The Cincinnati Bengals made its last few selections in the 2010 NFL Draft on Saturday and overall the team appeared to do a great job acquiring players who should help this year’s team.
Bengals Official 2010 Draft Order
1st round – No. 21 overall – Jermaine Gresham TE 6-5 261 6/16/88 Oklahoma
2nd round – No. 54 overall – Carlos Dunlap DE 6-6 278 2/28/1989 Florida
3rd round – No. 84 overall – Jordan Shipley WR 5-11 193 12/23/85 Texas
3rd round – No. 96 overall* – Brandon Ghee CB 6-0 192 5/6/87 Wake Forest
4th round – No. 120 overall – Geno Atkins DT 6-1 293 3/28/88 Georgia
4th round – No. 131 overall* – Roddrick Muckelroy LB 6-3 246 10/27/86 Texas
5th round – No. 152 overall – Otis Hudson OT 6-5 312 5/19/86 Eastern Illinois
6th round – No. 191 overall – Dezmon Briscoe WR 6-2 207 8/14/89 Kansas
7th round – No. 228 overall – Reggie Stephens C/OG 6-3 314 8/28/87 Iowa State* – compensatory pick
Entering the draft, I felt that the Bengals needed to address a few areas which included a nickelback, a fourth defensive tackle, depth at offensive guard, a tight end and a safety. During the three-day draft, the Bengals added a potential nickelback in Ghee, a fourth DT to add to the rotation in Atkins, two offensive linemen and a possible stud tight end. They also added a linebacker and two wide receivers, but failed to add a safety.
According to Cincinnati Enquirer Joe Reedy’s blog, the Bengals have signed two college free-agent safeties, UMass’ Jeromy Miles and Georgia’s Bryan Evans. The blog also mentioned that the team has signed Virginia RB Mikell Simpson, Mississippi RB Cordera Eason, Tennessee TE Jeff Cottam, Duke LB Vincent Rey and Cincinnati LS Mike Windt.
I know that it is too early to say this, but the Bengals put together a great draft for the second consecutive year. The addition of Gresham will immediately upgrade the Bengals at TE. Shipley could be a great fit as a slot receiver and possibly as a punt returner. Ghee will compete for the nickelback spot and also should immediately help on special teams. Muckelroy should also help on special teams.
Then there is Briscoe (video above), who has the potential to be a star in the NFL. However, he could have a tough time making the team. As of right now, it appears that the Bengals will have to keep Shipley, Chad Ochocinco, Antonio Bryant and Andre Caldwell on their 53-man roster. If the team keeps six WRs this season, Briscoe will have to battle Quan Cosby, Jerome Simpson, Matt Jones, Maurice Purify and Freddie Brown for the last two spots. With his contribution last season, Cosby appears to be a favorite. So that means, Briscoe, Jones and Simpson could have an interesting battle this summer, while Brown appears to be destined for another year on the practice squad. It also should be noted that Briscoe could be placed on the practice squad, but that would mean another team could sign him to their roster.
Dunlap also has all the physical tools to be a pro bowler. However, there are questions about his work ethic. Like Briscoe, Dunlap could have trouble earning playing time in 2010. As of right now, Antwan Odom, Robert Geathers, Jonathan Fanene, Michael Johnson and Frostee Rucker make up a solid group of DEs. It makes you wonder if the Bengals won’t try to re-sign Fanene at the end of the season or if they are not impressed with the progression of Johnson.
The Hudson and Stephens picks make sense. Hudson, who played right tackle at Eastern Illinois, can also play guard and center in the NFL. Stephens played both those interior line positions at Iowa State.
