2012 POD Mock Draft: Cincinnati Bengals Select Devon Still

With the 21st pick of Pride of Detroit's 2012 NFL mock draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still. NorthLeft12 is serving as the Bengals' general manager, and his reasoning for the pick is below.

Devon Still has all the physical tools and mental attitude to become an outstanding defensive tackle in the NFL. He is tall (6'5") and heavy enough (305 pounds) with room to grow and add strength. He will enter the league as an outstanding run stuffer with the potential to be a good pass rusher. He made a big step forward in 2011 and seemed to acquire the desire and understanding to take his game up a notch or two, winning the outstanding D-lineman award in the Big Ten. The Bengals have an outstanding defensive coordinator in Mike Zimmer, who excels at getting the most from his players. Still will join DT Geno Atkins and DE Carlos Dunlap to form a very young and extremely talented foundation for a really good front four for years to come.

This pick came down to two players for me, Still and safety Mark Barron. Barron is the best safety in the draft, but from what I have seen, he seems to be a run first, cover (distant) second safety. That is not the kind of safety I want to draft in the first round. I think the Bengals can address safety later in the draft or by moving Nate Clements from CB. I feel the Bengals were very thin at DT after losing an extremely underrated backup (Jonathan Fanene) in free agency. This leaves them with Pat Sims and Domata Peko as their second and third DTs. They are extremely average at best. I felt a big upgrade to this position was needed and Still was the top player left on my board.

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Check out the 2012 Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft tracker for a look at all of the picks.

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