In last year's draft, the Cincinnati Bengals gave offensive coordinator Jay Gruden a good foundation to build with in wide receiver A.J. Green and quarterback Andy Dalton. With two first-round picks and needs at offensive guard and running back, they could fill those needs early in the draft this year.
"What's exciting about the backs is I think there are a number of them that can come in here and help out a lot," Gruden said. "Obviously guard is important. So it's important for us to get a young, talented guy at guard. I know it's not the most popular thing to do all the time to draft a guard. 'Oh gee, a guard.' But if it's a guy that can start here for a long time and play every offensive snap, it's important. So I would say guard, back and then obviously always looking for a receiver."
The Bengals have never selected a guard in the first round, but with the 17th and 21st picks that would be the range in which teams usually go for that position. Stanford's David DeCastro is the top-ranked guard in the class and has experience with West Coast schemes. DeCastro said at the Scouting Combine that he could call out plays that the 49ers ran last season after being in Jim Harbaugh's scheme at Stanford.
The guard class is projected to be one of the top position groups in this year's draft. Besides what they did on tape, Gruden liked getting a feel for DeCastro and Georgia's Cordy Glenn during the interview process.
Said Gruden about the guards: "There are about four or five of them that are very, very good and there are a couple of others that might drop down a little bit in the draft that look good, too. I'd be very surprised if we don't come out of here with a decent player up front."
With Cedric Benson not expected to be back, the Bengals would address their need at back either in free agency or the draft. Free agency has become more of an option with the Raiders not expected to tag Michael Bush. However, with Bernard Scott entering the last year of his contract, they could still draft a back in the middle rounds.
The good thing for Gruden this year though is that he is not coming in as a rookie coordinator and needing to find a quarterback. He also has a better idea of the personnel he has after having worked with them for a year.
There is also the need for a second receiver, but that is more likely to happen in free agency instead of the draft.
"It's kind of nice not having to travel cross country and work out every quarterback in America," Gruden said. "Now we're trying to put some more pieces together to build this team. We have a pretty good idea of what we need and it's good for us because the positions of need are the strongest positions in the draft and we don't have to reach and get them. Or address other needs on defense."
