Draft 9-12

With the ninth pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select:
The Bengals are the enigma of the NFL. As much talent as anyone, they just can't get it done. They have 85 complaining about anything, wanting a trade that he's not going to get, and probably the longest probation list outside of Knoxville. If I'm the Bengals, and have no defense, I'd like to trade up to get my hands on Dorsey, especially if he continues to fall like No Owens has suggested. They need a character guy and Dorsey is the character guy in this top 10. But...he probably won't be there and they need to address the defensive side. The nice thing is there are a number of options for a good value here so defensively, I don't think they can go too wrong. I think Ellis will be off the board here and the Ohio State DE with incredible upside could be the way to go for them here. They need to get athletic and get pressure. Go for it.

CIN - Vernon Gholston

With the tenth pick int he 2008 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints select:
The Saints could really use some help on defense. Clemson DE Phillip Merling or USC LB Keith Rivers are great picks right here and could be where they go. My favorite pick in this entire draft is Fred Davis, TE out of USC. I don't understand why he is slated to go anywhere from this range to mid 2nd round. I mean, I don't know what the guy did at the combine or in a workout. But I'm pretty sure Justin Gatlin could show up at the combine and have a great workout. If I'm the Saints, I'm going to add a premier TE, who, playing on turf, could stretch the field even further for Drew Brees. Not to mention, great offense puts butts in seats. A TE is going to stretch the field in the middle to allow for more room for Reggie Bush to create. It's the pick, don't expect it though.

NO - Phillip Merling

With the eleventh pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select:
I've seen Limas Sweed here. Not sure if he's the value guy here. Not sure if he's the talent here either. There are some good receivers out there but I don't see why the Bills need one. If they want a receiver, I'd trade back for someone who wants to get Keith Rivers before Denver does with the next pick. There you can get a better value with Malcolm Kelly or Early Doucet. Taking a receiver here is a stretch financially. With this pick, expect someone like Detroit or Arizona to swap picks at 15/16 to get the best backer on the board. If the pick isn't moved, expect the Bills to go defense.

BUF - Aqib Talib

With the twelfth pick int he 2008 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos select:

Backer is their need right now and it seems that Ian Gold is on the block. Rivers is their guy and he's a good value here. It's not often that you can get the top backer in the draft this late. The thing is, will he be around? How long are teams willing to wait for the gamble of him still being there? Let's just play the game that Buffalo doesn't move the pick and they stick with Talib. This puts Rivers in Denver. But for arguments sake, what if Rivers is gone to Detroit or Arizona right here? The next two backers are Dan Connor and Jerod Mayo...Connor who is a late first round value and Mayo who is an early second round prospect. They can't stretch for a backer here but they could play for Mayo in round two. If Rivers is gone, the best DT on the board is UNC's Kentwan Balmer and Florida's Derrick Harvey is available at DE, who I think is a solid pick. We will say that the pick will stay, but again don't expect it to.

DEN - Keith Rivers