The Cincinnati Bengals score the highest grade for their selections in the 2009 NFL Draft, according to analysts.
The Bengals were successful with their 2009 draft selections due to picking up former college All-Americans who fell into their lap during the draft. The Bengals led all NFL teams in grades for their picks this draft.
The Bengals selected Alabama OT Andre Smith with their first pick (No. 6), helping to restock their offensive line. Smith was considered one of the most talented prospects in the draft, but was considered to have character issues.
In the second and third rounds, the Bengals hit gold, drafting USC linebacker Rey Maualuga (No. 38), Georgia Tech defensive end Michael Johnson (No. 70) and Missouri TE Chase Coffman (No. 98). Maualuga and Johnson were both considered first-round talents, but they dropped to the second round. Johnson is considered a freak of nature, standing 6-foot-7, 258 pounds and runs a 4.64 40. Coffman was arguably the nation's best tight end during this past college football season.
In the fourth round, Cincinnati nabbed Arkansas C Jonathan Luigs (No. 106), a consensus All-American who manned the line that helped former Razorbacks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones have 1,000-yard seasons in 2007.
The Bengals also selected Cincinnati P Kevin Huber (No. 142) in the fifth round, who was arguably the best punter in college football this past season.
The Bengals filled their most glaring holes with a great left tackle (Smith), a defensive end (Johnson) and a center (Luigs). In addition, they needed a middle linebacker to replace aging Dhani Jones and the received that with Maualuga.
The Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers all received high grades as well.
The Packers shored up their defense in the first round by selecting Boston College DT B.J. Raji and USC LB Clay Matthews. The bruising Raji and athletic Matthews will help the team's transition from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4.
The Jets picked the quarterback of their future with USC QB Mark Sanchez, who will fill in with the departure of Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. They also selected Iowa RB Shonn Greene to add to their backfield of aging Thomas Jones and dimunitive Leon Washington.
The Cardinals solidified their future backfield with Ohio State RB Chris "Beanie" Wells with the No. 31 pick in the first round. Wells was a steal late in the first round and was expected to be the first running back taken in the draft. UConn DE Cody Brown (second round), LSU offensive lineman Herman Johnson (fifth round) and Illinois DE Will Davis (sixth round) were all great value picks.
The 49ers got the biggest steal in the draft, selecting Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree at No. 10. He was the consensus No. 1 wide receiver in the draft, but Oakland selected Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey higher, allowing Crabtree to land in San Francisco's lap. They also drafted Alabama RB Glen Coffee, who gives them a great, young one-two punch with Frank Gore. Pittsburgh ILB Scott McKillop was a steal in the fifth round, in addition to LSU DE Ricky Jean-Francois in the seventh round.
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