day, they’ve always been a team that has talent.

Their trend (has been) to get guys that have high grades at one point, but because they didn’t produce well or had off-the-field issues , whatever it may be, they take the talented guys that drop. It’s kind of like the old Oakland Raider philosophy with Al Davis. Talent always wins out.