BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Though the Bengals selected outside the top 10 for the first time since 1991, their player draft Saturday was anything but boring.

They sowed the seeds for a potentially high return with their top two picks, defensive end/linebacker Reinard Wilson and running back Corey Dillon. But the risks they took were greater than average.

With Wilson, the Bengals are asking a player with no extensive experience as a linebacker to strengthen an area where they need immediate help. With Dillon, they're hoping he continues his five-year streak of staying off the police blotter.

Wilson's transition to the NFL will be more rigorous than the average rookie. Not only must he learn the intricacies of defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's zone-blitz concepts, but for the first time he'll have to occasionally cover a receiver.

''It's going to be a trial-and-error situation,'' LeBeau said.

Wilson seems to have the attitude and aptitude to make the leap. He didn't sound like the type of player who will lend a token effort to honing his pass coverage while concentrating on his rushing. ''The play you 'take off' may be the play you need,'' he said.

''Wherever he goes, whatever he's doing,'' LeBeau said, ''he's going to do it with a lot of emphasis.''

Lest you think Bengals officials have inhaled too much Spinney Field air, keep in mind that Baltimore, Kansas City and Pittsburgh contacted Wilson (according to him) before the draft and inquired about moving him to linebacker.

Bottom line: If Wilson can rush the passer nearly as well as Ben gals coaches say he can, he'll be fine. Chad Brown, Derrick Thomas and Greg Lloyd, to name a few other prominent linebackers, weren't named All-Pro for pass coverage.

For now, Wilson is penciled in at right outside linebacker. James Francis, whose agility ought to help him thrive in the new 3-4 defense, is tentatively the left outside linebacker, playing over tight ends. Ricardo McDonald will man one inside linebacker spot, while the other inside position is up for grabs. Steve Tovar will secure it if he recovers from his injured left knee.

''We expect him to contribute,'' LeBeau said of Wilson. ''But we're not going to ask a guy to come in and be a dominant player his first year.''

You've heard hundreds of coaches say so, mainly because it's true: Competition is healthy. Dillon either will elicit the best from Ki-Jana Carter or he'll deservedly assume the starter's spot.

Dillon was promising enough last year, his lone season at Washington, to prompt some analysts to predict he would be drafted as high as 10th overall.

Though Dillon's 1,555 yards and 22 touchdowns last year were impressive, his most intriguing set of statistics might be his 15 catches for 273 yards. Offensive coordinator Ken Anderson said that the Bengals want to throw more to their running backs; Dillon could hasten their progress.

To Dillon's credit, he's not shy about addressing his past. He was reportedly charged with seven offenses in juvenile court between 1987-92 and was convicted of five. By his admission, his transgressions include selling narcotics.

Disappointed over what he considered to be a relatively late selection, Dillon declined to speak to reporters Saturday. But late last year, he told the Seattle Times, ''I did some stupid things in my time. Š I'm not scared to admit it.''

Taking Wilson and Dillon showed that the Bengals aren't scared, either.

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