Good News:
- The Bengals have a franchise QB, and assuming the team can get a full season from a combination of Willie, Levi and Stacy Andrews, quality starting tackles. That is the first step for a winning team.
- Beyond a QB and Tackles, the rest of the team is built to fit the scheme and each other to win.
- The Bengals have needs at every position, therefore they are not limited in their pick. The best player that fits into the Bengals offensive or defensive scheme can be picked.
- The only positions the Bengals do not need to draft are QB and TE, positions that happen to be weak this year. But if a solid TE falls, that is not a bad pick either.
- There is a deep pool of WRs this year if the Bengals want to add depth in later rounds.
- There is also a deep pool of RBs, and the Bengals will probably need to add depth there also as every RB currently on the roster has question marks.
- The Bengals have 10 picks to play with, look for them to move around for the players they like best.
- If the Bengals happen to land Sedrick Ellis, as most predictions say, they could trade into the end of Round 1 to also land a top LB. That would add a major surge of energy to the defense.
- Marvin Lewis has some draft success in later rounds: Jeremi Johnson(4th), Scoot Kooistra(7th), Stacy Andrews(4th), Robert Geathers(4th), Chinedum Ndukwe(7th).
- Having wide open options and 10 picks, the Bengals should be able to put together a strong draft class.

Bad News:
- The Bengals need defensive playmakers, especially in the front seven, and there will be a run on the front seven early in the draft. Too bad this isn’t a year when everyone wants to draft QBs and TEs
- By chasing DTs Rogers and Robertson, the Bengals have shown their cards. If Glenn Dorsey or Sedrick Ellis is available in the 8th spot, teams drafting behind the Bengals may trade up and take a DT knowing the Bengals intentions.
- The Bengals may need to look for a center as Ghiacuic has not proven he can keep people out of Palmer’s face.
- The Bengals highest compensatory pick is in the 3rd round. In the 3rd round under Marvin Lewis, the Bengals have taken: Kelley Washington, Caleb Miller, Landon Johnson, Chris Henry, Frostee Rucker, and Ahmad Brooks. So far not the best track record.
- The Bengals front office still has the same people as the last 17 years. So while they may get the players they want, that may not mean very much. We are still guaranteed one surprise like Sean Brewer(3rd), Artrell Hawkins(2nd), or Travis Dorsch(4th). The type of pick where the draft coverage team laughs as they shuffle through their papers looking for any notes on the guy. It usually ends with them saying, “He’s a decent athlete, could make the team, we weren’t sure if he would be drafted, and especially not in the _____round.”