What the Cincinnati Bengals Need in the 2009 NFL Draft

Now that the NFL season is officially over, my favorite time of year comes along...the offseason. This is the time when teams make moves and deals to better the team to, hopefully, have a good next season. 

Looking back, the Bengals were on fire in the last few games of the season, and now they need to continue that momentum into the offseason. What they need to look forward to now is the NFL draft and what to do to better the team.

The Bengals really need a few key players:

1. Offensive Linemen

It all starts with the offensive line. Without an offensive line, a team is basically nowhere. They can't stop the blitzes, they can't effectively run the ball, and it's really hard to do anything without a solid o-line. The Bengals need to choose an offensive player first for the first time since 2004, and Andre Smith from Alabama would be a great fit.

2. Defensive End

There has been talk recently that Antwan Odom will be leaving the Bengals. If the rumors are true, then the Bengals are going to need somebody to take his place. They need a solid second or third round guy to fill in the hole he left.

3. Linebackers

Sure, the linebackers have been decent for the Bengals in the past few years. However, they need somebody who can really step it up on defense and take hold of the team. I think that a young rookie playing next to Keith Rivers would be a great boost to the team.

4. Free Safety

This was one of the weaker spots on the team. Marvin White just is simply not ready for NFL-quality talent yet. He just isn't. Marvin White was getting beat on routes, getting outrun, and just flat-out being outplayed. 

Maybe if they decide to stick with him, he will be a good player in a few years, but he's not ready for the big time just yet. The Bengals need to think about this spot because as the season shows, they clearly cannot rely on White to do an effective job.

However, something the Bengals need to remember going into the draft is that they need to make it count. Since 2003, the first-round picks have been mediocre at best to total busts. 

What they need is to have a strong draft and build around the players that they have, maybe make some moves in the offseason. It is a possibility to see them playing their last few games of the season next year with some meaning.

The Bengals always seem to have the idea that they are "planning for the future". The Bengals draft players who aren't really ready for the big time but will be in a few years.  Then, when their time comes around, they are either not needed anymore or have passed their prime.

In the 2009 NFL draft, they need to stop looking into the future and take care of the present.