No. 4 pick: LB Steve Foley

  • Pick: Third round (75th overall)

  • School: Northeast Louisiana

  • Size: 6-foot-3, 261 pounds.

  • Position: Defensive end.

  • History: All-State tight end in Arkansas, but didn't go to the University of Arkansas when he didn't pass SAT in 1994 . . . After moving from tight end to defensive line the following spring, he finished with 23.5 career sacks. 1997: Led nation with 18.5 sacks. Moved to outside linebacker, as well as other positions in order to create mismatches against Central Florida and responded with 5.5 sacks and 12 tackles.

  • Projection: Bengals see him as an outside linebacker on either side. He also long snaps. He'll see plenty of time on special teams as he not only learns the pro game, but adjusts to linebacker. Draft gurus say he has rarely dropped into coverage and is not known for ability to read and react.

  • Bengals linebacker coach Mark Duffner on Foley's workout: "I had him (pass) cover their running back man-to-man and he was very fluid for a guy his size. They moved him everywhere, so setting him into one position will be a help to his progress."

  • Foley on his new position: "I think I can fit in real well there and help the team out a lot because of my speed and awareness. I believe that I won't lose a step but of course there will be a learning process. I am just ready to go in and learn the system." Foley on leading the nation in sacks: "It was a great thrill to see my name up there with all those other guys."

  • Did you know? Foley won a slam dunk contest at college that also included basketball players.


    		• NFL Draft news at the Wire
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    Picks will have to win jobs
    Some impact, some insurance

    The players
     1. Takeo Spikes,
    LB, Auburn
    1a. Brian Simmons,
    LB, N.Carolina
    2. Artrell Hawkins,
    CB, Cincinnati
    3. Steve Foley,
    LB, NE Louisiana
    3a. Mike Goff,
    G, Iowa
    4. Glen Steele,
    DE, Michigan
    6. Jason Tucker,
    WR, TCU
    7. Marcus Parker,
    RB, Va. Tech
    7a. Damian Vaughn,
    TE, Miami U.

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