Since the season is practically over for Bengals (all of us that aren’t foolish and completely optimistic of a turnaround), I’ve to move on to the draft. So in this installment, I’d like to just examine the past 15 years of drafting in Bengals history, based on selection spot in the first round:

 

Draft slots 1-5

 

#1 – Carson Palmer (QB – USC) – 2003

#1 – Ki-Jana Carter (RB – Penn State) – 1995

#1 – Dan Wilkinson (DT – Ohio State) -- 1994

#2 – No selections

#3 – Akili Smith (QB – Oregon) – 1999

#4 – Justin Smith (DE – Missouri) – 2001

#4 – Peter Warrick (WR – Florida State) – 2000

#5 – No selections

 

Out of this group, only Carson Palmer is still on the team, 4 of the 6 are out of the league (yes Carter and Wilkinson would be in their 14^th and 15^th seasons respectively), but Warrick and Smith would be veterans making a difference on a team at this point.  Justin Smith didn’t pan out well for Cincinnati, he was a solid player, but did not live up to his 4^th overall hype and money.  Peter Warrick had injury problems as did Ki-Jana Carter (what talents and gamebreakers they were). Injuries and underachieving have hurt the Bengals when drafting in the top 5.

Grade: C-

 

Draft slots 6-10

 

#6 – No selections

#7 – No selections

#8 – No selections

#9 – Keith Rivers (LB – USC) – 2008

#10 – Levi Jones (OT – Arizona State) – 2002

#10 – Willie Anderson (OT – Auburn) – 1996

 

All three of these guys is still in the league, two are on the Bengals. One is a rookie with tremendous upside.  Despite the holdout, Rivers came into the season firing on all cylinders. Its hard to grade a player after only five starts, but he still has some growing and learning to do, but that up side. And I think Levi has done a great job at keeping Palmer clean.  Anderson was the heart and soul of this team for ten years, it was sad to see him leave, but business is business.

Grade: A

 

Draft slots 11-15

 

#11 – No selections

#12 – No selections

#13 – Takeo Spikes (LB – Auburn) – 1998

#14 – Reinard Wilson (LB – Florida State) – 1997

#15 – No selections

 

Two very decent and productive linebackers came from this portion of the draft. The only problem with Spikes was his attitude and desire to win drove him out of Cincinnati.  Wilson only played 7 seasons, 4 with the Bengals and wasn’t very productive.

Grade: C

 

Draft slots 16-20

 

#16 – No selections

#17 – David Pollack (LB – Georgia) – 2005

#17 – Brian Simmons (LB – North Carolina) – 1998

#18 – Leon Hall (CB – Michigan) – 2007

#19 – No selections

#20 – No selections

 

Pollack was going to change this defense and finally give us a pass rushing linebacker that we needed. Then tragedy struck. It was a terrible thing to see happen to such a kind person. That injury set the Bengals back a couple years, which we are seeing right now. Simmons held his own as the defensive leader and the tandem with Spikes was really the only bright spot on defense for many years. Leon Hall is helping to sure up the secondary along with Jonathan Joseph, two shutdown corners who are only getting better by the week.

Grade: B

 

Draft slots 21-26

 

#21 – No selections

#22 – No selections

#23 – No selections

#24 – Jonathan Joseph (CB – South Carolina) – 2006

#25 – No selections

#26 – Chris Perry (RB – Michigan) – 2004

 

Joseph has emerged to be one of our defenses best players and with Leon Hall as his counterpart this young secondary could very well be one of the best secondaries in the league within a year or two.  Perry is finally getting his chance to shine, and he is shining like a piece of talc right now. Five fumbles in as many games, he could be losing his job to Cedric Benson, if he is playing as well as Marvin says he is.  The thing that kills me about this pick is the fact that we passed up Steven Jackson to get more draft picks and ended up getting Perry. Don’t get me wrong I love Chris Perry, but c’mon, Steven Jackson!!!

Grade: B-

 

No draft picks made 27-32.

 

It seems as though we do better drafting later in the in the first round, the so-called talent may be in the top 5, but when we pick them, they tend to bust.  I wouldn’t mind a top-5 pick, I’m just advising that us fans use caution when jumping into the hype.