The 2012 draft is in the books with the rookies all having 1 season under their belts.

Now the 2013 draft is drawing near...so what are your thoughts on the 2012 effort by the Bengals on draft day(s)?

Looking back at the 2012 draft, the biggest NEEDS seemed to be: Guard, Safety, Wide Receiver and Running Back.

Round 1 (pick #17) - Dre Kirkpatrick CB (Alabama)

Some popular available targets were:

• DE...Melvin Ingram, C Upshaw
• LB...D Hightower
  
• WR...Kendall Wright, A Jeffery
• O-Line...D DeCastro, R Reiff, C Glenn, A Silatolu, P Konz, K Osemel
• RB...D Martin

Reaction was mixed with the Dre selection (largely because DeCastro was still out there).

Safety was a huge need, and Dre could project to a Safety, but he was more of a Corner, which wasn't immediately needed.

The pick may have been potential insurance against a Leon Hall injury relapse, or uncertainty with older CB's (Newman, Clements & Jones) slotted behind Hall? It was seen as a slight reach, but the Bengals coaches seemed estatic with the pick.

Some thought J Jenkins was a better CB prospect, but he carried some red flags (although that hasn't always scared the Bengals away before).

The jury is still out on Dre, since he is only 1 of 3 players taken in the first 50 picks who failed to play at least 10 games.

Round 1 (pick #27) - Kevin Zeitler RG (Wisconsin)

Some popular available targets were:

• DE...Melvin Ingram, C Upshaw
• WR...A Jeffery
• O-Line...C Glenn, A Silatolu, P Konz, K Osemel
• RB...D Martin, I Pead, L Miller
• CB...J Jenkins

This pick was originally #21, but a trade down with the Patriots turned it into #27 plus #93 overall.

Reaction was again mixed, mostly because of DeCastro again, since the Bengals traded down to avoid DeCastro, and go with Zeitler instead.

This pick was truly NEED, but not a reach for need. Both guards from 2011 were let go.

Zeitler started all season and looks like a solid starter who should hold down his position for years to come.

Round 2 (pick #53) - Devon Still DT (Penn State)

Some popular available targets were:

• O-Line...K Osemele, M Adams, P Konz
• RB...L James, L Miller
  
• LB...L David
• WR...R Randle

This pick was considered a high value selection, as Still had been projected anywhere in the 25~40 range to be drafted. His highlight video crashing into Trent Richardson was steadily played upon his selection.

With solid DT's already on the roster such as Atkins, Peko & Sims, there was some minor grumbling about drafting a DT, but the perceived value seemed to subdue too much vocal grumbling.

The jury is still out on Still. He, with Dre, was one of few players drafted in the first 55 picks who failed to play in double-digit games.

Round 3 (pick #83) - Mohamed Sanu WR (Rutgers)

A prolific receiver who has all the assets you want in a receiver (big, tough, great hands, elusive), although who fell because he lack the elite speed based on his slow 40-time.

Started the year sitting, then made a significant impact in the middle of the year, then got hurt.

Looks to be a very good contributor for years to come.

Round 3 (pick #93) - Brandon Thompson DT (Clemson)

Was considered a decent value where he was taken, but left fans head-scratching that a second DT was chosen before a WR or RB or Safety.

He was another Bengal rookie from 2012 who failed to make much of a dent into the gameday lineup.

Round 4 (pick #116) - Orson Charles TE (Georgia)

Round 5 (pick #156) - Shaun Prater CB

Round 5 (pick #166) - Marvin Jones WR

Round 5 (pick #167) - George Iloka SS

Round 6 (pick #191) - Dan Herron RB

When it was all said and done, they got their guard and he looks to be a good one.

They essentially ignored Safety & Running Back, waiting until the later stages of the draft to address either position.

They double-dipped at Receiver, looking for guys to play alongside Green.

Grabbed 2 CB's and 2 DT's

Only 2 of their draft picks played all 16 games, and only 3 of the 10 played in more than 1/2 of their games.