Bengals Draft: Cincy Fans Sour on Kenny Irons

The prevailing opinion on the Bengals' draft is that the team didn't do enough to improve a defense that ranked 30th in the league last season

The selection of RB Kenny Irons has been a source of particular discontent in Bengal-land. Of course, it's neither fair nor sensible to judge drafts before players get on the field—but NFL fans are into instant gratification, not patience.

When viewed as a whole, the Bengals 2007 draft class is far from a bad one. 

It's also far from perfect.

Obviously, the Bengals had to focus on defense—and to a degree they did. CB Leon Hall was a safe pick.  He was rated as one of the top two corners in the draft, and should team with 2006 first-round Jonathan Joseph to solidify the secondary for the foreseeable future. 

That said, the Hall selection may have created a ripple effect that ruined plans to improve the D. The draft is about more than just simply taking the best player in each round—it's about getting the best collection of players throughout the weekend.  

For two straight years, the Bengals have watched players on their second-round wish list go off the board just before their pick.  In 2006, it was TE Anthony Fasano (and then TE Leonard Pope in round three).  In 2007, it was LBs David Harris and Justin Durant.  

The Bengals justified their selection by pointing to the dearth of high-value defensive players available. The team is correct there weren't many linebackers or defensive tackles there for the picking (at least not ones without character questions).  However, CBs Josh Wilson, Marcus McAuley, and Jonathan Wade were still on the board.  So were DEs Tim Crowder, Victor Abiamiri, and Quentin Moses, and safeties Sabby Piscitelli and Aaron Rouse.  

If the Bengals were looking for a linebacker or a D-tackle in a draft that was thin at both positions, they should have made their move early. Taking DT Alan Branch or LB Jon Beason in the first round would have allowed Cincinnati to take advantage of a deep secondary crop in round two.

As it stands, the Bengals got one top-tier defensive contributor instead of two. They also came away with three new offensive players—none of whom fills the team's need at tight end.

Here's how the weekend played out:

Round One: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan

His upside may be limited, but Hall should be an upgrade at corner. His ability to deliver run support will be a welcome sight after watching Tory James whiff on tackles (ol'!).

Round Two: Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn

After slamming the team's decision to choose a running back, let's not knock the player himself.  Irons was the third-best RB in the draft, and he'll provide a good complement to Rudi Johnson's grind-it-out style.  To be fair to the Bengals, one way to improve a team's defensive performance is to run the ball and control the clock.  Time to admit the Chris Perry pick didn't work out; don't be surprised when he's released. Round Four: Ahmad Brooks, LB, (2006) & Marvin White, S, TCU

Brooks will be given a chance to star in the middle.  Here's hoping the coaching staff is patient and lets him play through his mistakes.  He's no worse in coverage than Landon "turn my back to the ball" Johnson.

White is a big hitter whom the team will groom behind Dexter Jackson—and who could be a big help against the run.  His skills seem to fit well with Marvin Lewis' use of the "neutral" safety (without "free" or "strong" designations).  Lewis has unearthed fourth-round gems in the past, and White has lots of upside. The only question is whether he can pick up complex NFL schemes.  (Do the Bengals play a complex NFL scheme? Just asking...)

Round Five: Jeff Rowe, QB, Nevada

The selection of a QB was a curveball, but the idea behind it is a good one—drafting and developing a second QB is a lot less expensive than signing veteran retreads to one-year deals.  Rowe will learn behind Doug Johnson for a year before competing for the backup job.  He has a good skill set, and concerns about arm strength are overblown. Known for his accuracy and heady play.

Round Six: Matt Toeaina, DT, Oregon

Reminds me a lot of Jonathan Fanene; hopefully he can stay healthier. Toeaina is a hustler who can swing between DE and DT—and could be a good rotation guy. As much as the Bengals needed to focus on defense, TE Ben Patrick would have been worth a flyer here.  The team has no tight end depth, and Patrick has a solid combination of receiving and blocking skills.

Round Seven: Dan Santucci, G, Notre Dame & Nedu Ndukwe, S, Notre Dame

You can never complain about a team using one pick a year to add depth on the offensive line.  The Bengals' return to respectability started when the O-Line improved.

Ndukwe is a converted WR with good run support and tackling skills.  Unfortunately, like most Irish DBs, he gets lost in coverage.  A special teamer at best.

My overall take: The Bengals added quality players capable of making early contributions with their first three selections, then picked up some hardworking lunchpail types in the later rounds.  The team's losses in free agency should have made this a more defense-oriented draft.

Overall Grade: C

*NOTE: Signing LB Ed Hartwell would help make up for the team's failure to bolster the linebacking corps in the draft.  That may have been the Bengals' plan all along.