2010 NFL Draft recap: Cincinnati Bengals add Gresham, Shipley, and Briscoe to improve passing game

The Cincinnati Bengals entered the 2010 NFL Draft looking to improve in a number of areas to record their first back-to-back winning season in 28 years. Overall, the team added nine new members and addressed most of the team needs—especially in the passing game.

While most teams had a general idea of what position they wanted to spend their first-round pick on, the Bengals were a team expected to make their decision based off which players were available. Safety, wide receiver, tight end, guard, and defensive line were considered the top needs of improvement, leaving Cincinnati with a number of options in the first round based off of availability.

Earl Thomas, Jason-Pierre Paul, and Mike Iupati were three players the Bengals would have considered had they not been already selected. When the time came around for Cincinnati to make the 21st pick, it was obvious they would select Jermaine Gresham, Dez Bryant, or Taylor Mays. While many will question passing on such a talented wideout in Bryant, Gresham was the perfect pick at No. 21 for a team not only in need of an effective tight end, but desperate for help in the passing game.

To say the Bengals’ passing game was horrendous last season would be an understatement. They ranked 26th through the air and were forced to rely heavily on a strong running game led by Cedric Benson.

Cincinnati knew one of the top priorities this offseason was to add more targets for Carson Palmer to throw to. They were moving in the right direction by releasing Laveranues Coles and replacing him with Antonio Bryant, but there was still a need for improvement.

The addition of Gresham should have an immediate impact in the passing game and provide the Bengals with an effective pass-catching tight end that many are comparing to Antonio Gates. Cincinnati still had questions left to be answered at the tight end position with Reggie Kelley and last year’s second round pick Chase Coffman, so selecting Gresham as their first pick was the right choice.

With Gresham most likely being named the starting tight end in 2010, the Bengals managed to snag two wide receivers in the later rounds that were ranked in the top 10 of this year’s draft class at their position: third-round pick Jordan Shipley and sixth-round pick Dezmon Briscoe.

Shipley will compete for the starting role as the top slot wideout and provides Palmer with another dangerous weapon in the passing game. After finishing his final two years at Texas with 205 receptions for 2,545 yards and 24 touchdowns, the Bengals got an excellent route-runner who provides certain skills many are comparing to Wes Welker of the New England Patriots.

Along with Shipley, Cincinnati used the 191st pick to select Briscoe who may end up becoming one of the top steals of the draft. The former Kansas standout finished his three-year career 218 receptions for 3,240 yards and 31 touchdowns. While there are a number of players ahead of him, Briscoe will certainly give other Bengals’ wide receivers a run for their money for playing time.

After sweeping through the AFC North in 2009, the Bengals realize the road to defending their division title won’t be easy next season. Not only should the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens be considered serious contenders, but newly appointed Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren has made a number of key offseason moves that will certainly make each division game interesting next season.

An improved passing game was a key piece to Cincinnati’s offseason on the road to repeating as AFC North champions in 2010. After signing one of the top free-agent wide receivers in this year’s class and a successful draft, the Bengals appear to be heading in the right direction.

For more coverage on the Bengals 2010 offseason, click here.

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