Shaking up the top of the draft

It has been reported today that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer plans to demand a trade or he will retire. The last time a star player on the Bengals demanded a trade was Chad Johnson in 2008, and Mike Brown did not budge. Even after the Washington Redskins offered 2 first round picks for the star receiver. Brown held firm to his belief that the player should honor the contract.

So if Palmer does end up retiring, what does this mean for the 2011 NFL Draft? It means that Cincinnati will be looking for a quarterback, and if they take one that high it will be a stretch. Their depth chart has Jordan Palmer as the backup, and Dan LeFevour at No. 3. If you are going to say that the Bengals can win with either one of those two leading the offense then you are the most eternal of optimists. Jordan Palmer may be Carson's brother, but there is a reason he has bounced around the league. Listing him as a backup is a stretch. LeFevour was drafted by Chicago in 2010, and was released. He was a spread offense quarterback in college, but has not taken a snap in the pros. He may eventually become a good NFL quarterback, but I don't think anyone sees it happening in 2011.

So the Bengals, who should have been targeting A.J. Green or Da'Quan Bowers with the 4th overall selection, now may be looking for a quarterback. Consensus of opinion has Blaine Gabbert as the most pro ready prospect, but he is not nearly the polished talent Palmer was coming out of USC. And the Bengals sat Palmer his entire rookie season after taking him first overall in 2003.

But I believe the player Cincinnati may need for the quarterback position for more than one reason is Cam Newton. The Bengals have an offensive line built for the run. Palmer has spent the last 3 seasons getting battered and bruised, and the most mobile option may be the best one. Also, Cincinnati has had trouble selling tickets. Getting the Heisman Trophy winner would be a PR coup that could help the small market Bengals attract more fans into the stands. Newton would benefit from the Bengals re-signing Cedric Benson, and with a solid running game and a stable of good young receivers, there might not be as much pressure right away on Newton.

As talented as Newton is, 4th overall might be too high. The answer would be to trade down. But Mike Brown has not been known to make many draft trades, and his last big draft trade was to move up to #1 and select Ki-Jana Carter in 1995. Carter then blew out his knee on his second preseason carry, and his career was effectively over. If Carson Palmer retires, they will need to get a quality quarterback to replace him. If they do not get one of the four top prospects by the time they make the 35th pick of the draft, it could be a long, long, long season in Cincinnati.