The Cincinnati Bengals Should Have Drafted A Different Team

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

Carson Palmer (QB) was drafted with the 1st overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. Palmer was an excellent choice here as he has been able to post solid numbers with his elite receiver tandem of T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson. He was hurt most of 2008 with a bad elbow, so hopefully he can recover from that injury. Palmer is clearly Cincinnati's franchise quarterback.

The Bengals selected Eric Steinbach (OG) in round 2 and was another good pick because he started in nearly every game he played in for the Bengals.

Now here is where the Bengals fell apart in the 2003 NFL Draft. In the 3rd round, Cincinnati picked Kelley Washington (WR) and was not much of a play maker. The Bengals should have drafted Jason Witten (TE) or Lance Briggs (LB).

In round 4, Cincinnati grabbed Dennis Weathersby (CB) and only played in four games for the team. A better option here would have been Terrence McGee (CB). With their other 4th round selection, the Bengals drafted Jeremi Johnson (FB). Johnson has started in many of the games for Cincinnati so this will be considered a good pick.

Khalid Abdullah (LB) was taken in the 5th round and only played one season for the Bengals and was never a starter. A much better selection here would have been Robert Mathis (DE) or Dan Koppen (C). The Bengals picked Langston Moore (DT) in round 6 and only played one year for Cincinnati. The Bengals should have used this draft pick on Cato June (LB).

In the 7th round of the draft, Cincinnati chose Scott Kooistra (OT). Even though Kooistra has played his entire career with the Bengals, he is just a bench player. The Bengals could have added Antonio Gates (TE) to their roster. All NFL teams passed on Gates, as well as Tony Romo (QB) and Kris Dielman (OG) in the 2003 NFL Draft. Any NFL team could have signed these undrafted free agents to their team. Obviously, the Bengals passed on all three future superstars.


Summary Of Players The Cincinnati Bengals Should Have Acquired In 2003

Jason Witten
Terrence McGee
Robert Mathis
Cato June
Antonio Gates
Tony Romo
Kris Dielman

With the 26th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, the Bengals selected Chris Perry (RB). Perry never developed into a consistent starting running back, so this was a wasted draft pick. Better players like Chris Snee (OT) and Bob Sanders (SS) were still available.

The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Keiwan Ratliff (CB) in round 2. Ratliff was also a disappointment for the Bengals as he was usually just a role player. A better option here would have been Darnell Dockett (DT) or Nick Hardwick (C). Madieu Williams (FS) was also taken in the 2nd round and was actually a constant contributor to the defense, so this is a good draft choice for Cincinnati.

In the 3rd round, Caleb Miller (LB) was added to the Bengals roster. Miller didn't see much playing time during his four years in Cincinnati. A better draft choice here would have been Nathan Vasher (CB), Chris Cooley (TE) or Matt Schaub (QB). With their other 3rd round draft pick, the Bengals grabbed Landon Johnson (LB). Johnson posted solid defensive numbers for Cincinnati, so another good selection.

The Bengals picked Matthias Askew (DT) in round 4 and was a terrible selection since he only played in six games in two years with the team. Cincinnati should have drafted Jared Allen (DE). With two other draft picks in the 4th round, the Bengals selected Robert Geathers (DE) and Stacy Andrews (OT). Geathers is an average player, but Andrews has actually developed into a starting offensive lineman for the 2007 season and beyond. Instead of Geathers, the Bengals could have picked Michael Turner (RB).

The 5th round brought Maurice Mann (WR) to the Bengals franchise. Mann never made the team, so instead of this horrible pick, Cincinnati should have taken Derrick Ward (RB).


Summary Of Players The Cincinnati Bengals Should Have Acquired In 2004

Chris Snee
Darnell Dockett
Nathan Vasher
Jared Allen
Michael Turner
Derrick Ward

The Bengals drafted David Pollack (LB) with the 17th overall selection in the 2005 NFL Draft. Pollack incurred a career-threatening injury in September 2006 (fractured vertebrae in his neck). This draft selection didn't work out for the Bengals, but you can't anticipate severe injuries like this. Pollack obviously was drafted high because he was a talented kid.

In round 2 of the draft, Cincinnati selected Odell Thurman (LB) and only played 16 games for the Bengals and his career was over (he had a lot of off-the-field issues to deal with). Instead of this absolute horrible pick, the franchise should have drafted Justin Tuck (DE), Frank Gore (RB) or Nick Collins (S).

Chris Henry (WR) was added to the Bengals roster in the 3rd round. Henry too has had a number of character issues to overcome, so again, another terrible pick by Cincinnati. The team would have been better off selecting Trent Cole (DE), Marion Barber III (RB), Darren Sproles (RB) or Brandon Jacobs (RB).

Cincinnati picked Eric Ghiaciuc (C) in round 4 and is the starting center for the Bengals, so they got good value with this selection. Adam Kieft (OT) was taken in the 5th round, but never played a game for the Bengals. A much better option here would have been Jay Ratliff (DT).


Summary Of Players The Cincinnati Bengals Should Have Acquired In 2005

Justin Tuck
Darren Sproles
Jay Ratliff

1. Cedric Benson
2. Ryan Fitzpatrick
3. T.J. Houshmandzadeh
4. Shayne Graham
5. Chad Johnson

In the 2006 NFL Draft, the Bengals chose Johnathan Joseph (CB) with the 24th overall pick. Joseph has not yet been a dominant play maker. A better pick here would have been DeAngelo Williams (RB), Devin Hester (KR), Marcus McNeill (OT), Greg Jennings (WR), Maurice Jones-Drew (RB) or DeMeco Ryans (LB).

Andrew Whitworth (OT) was drafted in the 2nd round and has been mostly a starter, so Whitworth was a rare good draft selection from the Bengals. In round 3, Cincinnati picked Frostee Rucker (DE) and he is not an elite player. The Bengals should have selected Owen Daniels (TE) or Brandon Marshall (WR).

Cincinnati grabbed Domata Peko (DT) in round 4. Peko is a rare play maker on the defensive side of the ball that Cincinnati really lacks. The team invested wisely with this draft choice. A.J. Nicholson (LB) was taken in the 5th round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Nicholson was another wasted draft pick since he played in only two games ever for the Bengals. The team would have been better off choosing Antoine Bethea (FS).

In round 6, Reggie McNeal (QB) was added to the Cincinnati roster. McNeal was only meant to be a backup for Carson Palmer, but he was only with the team for one season. A better value draft choice here would have been Cortland Finnegan (CB). The Bengals selected Ethan Kilmer (S) in the 7th round, but he was nothing more than a bench player. Marques Colston (WR) should have been drafted by the team.


Summary Of Players The Cincinnati Bengals Should Have Acquired In 2006

DeMeco Ryans
Brandon Marshall
Antoine Bethea
Cortland Finnegan
Marques Colston

The Bengals have been a terrible team for a number of years. Just when you think the team is turning a corner, they remember that they are the Bengals and start losing several games.

Poor choices in the NFL Drafts have killed this franchise's hope for a consistent playoff team. Just a few changes during the drafting process would have given the Cincinnati Bengals' fans something to cheer about, yet they just suffer through another season. The "dream team" below is based on draft choice locations and team needs. How much better would the Bengals be if they had added Jason Witten, Antonio Gates, Michael Turner, Jared Allen, Justin Tuck and Bob Sanders to their roster?

Carson Palmer (QB)
Tony Romo (QB)

Michael Turner (RB)
Darren Sproles (RB)
Derrick Ward (RB)
Jeremi Johnson (FB)

Marques Colston (WR)

Jason Witten (TE)
Antonio Gates (TE)
Owen Daniels (TE)

Eric Ghiaciuc (C)
Kris Dielman (OG)
Eric Steinbach (OG)
Stacy Andrews (OT)
Andrew Whitworth (OT)

Darnell Dockett (DT)
Jay Ratliff (DT)
Domata Peko (DT)
Jared Allen (DE)
Justin Tuck (DE)
Robert Mathis (DE)

Cato June (LB)
Landon Johnson (LB)
David Pollack (LB)

Terrence McGee (CB)
Nathan Vasher (CB)
Cortland Finnegan (CB)
Bob Sanders (SS)
Antoine Bethea (FS)
Madieu Williams (FS)

Devin Hester (KR)