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The Bengals were intent upon making their 1997 NFL Draft move them one step closer to a World Title. Now that they have made their selections, it appears that the Bengals will embark toward TWO titles - trying to win a Super Bowl and challenging the Dallas Cowboys for the NFL title of "Most player arrests from a team in one season". The Bengals had perhaps the most productive draft out of any of the 30 teams. The sheer talent and college production from their picks is unprecedented for a Bengals Draft Class. There is no doubt that the players selected were college stars; what questions remain are whether they can perform at the next level. Every ounce of ability will be strained from these new players, whether it be switching positions, enhancing raw talent, or veering away from illegal activities.
Round One (14 overall): Reinard Wilson, DE Florida State As the Bengals first selection neared, a great deal of surprise was evident. Everyone knew that Cincinnati would take someone who could play linebacker. What was surprising was the presense of some players remaining on the draft board, most notably Alabama's Dewayne Rudd, who was regarded as the top LB in the draft, and LB Jaimie Sharper who many figured the Bengals to take all along. Every draft expert expected Rudd to be one of the first five or six picks, but the mass selection of cornerbacks by the first ten teams slid Rudd and Sharper down. And the Bengals select......... Reinard Wilson. When I first learned of the pick, I was cursing out this team like I never had before. The only other time I remeber being as angry was the horrible selection of David Klingler in 1992. But we all know what good came out of that selection. After I calmed down, I realized that I was mistaken in my judgement. Reinard brings this team exactly what they need - a pure pass rusher. Wilson set the FSU school record with 35 1/2 career sacks, including 13 1/2 last season. Amazing quickness and the most impressive work ethic in the entire draft class are what Wilson is known for. Reinard is 6-2 and only 259 pounds, too small to be a DE in the NFL. The result - a switch to OLB, which is what the Bengals had envisioned from their first selection from the start. The only snag, a rather large one, is that he has never had to cover a receiver; an obligation to being a LB in the 3-4 zone blitz to be implimeted. As long as Reinard signs early, a process which his agent says "thinks [will] go smoothly," and his amazing work ethic carries over into the NFL, Reinard will become a major force for the team. He will mainly serve as a pass rusher, going after the QB "80 to 90 percent of the time," as Bruce Coslet has said. I am very excited to see how the defense performs with Wilson next season. Round Two (43 overall): Corey Dillon, RB Washington This selection surprised me, but in the back of my mind, I knew it would be made. I did not feel the Bengals would draft a running back as early as the second round. I knew they would draft one eventually, but this was rather early. All indications were that the Bengals were hot on the trail of Virginia's Tiki Barber, but for some ungodly reason the Giants thought they didn't already have enough RBs and chose Barber 8 picks earlier. Instead the Bengals would settle for a CB, right? That was trashed when Dexter McCleon was elected three spots earlier. But DB Sam Madison still remained on the board. And the Bengals select........ Corey Dillon. What this selection means is that the Ki-Janna Carter Put-Down-The-Pounds situation is alot worse than most figured. The team is extremely pissed with his lack of conditioning during the offseason, and the arrival of Dillon may mark the beginning of the end of Carter's pathetic NFL career Dillon is an amazing running back. He was the best back in the draft, bar none. He ran for 1,555 yards and 22 TDs in only 11 regular season games. He's an extraordinary inside runner with great hands and speed with an amazing knack for the endzone. Dillon amounts to the Bengals' second first round selection because he should have been a top 10 pick. Except for one thing - some slight legal problems. Repotrs were published saying that Dillon was arrested at age 15 for selling crack, although he denies it. From 1987 to '92, was charged with seven offenses in juvenile court and convicted of five, including obstructing a police officer, assault and theft at a department store. Not to mention the fact that he spent no more than one year at a single college. This will either be a franchise back or a Lawerence Phillips problem child. What is encouraging is the fact that he has had no legal problems as an adult. Round Three (76 overall): Rod Payne, C Michigan The Bengals were going to be looking for some offensive line help through the draft, and did they ever get it with this pick. Rod was a 4 year starter for the Wolverines and regarded as the top center prospect in the draft. Fortunately centers were not a hot commodity this year and he remained for the Bengals to select. His sheer athleticism is what is most impressive. Rod can snap the ball with both hands, which is what enabled him to continue playing last season despite breaking his right wrist. Payne will back up incumbent Derrick Brilz this season, but with Brilz getting up there in age (33 years old), Payne will start for the Bengals next season. OL coach Paul Alexander has been drooling over the prospect of having Payne. He amounts to the third legit first round selection by the Bengals. Round Four (111 overall): Tremain Mack, S Miami The Bengals entered the fourth round of the draft thinking defense. most of the top notch cornerbacks and linebackers had already been selected, but one player remained who had the playing skillz of a first rounder - Tremain Mack. Tremain is a top athlete and a tremendous special- team player and kick blocker. Has blocked 10 kicks in the past two years, including the game- turning block in the '96 West Virginia contest. Led the nation in kickoff-return average in '96. He has speed and range and will hit. Seems to make big plays every game. Tremain will make a huge impact on the Bengals special teams - the area which the Bengals have focussed extensively for upgrading during the offseason. Mack will be guaranteed a roster spot and may eventually compete for a starting safety spot. He has one major fallback - the law. Tremain has had several run-inns with the law during his past six years, including being charged with DUI last year. At worst, he can down a few with DL coach Tim Krumrie after practice. His selection surprised me only because the team just resigned starting SS Bracey Walker and were pleased that last year's late round pick Greg Myers actually showed some football playing skillz late in the year. But as long as he stays out of trouble, this will be one of the biggest steals from the draft. Round Five (144 overall): Andre Purvis, NT North Carolina One of the giant question marks on this team was the nose tackle position. There is a quantity of players already on the team who will compete for the spot but none are outstanding playmakers who will anchor the line. When the Bengals drafted Purvis, it was of no surprise. Andre has excellent size and is very strong. He played against some of the nation's best college programs in the ACC, but started only one game. Despite being rotated into games, he played very well at times and was named UNC's co-Most Improved Player. At 6-4, 305 he has the size to fill the gaps in the defensive line. Andre needs coach Krumrie's guidance to develop. Round Six (176 overall): Canute Curtis, LB West Virginia The Bengals' mission to stockpile LBs continued in the later rounds of the draft. Cincinnati selected a 1996 All-American linebacker, Canute Curtis in the sixth round. Curtis specialized in pass rushing, recording 15 sacks last season. He is very athletic and well built but his stock slippd dramatically due to his lack of pass coverage abilities. Curtis is basically a one-move LB who will only beat an opposing lineman with his initial move. If that fails, he's not going anywhere. I see this as a good pickup, especially in the late rounds. Because the Benglas will need to work on Reinard Wilson's pass coverage, adding another rookie LB to the training sessions won't hurt. I feel both have the capability of becoming solid LBs, although Curtis may serve mostly for depth purposes his rookie year. Round Seven (217 overall): William Carr, NT Michigan With their final selection, the Bengals made sure they would have a vast amount of competition for the starting NT position by drafting Michigan standout and former All-American William Carr. Carr was a dominant force up front for the Wolverines his Junior year before being constantly double teamed last season. He has great instinct and is a good penetrator. His qualities best suit a 3-4 alignment which, lo and behold, the Bengals are implimenting. The major knock on Carr is his weight, we has been known to reach the stratosphere at times. However, I feel Carr has the better potential of the two NTs selected by the Bengals and would not be surprised to see him as the starter midway through the season. A defensive line with Carr, Wilkinson, and Copeland would definitely have some beef up front.
Team Reporter:Mark Schuster
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