2012 NFL Draft analysis: Cincinnati Bengals

Now that the 2012 NFL Draft is over, we're profiling each team's draft. Who were the steals? Who were the reaches? We continue with the Cincinnati Bengals.

That's what someone, whom I forgot to note, said on Twitter during the draft. Indeed, if you regularly follow this or any other NFL Draft site, the Bengals' draft is filled with players lauded by draftniks. Indeed, looking over the Bengals' draft, they may as well be named the Cincinnati Steals. Because that is what they did all weekend. First pick Dre Kirkpatrick was a good value at pick 17, which seemed destined to be a cornerback anyway. To get the second best one in the draft (sorry, Stephon Gilmore) past the midpoint of round one is a nice pickup. Given the circumstances of pick No. 27, guard Kevin Zeitler was a good choice. More on him later.

The team added two defensive tackles, which was needed, in Devon Still and Brandon Thompson. One of them could be a starter fairly early in their NFL careers and both should see considerable playing time early. The team also did an excellent job of adding firepower around Andy Dalton with wide receivers Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones and tight end Orson Charles. Draft grades in April and May are stupid. But if you were to hand them out, it's nearly impossible to give Cincinnati anything but an A.

At the No. 21 pick, many assumed the Bengals would take guard David DeCastro of Stanford. During our coverage at MtD, I even started writing a post about the pick! Then they traded out to 27, adding an extra third-round pick. It's true the Bengals were able to add defensive tackle Brandon Thompson with the extra pick. But it not only costed them DeCastro, but the talented guard also landed on Pittsburgh. This by no means should be an indictment on Zeitler, who should be very good for the Bengals. But it seems like a risky move by the front office to pass on a player considered by most the Andrew Luck of guard prospects.

Late-round steal: S George Iloka, Round 5, Pick 167

Following offseason workouts, many vaulted Iloka high in their safety rankings, though his on-field production was never quite there. Still, it was a surprise to see him still there in the fifth round and be the 11th safety off the board. Last year the Bengals drafted another big-body safety in Robert Sands, but Iloka is more athletic and has a better feel for coverage. He should easily beat Sands out of a job.