Cincinnati Bengals: Report Card for the Last 5 Draft Classes

The Bengals don't have a general manager, and their drafts often resemble what a very informed fan using draft media would do based on consensus rankings. Owner Mike Brown's approach sometimes pays off, but it has also resulted in a roster stacked with character risks. Still, the Bengals are trending in the right direction, as the 2011 class has the potential to go down as one of the best in franchise history. 

2007

The Bengals hit a home run in the first round with CB Leon Hall, and struck out in the second with RB Kenny Irons, who tore his ACL and never played a regular season game for the team. Their third-round pick was used on LB Ahmad Brooks in the 2006 supplemental draft. Brooks didn't pan out with the Bengals, but he has since turned into an excellent starting 3-4 OLB with the San Francisco 49ers.

The fourth round brought safety Marvin White, who has been one of many attempted solutions at the position who didn't take, and the fifth round yielded QB Jeff Rowe, who never contributed to the team.

Sixth-round DT Matt Toeaina has turned out to be a quality starter...for Chicago, who stole him from the Bengals' practice squad. Seventh-round OL Dan Santucci hung on the roster for a few years without having much of an impact, but the seventh-round compensatory pick turned into safety Chinedum Ndukwe, who started on and off for the team and made a fair share of big plays with his overaggressive play that caused him to fall out of favor with the coaches.

Grade: B- 

2008

The Bengals found themselves in the top 10 at No. 9 for the first time since they took QB Carson Palmer No. 1 overall in 2003. They went back to USC for LB Keith Rivers, who has been injured frequently and still hasn't the expected impact from a top ten.

Second-round WR Jerome Simpson was an afterthought and widely considered a bust until a strong finish in 2010, but an off-field arrest for being involved in drug trafficking overshadowed his 2011 contributions, including one of the highlight-reel plays of the year.

Third-round DT Pat Sims has been a solid rotational contributor, and compensatory third-round WR Andre Caldwell rose as high as the No. 3/slot receiver position before moving on to Denver in free agency this year. Fourth-round OT Anthony Collins was just re-signed, and he has put in some good time as depth and a sometimes starter on the offensive line.

None of the team's five fifth-to-seventh round picks (including a compensatory sixth and seventh) have stood out, but character-risk DT Jason Shirley (who was converted to offensive guard) and sixth-round safety Corey Lynch have hung around for a few years.

Grade: C-

2009

No 6. overall OT Andre Smith hasn't been the complete bust that everyone expected, and in fact, he has become a solid right tackle for the team. Rey Maualuga hasn't been the impact linebacker he was at USC, but he has started (although this offseason brought some off the field issues).

Staying with the theme, third-round DE Michael Johnson hasn't played up to his potential, but he has made some pass rush contributions and even played some linebacker. Compensatory third-round TE Chase Coffman hung around the end of the roster, but the team finally gave up last year and he's now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Fourth-round center Jonathan Luigs lasted one year with the team. Fifth-round selection and hometown punter Kevin Huber has worked out. Sixth-round CB Morgan Trent actually appeared in all 16 games as a rookie, but he was cut during the 2011 season.

The Bengals pile up a lot of compensatory picks, and another hit with RB Bernard Scott, who has been good depth and a change-of-pace back. His role will grow this year. None of the team's trio of seventh-round picks are still with the Bengals.

Grade: C 

2010

This draft laid the groundwork for the 2011 playoff team. First-round TE Jermaine Gresham has been a quality two-way player, and second-round DE Carlos Dunlap is one of the better young pass rushers in the league. Third-round WR Jordan Shipley was a quality slot receiver before tearing his ACL last year. 

Third-round comp pick CB Brandon Ghee is still with the team, but has barely seen the field—but fourth-round DT Geno Atkins has been a stud and should be a defensive cornerstone for a long time.

Fourth-round comp LB Roddrick Muckelroy is on the road back from a ruptured Achilles. Fifth-round OG Otis Hudson hasn't done much yet, but he'll be on the spot as at least a backup this year with the Bengals losing Nate Livings and Mike McGlynn in free agency.

Sixth-round WR Dezmon Briscoe didn't survive camp, but he has turned into solid depth for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and seventh-round OL Reggie Stephens was waived last year and has caught on with the Bears this offseason.

Grade: B+ 

2011

Last year's draft gave the Bengals a core on offense that will guide the time for a long time to come. Overall No. 4 WR AJ Green has been an instant star, a true No. 1 wide receiver that draws a ton of attention from the secondary. Second-round QB Andy Dalton has been a dream come true for offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, leading the team to the playoffs in his first season. 

Speedy third-round LB Dontay Moch has had migraine issues and hasn't contributed, but fourth-round OL Clint Boling started in September of his rookie year, and could start this year at guard. The team is hoping the fifth-round safety Robert Sands and sixth-round WR Ryan Whalen can provide depth at their positions this year. Seventh-round CB Korey Lindsey didn't survive into the season and neither did seventh-round comp pick RB Jay Finley.

Grade: A

What Have We Learned

This is what your drafts look like when you don't have a GM: you never make trades, you generally take the consensus best player available, and you have a lot of compensatory picks because you lose players in free agency. The approach wasn't bearing fruit, but in the last two season, the Bengals have built a tremendous young nucleus, and they have an extra first-round pick this year.

The Ravens and Steelers should be worried about this team catching them this year at their current rate of growth.