2011 NFL Draft Recap pt 2.

Alright everyone I gave you my [quick] take on the day 1 and day 2 players drafted.  The next next guys on the list to talk about would be day 3 draftees. Which consists of:

• Clint Boling OG Georgia
• Robert “Sandman” Sands S WVU
• Ryan Whalen WR Stanford
• Korey Lindsey CB SIU
• Jay Finley RB Baylor

Starting with Georgia Bulldog OG Clint Boling. Blue Chip offensive guard who can step right in for the Bengals and play. This kid actually started at 3 different positions for Georgia this year and still was named ALL-SEC. It’s safe to assume the versatility is definitely something that drew us to him (Alexander LOVES versatility). Drafting Boling on day three is one of the steals of the draft. Most draft services ranked him as a day 2 prospect for sure, and the top 3-5 of the Guard position. Scouts Inc. (McShay ESPN actually ranked him 50th on their big board) So getting a player like Boling, is already a solid pick up. But getting him in the 4th is total steal.

Robert “Sandman” Sands is a nasty pickup as well. Typically it’s hard to complain when you draft a 6’4″ safety in the 5th round. Sands was a career FS at WVU making 1st team Big East his sophomore season. His hips are tight and maybe not idealy fluent for a FS, but the Bengals have already made comment he will be moved to Strong Safety. Sands has the ability to use his size to his advantage be it Run support laying the lumber or covering the pass jumping up and putting himself in position to make plays. He may not start right away but look for him to get some special teams starts along with coming in on run downs.

Ryan Whalen was a mystery pick to most fans. Personally with my interactions with fans most Big 10 fanatics had no clue who Whalen was (or that football happened outside of the Big 10). Whalen was typically the lifeline for Stanford QB Andrew luck. Whalen has a great quickness, but lacks the next gear to be a burner down field. He’s a very physical WR in many ways, he does a great job on his blocks and has no problem going over the middle. He even shows great ball security, holding onto passes no matter how hard of a hit is coming. He may not be an immediate starter,  but consider him an insurance plan if Jerome can’t learn the new playbook and Caldwell disappears again.

The next pick on the list is Southern Illinois, Saluki Korey Lindsey. Lindsey was one of the few players I actually got to see play in person. When I saw him play he definitely stood out at his level of competition, but wasn’t to the point that made me think he’s a future Pro Bowler. Lindsey has the potential to be contributer in packages requiring an extra corner and has great return abilities. His 40 may not impress, but he actually is much faster then what it shows (he pulled a leg muscle during the sprint).

Baylor RB Jay Finley was the last pick of the Bengals draft. But to put a more positive spin, Jay Finley is the newest Bengal. He’s a medium build RB who has great quickness and has top level shiftiness. His burst is definitely of an elite level, he may not have all the tools of the bigger school backs, but he does have cuts to make him a good back up for Bernard Scott. He was definately a surprise to be drafted but he has the potential to make an impact.