CINCINNATI (WKRC) - The Bengals haven't had a great history of consistenly stringing together successful draft classes, but that didn't keep them from being well-represented in the CBSSports.com "Ultimate NFL Draft" covering the last 50 years.
The draft involved CBSSports.coming coming up with the all-time NFL Draft class - the best player taken with each selection from No. 1 through No. 256 - since the NFL merger in 1970.
It should be noted that players selected were for the specific spot in the draft they were taken (i.e. Peyton Manning was the selection for the best No. 1 overall pick in the last 50 years).
The Bengals had nine such players they selected make the list, although Hall of Fame tackle Anthony Munoz wasn't considered the pick the best No. 3 selection since 1970. He was nosed out by the Detroit Lions selecting running back Barry Sanders No. 3 overall in the 1989 draft.
Josh Edwards, who wrote the piece for CBSSports.com, said of the selection of Sanders over Munoz: "It was incredibly difficult to choose Sanders over Anthony Munoz, but it had to be done. Not all heroes wear capes. Despite a shortened career, Sanders was named to 10 Pro Bowls. He compiled 15,269 rushing yards and 99 rushing touchdowns as well as 352 receptions, 2,921 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns."
While Sanders was certainly great, and his statistics would have been even better if he hadn't retired earlier than expected, it might be worth noting, however, that Munoz is considered by many analysts to be the best left tackle in NFL history.
While Munoz wasn't picked, here are the following Bengals who were selected and Edwards' explanation for why:
No. 55 overall: Andrew Whitworth, OT, LSU (2006): "Whitworth has been one of the most underappreciated left tackles in the league for the duration of his career - just look at Cincinnati allowing him to leave in free agency. The left tackle position has been an issue for the Bengals ever since."
No. 67 overall: Ken Anderson, QB, Augustana (1971): "Anderson threw for nearly 33,000 over the course of 16 NFL seasons. He made four Pro Bowl appearances and was named a first-team All-Pro in 1981, where he also earned MVP and Offensive Player of the Year honors for a Bengals team that reached the Super Bowl."
No. 103 overall: Mike Wilson, OT, Georgia (1977): "Wilson made 172 starts for the Bengals and Seahawks while mostly playing right tackle . While (he) had zero Pro Bowl bids in his career, he did start every game for a 1981 Bengals team that went to the Super Bowl and helped the Seahawks get to the playoffs in two of his four seasons in Seattle."
No. 106 overall: Tom DeLeone, C, Ohio State (1972): "While DeLeone started at least 10 games only six teams in his 13-year career, he did play well enough to earn two Pro Bowl appearances after latching on with the Browns in his third professional season (he played for the Bengals only in 1972 and 1973 and made no starts)."
No. 120 overall: Geno Atkins, DT, Georgia (2010): "He has suffered some injuries along the way but has still managed 75.5 sacks to day. He has made eight Pro Bowl appearances and was named a first-team All-Pro twice."
No. 123 overall: Domata Peko, DT, Michigan State (2006):"Peko has never been a flashy player but he has been consistent throughout his career. He has started nearly 200 games in his 14 NFL seasons, with most coming with the Bengals."
No. 163 overall: Lemar Parrish, CB, Lincoln (1970): "Parrish, who had 47 interceptions over the course of his career, made eight Pro Bowl appearances, including in both of his first two seasons. He was also a first-team All-Pro for Washington in 1979 thanks to a nine-interception season."
No. 168 overall: Max Montoya, OG, UCLA (1979): "Montoya, who started nearly 200 games in his career, was named to the Pro Bowl four times. He helped the Bengals reach the Super Bowl in his second season as a starter in 1981, and Cincinnati ranked in the top five in offensive yards in eight of his nine seasons on the line."
No. 210 overall: Stan Walters, OT, Syracuse (1972): "Walters spent three years in Cincinnati (starting 23 games before being traded to Philadelphia for quarterback John Reaves after the 1974 season), but made his mark in Philadelphia, where he earned two Pro Bowl bids with the Eagles for a pair of playoff teams in 1978 and 1979. He remained the team's left tackle for their Super Bowl run the following season as well."
DeLeone was one of only two Ohio State products taken in the draft. The other was defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, who was taken No. 31 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011.
The University of Cincinnati was represented by three players: tight end Travis Kelce, who was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs No. 63 overall in 2013; edge rusher Trent Cole, who was picked No. 146 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005 and center Jason Kelce, who was taken No. 191 overall by the Eagles in 2011.
The University of Kentucky had five players selected: Hall of Fame center Dermontti Dawson (No. 44 by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1988); guard Todd Perry (No. 97 by the Chicago Bears in 1993); linebacker Avery Williamson (No. 151 by the Tennessee Titans in 2014); linebacker Danny Trevathan (No. 188 by the Denver Broncos in 2012) and center Will Grant (No. 255 by the Buffalo Bills in 1978).