“The Queen City” is next on the draft board. Home to Skyline Chili. If you’ve never had the pleasure of this culinary “treat”, well then you’re probably lucky. Granted, I’ve had it more than once in my life just because sometimes you know you want something bad for you. Strangely enough, if you don’t think about it too much, a chili that basically looks like diarrhea and that’s rumored to contain chocolate and cinnamon served over spaghetti with shredded neon yellow cheese, beans and raw onions can be satisfying. But I assume there’s a reason this “chili” doesn’t have much of a following outside of Cincinnati, Ohio. I can say this – it’s definitely not a reason to go to Cincinnati, and there really isn’t much reason to, but I digress.

So, what about them Bengals?

Ironically, defensive guru Marvin Lewis had one of the worst defenses in the league last season. So where to start? Both run and pass defenses ranked similarly last year so that means there are problems all over.

Pick #9: Keith Rivers, OLB Southern California

Ideally someone on the line would be better to help stop the run and provide a better pass rush, but given that Sedrick Ellis is gone, a strong linebacker can help to fill some holes.

Rivers is known as a player with some range to make plays in pursuit and can also play well dropping back into pass coverage. Unfortunately, the Bengals will need a lot more help than a LB for their defensive woes.

New Orleans… you’re on the clock.