Monday, April 19, 1999
BENGALS PICKS
• 1. AKILI SMITH, quarterback, Oregon:
Strong arm, playmaker, natural leader. Signed with the Pittsburgh
Pirates out of high school and spent three
years in their minor-league chain. Resumed
football career at Grossmont Community
College (Calif.) in 1995. Came to Oregon in
'97 and started six games. Full-time starter in '98. Will be 24 before he starts his rookie
year. (MORE)
• 2. CHARLES FISHER, cornerback, 6-0, 186, West Virginia:
Fast rising prospect who went from part-time starter as a junior to one of the top corner prospects in draft ... fastest player on West Virginia — ran a 4.45 40-yard dash for the Bengals ... intercepted three passes and forced two fumbles last year ... has speed/size combination to allow him to play man coverage in the NFL. (MORE)
• 3. CORY HALL, safety, 5-11, 202, Fresno State:
Great athletic specimen, but scouts disagree on his playing ability ...runs a sub-4.5 40-yard dash ... Bengals defensive back coach Ray Horton compares him to a young Sam Shade in style ... made 90 tackles last year at Fresno. (MORE)
• 4. CRAIG YEAST, wide receiver, 5-7, 161, Kentucky:
Electrifying big-play performer who has long battled tag of being too small ... Tim Couch's favorite receiver, set Southeastern Conference career record with 208 receptions ... also a return specialist who brought back three kickoffs for TDs in college ... grew up a Bengals fan ... could fit in immediately as Bengals' third receiver. (MORE)
• 5. NICK WILLIAMS, fullback, 6-1, 267, Miami (Fla.):
Better-than-average athlete for his position, with good size ... runs a 4.65 40-yard dash ... has blocked for 1,000-yard rushers last three years at Miami ... rarely runs ball but is a pass-catching threat ... calls himself the “steal of the draft.” (MORE)
• 6. KELLY GREGG, nose tackle, 6-0, 283, Oklahoma:
Outstanding college player who carries some questions about his physical ability to play in pros ... earned All-American honors last year, when he had 117 tackles and nine sacks ... three-time high school state wrestling champ ... high-effort player who is adept at using his hands ... some scouts think he can only be a run-plugger in the NFL. (MORE)
• 7. TONY COATS, offensive guard, 6-61/2, 302, Washington:
Versatile player who played both tackle and guard in college ... Bengals will try him at guard, where he excelled as a senior ... scouts cite intelligence, range and flexibility as strengths ... Bengals felt he was best player by far on the board when he was drafted ... Columbus, Ohio native. (MORE)
• 7. SCOTT COVINGTON, quarterback, 6-2, 217, Miami (Fla.):
Endured a disappointing draft day, slipping to the 7th round ... Mel Kiper's Draft Report had him as the No.7 QB in draft, Jerry Jones' Drugstore List had him as No.9 ... didn't start until senior year of college ... completed 159 of 270 passes for 2,301 yards, 19 TDs and only eight interceptions ... strong arm, but lacks experience. (MORE)
• 7. DONALD BROOMFIELD, defensive tackle, 6-3, 294, Clemson:
Late-blooming player who should join the fray at nose tackle ... Didn't start until senior year at Clemson ... had 64 tackles, one sack, seven tackles-for-loss and 11 quarterback pressures ... effective at putting on pressure up the middle ... recently timed at 4.92 in the 40-yard dash.
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