Draft Preview: Cincinnati Bengals

Pick 6: Cincinnati Bengals
Strengths: Quarterback
Weaknessess: Wide receiver, linebacker

The Pick: Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

My cousin Rich's favorite team, the Bengals, have the misfortune of drafting behind teams with similar needs in spots with few strong prospects (in Homerism's opinion)--receiver and linebacker. Of course, they also could use a defensive back, but there aren't many appealing options there, either.

When in doubt, look offensive line. The loss of OT Stacy Andrews makes this yet another position of need for Cincy. Plus, the ranks aren't so thin there.

The scouts are buzzing about the upside of Jason Smith, a tackle out of Baylor. Some mock drafts even have him going first overall to Detroit. In what little Homerism saw of Smith this year, I was impressed. Smith kept edge rushers at bay and displayed athleticism while blocking in coach Art Briles' version of the spread.

The bottom line is that Smith helped Baylor's budding superstar QB Robert Griffin buy time to make plays with both his feet and his arm. If you can make a splash in Waco, you must be doing something right. Also, coming out of Baylor's notoriously upright culture, Smith won't present the kind of character concerns that have plagued the Bengals in recent years.