9 picks
#21, 54, 84, 96comp, 120, 131comp, 152, 191, 228
Tight End
Things could not have gone worse for them at this position last year. As featured on HBO's behind the scenes at training camp show Hard Knocks, they were hammered with injuries. Reggie Kelly tore his Achilles tendon and is an unrestricted free agent. The same is true for Foschi and Sherry because they were not tendered. Foschi became a starter out of need, and Sherry spent the season on IR. Coats was signed after not being given a tender, but he was kicked out of the starting lineup for drops (7) and two fumbles, which are both huge numbers for a guy who caught 16 passes. This is not baseball, maintaining possession 89% and catching it 70% of the time (I'm not even counting total targets here) is unacceptable. They need a receiving option, and have for years now. It's so bad Foschi's 260 yards were the team's best production since 2003, which almost warrants an exclamation point. They do have a pair of rookies already in the fold with Chase Coffman and Darius Hill, but for the sanity of Michael Abromowitz this team needs a star.
Wide Receiver
The addition of Antonio Bryant (Bucs) was made more interesting because Chad Ochocinco had campaigned for Terrell Owens. On the field he needs to chew up the production of another veteran, Laveranues Coles, who was cut. Coles only had 43 receptions, but his 514 yards and 5 touchdowns were both second on the team. Suggesting that signing Bryant, or the very unpredictable former first round pick Matt Jones, solves their problems is way off the mark. They also picked up Chris Davis, who did not play in 2009 and was last seen with the Titans, but he might wind up returning kickoffs. It is too soon to give up on Andre Caldwell, who caught 51 passes for a mere 8.5 yards per reception with clutch touchdowns mixed in. Has anyone spotted surprise second round pick in 2008 Jerome Simpson? It seems like given the number of bodies flowing in the results should be better and obviously the tragic passing of Chris Henry has also hurt. Someone with big play ability is a must for the long term and in case no one has noticed, Ochocinco has two reality shows lined up with an eye on his future in entertainment and just turned 32. How much longer is he going to make a difference?
Safety
Being blessed with bookends like Hall and Joseph at starting cornerback would be even more awesome if the Bengals could find someone to light it up from the safety position. Both of those guys, who would be given a lot more pub if Revis and Asomugha played in the NFC, came down with 6 interceptions which in theory should have led to more big plays at safety. Instead Roy Williams ended the season on IR again, and Chris Crocker was the only other player on the team with multiple picks (barely - two) while missing a few games (ankle) late in the season. Williams will stick around after signing a one-year contract. Hebert was tendered as an exclusive rights free agent and signed it but is no more than a special teams player, albeit as a captain. Rookie Tom Nelson is looking like a backup. They need to find someone with range to man the free safety spot. Anyone with an eye for the football would do a ton of damage between Hall and Joseph.
Linebacker
I have to admit, I enjoy the "does it smell" commercials with Dhani Jones. When he says "I'm Dhani Jones" at the beginning it gets me every time, and I mean every time. However, like Ochocinco, he is inching ever closer to being ready to do other things with his life other than beating heads on a football field. He will be a free agent after this season and since Rey Maualuga, who is ideal for the middle linebacker spot, was just drafted common sense tells us he will kick inside and someone else will be starting on the strong side. Entering free agency Hodge, Jeanty and Johnson were all restricted and earned various tenders. Johnson saw the most time on defense with three stars for an injured Rivers. Hodge and Johnson both signed their tenders and are key contributors on special teams. Long term someone will be needed to join the USC guys in the starting lineup, and that player is probably not currently on the roster.
Guard
The situation at center is probably settled with Cook, an exclusive rights free agent, having been tendered (he signed it) and rookie Luigs in line to be his eventual successor. Cook is not an elite player, but he sets up the talent around him well. The interior concern is at guard because Williams will turn 34 the first month of the season, and is at the moment an unrestricted free agent. Considering his impact on the line and leadership role it would be a good idea keeping him in the fold. Their other starting spot was split almost down the middle between Mathis and Livings. Mathis was given a third round tender as a restricted free agent, and Livings was tendered as an exclusive rights free agent which he signed. With first round rookie Andre Smith in line to start at right tackle (over tendered exclusive rights free agent Roland) the guard spots are clearly the most important for them at the moment. In a perfect world I said they would "lock up Williams" which they did and the next part is selecting an impact player in the middle rounds of the draft.
Running Back
Remember Chris Perry? Most people don't. He was supposed to be a dynamic threat out of the backfield similar to a Reggie Bush. Instead he flamed out, mostly due to injuries. The team has been left looking for someone to fill the role since. Fortunately, they have a power back in the form of Cedric Benson although he will need to be satisfied next year as a free agent. Perhaps rookie Bernard Scott provides a little insurance in case Benson gets greedy. He averaged a healthy 4.3 yards on 74 carries of relief although in fairness roughly half of that came in a two game stretch against the Browns and Raiders who can't stop the run. The Bengals have had trouble making big plays and with pretty much every NFL team carting out two or three different backs with unique skill sets they need a quick, smaller option with receiving skills.
Kicker
Oh Shayne Graham, what did you do to this team? He was given the franchise tag because from 2007-2008 he made 89.7% of his field goals. The number that counts is 0% as in misses on both of his wild card playoff attempts. A kicker who can't perform in the clutch is about as useful as a car without a steering wheel. They have already taken one step towards fixing the issue by signing Dave Rayner to a two-year deal. He was also with them briefly in 2008 which is the last time he kicked in a regular season game having spent 2005-2007 with a different team each season, usually not a sign of having success. During that span he was a regular for Green Bay (2006) and for the most part Kansas City (2007).
Backup Quarterback
What happens to this team if Carson Palmer, who hasn't been himself since 2007 by the way, suffers an injury? They lose any games he does not play. I'm all for the brotherly love of having Jordan there at third string, but there is no one capable of stepping in during an emergency situation or as a project to groom for the future. I fully expect Palmer, 30, to be their guy in the next few seasons at least. That's about how long it takes to develop a starter in an ideal world, which is why the 2010 or 2011 draft is a perfect time to select someone in the middle rounds.
Defensive Line
A key move has already made by retaining Tank Johnson at tackle, even with his injury history. They locked up free agent Frostee Rucker, who has been useful due to his versatility yet might be a much better player if not for injuries. He does have an awesome name though. Tackle Shaun Smith was allowed to walk (Chiefs) which is no big deal because he was signed midseason for depth. That's really all they are looking at on the line at the moment.
