The Bengals' first pick today in the NFL draft, like those of many teams, is hanging in the air like a good, high punt.

        The cause of much of the uncertainty is Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington. He's the X-factor of the 2002 draft.

        Harrington has been projected to be picked as high as third, by the Lions, and as low as 18th, by the Redskins. In between are at least three other teams — the Bills, Chiefs and Bengals — who would have a difficult time passing on the draft's No.2-rated quarterback. The Bengals reportedly turned down Washington's offer of its first- and second-round picks for the Bengals' 10th overall pick.

        How early Harrington is selected will have a trickle-down effect on the rest of the first round. If Detroit takes him, Texas cornerback Quentin Jammer slips down, probably to the Cowboys at No.6, which in turn means Oklahoma safety Roy Williams is likely to slide.

        The Bengals apparently are considering three players more seriously than the rest: Harrington, whom they think will be gone, and Miami Hurricanes teammates Phillip Buchanon and Jeremy Shockey.

        Buchanon is widely rated the second-best cornerback in the draft, behind Jammer, and Buchanon was one of the nation's top punt returners last season.

        Shockey is the top-rated tight end and the player Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski is believed to want to fill the “desperate” need at tight end. The Bengals had just 29 receptions and one touchdown catch from tight ends last season.

        Other potential first-round picks by the Bengals are Wisconsin defensive tackle Wendell Bryant and Williams, the Oklahoma safety who was the only defensive player to earn Heisman Trophy votes last year.

        But the rarest of talents could be Buchanon, who has the look of becoming the Bengals' first shut-down cornerback since Ashley Ambrose's eight-interception, Pro Bowl season in 1996.

        Bengals coach Dick LeBeau, a former NFL cornerback for the Lions, said he likes Buchanon's quickness and skill as a punt returner. But LeBeau wouldn't commit to any one player.

        “Fortunately, some of those choices will be made for us,” he said. “But you have to decide. The thing I would say that is making this exciting for me is you can go deeper than 14 or 15 guys — at least down through our spot — there are some pretty dang good players, and we're going to get one.”

        Buchanon is considered the best overall athlete in the draft.

        He was an outfielder in baseball and attracted the interest of the the Reds when he played at Lehigh High School in Fort Myers, Fla., where he lettered in football, baseball, basketball and track.

        He's 5feet10, 183 pounds and has excellent quickness and speed. He was a sprinter on Miami's track team and has run a 4.31 in the 40-yard dash. He also has a 37-inch vertical jump.

        There are some concerns about Buchanon's size, but he isn't worried about big NFL wide receivers.

        “Just study film and try to pick on their weaknesses,” Buchanon said of his defensive strategy. “There's some bigger receivers, some guys are strong ones, but I feel like I know I'm going to be able to hold my ground.”

        And, he said, he'll tackle.

        “I'm not a hitter, but I'll get them on the ground, I'll tell you that,” said Buchanon, 21, who declared for the draft after his junior season at Miami.

        He had 88 tackles, including 62 solos, in 32 games for the Hurricanes. He never was beaten for a touchdown pass, and he had seven interceptions, including two he returned for touchdowns.

        As a punt returner, he averaged 16.7 yards.

        “I feel like I'm one of the best athletes to come out of Florida,” he said. “But that's just my opinion.”

        Athletic talent runs in his bloodline. Buchanon is the cousin of Tennessee Titans defensive end Jevon Kearse.

        Buchanon reminds Bengals president Mike Brown of former Bengals cornerback-punt returner Lemar Parrish (1970-77).

        As for Shockey, he reminds scouts of Baltimore Ravens tight end Todd Heap.

        Shockey had 40 receptions, a 13-yard average and seven touchdowns last season. He can catch the ball in the middle of the field and is an outstanding route runner.

        “I try to make plays any time my number is called,” he said. “You've just got to win your route. Every time I try to catch it, I try to get a lot of extra yardage. Don't let anybody bring you down.”

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