A nice start to our second round thanks to three prompt and very sound picks to start things off. Though I must say, I wouldn't touch either Cameron Hayward or Christian Ponder with a ten-foot pole if I were an NFL executive. Nevertheless, many thanks to dietrich43 for the latest pick for Cincinnati here at 35. Next up: the Denver Broncos, represented by Cannon36. - Michael B. -
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The Bengals are at a good position, where BPA (or at least, nearly BPA) meets with a team need. As a result, the Bengals take Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State.
A lot of mock drafts are giving the Bengals Ryan Mallett. Mallett has a cannon for an arm, a lot of questions about his character and intangibles (not that it has ever scared off the Bengals before), but played in a spread offense. QBs in a spread typically struggle when moving under center in the NFL. Ponder started three years vs. Mallett's two years. Ponder has a higher career completion percentage, doesn't have character concerns, and is used to running a pro-style offense. While he's had some injury issues, he's performed well in workouts, was the MVP of the North-South Game, and made good impressions at the Combine. Mallett may have more upside, that comes with more risk due to character concerns and coming out of a spread offense.
The other tempting pick at this spot was Corey Liuget, the DT from Illinois. He could team with Bowers and solidify the defensive line, but Cincinnati has some solid DTs already on the roster so this isn't as much a need as QB.
BTSC 2011 Community Mock Draft Selections:
ROUND 1
- Carolina Panthers -- Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
- Denver Broncos -- Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
- Buffalo Bills -- Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
- Cincinnati Bengals -- Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
- Arizona Cardinals -- Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
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Cleveland Browns --
'The Snow Cone Machine'A.J. Green, WR, Georgia - San Francisco 49ers -- Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
- Tennessee Titans -- Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
- Dallas Cowboys -- Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
- Washington Redskins -- Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina
- Houston Texans -- Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri
- Minnesota Vikings -- Tyron Smith, OT, USC
- Detroit Lions -- JJ Watt, DE, Wisconsin
- St. Louis Rams -- Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
- Miami Dolphons -- Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
- Jacksonville Jaguars -- Brooks Reed , DE, Arizona
- New England Patriots -- Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
- San Diego Chargers -- Ryan Kerrigan, DE/OLB, Purdue
- New York Giants -- Akeem Ayers, LB, UCLA
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
- Kansas City Chiefs -- Martez Wilson, LB, Illinois
- Indianapolis Colts -- Cameron Jordan, DL, California
- Philadelphia Eagles -- Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
- New Orleans Saints -- Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia
- Seattle Seahawks -- Jake Locker, QB, Washington
- Baltimore Ravens -- Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
- Atlanta Falcons -- Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
- New England Patriots -- Mike Pouncey, OG, Florida
- Chicago Bears --Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
- New York Jets -- Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
- Pittsburgh Steelers -- Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
- Green Bay Packers -- Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor