The Cincinnati Bengals did pretty well in the NFL Draft last April.  They netted at least three future starters and possibly 4 or 5 in this draft.  Here’s a look at how the rookies for the Bengals did last year:

Jermaine Gresham:  In the first round the Bengals used the 21st pick on 22-year old TE Jermaine Gresham out of Oklahoma.  Gresham played in 15 games for the Bengals last season and he caught 52 passes for 471 yards (9.1 avg) with 4 TD grabs.  He also had 2 tackles last season.  Gresham is the best TE the Bengals have had in a long, long time.  I think his role will continue to grow starting in 2011.

Carlos Dunlap:  The Bengals took 21-year old DE Carlos Dunlap out of Florida with the #54 overall pick (2nd round).  Dunlap played in 12 games for the Bengals last season and he had 24 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 9.5 sacks (led team), 3 passes defensed and 1 fumble recovery.  Dunlap is already the best D-Lineman on the Bengals and he’s going to keep getting better.

Jordan Shipley:  25-year old WR Jordan Shipley came to the Bengals in the 3rd round (#84 overall) out of Texas.  He played in 15 games for the Bengals last season and he had 52 catches for 600 yards (11.5 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  Shipley gave the Bengals a nice option in the slot last season, but he has the potential to be much more down the road.

Brandon Ghee:  23-year old CB Brandon Ghee was the 96th overall pick (3rd round) out of Wake Forest.  Ghee played in 6 games for the Bengals last season and he had 9 tackles before his season ended due to a groin injury.

Geno Atkins:  22-year old DT Geno Atkins came to the Bengals in the 4th round (#120 overall) out of Georgia.  Atkins played in 16 games for the Bengals and he had 16 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 3 sacks and 1 pass defensed.  Atkins could develop into a starter in the near future for the Bengals as he is tough to block inside.

Roddrick Muckelroy:  The Bengals used the 131st pick (4th round) of the NFL Draft on 24-year old linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy.  Muckelroy played in 14 games for the Bengals last season and he had 10 tackles and 4 forced fumbles.  He has a nice upside because he gets the other team to turn the ball over.

Otis Hudson:  The Bengals took 24-year old OG Otis Hudson in the 5th round (#152 overall) out of Eastern Illinois.  The Bengals kept him on the Practice Squad the whole 2010 season.

Dezmon Brisoce:  The Bengals took 21-year old WR Dezmon Briscoe with the 191st overall pick (6th round) out of Kansas.  The Bucs signed him off the Bengals’ Practice Squad.  He played in 2 games for the Bucs and he caught 6 passes for 93 yards (15.5 avg) with 1 TD grab.

Reggie Stephens:  The Bengals took 23-year old C/G Reggie Stephens in the 7th round (#228 overall) out of Iowa State.  He was on the Bengals active roster quite a bit but he didn’t get into any games.

GRADE FOR THE 2010 SEASON:  A

GRADE FOR THE FUTURE:  A+