The Bengals reached a little bit in the 2nd round to draft WR Jerome Simpson who was projected by draft experts to go in the 4th or 5th round.  But, the Bengals needed someone to replace Chris Henry (released) as the #3 WR.  Simpson is 6′1″, 193 pounds and he only runs a 4.6 40.  Simpson will likely have to be a possession receiver for the Bengals plus he didn’t play against top competition in college.  Simpson played in 45 games (38 starts) at Coastal Carolina and he caught 161 passes for 2,720 yards (16.9 avg) with 44 TD grabs.  Better receivers appeared to be still on the board when the Bengals drafted Simpson.

The Bengals used their first pick in the NFL Draft on outside linebacker Keith Rivers of USC.  Rivers is 6′1″, 236 pounds and he can run a 4.65 40.  Rivers sometimes over runs plays because of his aggressiveness but his motor is also his best asset.  Rivers played in 49 games (36 starts) at USC and he made 240 tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss, had 3 sacks, broke up 9 passes and he intercepted 2 passes.  Rivers will likely start from Day #1 for the Bengals who need all the help they can get on defense.

25-year old linebacker David Pollack has decided to retire from the NFL due to a fractured vertebrae that he suffered two years ago.  Pollack played in 16 games in his NFL career and he made 29 tackles, had 4.5 sacks and he defensed 1 pass.  This is quite a shame as Pollack was a talented football player.  Here’s hoping that he has a nice life ahead of him.

24-year old linebacker Odell Thurman has been reinstated from his two-year NFL suspension due to his off the field conduct.  It will be interesting to see if Thurman a.) learned his lesson.  b.) is rusty.  Thurman was outstanding in his only season in the NFL.  He played in 16 games as a rookie and he made 98 tackles, had 1.5 sacks, defensed 4 passes and had 5 interceptions including one that he returned for a TD.  The Bengals need Thurman to produce and behave because their defense just isn’t that good right now.

The Bengals went into the draft needing defensive help in the backfield and they got it last April.  CB Leon Hall was the Bengals’ first round pick last year and he got off to a slow start, but he closed with a rush to end the season.  He played in all 16 games (10 starts) for the Bengals last season and he made 69 tackles, forced a fumble, defensed 12 passes and intercepted 5 passes.  2nd round pick, running back Kenny Irons missed his whole rookie season after injuring himself in August.  The Bengals used their 4th round pick on safety Marvin White and he has the potential to be a starter soon for the Bengals.  White played in 15 games (3 starts) for the Bengals last season and he made 20 tackles and defensed 4 passes.  QB Jeff Rowe was the 5th round pick of the Bengals last April and he didn’t get into a game while serving as the #3 QB.  DT Matt Toeaina was cut by the Bengals and hooked on with the Bears where he played in 3 games (0 starts).  OG/C Dan Santucci was the first 7th round pick of the Bengals last season and he played in 2 games (0 starts).  Fellow 7th rounder, safety Chinedum Ndukwe has a huge upside as he impressed as a rookie.  Ndukwe played in 14 games (2 starts) for the Bengals last season and he made 45 tackles, had 2 sacks, forced 3 fumbles, defensed 6 passes and had 3 interceptions.  It’s very possible that Leon Hall, Marvin White and Chinedum Ndukwe will man three of the 4 starting spots in the Bengals secondary in the very near future.

GRADE FOR THE 2007 SEASON:  C+

GRADE FOR THE FUTURE:  B+