PFW Bengals Draft Notes

[HoosierCat]

profootballweekly.com did a running analysis; day 1 is done by pick, day 2 is still more free-form. I pulled the relevant sentences/passages out. Here's their take on our draft:

17.  Cincinnati: OLB-DE David Pollack, Georgia

The Bengals' scouting staff loves established, big-school players with great production. Pollack has been very productive in arguably the toughest conference in the country, having matched up and beat many former first-round offensive tackles. He made an immediate impact at Georgia as a freshman and, in Cincinnati, could unseat Kevin Hardy as the starting strong-side linebacker. Or he may be used in a hybrid OLB-DE role, upgrading the Bengals' pass rush. Where Pollack could have the biggest impact is in the locker room, where his attittude is infectious.

48.  Cincinnati: ILB Odell Thurman, Georgia

The Bengals took another Bulldog in the second round, having selected David Pollack in the first, and made both picks to upgrade the LB corps. Some teams had Thurman rated as a first-round talent, but character concerns pushed him to the middle of the second round. With MLB Nate Webster coming off two knee surgeries and possibly being limited in training camp, the Bulldogs needed to address the position.

83.  Cincinnati: WR Chris Henry, West Virginia

Henry has the natural talent to warrant getting drafted much earlier, but his character is a major concern and forced many teams to wipe him off their draft boards. He could be a major headache for Marvin Lewis or a pleasant surprise if he can learn to stay focused.

Cincinnati reached on Central Michigan C Eric Ghiacuic in the fourth round after he worked out so well at the Combine. 

Cincinnati selected its second Central Michigan offensive lineman in OT Adam Kieft and reached again, but Kieft is a finesse left tackle who could develop into a solid backup.

The Bengals nabbed a receiver in the third round — West Virginia's Chris Henry — whom many teams did not have stacked on their draft boards due to character issues and added another in UCLA's Tab Perry, whom some felt the same way about. He is a big, physical receiver who could have been drafted earlier based on his ability.

Some solid football players who slid to the seventh round include Virginia Tech OT Jon Dunn (Cleveland), Utah WR Paris Warren (Tampa Bay), Auburn DT Jay Ratliff (Dallas), Utah DE Jonathan Fanene (Cincinnati), Alabama OLB Cornelius Wortham (Seattle), Southern Mississippi OT Jeremy Parquet (Kansas City) and Northwestern RB Noah Herron (Pittsburgh). Each has a considerable shortcoming, whether it be a lack of speed and strength or learning problems, but their talent and production warranted earlier selections and each stands a good chance of making their respective rosters.