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With the NFL Draft now in the rearview mirror we take the Cincinnati Bengals "Off The Clock" with pick-by-pick analysis, the Bible's take and our grade.
 (1-6) Andre Smith, OT (Alabama): A match made in heaven! Cincinnati seems to have no problem with bringing in players with questionable character and Smith is just the next in line. After seeing his draft stock take an apparent tumble with an AWOL performance at the Combine, Smith’s stock was driven back up in the week leading up to the draft. The Bengals are banking on the ‘Bama boy to protect Carson Palmer's blind side for years to come. He has the potential to be the best tackle of this draft class, but also brings some bust factor along as well. With Eugene Monroe (UVA) still on the board, Cincinnati passed up on the safer pick.
(2-38) Rey Maualuga, MLB (Southern Cal): One of the biggest surprises of day one was the slide of Maualuga. There were whispers among league executives that Maualuga is a hard player to harness and that he will need strict discipline at the next level. There were some additional character questions as well. It’s unlikely that Cincinnati can provide the necessary discipline but Maualuga will be reunited with former teammate Keith Rivers and that is bad news for Bengals' opponents. Like they did with Smith, the Bengals went for the glitzy boom-or-bust pick.
(3-70) Michael Johnson, DE (Georgia Tech): Why stop now? For the third straight pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Bengals took a big name boom or bust player. Johnson could be a stud, with the emphasis on "could be". Johnson was once viewed as the top defensive end heading into the season, but never fulfilled his potential. He never lived up to the billing of being the next in line behind Julius Peppers and Mario Williams as the next great athletic end out of the ACC. Marvin Lewis better be ready to motivate!
 (3-98) Chase Coffman, TE (Missouri): Finally, someone with unquestioned character and no looming work ethic issues. The Bengals landed another prospect that had a great college career in the third round. Coffman was considered one of the best receiving tight ends in the 2008 class and should provide a great weapon over the middle and in the red zone for Carson Palmer. He has extremely reliable hands, but Coffman will have to learn to block from a three-point stance. His size and talent should land him in the starting lineup day one. Their best value pick to this point. (Compensatory Pick)
(4-106) Jonathan Luigs, C (Arkansas): Cincy needed to land a center in the draft and they got good value in the fourth round. Luigs should compete for the starting job his rookie season but must hit the weight room to handle the competition he will face in the AFC North. Luigs has good instincts, solid technique and moves his feet well.
(5-142) Kevin Huber, P (Cincinnati): Huber was the first punter off the board in the 2009 draft. He is a big guy with a huge leg. He should be a big-time weapon for Cincy and will help out the defense with his ability to place punts inside the 20-yard line. This was somewhat of luxury pick, but with five picks in rounds six and seven, Huber was a pretty safe selection.
(6-179) Morgan Trent, CB (Michigan): Trent is a good athlete with very solid measurables, but he's not a great football player at this point as he was burned early and often as a coverman for the Wolverines. He is not a reliable tackler and often struggles in coverage. Trent will have a hard time sticking on the roster since he won’t provide much as a special teams player. Another player with upside who needs coaching up.
 (6-209) Bernard Scott, RB (Abilene Christian): The Bengals have never been the team to shy away from players with character issues, so why start now? Scott has had numerous problems since high school, but he does have talent. If he can get his act together, he could have a solid NFL career. Scott is very quick, has excellent vision and changes directions well. At this point in the draft, he was worth the risk. (Compensatory Pick)
(7-215) Fui Vakapuna, RB (BYU): Vakapuna is a big, physical runner that should be great in short yardage situations. He isn’t very fast, but he should be able to help out on special teams. He's a role player, nothing more.
(7-249) Clinton McDonald, DT (Memphis): Cincy got great value at 249 with McDonald. He is very athletic for his size and could be a potential sleeper. The team doesn’t have much when it comes to d-linemen, so McDonald will have the opportunity to make his presence felt. (Compensatory Pick)
(7-252) Freddie Brown WR, Utah: Brown is a big receiver that is very good in jump ball situations. He will have to shine during training camp to have any chance of seeing the field in 2009. (Compensatory Pick)
Teams Needs: OT, C, MLB, DE, CB
Needs Filled: Five out of five.
The Bible’s Take: At first glace, the Bengals appeared to do a very impressive job with their first four picks, landing four potential starters. Maualuga and Johnson were projected to go much higher than where they were selected. With their fifth pick they got a punter that should be good for many years to come. Talent wise the Bengals did a great job, but their decision to, once again, overlook character in favor of talent has to raise questions in the locker room. Even top pick Andre Smith had several red flags raised after his Combine no-show, but the Bengals felt his talent overshadowed those flags. It will take years before this class can be judged, both for talent and character at the NFL level.
Grade: B-
Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media, Mizzou Media Relations, College Press Box (BYU)
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