Looking ahead to the draft

Please, let the draft begin.

After months of study and media analysis, nobody really knows which player, for example, will go No. 18 overall to the Bengals.

The best educated guess here is a defensive player. My field of possibilities: defensive tackle Alan Branch, cornerbacks Aaron Ross or Darrelle Revis, linebacker Jon Beason or safeties Michael Griffin or Reggie Nelson.

Revis and Nelson probably will be off the board by No. 18.

If the Bengals do get an offer they like, they might trade down four or five spots in the hope of landing a third-round pick or another pick in the fourth round.

Who really knows? We'll find out tomorrow.