Best Second Round Draft Picks During Marvin Lewis Era: Number Five - Rey Maualuga

We are currently ranking the best players based on the round that they were drafted during the Marvin Lewis era. Yesterday we listed the best first round selections in a single post that were drafted during Lewis' era. This time (and throughout the rest of the selections) we're going to countdown and do the rest of the rounds a bit more slowly. We'll start focusing on the second round going from #5 to #1 over the weekend.

The Bengals never expected Rey Maualuga to fall to the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft, quickly drafting him with the 38th pick overall. Maualuga completed his sophomore season in 2010 with 81 tackles, which ranked third on the team. He also finished with six quarterback pressures and two interceptions, which led the front seven.

His second career interception came against the San Diego Chargers where Maualuga returned the football 47 yards, setting up the Bengals offense to eventually score a touchdown and take a 20-10 lead.

With 31 games played through two seasons, Maualuga has three forced fumbles (all during his rookie year), two picks and two quarterback sacks.

Pro Football Focus rated Maualuga as the team's second best defensive player, strongest against the run, recording 32 stops (plays in which the opposing team gained negative or no-yards).

The future for Maualuga is uncertain. After spending two seasons as the strong-side outside linebacker, the Bengals could move Maualuga over the middle if they elect not to sign Dhani Jones and have him return as the starting middle linebacker.