A consensus was harder to come by nationally. ESPN analysts Vinny Cerrato and Billy Devaney said the Bengals had one of the best four drafts in the NFL - perhaps the best in the AFC Central. But it wasn't a cure-all. Even LeBeau admitted that. We kind of figured that maybe there were three areas that we would really like to have quick help for.
Some unresolved questions figure to be answered shortly, such as at cornerback.
Sources have indicated that the Bengals are close to signing free-agent cornerback DeRon Jenkins and that it could happen within the next 10 days. But other questions could take months to sort out, such as the fate of Pro Bowl running back Corey Dillon. The Cleveland Browns remained in the hunt for the free-agent back as they took Gerard Warren with the No. 3 pick in the first round instead of a running back. We think it will get done. I wish I knew when.