2014 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper Grades

A "B". Solid "B".

Those are the arbitrary grades generally being offered to Cincinnati for their draft picks -- which applies draft value and the application of needs.

Mel Kiper Jr. gave Cincinnati a "B".

Summary: I had cornerback as the top need given Leon Hall's recent healthy history and the age of Terence Newman and Adam Jones, and the Bengals added a solid, projectable player in Darqueze Dennard -- plus, the value was good at No. 24. Dennard is versatile and he doesn't back down from contact. He's an early starter. I don't see why you take Jeremy Hill in front of Carlos Hyde, but I certainly don't mind them adding that style of runner to balance what Giovani Bernard brings. The Law Firm could be closing in Cincinnati. William Clarke can help after the departure of Michael Johnson, and Russell Bodine adds needed interior strength and depth -- I say strength because he really is freakishly strong. AJ McCarron had a really poor draft process, starting with opting out of the Senior Bowl, but you can't deny that getting him in Round 5 is good value. Lavelle Westbrooks is one to watch as more depth at corner. Pretty good draft for the Bengals, who seem to do this every year.

Eight teams scored higher than Cincinnati according to his grades, including the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Don't you love months of work, a weekend of draft picks, singularly broken down to a single letter?