Our continuation of the series looking at the Bengals 10 worst draft picks when drafting from a top 10 position:

10. Greg Cook, QB, University of Cincinnati, 5th Overall Pick in 1969
9. Justin Smith, DE, University of Missouri, 4th Overall Pick in 2001
8. Dan Wilkinson, DT, The Ohio State University, 1st Overall Pick 1994
7. Ricky Hunley, LB, University of Arizona, 7th Overall Pick in 1984
6. Peter Warrick, WR, Florida State University, 4th Overall Pick in 2000

5. John Copeland, DE, University of Alabama, 5th Overall Pick in 1993

John Copeland was a 6-3, 285 pound defensive end coming off a senior season in which he was named an All-American. He was joined on the All-America team by fellow Alabama defensive end Eric Curry, who would be drafted one spot after Copeland. Joining Copeland and Curry on the 1992 Alabama football team were fellow NFL players, Antonio Langham, David Palmer, Sherman Williams, and George Teague. Needless to say, the Crimson Tide defense dominated on their way to winning the 1992 national title. Many times in the draft there are multiple college players from the same team viewed as top level draft picks, but one of the players does not pan out. In college, the lesser player shines out in the open as opposing teams focus on the more talented teamate. Playing next to a star gives the player more freedom and gives a bigger spotlight to their success. Reinard Wilson with Peter boulware, Ryan Sims with Julius Peppers, Greg Spires with Andre Wadsworth, are a few quick examples. In this case, the appearance of 6 NFL players on one defense allowed the defensive line to shine, while none would go on to stand out in the NFL.
John Copeland went on to play 9 seasons with the Bengals and log a total of 24 sacks. That puts him one spot behind 4 year Bengal Dan Wilkinson, and 19.5 sacks behind 7 year Bengal Justin Smith. 24 sacks has a dubious dinstinction in the Bengals record books as that is the resting place for 2 draft busts, Copeland and Reinard Wilson mentioned above. Copeland had 3 sacks or less for 7 of his 9 seasons as a Bengal.
More costly for the Bengals always are the missed opportunities. Drafted three spots behind Copeland was perenial All-Pro and future Hall of Fame offensive tackle Willie Roaf. Also, drafted in the second round after the Bengals passed on him for the second time was Michael Strahan, who has 141.5 sacks in a still active career. In the second round, the Bengals selected Tony McGee, again missing the star player by 3 spots. Every team has their hits and misses in the draft, but the 90s were a long string of misses for the hapless Bengals personnel staff.

Check in periodically as we count down to the worst Bengals draft pick in history leading up to the 2008 NFL draft.