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+

The Bengals have signed WR Doug Gabriel.  Gabriel didn’t play in the NFL last season.  The 27-year old Gabriel has now played in 57 games in his NFL career and he has caught 101 passes for 1,550 yards (15.3 avg) with 8 TD grabs.  He should be able to help the Bengals replace Chris Henry.

The Bengals have signed TE Ben Utecht away from the Colts.  He will give Carson Palmer a legit threat at TE which he hasn’t had in his career yet.  Utecht is a big guy at 6′6″, 251 pounds so he will be a big target over the middle for the Bengals.  He played in 14 games for the Colts last season and he caught 31 passes for 364 yards (11.7 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Utecht has now played in 41 games in his NFL career and he has caught 71 passes for 800 yards (11.3 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  Look for Utecht to have a big season for the Bengals in 2008.

The Bengals have signed linebacker Brandon Johnson.  Johnson played in 6 games for the Bengals last season and he made only 2 tackles.  Johnson has now played in 9 games in his NFL career and he has made 4 whole tackles.  This signing will do nothing to help the Bengals’ defense.

The Bengals released WR Chris Henry will he was in jail after being arrested for punching an 18-year old kid earlier this week and throwing a beer bottle at his car.  Henry played in 8 games (2 starts) for the Bengals last season and he caught 21 passes for 343 yards (16.3 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  Henry finished his career with the Bengals having played in 35 games (11 starts) and he caught 88 passes for 1,370 yards (15.6 avg) with 17 TD grabs.  The Bengals just couldn’t deal with Henry’s antics off the field even though he is a very talented player.  In fact, he seems like the perfect player for the Oakland Raiders who love taking chances on talented outcasts.

The Bengals have signed OLB Darryl Blackstock to a 1-year contract.  Blackstock is a 24-year old, 6′3″, 244 pound linebacker that the Bengals hope can start for them…..but they might be dreaming.  He played in 16 games for the Cardinals last season and he made 21 tackles, had 3 sacks and forced a fumble.  Blackstock has now played in 46 games in his NFL career and he has made 44 tackles, defensed 1 pass, has 4 sacks and he has forced 2 fumbles.  It will be interesting to see if Blackstock finally lives up to his ability in Cincy.