Reviewing The Cincinnati Bengals 2009 NFL Draft Class

Three years. Maybe four. Typical timeframes from those that exude patience, allowing perceived grades for draft picks to account for actual NFL experience (or lack of), rather than projected production of a player that's never played a down in the NFL. Though many people eat it up, grades for the most recent NFL draft before a regular season game is played, is ridiculous. Debate-worthy, sure. Something to talk about, absolutely. Beyond that grades immediately following an NFL draft are usually only used to confirm or betray your own analysis.

The crew at Cold Hard Football Facts reviews the 2009 NFL draft. Of the 11 players that the Cincinnati Bengals drafted that year, only five remain (Andre Smith, Rey Maualuga, Michael Johnson, Kevin Huber and Bernard Scott). Though it might not seem like much, it's roughly the same percentage of players remaining with the Pittsburgh Steelers and more than the Cleveland Browns during their respective drafts in 2009. The Baltimore Ravens have four of six selections remaining and one of the two that's left, is Cincinnati's Cedric Peerman.

As for the Cincinnati Bengals selections that year, CHFF not only calls Maualuga the productive draft pick by Cincinnati that year, but as one of the more productive second-round draft picks in the NFL.

This USC linebacker has been the most productive player of the class for Cincinnati, with 43 starts. In fact he’s been one of the most productive players of the second round. Only four players (one on defense) have a higher approximate value to this point. Maualuga could stand to show improvement off the field as well, as he faced assault charges earlier this year and could face suspension in 2012.

As for the worst pick, that's debatable. CHFF gives that to tight end Chase Coffman, likely because he was a third-round pick, selected at No. 98 overall.

Son of former NFL tight end Paul Coffman, this generation’s Coffman was a John Mackey Award winner in college, which is given to the best tight end. However, Chase had just 3 catches for 30 yards with the Bengals. After ending his run on the team’s practice squad in 2011, he was released and is currently with Tampa Bay. The Giants chose TE Travis Beckum two picks after Coffman, and while not a smashing success, he has shown a little more than Coffman did.

How would you grade the 2009 NFL draft for the Cincinnati Bengals?