The Cincinnati Bengals recently signed its third draft pick from its 2010 draft class in Georgia defensive tackle Geno Atkins. The Bengals have also signed its fifth-round and sixth-round selections in offensive guard Otis Hudson of Eastern Illinois and wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe of Kansas.
Atkins, the No. 120 overall pick in the NFL Draft, was selected in the fourth round and should fill the Bengals’ need for a fourth defensive tackle. According to Ravens Insider Aaron Wilson, the Bengals signed Atkins to a four-year deal with “a signing bonus slightly over $472,000.”
When Atkins was drafted, the thought behind the pick was that he would backup the Bengals top-three DTs in Domata Peko, Tank Johnson and Pat Sims. All three DTs, who are ahead of Atkins, appear to better suited to stop the run. Atkins could provide pressure from the inside on passing downs. Don’t be surprised if the Bengals line up Atkins and fellow rookie defensive end Carlos Dunlap at DT on 3rd-and-long situations this season.
If you follow this team closely, then you know that the Bengals have failed to have a quality fourth DT in their rotation for quite some time. Just last season, the Bengals signed DT Shaun Smith, released Smith, signed Smith, signed DT Orien Harris, waived Harris and signed Harris again. Hopefully, with the addition of Atkins, the Bengals won’t have to keep signing and releasing the same DTs.
There are six other Cincinnati draft picks that haven’t signed. Those players include tight end Jermaine Gresham, defensive end Carlos Dunlap, wide receiver Jordan Shipley, cornerback Brandon Ghee, linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy and offensive lineman Reggie Stephens.
