Upon joining the then American Football League in 1968, just prior to the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, the Cincinnati Bengals made Tennessee center, Bob Johnson , their first ever college draft pick. Johnson played 12 seasons and remains the only player in franchise history to have his number (#54) retired.
Best and Worst Cincinnati Bengals Draft Choices
Since then, the team has drafted a number of noteworthy players in the first round. In 1969 they selected quarterback Greg Cook, who despite his injury shortened career was considered potentially one of the best signal callers in the history of the game by no less of an authority than legendary coach Bill Walsh, who served as the Bengals offensive coordinator during Cook's tenure. His 9.4 yards per pass attempt and 17.5 yards per completion are rookie records that still stand. Cincinnati's current quarterback, Carson Palmer, was the Heisman Trophy winner and the NFL's first overall selection in 2003.
The team selected Penn State defensive lineman Mike Reid -who went on to post football fame as a Country singer\songwriter-as their top choice in 1970. .Another 12 year performer chosen by the Bengals in the first round was receiver Isaac Curtis. His 17.1 yards per catch average remains a team record over 25 years after his retirement. The collegiate game's only two-time Heisman Trophy winner, Archie Griffin, was Cincinnati's second first round pick in 1976. Offensive tackle Anthony Munoz is the only Bengal currently enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was the team's first selection in the 1980 college draft.
Historically, Cincinnati has had success with their second round draft choices. Among them are quarterback Boomer Esiason and wide receivers Cris Collinsworth, Chad (Johnson) Ochocinco and Carl Pickens. The Bengals other noteworthy picks in the second round include linebacker Bill Bergey, as well as running backs Pete Johnson, Ickey Woods, Harold Green and Corey Dillon.
The dark side of the Bengals draft history includes high profile disappointments like quarterbacks Jack Thompson, David Klingler and Akili Smith. Cincinnati traded up in 1995 to acquire Penn State running back, Ki-Jana Carter, only to see him suffer a serious knee injury in his first preseason game and never fulfill his potential on the pro level. Michigan half back Chris Perry, the team's first selection in 2004 had a similar injury plagued term with the organization.
Bengals May Be Last Opportunity for Former Top Selections
Over the last few seasons, the Bengals have been able to profit from talented first round draft choices discarded by other NFL teams. Ex-Texas running back Cedric Benson is a prime example. Benson was cut by the Chicago Bears after three disappointing years in the Windy City. Since arriving in Cincinnati as a "street" free agent in September of 2008, he has displayed the speed and power that made him the fourth overall selection in the 2005 NFL draft. Benson ran for 747 yards in a part-time role in 2008 and had six games of over 100 yards rushing in 2009, finishing the season with 1,251 yards despite playing in only 13 games. One of the players who replaced the injured Benson last year was former Chiefs first round pick, Larry Johnson, who the Bengals picked up mid-season after he wore out his welcome in Kansas City. Johnson is now a member of the Washington Redskins.
Cincinnati scored another former top-rated player in 2009 when they added safety Roy Williams to their defensive backfield. He was the eighth overall pick out of Oklahoma by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2002 NFL draft. Williams was runner-up as Defensive Rookie of the Year, and he was voted to five straight Pro Bowls during his time in Texas. He fractured his forearm for the third time in his career early last season but was re-signed by the Bengals for 2010.
During this off-season, Cincinnati has attempted to keep up with the Joneses by mining the pro football scrap heap for tarnished but skilled former top choices like defensive back\kick returner Adam "Pacman" Jones and wide receiver Matt Jones (no relation). Both players were highly-touted members of the 2005 draft class hat included Cedric Benson. Adam Jones was picked sixth by the Tennessee Titans; Matt Jones was selected 21st by the Jacksonville Jaguars. While neither is guaranteed a place on the team's roster, they'll have ample opportunity to showcase their talents in the Bengals' orange and black striped helmets during the 2010 preseason. Both have impressed team insiders during Organized Team Activities (off-season coaching sessions) with the abilities that made them top choices coming out of college, as well as with the desire to make good on what could very well be their last opportunities to play in the National Football League.
The Cincinnati Bengals swept the American Football Conference North Division last season-defeating the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers twice each- on the way to a first round playoff loss to the New York Jets. They hope to advance further this season with the help of their 2010 top draft choice, former Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham. And they plan to take advantage of the talents of former first round picks who they've afforded a second chance in a business where the average career is less than four seasons. Pro football players quickly learn that NFL can also mean Not For Long.
Anthony Tolliver - Tony Tolliver spent over 30 years working at commercial radio stations in the Midwest. He's a life-long information junkie who found his ...
