I think of the Bengals draft as a complete homerun, despite the critics. I grade it as an A+!
LB - Keith Rivers USC 6'3" 235 first round - Sedrick Ellis was off the board due to the Saints leap, but even if Ellis was available I leaned toward Rivers. Keith Rivers was the best available talent that feels a huge need. Ahmad Brooks was a force before missing 14 wks due to a groin injury. Starter Landon Johnson left via f.a. Odell Thurman is reinstated but will be rusty & may be out of playing shape missing the last two years. Rivers is a solid tackler, has great size and speed to patrol coast to coast.
WR - Jerome Simpson Coastal Carolina 6'1" 199 second round / Andre Caldwell Florida 6'1" 200 third round / Mario Urrutia Louisville 6'5" 232 seventh round - Simpson has rare leaping ability and is an uncovered gem. Caldwell is a solid prospect with good measurables. Urrutia has a huge frame and great size that will prove to be a commodity in the redzone. Tab Perry & Chris Henry are gone, while Antonio Chatman & Marcus Maxwell need work. Glen Holt is a return ace but offers nothing if little to the passing game. Simpson, Caldwell & Urrutia will all contribute. More importantly, the three rookies provide the Bengals with the depth needed for the club to move Chad Johnson. Cincinnati couldn't endure the 8+million dollar cap hit that would have been sustained in a CJ trade. Cinci had 10 picks including a top ten that will take a good part of the cap. Now with depth at wr, Cinci can wait until after June 1st, trade 85 and spread the hit over a few years. The trade will garner future picks or a defensive playmaker. Or, if Chad Johnson sits out, the Bengals cap is helped since he doesn't earn play time & stat incentives. Or, CJ plays and Bengals have a very talented wr group.
DE - Angelo Craig Cincinnati 6'5" 235 seventh round - Justin Smith was overpaid and is gone. Geathers & Rucker haven't lack a presence off the edge. Though it may be due to a lack of skill in the middle, but Craig's massive size will be a disruption. With Odom playing opposite, and new big presence in the middle, Craig will rarely have extra protection slide his way creating a mismatching problem for opposing offensive lines.
DT - Pat Sims Auburn 6'2" 310 third round / Jason Shirley Fresno St. 6'5" 329 fifth round - Defensive line needed to be injected with some big bodies in the middle, and thats just what Sims & Shirley offer. Missing out on trades for DTs prior to the draft with the Lions & Jets, Cinci found their big guys in the draft. Sims missed his sat out a year due to a family death, otherwise would've had more starts and would've been a 1st round selection. Shirley, one of the biggest prospects in the draft, will demand attention for opposing linemen. Domata Peko is a promising NT and will benefit from the new talent in rotation. Defensive ends Odom, Rucker&Craig will benefit off the edge having a force in the middle. Remember, Bengals ranked last in the league in sacks with only 22. Expect that to change this year.
OT - Anthony Collins Kansas 6'5" 317 fourth round - Has massive size, and has played at both right and left takle positions in college. Stacy Andrews is franchised and may walk after this season. Even if Andrews signs longterm next year, Willie Anderson can't play forever. Collins, like Andrews, can play anywhere on the o-line except center. In this Carson Palmer Era, adding a big body for protection is never a bad thing. Also, by improving the offensive line will pay dividends on our other day one investments Chris Perry & Kenny Irons when they return from injury. Expect Rudi Johnson to return to form this year as well, since there will be better depth on the line than a year ago.
S - Corey Lynch Appalachian State 6' 205 sixth round - Lynch is a higher character guy, and good size with speed. He was the leading tackler with solid coverage skills with 24 career interceptions. Lynch enjoys the special teams role and is an absolute ace. Madieu Williams was a stud that moved on, while Dex Jax is ageing fast. Chinedum Ndukwe, Marvin White & Ethan Kilmer are all very young and promising prospects. Now, Lynch is another prospect on the rise and will contribute immediately on special teams & provides excellent depth. May grow into a starting role in a year or two.
TE - Matt Sherry Villanova 6'4" 255 sixth round - Sherry has the size of a prototypical te, and has above average pass catching skills. He will push Coats immediately for the backup role and he and Utecht will offer more even more flexibility with the offensive formations.
