(Sports Network) - The midseason trade of disgruntled quarterback Carson
Palmer has the Bengals in excellent position to add to their impressive young
talent base in this draft. With nine total picks presently in hand, including
both the 17th and 21st overall choices after shrewdly obtaining Oakland's
first-rounder for Palmer last October, Cincinnati has the chance to both fill
its most pressing needs and continue to build on this past year's surprising
success. There's a possible opening at strong safety following the recent
release of nine-year pro Chris Crocker, as it's unclear if ex-49ers castoff
Taylor Mays is a viable long-term solution, and at wide receiver if the team
doesn't bring back the still-unsigned Jerome Simpson due to off-field
concerns. The Bengals also lost two key members of their defensive line
rotation in end Frostee Rucker and swingman Jonathan Fanene, so a high
selection could be earmarked for that area even after the offseason additions
of former first-round busts Jamaal Anderson and Derrick Harvey. With a few age
issues at cornerback and all three projected starters at linebacker slated to
hit free agency at season's end, the later rounds could be used to help cover
the bases at those spots.
2011 Record: 9-7
Top Needs: WR, S, DE
First Three Picks: No. 17, No. 21, No. 53
Number of Selections: 9 (1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6)
RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2011 - A.J. Green (WR, Georgia); 2010 - Jermaine
Gresham, TE (Oklahoma); 2009 - Andre Smith (OT, Alabama); 2008 - Keith Rivers
(LB, USC); 2007 - Leon Hall (CB, Michigan); 2006 - Johnathan Joseph (CB, South
Carolina); 2005 - David Pollack (OLB, Georgia); 2004 - Chris Perry (RB,
Michigan); 2003 - Carson Palmer (QB, Southern Cal).
The Sports Network