Apr 26, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals first round draft pick Tyler Eifert and head coach Marvin Lewis pose for a photo during a press conference at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Draft grades have been flowing in, and the national consensus is that Cincinnati Bengals earned a very positive grade this year. But what does our staff make of the draft? Well, we got some of them to answer this very question:

“How would you grade the Cincinnati Bengals 2013 draft class?”

Mitchell Wendling

If you ask me, grading the draft three days after it is over is incredibly premature. These guys have yet to put on pads and have probably not even gotten have way through their play books, if they’ve even gotten them. If I were to grade our draft based solely on how it looks on paper, I would have to give us a B+.

First of all, I absolutely love the Eifert pick. I think what he’ll bring to the offense as a weapon will helpDaltonmove the ball effectively and improve as a quarterback. I also believe that he will eventually replaceGreshamas the #1 option at tight end, but that’s a story for another day. Giovani Bernard was my favorite pick in this draft, and I think he could be the missing piece our offense desperately needed. Our mammoth-of-a-person third pick, Margus Hunt, will help bolster our already stacked defensive line and could possibly replace Michael Johnson or Carlos Dunlap if we fail to get one of them signed.

The rest of our picks were picks for depth, which I liked. I think Shaun Williams could be a talented player, and I also think Cobi Hamilton could be the Armon Binns of this offseason. That is, someone who shines early in the offseason and could earn himself a spot high on the depth chart.

Guttersnake

B+  This is not a hit on Tyler Eifert or Margus Hunt. This is purely because the Bengals did not address the strong safety position to nearly the degree that it needed to be.  With three picks in the first two rounds and plenty below to burn to move up, even if just a few notches; the Bengals could have gotten a Cyprien or a Swearinger and still had breathing room to double-dip later for depth.

I find it very interesting in the single position of absolute need (strong safety), the Bengals did not double-down, which after the UDFA period they had done at almost every other position.  Interestingly enough, Tony Jefferson from Oklahoma sat as a free agent for nearly 24 hours without notice.  Comparatively to other late picks the Bengals went with like Tanner Hawkinson or Rex Burkhead, I’m unclear why Shawn Williams was the only selection Cincinnati made at safety.

Eifert and Hunt aren’t so much gambles as players, but rather they represent gambles on untested systems that must be put into place in order to utilize them fully.  If it works, this draft is not only paradigm-breaking, but possibly true breaking of the dawn for the Bengals.  If it busts, an incredible opportunity will be missed.  Ironically and metaphorically, the position that was passed on also is the way I would have rather this draft have been played out: safe.

November 17, 2012; Baton Rouge, LA, USA LSU Tigers defensive end Sam Montgomery (99) against the Ole Miss Rebels during a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Ole Miss 41-35. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

33. Jacksonville Jaguars – Sam Montgomery, DE, Louisiana State
After electing to not address the need for the pass rush in the first round, look for Jacksonville to address it here with their second pick. Sam Montgomery played well at LSU across from Barkevious Mingo, and the Jags will be happy to have him here.

34. San Francisco 49ers (from Chiefs) – Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
Delanie Walker’s departure leaves a need for the 49ers to address at their second tight end position. Stanford product and former Jim Harbaugh player Zach Ertz would be a great fit in the 49er’s offense.

35. Philadelphia Eagles – EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State
Chip Kelly comes to the Eagles and will look to implement his fast paced offense. To do so, he’s going to need a fast quarterback. Michael Vick certainly is fast, be he’s getting old, and is not the long-term option for the Eagles. EJ Manuel will likely sit back and wait this year, but look for him to be playing in 2014.

36. Detroit Lions – Khaseem Greene, OLB, Rutgers
Detroit needs help on defense. After adding Mingo at number 11, look for Detroit to bolster their linebacking corps here.

Oct 13, 2012; Shreveport, LA, USA; Texas A

Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
To me this pick is a no-brainer. Luke Joeckel is a can’t miss prospect with an incredible amount of upside. Now that Andy Reid has his quarterback in Alex Smith, he’ll need to protect him with the best left tackle prospect in the draft.

Jacksonville Jaguars – Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
Jacksonville could go a number of ways, but I think Eric Fisher needs to be the pick here. An extremely talented and physically gifted, Fisher would be a great addition on the Jags offensive line across from Eugene Monroe.

Oakland Raiders – Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
This is another pick that could go many ways, but I have the Raiders drafting Milliner, a fast corner that can run stride for stride with most receivers in the league.

Philadelphia Eagles – Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon
This pick is written in the stars. The freak of nature known as Dion Jordan will be reunited with his college coach Chip Kelly, and will provide an explosive pass rush for the Eagles for years to come.

San Diego Chargers (Trade) – Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
Yes, this is an interesting pick, but hear me out. Philip Rivers has yet to take the Chargers into the promised land in all his time in the NFL. By comparison, both Ben Roethlesburger and Eli Manning have lead their respective teams to two Super Bowl victories in the same amount of time Rivers has been in the league. It is time for a change at the helm in San Diego, and Geno Smith will be the guy to do it.