The Cincinnati Bengals assembled their 2013 NFL draft around playmakers and developmental projects.
This type of draft class rendered the grading process as one of near certainty and total uncertainty all at the same time.
What can be qualified is a Mike Brown-engineered draft that will surely benefit Cincinnati in the short term. Prospects taken with the first four selections will provide that reinforcement for the upcoming season.
The Bengals landed 10 prospects over the final April weekend. Let’s evaluate each pick and conclude with an overall grade for their 2013 draft.
Round 1 (No. 21 Overall): Tyler Eifert, Tight End, Notre Dame
Cincinnati acquired one of the most dynamic weapons emerging from the NCAA ranks.
Tyler Eifert is a 6’5’’, 250-pound target that can line up just about anywhere in the offensive formation. Notre Dame’s big-time tight end offers wide receiver-like pass-catching abilities flexed out wide and in the slot. He’s also effective when positioned in-line.
Eifert is the best in this class at coming down with contested balls downfield. He attacks the ball at its highest point and secures it at nearly every opportunity with his giant mitts.
As a blocker, Eifert possesses all the requisite physical measurables. It isn’t his strong suit, but he’ll certainly develop in time.
Making this pick so valuable are Eifert’s top-10 talent and fit within coordinator Jay Gruden’s system. His production in two tight-end sets with Jermaine Gresham and receiver A.J. Green will elevate the Bengals offense and cause great pain for teams that passed on him.
This matchup nightmare doesn’t exactly satisfy a need, but will prove as one of the top steals in this draft. Good luck to the opposition in defending the Bengals in the red zone.
Round 2: (No. 37 Overall): Giovani Bernard, Running Back, North Carolina
The most complete running back drafted in 2013 went to the Bengals at No. 37 overall.
Cincinnati drafted Giovani Bernard with its first pick of the second round. He was also the first back taken off the board.
Bernard racked up nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage last year. He amassed 1,228 and a 6.7 per-carry average on the ground and 47 catches for 490 yards through the air. Pushing that total near the 2K mark were his 263 yards on 16 punt returns (16.4 average).
The former Tar Heel also was a touchdown machine. He punched in 12 rushing scores, five more as a pass-catcher and two on punt returns.
Bernard will complement BenJarvus Green-Ellis and give Cincinnati’s offense another dimension out of the backfield. Quarterback Andy Dalton will appreciate his services as an underneath target.
The only issue with pick is where it was made. Bernard would have offered better value late in the second or early in the third if the Bengals had traded back.
By and large, though, Bernard fills a need and is a certifiable playmaker.
Round 2 (No. 53 Overall): Margus Hunt, Defensive End, SMU
This latest pick embodies total developmental upside for Cincinnati. At 6’8’’ and 277 pounds, Margus Hunt is an absolute freak of an athlete. He is a former discus thrower hailing from Estonia, and didn’t start playing football until college.
Hunt really came onto the scene in 2012, however. He registered 11.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and three blocked kicks. His insane length may allow him to develop into a J.J. Watt-type player in terms of disrupting throws by opposing quarterbacks. He’ll also offer tremendous contributions on special teams right away with his talent at blocking kicks.
The former SMU product landed in the ideal scenario with the Bengals. They have one of the deepest 4-3 fronts in all of football, highlighted by Geno Atkins and Michael Johnson. Hunt can sit behind these guys and learn the nuances of the game. This coaching staff may also use him sparingly as an additional disruptive pass-rusher.
Intrigue, high reward, unknown potential—we recommend keeping a watchful eye on Hunt moving forward. The Bengals just might have something special here.
Round 3 (No. 84 Overall): Shawn Williams, Safety, Georgia
Round 4: (No. 118 Overall): Sean Porter, Outside Linebacker, Texas A&M
These next two selections filled team needs, but were also associated with that regrettable “R” word—otherwise known as “reach.”
The Bengals needed to shore up its coverage deficiencies in the back end. It was imperative that they acquired a strong safety with cover skills to play opposite Reggie Nelson.
They targeted that need in the third round with Shawn Williams. The 6’0’’, 213-pound Williams enjoyed his best season in 2011 with five tackles for loss, four interceptions, 10 pass breakups and one forced fumble. Despite being highly productive, Williams did not record a single interception outside of that season.
He has the natural athleticism when it comes to covering tight ends and running backs, but remains established only as a run defender at this point in time. Shamarko Thomas and Phillip Thomas are more capable cover safeties and were available in the third.
Cincinnati also required depth at linebacker. As with safety, this defense needed backers that can cover. Sean Porter is more accomplished as a pass-rusher than he is at matching up with pass-catchers in coverage. He excels at coming off the edge, notching 13 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss between 2011 and 2012. He’ll serve as a nice weak-side backup behind James Harrison.
On the other hand, Porter isn’t known for his prowess in coverage. Penn State’s Gerald Hodges was still on the board in the fourth and would have better filled the Bengals’ need. Porter was a substantial reach.
Round 5 (No. 156 Overall): Tanner Hawkinson, Offensive Tackle, Kansas
Round 6 (No. 190 Overall): Rex Burkhead, Running Back, Nebraska
Round 6 (No. 197 Overall): Cobi Hamilton, Wide Receiver, Alabama
Cincinnati batted 1-for-3 through the fifth and sixth rounds.
Tanner Hawkinson gives the Bengals some potential depth on the offensive line. However, this really didn’t qualify as a need. Hawkinson’s limitations outweigh his strengths as well.
Rex Burkhead brings intangibles and high football character to head coach Marvin Lewis’ squad. He overcomes physical limitations (lack of speed, power) with relentless effort. His best season came in 2011 when he rushed for over 1,300 hundred yards and 15 TDs.
That said, injuries have plagued Burkhead throughout his career. Drafting a running back was also no longer necessary, especially one that may have gone undrafted. He must hope for a role on special teams.
The Bengals notched their lone “base hit” out of these three prospects with Cobi Hamilton in the sixth round. Hamilton broke out during his senior campaign with 1,335 yards and five TDs. The 6’2’’, 212-pound wideout has the size, leaping ability and route-running skills to develop into a productive target. This solid value pick can also learn from the best sitting behind A.J. Green.
Round 7 (No. 240 Overall): Reid Fragel, Offensive Tackle, Ohio State
Round 7 (No. 251 Overall): T.J. Johnson, Center/Guard, South Carolina
Mike Brown and Co. finished fairly strong with their 2013 draft class. Reid Fragel possesses incredible upside and offers good value all the way down at No. 240 overall. The massive 6’7’’, 308-pounder played tackle for just one season, but showed potential and the requisite mean-streak as a pass-blocker.
Lastly, T.J. Johnson is an SEC-trained, high football IQ lineman. The 251st overall selection is likely destined for the practice squad.
As with most seventh-round picks, these prospects are unknown commodities.
Overall Grade: B
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