Yeah, thats how I see it. The track record on first round picks is nothing to ‘write home about’ with the Bengals. If the player doesn’t get a serious career threatening injury (Kijana Carter, David Pollack) they get flops (Reinhard Wilson, Akili Smith).
Carson Palmer as the number one pick was one even the brain dead (mike brown) couldn’t screw up.
We had well founded ‘high hopes’ after the 2005 season, but between devastating injuries on both sides of the ball, suspensions, and Chuck “I’ve never had a top 15 defense” Bresnahan at DC...all for naught.
Doesn’t help that you don’t have a scouting department or a true GM, and that half your defense is in jail...