Bengals Draft Picks: Home Run Picks Make Bengals Contenders in 2012

After orchestrating one of the best drafts in recent memory, the Cincinnati Bengals are ready to make the leap from cute upstart to serious Super Bowl contenders.

The Bengals finished 9-7 and earned a playoff berth last season, in large part thanks to the effort from rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. Now, they've got a promising new crop of youngsters to help take them to the next level.

Cincinnati's front office struck gold once again this year, landing cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, guard Kevin Zeitler, wide receiver Mohamed Sanu and defensive tackles Devon Still and Brandon Thompson in the first three rounds.

All five players fit a need for the Bengals, and all five are ready to contribute immediately.

Kirkpatrick doesn't have blazing speed or great ball skills, but he'll give receivers fits with his physicality on the line of scrimmage. His size (6'2", 185 pounds) and nasty demeanor make him an intimidating presence in the secondary.

Although the selection of Zeitler at No. 27 isn't the sexiest pick, it provides the Bengals with depth and talent on the offensive line. Zeitler's intelligence and football I.Q. are exceptional, so he should have no problem starting from day one.

Sanu, selected 83rd overall, could end up being one of the biggest steals in the draft. He's great at finding gaps in the coverage and he isn't afraid to go over the middle. He also has major redzone potential with his above average height (6'2") and explosive vertical leap (36 inches). He should complement A.J. Green well.

On the defensive side of the ball, Still and Thompson should be monsters in the middle of the line. Both are exceptional at defending the run, and although Thompson isn't as athletic as Still, he makes up for it with his relentless motor. With some proper coaching, they will form one of the most menacing D-line duos in the league.

As good as their early-round selections were, the Bengals smart decision making didn't stop there. They also snagged Orson Charles, one of the best tight ends in the class, in the fourth round and beefed up their secondary by adding cornerback Shaun Prater and safety George Iloka in the fifth.

Add all these talented rookies to their already solid core of Dalton, Green and new addition BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and the Bengals suddenly have one of the scariest rosters in the league.

Although they're playing in perhaps the toughest division in the NFL, don't be surprised if Cincinnati emerges from the wreckage to win the AFC.