Note, if you're pissed off about the draft, then I understand. I put a more positive spin on the post-draft wrap-up that I think, and believe, can help this team. If you want to prove differently, go for it.

If you were to ask me "how the Bengals did in this draft" with only one word, I'll go with "solid". Nothing here blows your mind. Nothing will really pump you up like a Carson Palmer pick, or the string of productive cornerbacks the past two seasons. If you were to let me use two words, I'd use "long run" -- drafting a bunch of guys that will likely not make an impression this year, but could be contributors in 2009 and beyond. Perhaps the word should be, contributors. Or role players.

Cris Carter. I love Cris Carter. I grew up watching him in Minnesota. I enjoyed him on HBO's Inside the NFL. And I thought he did a tremendous job on ESPN's Draft Show. Oh, and he said that the Bengals had the best draft.

Keith Rivers. The Bengals selected their man at linebacker for a long time and Lewis wasn't afraid to call Rivers an All-Pro for many seasons. The role of "foundation development" was supposed to take place during the 2005 NFL Draft with Odell Thurman and David Pollack. Three years later, Pollack is retired and Thurman is just now returning after a two-year suspension. Guys like Caleb Miller and Landon Johnson are gone. Rivers offers the team quality leadership, sustaining defensive stability and (I hate this phrase) high character.

Linebackers shaping up. Rivers was the guy Marvin Lewis and company targeted if defensive tackle mega-god Sedrick Ellis was picked. As it happens, the Saints swapped their first round pick with the Patriots and offered their third for Ellis. While we begged for mega-god defensive tackle, I believe the Bengals acquired additional intangibles with Rivers.

At this point, the Bengals first eight linebackers could look like this.

1. Keith Rivers
2. Ahmad Brooks
3. Dhani Jones
4. Rashad Jeanty
5. Odell Thurman
6. Corey Mays
7. Eric Henderson
8. Darryl Blackstock

Of course, 6-8, you could probably mix and match players like Angelo Craig, Roy Manning, Jim Maxwell or Anthony Schlegel. Even so, that list is far more encouraging than how it appeared last season. We have a good pool of linebackers to pick from during training camp. Don't you agree?

No Chad Trade... but acting like Chad is gone anyway. If the Bengals were to make a trade for Chad Johnson, it would have been on Saturday, if at all. It didn't happen. The Bengals did a good job stocking the position with two quality receivers that will likely compete for a spot anywhere between #2 and #5. We're assuming that Chad is a man of his word and never plays for the Bengals again. While it might seem that the position will be weak in 2008 with youth, the Bengals quietly created a youth movement with Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell to go along with Glenn Holt and Marcus Maxwell and Louisville wide receiver, Mario Urrutia. With T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the Bengals still have Antonio Chatman and Doug Gabriel for experience. And as long as Chad and T.J. get the bulk of the practice and playing time, we won't see how good these kids are. Perhaps it's about that time. Let's not lie to ourselves. We are, after all, entering a rebuilding season.

Also, you have to consider that T.J. Houshmandzadeh is entering the final year under contract.

What we missed. I thought for sure the Bengals would address defensive end. Now the Angelo Craig pick could mean that the Bengals will use him as an end (doubtful though). Or it could mean that the team is giving Frostee Rucker a shot and think that Jonathan Fanene can handle that role. If that were the case, the Bengals would have a decent four player rotation at end if Rucker shows up and Fanene sustains production. Not mind blowing, but serviceable with Robert Geathers and Antwan Odom as guys with productive sack seasons.

Setting up a future of new tackles -- but trouble could be brewing. The Bengals could be in serious trouble with their offensive linemen this time next year. Willie Anderson is simply getting older and we can't imagine he'll be able to work through many more seasons. Levi Jones has expressed an interest -- though far less demanding than Chad -- for a trade. Stacy Andrews is locked up for one season. And after playing with a franchise contract, we can't imagine he'll come cheap. Though how many tackles are?

I liked the Anthony Collins pick up. Most reports say he's not ready and will likely be the team's newest project like Andrews -- with great results, I might add. If that's the case, and it takes a good two years to develop the tackle from Kansas, then Collins could easily slid into right tackle once Anderson retires.

As for the left tackle, we can only guess that Levi Jones will settle disputes with his coaches and get back on board. Otherwise, Jones could find himself playing with the Bengals for the final season while the Bengals feverishly knock out a long-term deal with Andrews. Otherwise, look for the team to address offensive line in next year's draft -- it was a need this year, it could be a must next.

Circumstances prevented the Bengals from stock-piling talented tackles. Too many tackles were taken too quickly in this draft -- seven in the first round. And it wouldn't have made sense to that this year. Anything can happen from this point until next year where Jones is back on board and Andrews signs a long-term deal. So the Bengals did the right thing and pick up a guy with big upswing that will need to be mentored for some time.

The Bengals would be wise using patience with the offensive line until more questions are answered. So stock other positions.

Defensive tackles. I'm not going to lie. I can't envision Pat Sims bringing that much more than Domata Peko. Some of you might be fine with that, but I've never thought highly of Peko as an every down defensive tackle. Cincinnati also took a huge risk in Fresno State defensive tackle Jason Shirley coming into the draft with character concerns.

I do think that the Bengals filled a talent gap at defensive tackle at a whole -- but didn't cover the ground I would have liked. Once Ellis went early, the Bengals had to go with Rivers at linebacker. After that, they lost their opportunity with Kentwan Balmer. Many will, and perhaps should, cry out that the Bengals went after a small school receiver while Trevor Laws -- the fourth defensive tackle drafted -- went one spot later. Though one could argue that there will be minimal gaines between Laws and Sims so waiting until the third round might have been the right move. In the end, we just won't know for several seasons.

A potential sleeper tight end? The Bengals were scouting Fred Davis and Dustin Keller in detail assuming that the team would go after a tight end. While none of us thought that the team would pick one early, we knew they'd hit the position eventually. Matt Sherry brings more dynamics with the team than just a simple third tight end. Consider for a moment that Reggie Kelly would likely play more H-Back than before -- where his talents are best utilized. With Ben Utecht and Sherry lining up in double tight end sets, it gives the Bengals a good look with fast pass-catching tight ends. For example, the team could line up big with two tight ends and pass the ball rather than run like the defense might expect -- we are, after all, a team of trends.

Why I liked the Corey Lynch pick up. With Lynch the Bengals solidify a special teams unit that's incredibly frustrating. He's an in-your-face tackler that can lead a group of talented special teams players for us. He won't win games on defense. He won't scored touchdowns on defense. But he'll be the guy that makes sure the other team doesn't do well on special teams. Admit it, we need that!

Conclusion. From the comments, I can tell many of you are upset with the draft. I still think this team did well stocking positions, addressing their biggest needs early and immensely improved their special teams.

They didn't impress with improving talent on the defensive line, but once the first two rounds had gone by, it wasn't going to be a significant talent increase anyway.

Anyway, that's my opinion. What's yours.

Go here for the Day 2 Open Thread. Talk about the Sims pick here.

Here's the defensive tackle pick after selecting a wide receiver and linebacker in the first two rounds. This addresses the teams three biggest needs heading into the NFL draft. Sims isn't Ellis, but circumstances made that all for naught.

A quick Mock Draft note, I took Pat Sims in the second round we take him in the third round. To be honest, this is the first time, though all the mock drafts I've participated in, that I actually selected the same players -- though it was in separate rounds, so I suppose it's not perfect. But I did pick Rivers in the first and Sims in the second. So, go me.

Here's a few highlights.

Sims' combine page gives a few notes.

Positives: Thick, powerful build. ... Impressive quickness off the snap. ... Penetrates through the gaps and can blow up the play before the quarterback even has time to set-up. ... Good explosive use of hands to pop the offensive guard and disengage from blocks. ... Stout run defender with the lower body strength and natural leverage to hold up at the point of attack. ... Developed into a team leader as he matured.

Negatives: Consistency is the biggest concern with Sims. ... Developed into a dominant performer in 2007, but had posted only 16 career tackles before his breakout junior season. ... Can be a bit undisciplined in his play, breaking through the line with such quickness that he loses his gap responsibility.

Sims leaving Auburn as a Junior, would appear that he'd be a very high draft pick if he stayed his senior season. Some draft sites rate Sims as good as Dorsey or Ellis, but raw and young. Sims is 6'2", 310 pounds having run a 5.0 40.

Remember this goal-line stop against Florida in 2006?

Scouts, Inc.

Strengths: Has adequate height, good bulk and above-average quickness for his size. Has an explosive first step, does a good job of anticipating the snap and can shoot into the backfield. Has active hands, has and makes it difficult for blockers too lock onto frame. Takes adequate pursuit angles and is fluid scraping down the line of scrimmage. Plays with a good motor and is a relentless pass rusher. Squares up to ball carriers, wraps up upon contact and is an effective tackler that can deliver big hits. Plays with a mean streak, takes the shortest path to the quarterback and flashes the ability to collapse the pocket. Runs line stunts well and flashes an effective rip move when works inside. Can redirect and shows an adequate spin move. Keeps head up, gets hands up when isn't going to get the quarterback and times jumps fairly well. Played with a cast on hand at times last year and is tough.

Weaknesses: Has a tendency to stand up when he gets tired, lacks elite lower body strength and has problems holding ground against double teams. Doesn't play with a wide base, doesn't protect legs well enough and occasionally gets knocked to the ground. Sat out 2005 season so only has two years of playing experience and is raw. Appears lost at times, has some problems locating the ball and gets caught out of position a little too much. Can be overaggressive and gets caught too far upfield at times. Doesn't have ideal instincts, has some problems adjusting to down blocks and doesn't do a great job of sniffing out screens.

Overall: Auburn red-shirted Sims in 2004 and he didn't play in 2005. Sims appeared in all 13 games of the 2006 season finishing with 16 total tackles including five tackles-for-loss and three sacks. He started 12 of the 13 games he appeared in during the 2007 season finishing with 37 total tackles including 29 unassisted tackles and 11.5 tackles-for-loss. Sims also recorded 4.5 sacks, 12 quarterback-hurries, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three pass breakups last year. Sims needs to play with more consistent leverage and he will never be great at taking on blocks in a two-gap scheme. However, he is a quick and powerful DT/NT who displays the ability to disengage and disrupt plays in the backfield  both versus the run and as an inside pass rusher. Sims only starred for one season at Auburn but from what we saw he's an underrated prospect with enough talent to warrant second-round consideration.

This page will be continuously updated with analysis.