By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis says he is pleased with the linebackers at the Senior Bowl and that the draft should be deep at that spot. (Mike Kittrell/The Associated Press)

MOBILE, Ala. - The Bengals have not drafted a linebacker earlier than the fifth round since 1998 - when they invested their two first-round picks in Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons.

Look for that trend to change in April.

With linebacker one of the team's stated needs, the Bengals are likely to take one on the first day - possibly with their No.17 pick in the first round - from what is the best draft-eligible group of linebackers in many years. The Bengals linebackers contributed to a rush defense that was ranked 28th (138.6 yards a game).

In their final four games, in which the Bengals were 1-3 and fell from playoff contention, the defense allowed an average of 200.3 yards rushing.

"We were so up and down," Bengals defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said of his first-year defense. "There were some good things that happened, but the month of December really left a bad taste in our mouths."

Lewis, a former college linebacker and NFL linebackers coach, offered this assessment of the linebackers he'll have to choose from.

"I've been pleased, with this group down here, the linebackers," Lewis said from the Senior Bowl, where he and his staff are coaching the North team. "It's been an area I think in the draft the last two or three seasons that has not been as deep. And I would say this group is deeper. ... Linebacker is the one that impresses me most."

Said Frazier of the North linebackers: "They are a very, very good group, Demorrio (Williams), the other guys, Grant (Wiley), they all play fast, they all play physical. They're going to help whatever team they go to. We'd love to have them all."

Williams, a 219-pound linebacker from Nebraska, has had an impressive week of practice, NFL scouts say.

Wiley is a 229-pound linebacker from West Virginia.

With plans possibly to move last season's starter, Kevin Hardy, outside opposite Simmons, the Bengals' need is in the middle for a solid run-stopping linebacker.

The top-rated linebacker in the draft is D.J. Williams of Miami (Fla.). At 6 feet 11/4, 245 pounds, Williams was considered one of the best athletes on a team full of them. The former Hurricane has good speed, challenges the run well and is a heavy hitter. But some scouts consider Williams, who is not playing in the Senior Bowl, more of an outside linebacker.

Next on the list is Auburn's Karlos Dansby, who, at 6-3, 231, needs to add strength to shed blockers, according to some scouts.

Lewis' North team features several first-day draft prospects at linebacker - among them Notre Dame middle linebacker Courtney Watson. At 6-1, 242, Watson is known for stopping the run well, but is just average in pass coverage.

Another top prospect playing for the North is Oklahoma's Teddy Lehman. Considered one of the biggest playmakers on the Sooners defense, Lehman will challenge the run but can be pushed around at times. He is exceptionally fast, but reports of his weight vary widely, between 225 and 240 pounds.

Asked if he has seen some potential run-stoppers in Mobile, Lewis said: "Playing within the schematics of somebody's defense, they'll probably fit in pretty good. It takes a (middle linebacker) working with 10 guys to stop the run."

Characteristics of a good run-stopper are, Lewis said, "a guy who bends his knees and sheds blocks if he gets a block on him."

The Bengals linemen didn't do a good enough job containing offensive linemen, who were able to consistently put blocks on the linebackers.

The core of the defense is in place, Lewis and Frazier said, and the unit should be more effective in its second season together. Five defensive starters - linemen John Thornton and Duane Clemons, Hardy, cornerback Tory James and strong safety Rogers Beckett - were first-year Bengals in 2003.

"We have a group of good players and good people, but we definitely need to add some new people," said Frazier.

Outside linebacker Adrian Ross, who started 12 games before suffering a serious knee ligament injury at St. Louis, could be let go once he heals. Lewis also said he wants to see what Khalid Abdullah and Frank Chamberlin, picked up off waivers from Tennessee, can do in the defense.

There aren't many known run-stopping middle linebackers available as unrestricted free agents. The best is Denver's Al Wilson. Carolina's Lester Towns would likely be available.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com