1st Round (#21) TE Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma
Key Player(s) Passed On: S Taylor Mays, S Nate Allen
Analysis: J.P. Foschi led the Bengals in receiving (27 receptions for 260 yards (9.6 per) and 2 touchdowns) from the tight end position last season. Clearly, Cincinnati could use a major upgrade in production from this important position. Gresham was the perfect fit for the Bengals. He is a very talented player with a terrific combination of size, speed and soft hands. It is only a matter of time before Gresham becomes a productive target for Carson Palmer on 3rd down and also in the red zone. The Bengals could have used help at safety, but tight end was a bigger need. Cincinnati’s passing offense fizzled down the stretch in 2009 and could use more juice. In addition, Gresham was likely the better prospect (we certainly think so) compared to Mays and Allen.
2nd Round (#54) DE Carlos Dunlap, Florida
Key Player(s) Passed On: RB Ben Tate, RB Montario Hardesty, DE Daniel Te’o-Nesheim
Analysis: Cincinnati needs a better pass rush (only 34 sacks last season) and safety play to take their defense to another level. Dunlap has high 1st round athletic ability, but dropped in the draft due to character concerns. The former Gator has questionable passion for the game and is very raw from a technique standpoint. However, Cincinnati selected him in the right spot and he has undeniable pass rush potential. The Bengals are a good fit for Dunlap because they play a 4-3 defense and Mike Zimmer is their defensive coordinator. We thought one of the Bengals best off-season moves was re-signing Mike Zimmer. He is an intense coach who has a chance at getting the most out of a player like Dunlap. Zimmer is an excellent teacher and will push Dunlap to the limit. Dunlap can start his NFL career as a situational pass rusher and hopefully develop into a starter. Cincinnati could use better depth behind Cedric Benson, but they were wise not to pass on a potentially good pass rusher with some unique athletic tools. Dunlap could be another Jevon Kearse or like Jarvis Moss. It all depends on how badly does he want it?
3rd Round (#84) WR Jordan Shipley, Texas
Key Player(s) Passed On: WR Eric Decker, WR Andre Roberts, WR Taylor Price
Analysis: Shipley has the quickness, intelligence, toughness and hands to be a fine slot receiver. The Bengals are set on the outside with Antonio Bryant and Chad Ochocinco. Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson have not done much as receivers and a productive slot receiver was needed. Shipley is better suited to the slot than Eric Decker. In addition, Shipley was higher rated on our board than Andre Roberts or Taylor Price. The fact that Shipley has plenty of big game experience has to help his transition into the NFL. It was Shipley who was in the middle of the Longhorns’ comeback attempt against Alabama in the 2010 BCS National Championship game. Shipley was a good pick-up by the Bengals.
3rd Round (#96) CB Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest
Key Player(s) Passed On: LB Rennie Curran
Analysis: Ghee has terrific speed, but he is more of a track star than an exceptional football player. Curran is a better football player than Ghee. Mike Zimmer had success coaching an undersized, but fast linebacker in Dallas by the name of Dexter Coakley. Curran reminds PFDN of Coakley. We preferred Curran, but it will be interesting how Ghee develops with more coaching and experience.
4th Round (#120) DT Geno Atkins, Georgia
Key Player(s) Passed On: OT Jason Fox
Analysis: Atkins has quickness, but is not a good run defender. He did not live up to his potential at Georgia. The Bengals could use more depth at defensive tackle and Atkins has some potential. The light will hopefully go on for him regarding what it takes to be a professional football player. However, the team really went for need over the best available player. Jason Fox can be at least a quality backup at left tackle. Cincinnati is pleased with Andrew Whitworth, but you never know when injuries will strike. Fox would have been a solid addition to the Bengals’ offensive line.
4th Round (#131) LB Roddrick Muckelroy, Texas
Key Player (s) Passed On: CB Perrish Cox
Analysis: Muckelroy was not an impact player in college. He could be a decent backup because he prepares well. Muckelroy has limited upside, but can also help on special teams. Cox gets his hands on a lot of passes and is a dynamite kick returner. He has more upside than Muckelroy, but has character issues. The Bengals likely decided that they have enough head cases at cornerback (Adam Jones), drafted Ghee and went with the safer selection. Muckelroy was an ok choice.
5th Round (#152) G Otis Hudson, Eastern Illinois
Key Player(s) Passed On: DT Arthur Jones, RB Jonathan Dwyer
Analysis: Hudson started for two seasons at right tackle for Eastern Illinois after transferring from Minnesota. The Bengals plan on using him as a backup at right guard, initially. Hudson can move his feet and has a reputation of being a hard worker. He was effective at Eastern Illinois, but was not physically dominant against suspect competition. We think there were better options available. Arthur Jones is a quality defensive tackle who can penetrate and is used to taking on double-teams. He dropped in the draft due to injury concerns. Cedric Benson had a strong season in 2009, but we would be leery of signing him to a lucrative long-term contract. Cincinnati has only Brian Leonard (a 3rd down back) and Bernard Scott (a change-of-pace back with his own character issues) as backups to Benson. A big, young and productive back like Jonathan Dwyer would have made sense.
6th Round (#191) WR Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas
Key Player(s) Passed On: RB Charles Scott
Analysis: Briscoe represents low-risk in the 6th round and excellent value. Briscoe was a playmaker at Kansas and has size and run-after-the-catch ability. He also is immature and it may take him some time to discover what it takes from a dedication standpoint to be a professional. He reminds us of Chris Henry in many ways. Charles Scott also would have been a solid pick, as the Bengals need more depth behind Cedric Benson. However, we really liked the Briscoe selection in the 6th round.
7th Round (#228) G Reggie Stephens, Iowa State
Key Player(s) Passed On: RB Brandon Minor
Analysis: Stephens was a solid selection as he has natural size and power. He fits the Bengals’ power running scheme. However, he must take his conditioning to another level and drop some weight. The Bengals still did not address their backup running back situation. Minor is a physical back who runs very hard, but always seems to be banged-up. He could be a solid backup if he can finally stay healthy for a while.
Bottom Line: Cincinnati had a huge hole at tight end and solved the problem with a quality pick (Gresham). The former Oklahoma star has a chance to make some noise (provided he does not miss training camp due to a holdout) as a rookie. Overall, the Bengals had a solid draft. They took some risks on players (Dunlap, Atkins and Briscoe) at the right spot in the draft. The passing attack should be more explosive, but the team failed to improve their depth at running back and at safety.
Draft Grade: B
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