In his latest ten-pack, Mike Florio ranks the top-ten biggest first-round busts in the last twenty years. You know that there's going to be Bengals players are there, don't you? But how many? Peter Warrick, David Klingler, Akili Smith.
Here's a look at all the Bengals first-round picks since 1990.
| Season | Player | Notes |
| 2008 | Keith Rivers | Recorded 50 tackles through seven starts before having season ended with a broken jaw. |
| 2007 | Leon Hall | In two seasons, recorded eight interceptions |
| 2006 | Johnathan Joseph | Recorded five interceptions three seasons in which he's played 39 games (30 starts). Returned a touchdown in 2008. |
| 2005 | David Pollack | Recorded 28 tackles during his rookie season, starting five of 14 games played. Finished with 4.5 sacks before neck injury ended his playing career. |
| 2004 | Chris Perry | Missed significant time in three of five seasons with Cincinnati. Recorded 83 receptions, 474 yards receiving and 606 yards rushing. Four career touchdowns (rushing and receiving). |
| 2003 | Carson Palmer | God of the Golden Arms. In five seasons, recorded 107 touchdowns and 67 interceptions and 15,630 yards passing. |
| 2002 | Levi Jones | Started at left tackle in 89 of 94 games played for seven seasons. |
| 2001 | Justin Smith | Recorded 43.5 sacks in seven seasons with the Bengals. |
| 2000 | Peter Warrick | Recorded 264 receptions in five seasons with the Bengals for 2,811 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns. |
| 1999 | Akili Smith | Four seasons in the NFL, all with Cincinnati. Recorded five career touchdowns, 13 career interceptions and sacked 59 times (36 times in 2000) |
| 1998 | Takeo Spikes | Recorded 564 tackles in five seasons with the Bengals, including 13 sacks and five interceptions. |
| 1998 | Brian Simmons | Recorded 715 tackles in nine seasons with Cincinnati, including 11 interceptions and 23 sacks. |
| 1997 | Reinard Wilson | Recorded 24 sacks in six seasons with Cincinnati. |
| 1996 | Willie Anderson | Four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro player. |
| 1995 | Ki-Jana Carter | Recorded 747 yards rushing in four seasons with Cincinnati, missing his first season due to a major knee injury. Recorded 15 touchdowns in 1996 and 1997 combined. |
| 1994 | Dan Wilkinson | Four seasons in Cincinnati. Registered 25 sacks and kind of left on bad terms. |
| 1993 | John Copeland | Eight seasons in Cincinnati. Registered 24 sacks, including a season-high 9.0 in 1995. |
| 1992 | David Klingler | Four seasons in Cincinnati. Threw 16 touchdowns and 22 interceptions, and sacked 87 times (or 3.6 times per-game started). |
| 1991 | Alfred Williams | Four seasons in Cincinnati. Registered 26.5 sacks, including 10 in 1992 and 9.5 in 1994. |
| 1990 | James Francis | Nine seasons with Cincinnati. Registered 33.0 sacks, including a season-high eight sacks his rookie season. |