Free Agent Visits Give Draft Clues

There are now less than two weeks to go before Cincinnati goes on the clock with the 18th overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft. It is a moment that many Bengals faithful have been waiting for since Santonio Holmes put a dagger in the heart of the Bengals' playoff hopes on December 31st of 2006. It has been a long four months of dead time that has left most Bengals fans pondering what name Commissioner Roger Goodell will call when the Bengals make their selection. Recent developments from Paul Brown Stadium can provide some clues as to who that might be.

Two free agents will most likely be in the Queen City after the draft for a visit with the Bengals. Linebacker Ed Hartwell and Defensive tackle Ian Scott are being brought in as possible replacements for Brian Simmons and Shaun Smith on the Bengals depth charts, but their visits mean more than depth.

Hartwell, 29, would look to compete with Ahmad Brooks for the starting spot and give the linebacking corps some much needed experience. He has been injured lately but according to his agent, Harold Lewis, "He’s 100 percent healthy."

Scott, 25, was a key part of the Bear's Super Bowl defense last year as he stepped in for the injured Tommie Harris. He compiled 22 tackles and deflected 6 passes in 2006 and would give the Bengals another body for the defenisive line rotation.

If the Bengals are looking to sign veterans at the linebacker and defensive line positions, then they will most likely be looking to spend their first draft pick on another position. Since Marvin Lewis has already stated that it will be a heavily defensive draft, that leaves the secondary as the positions that the war room will concentrate on.

Get used to these names because one of them will most likely be on the back of a Bengals jersey this fall: Darrelle Revis, Leon Hall, Chris Houston, Reggie Nelson, Aaron Ross, and Michael Griffin.

If some of you are disappointed by Kevin Kaesviharn's departure to the Saints, a replacement may be in sight. Utah Safety Eric Weddle reminds me a lot of him. He is an overachieving versatile player with a football brain and a nose for the ball. He played both offense and defense for the Ute's in 2006 and recorded 7 interceptions and 7 rushing touchdowns during that campaign. He projects as a CB/S tweener in the NFL and could help the Bengals out a lot on passing downs as a nickel back. He will most likely be around when the Bengals pick in the second round.