6 hours ago, nkypete said:

1. Akili Smith - 1999 NFL Draft, 1st round, 3rd overall
2. Ki-Jana Carter - 1995 NFL Draft, 1st round, 1st overall
3. Peter Warrick - 2000 NFL draft, 1st round, 4th overall
4. David Klinger - 1992 NFL Draft, 1st round, 6th overall
5. Jack Thompson - 1979 NFL Draft, 1st round, 3rd overall

Bengals can still mess up top picks in the first round.

No doubt. Which four of those came in the horrible 90s. I guess I should have said ever since 2003 when Marvin arrived. As he did get them away from a lot of the horrible decisions in the 90s. They got it right with Palmer in 2003. Got it right with AJ Green in 2011, and then got it right in 2020 too. Plus they seem to do better in the other rounds too when picking in top 5. 
 

Out of that list they were all bust, except maybe Warrick. During his time here the QB play was horrible. By the time Marvin arrived and QB play also started getting better. Warrick ended up having a solid season, before hurting his knee by playing so soon after getting his knee scoped. As he was trying to help the team out who had a chance at the playoffs. He wasn’t the same after that. So he definitely didn't live up to a top 5 pick.  However, I don’t think he was as bad as those others on the list. 

As a young man in high school I knew Akili Smith was not the answer. Ki-Jana Carter was just a victim of an injury that back then was tough to come back from. 

2 hours ago, futurecoach said:

No doubt. Which four of those came in the horrible 90s. I guess I should have said ever since 2003 when Marvin arrived. As he did get them away from a lot of the horrible decisions in the 90s. They got it right with Palmer in 2003. Got it right with AJ Green in 2011, and then got it right in 2020 too. Plus they seem to do better in the other rounds too when picking in top 5. 
 

Out of that list they were all bust, except maybe Warrick. During his time here the QB play was horrible. By the time Marvin arrived and QB play also started getting better. Warrick ended up having a solid season, before hurting his knee by playing so soon after getting his knee scoped. As he was trying to help the team out who had a chance at the playoffs. He wasn’t the same after that. So he definitely didn't live up to a top 5 pick.  However, I don’t think he was as bad as those others on the list. 

Yep, there were more bad first round picks, but you limited me to Top 5 or so in the first round.

10 minutes ago, nkypete said:

Yep, there were more bad first round picks, but you limited me to Top 5 or so in the first round.

Big Daddy Wilkinson was one I was rhink8ng of.

1 hour ago, nkypete said:

Yep, there were more bad first round picks, but you limited me to Top 5 or so in the first round.

Correct, because besides for having a top 5 pick. The Bengals have been bad overall in regards to first round picks, even after 2003. Over the last 22 year, the only times the Bengals seem to do well is when they have a top 5 pick. If not a top 5 pick, then they find a way to mess it up still. Much like the John Ross pick 7 years ago. 

2 hours ago, Breds82 said:

As a young man in high school I knew Akili Smith was not the answer. Ki-Jana Carter was just a victim of an injury that back then was tough to come back from. 

What made that pick even worse, was the fact the Bengals turned down all the draft picks the Saints offered to move up to get Ricky Williams. Instead they stayed put and drafted Smith. 

I'm bias being a dolphins fan, so give me the phins by 3. Of course though, I can see both teams finding a way to lose 

My guys Spero and Arch calling the game!

On 12/18/2025 at 7:28 AM, Breds82 said:

As a young man in high school I knew Akili Smith was not the answer. 

Such a shame that our 4 personnel scouts didn’t see your wisdom.

Just read on ESPN Dolphins tried to trade 4 first rounders for Burrow in 2020.

Tee is active today.

7-7

Tee with a circus catch and Achane long run.

Touchdown Bengals! The Bengals go 91 yards in just 7 plays. They lead 7-0. 

No run defense for the Bengals.

Here we are near the end of the season. This entire year the defense has not been able to guard TE's and they have been burned by long TD runs. This was happening in the first pre-season game. A full season of games and those issues have not been fixed. Is it Al Golden's scheme or is it personnel?