ICYMI: Cincinnati Bengals Full 7-Round NFL Draft Review
Overall I give the Bengals a draft grade of a “B”. Let’s not forget that this was a weak draft class and nobody really expected this to be an exciting draft. Nevertheless the Bengals did come away with some good depth and value at some positions. Here is my break down of the 2013 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.
Round 1:
Tyler Eifert (TE 6-6 251lbs. Notre Dame): Solid Pick although I may have gone John Cyprien as that was our biggest need and he is also a fine player. Eifert displays great body control and never drops passes unlike our starting tight end. Eifert will definitely give opposing defensive coordinators headaches trying game plan for him and Gresham. Eifert is an average blocker but Hayes will coach him up and he will not be another Chase Coffman. Grade Value B+
Sep 29, 2012; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Giovani Bernard (26) celebrates with tight end Eric Albright (91) after scoring against the Idaho Vandals in the first half at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Liz Condo-USA TODAY Sports
Round 2a:
Giovanni Bernard (RB 5-8 202lbs. North Carolina): I’m not going to lie; I’m not thrilled about this pick. I had Le’Veon Bell as my highest ranked running back, then Eddie Lacy, then Bernard. Bernard displays average speed for an NFL running back with good vision and wiggle. Bernard does not display the ability to move tacklers forward after contact or break tackles, shows soft hands catching the ball out of the backfield. Bernard needs to work on his pass blocking or he won’t be on the field to show off these skills in the first place. Bernard should push Brandon Tate for return specialist. I believe there was more value in one of the two running backs that I mentioned earlier but this is our guy now. I believe he is not an upgrade from Bernard Scott who is already on the roster. Gio Bernard will be nothing more than a situational back at best and I believe we missed big on this pick. Hopefully I am dead wrong on this and I end up eating my own words but for now I’m going with my gut on this. Grade Value C+