One thing I really enjoy about this current iteration of the Bengals is that it is largely homegrown. With the exceptions of BenJarvus Green-Ellis and most of the defensive backfield, nearly every significant contributor to Cincinnati’s 2012 season was drafted by the team.

With that in mind, I thought it would be informative to take a look at the Bengals draft history year-by-year under Marvin Lewis. We’ll use the familiar letter grades to rate each season’s picks, and see where Marvin (and our ol’ pal Mike Brown) have succeeded, failed, or resembled the Hindenburg.

But first a quick prelude. Dick LeBeau’s three years as head coach were largely a disaster, but the draft picks from 2000-2002 really helped set the stage for the 2005 division title. Justin Smith, Chad Johnson, Rudi Johnson, and TJ Houshmandzadeh were all take in 2001 alone, while the Bengals were able to snag Levi Jones with their first round pick in 2002.

Despite building the beginnings of a winning team, Cincinnati was still stinky enough to earn the first overall selection in 2003. That is where our Part I of our journey begins.

Nov 17, 2012; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive linesman Kyle Long (74) blocks as running back Kenjon Barner (24) runs the ball against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

As the Cincinnati Bengals gear up for the 2013 NFL Draft and the upcoming Scouting Combine, many positions are hot on fans’ minds. Running back, defensive end, linebacker and safety are hot button topics, and for good reason. All need a healthy injection of youth and talent, preferably a large helping of both.

But nobody is discussing offensive linemen, and also rightfully so. The Bengals’ offensive line may have had its ups and downs, but was still undoubtedly the most consistently high-performing unit on the team. Still, three reasons beg the discussion of drafting a prospect on the second or third day, specifically Oregon’s Kyle Long, son of Howie and brother of Chris Long, defensive end for the St. Louis Rams.

First of all, the Bengals habitually draft linemen. I, for one, like the idea of taking a developmental lineman every year, like Ron Wolf annually drafting a quarterback. That is how Andrew Whitworth came to be the most underrated left tackle in the NFL. Like Ron Wolf annually drafting a quarterback, it is wise to try to develop franchise tackles because they rarely hit the market.

Secondly, offensive line coach Paul Alexander has a soft spot for linemen that can play multiple positions. Long played left guard and left tackle at Oregon in 2012.

Lastly, the Bengals have a soft spot for players with a pedigree at a good price. Look at the stockpiling of former first-rounders as reclamation projects. Long has a pedigree from a football family with a Hall-of-Fame father, who also happens to be one of the few tolerable talking heads on Fox’s pregame show, and his brother Chris has began to blossom into one of the better left defensive ends in the league under Jeff Fisher.

And the bargain? Long only played one year at Oregon after he left Florida State and then spent time in the JUCO circuit.

Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arkansas-Pinebluff offensive lineman Terron Armstead speaks to the media during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Today at the NFL Scouting Combine, Arkasas-Pine Bluff standout left tackle Terron Armstead dropped jaws with his 4.65 40 time. That is already incredible, considering his towering 6-5, 306 pound stature. Now throw in the fact that he was only one of 11 linemen to break 30 reps (31) bench pressing 225 pounds, and Armstead is shaping up to a Combine riser.

Or, that is, he would have if not having already laying down hours of impressive tape.

In the SWAC Conference at APB, Armstead just completely dominated competition. His technique was sometimes exemplary, but sometimes horrific. He gets tremendous power when he uses his hands to punch on impact, but on occasion he showed himself too slow with his hands and became more of a human wall.

Being a human wall is also easier when a player is as quick on his feet as Armstead is. He can move laterally in his kick slide almost as well as uber-prospect Eric Fisher, and was very rarely beaten with a counter move. Especially when his hand technique is on, he can punch an outside linebacker’s outside shoulder so hard that it twists his whole body right where Armstead wants it.