Setting The Stage For The Cincinnati Bengals And The Second Round Of The 2012 NFL Draft

The first-round of the NFL draft is fun, allowing teams to acquire future starters that have the greatest potential to become stars in the league. But that's it. It's a score of individuality and promotion to address positions of great desperation. Truth be told the NFL draft, the core of what makes a team, doesn't start until Friday's second round through Saturday's final selections.

This is where teams like the Bengals acquire and solidify their core with players like Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap, Andrew Whitworth, Jordan Shipley, Pat Sims, Domata Peko, Rey Maualuga, Thomas Howard (not drafted by the Bengals), among others who were selected outside of the first round. Are they the sexy maniacs of first round selections that substantiate first-round glory? No. Are they the type of players with great significance that contributes towards a team's success or failures? Hell yes.

Now that the first round is completed and the Cincinnati Bengals have selected their prospect starting guard in Kevin Zeitler and cornerback in Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick, it's time that the Bengals shift to the meat and potatoes of every NFL draft.

Positions that we're identifying early for Friday's second and third round includes running back, defensive tackle, wide receiver and defensive end.

Joe Goodberry's current top players available that the Bengals could target on Friday includes:

The second round is set to begin at 7:00 PM on Friday, followed by the third round.