Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

The Bengals draft was excellent, however, they could have used a starting caliber defensive end in the draft because free agent signee Odom is injury-prone and Geathers hasn't made a believer of me yet.  Hence the A- instead of an A.  My initial response to their second round pick of Simpson was that it was a mistake and they should have gone with Laws or Caldwell.  Having come away with Sims and Shirley at defensive tackle later, and getting Caldwell in round three, looking back I now believe that defensive end Campbell or Groves would have been a better pick than Simpson.  However, even with the Simpson pick and no defensive end they still get an A- which shows you how much I basically liked this draft. 

DRAFT PICKS

Rivers is a player this team badly needed.  While the team has had some good players at linebacker in the recent past, Rivers represents a player that can be a stable star to build around and provide this defense with an identity.  He is strong, fast, a great athlete and a terrific football player.  While Ellis may have been the player the Bengals wanted to fall to them in round one, in the long run they may be happier that he was off the board so that they could select this talented linebacker.

Simpson was a reach in round two.  The fact that the receiver I thought the team should have taken instead was available for them in round three (Caldwell) is a factor when grading this draft.  If the Bengals took Caldwell here and Simpson in round three, then I would have agreed with the Caldwell pick and felt the Simpson was okay.  However, looking in hindsight (knowing Caldwell would be available for them in round three) as previously mentioned defense ends Campbell or Groves would have looked mighty nice at this spot.  Simpson is a very god athlete with good, not great speed.  However he has below-average quickness.  With Bengals success at drafting receivers I'm not taking too much off their grade for this selection, but it wouldn't surprise me if Simpson never develops into anything more than a #4 receiver.

Sims was a solid selection in round three.  He has good short area speed which allows him to get penetration against the pass.  He is also okay against the run but needs to get stronger to become dominate.;

Caldwell was a steal towards the end of round three.  He is very fast, quick, athletic and has good hands.  He will be a good #3 to Chad and T.J. and could be a top #2 if Chad moves on.  He is a better receiver and the better prospect than Simpson.

Shirley is a very intriguing prospect.  Selected by any other team I would be ecstatic.  However, he comes with some off the field concerns and the Bengals may not be the best place for as player like that to tote the line.  On the field Shirley provides the Bengals with a very unique talent.  A big kid at about 6'5" and 330 pounds, he has the quickness and agility of a top skill player.  He is also surprisingly athletic for someone his size.  He could be the dominate inside player the Bengals need.  They just have to make sure he stays out of trouble off the field.

Lynch is a quick safety who changes direction very well.  He will be a top special teams player.  However, he may never be more than a nickel safety.  

Matt Sherry is a player the Bengals had rated more highly than me.  He catches well, and has the potential to grow as a blocker, but is not the prospect Daniel Coates is and may have trouble making the final roster. 

Craig was a good value pick in round seven.  He has a chance to be a pass rush specialist, but his lack of speed is a concern.

Urrutia is a tall receiver with good speed for his size and good hands.  However, he is very one-dimensional as a down-the-field receiver since he has below average quickness and cutting ability.  Still, he is a good candidate for the practice squad and if his footwork can be improved, the Bengals may have something down the line.

COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

Blair played tackle in college but projects best inside in the NFL.  He could find his way onto the practice squad and be a verasatile sub down the line.

Purify has a decent combo of size, speed and hands.  However, with the number of receivers in Bengals' camp may have a hard time getting noticed.  He is also a player with off the field concerns and may not be worth the risk as a bottom of the roster receiver.

Bugg is one of the best long snappers in the draft.  

I was surprised Castille went undrafted.  He is a versatile defensive back who can play corner or safety.  He is a good cover man but has speed, quickness and athleticism measureables that fit better at safety.  However, he will need to get stronger to play safety in the NFL.  If Castille hits the weight room, the Bengals could have a quality free safety who can cover.  He is perfect to hide for a year on the practice squad while getting him "pumped up" to play safety.

Travis Brown is yet another wide receiver with the skill set to be a bottom of the roster receiver.