The expectations couldn't have been any higher for the Cincinnati Bengals when the 2010 season kicked off. The '09 Bengals shocked the AFC North going undefeated in the division, winning 10 games and earning their first division title and playoff appearance since 2005. The 2009 version of the Bengals also saw Cedric Benson resurrect his career and a defense that ranked fourth in total yards against (their highest ranking since 1983). Before the 2010 season Carson Palmer convinced Marvin Lewis and Mike Brown to bring in Terrell Owens to help bolster the aerial attack and he did just that. TO ranked in the top five in most major receiving categories in the AFC for the majority of the season before succumbing to injury late in the year. With all of that being said, how did the 2010 Bengals drop from division champs the previous year to a woeful 4-12 record this year?
2011 NFL Draft Needs: Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati dropped 10 consecutive games in the middle of the season and a lack of consistency on both sides of the ball was the root cause. The Bengals run game struggled mightily compared to their 2009 campaign, finishing 27th in the league with 95.1 yards per game. They also lacked consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, finishing tied for 27th in the league with 27 sacks. There’s no doubt that their 2010 performance has left Lewis and Brown with a multitude of question marks but the biggest one they need to address this offseason is their quarterback situation. Carson Palmer has made his discontent for the Bengals organization extremely public over the last few months; going as far as saying that he would rather retire than step foot in Paul Brown Stadium in 2011. In his most recent outburst, Palmer reaffirmed his demands to either be traded or released by explaining that he has over $80 million in the bank and retirement would not present any sort of financial burden to him. The Bengals have the luxury of picking in the top 5 in April’s draft but they have a multitude of holes to fill beyond the quarterback position as well.
Quarterback: The Bengals hit a home run when they drafted Palmer in 2003 and he has rewarded the franchise with two division titles during his tenure. Make no mistake though; Palmer has made it abundantly clear that he will not take one snap for the team in 2011. If the team caves and decides to trade the former Heisman Trophy winner, they should be rewarded with at least one extra first round pick at their disposal. Cincy will then be forced to address their need for a new signal caller either through free agency or the draft. If the Bengals chose to pick their next face of the franchise in the first round, another Heisman Trophy winner could be the answer. Cam Newton and all of the baggage that comes with him seems like a perfect fit for the Bengals. Lewis has made it abundantly clear during his tenure that he is not afraid of selecting players with character concerns. Newton has all of the physical skills to be an electrifying player for years to come and his spotty past aside, could be just what the Bengals are looking for with the fourth overall pick.
Defensive End: If the Bengals' brass doesn't see the value in selecting Newton with the fourth overall pick, they should definitely look to address their pass rush. Carlos Dunlap had a stellar rookie season with 9.5 sacks in limited duty but Antwan Odom can't seem to stay healthy. When he is on the field, Odom has shown the capability to put consistent pressure on opposing QBs. He will however turn 30 a month into next season and has yet to complete a full season since departing for Cincinnati from Tennessee. The Bengals had hoped that Michael Johnson, a former third round pick, was the answer at end but hasn't shown any consistency at applying pressure and has made the switch from end to linebacker. DaQuan Bowers will likely be unavailable when the Bengals pick at four so their best option may be UNC's Robert Quinn. Quinn is coming off a year long suspension however and hasn't appeared in a football game since 2009 so he may also be too much of a risk at four. If this is the case, Cincy might take advantage of the depth at defensive end in this year's draft and wait until the second round to select from the likes of Iowa's Adrian Clayborn, Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan or Ohio State's Cameron Heyward.
Wide Receiver: Chad Johnson or Ochocinco or whatever he goes by these days has frequently voiced his displeasure with the Bengals organization in the past few years. With Johnson going into the last year of his contract and with TO likely looking to cash in on his impressive 2010 campaign elsewhere, the Bengals desperately need to address the wide receiver position. Jordan Shipley is a nice possession receiver but he likely will be unable to carry the load, while Andre Caldwell is spotty at best. If Brown and Lewis go this route with the fourth overall selection they would have their pick of the litter. Julio Jones has propelled up draft boards with a stellar combine but it has recently surfaced that he has a broken foot, which makes his sub 4.4 forty that much more impressive, but raises question marks about his durability. A.J. Green, who is still widely considered the best receiver prospect, should also be available with the fourth overall pick. If Marcell Dareus and DaQuan Bowers are both gone by the time the Bengals pick and they don't see the value in taking a chance on Newton, look for them to pick either Green or Jones.
