By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Bengals had one of the NFL's worst run defenses last season, finishing tied for 25th at 138.6 yards a game. They also finished No. 28 in total yards and points allowed.

The Bengals already made one move to bolster the rush defense, signing free agent middle linebacker Nate Webster from Tampa Bay.

The Bengals also are expected to sign Denver defensive tackle Daryl Gardener to a four-year contract worth $9.3 million once the Broncos release him on June 1.

NFL draft coverage this week in the Enquirer

Thursday: The Bengals might look for center Rich Braham's replacement, and depth across the offensive line. Friday: Dennis Weathersby's injury in a car accident puts the Bengals back in the market for a cornerback. Saturday: A linebacker? And the Enquirer's annual mock draft of the first round from Bengals beat writer Mark Curnutte. Sunday and Monday: Live coverage of the draft with updates on Cincinnati.Com.

Still, the Bengals might be looking for another defensive tackle in the NFL draft this weekend. They released veteran Oliver Gibson, who later signed with Buffalo, and apparently have no intention of re-signing unrestricted free agent Glen Steele.

The Bengals could draft anywhere on defense, coach Marvin Lewis said this week.

And while Lewis insists that run defense is played with 11 defenders, not just the front seven, his Super Bowl defense in Baltimore didn't reach historic proportions until the Ravens invested in run-stopping tackles.

There are three tackles expected to go in the first round. At least one of them - Maryland's Randy Starks - should be available when the Bengals pick at No. 24.

Starks has the versatility to play tackle or end, a trait Lewis likes. Starks, entering the draft after his junior seasons, admitted he didn't apply himself fully on every play as a sophomore but righted that wrong in 2003.

"I knew I had to change," the 313-pound Starks said. "I had to show maturity my junior year. I know how to play a lot more plays. That's another thing I had to do. I worked on my conditioning so I didn't have to take plays off. I could go hard every play."

His extra effort paid off with 68 tackles - 15.5 for loss - and 7.5 sacks in 2003 for the Terps.

"Most of my career, I've been more of a run stopper," said Starks, who likes playing over the ball as a nose tackle. "I picked it up more my junior year as a pass rusher."

Starks stands behind Oklahoma's Tommie Harris and Miami's Vince Wilfork in what is a weaker class of defensive tackles. Six went in the first round last year, and no more than three are expected to be among the first 32 picks this year.

But if the Bengals draft a cornerback, possibly Ohio State's Chris Gamble, in the first round, they have two mid-second round picks to take a tackle. There could be some solid players there who could work as a fourth tackle in the rotation behind John Thornton, Tony Williams and Gardener.

The Bengals, picking at Nos. 49 and 56, could have their choice of Oregon State's Dwan Edwards, UCLA's Rodney Leisle, LSU's Chad Lavalais or Ohio State's Tim Anderson. Edwards has the attributes Lewis likes in players. Scouts say Edwards has a "non-stop motor," is intelligent and uses his hands well.

Lavalais would provide pass-rushing ability from the tackle position. Tackle might not be a priority because of the expected Gardener deal, and Lewis has said he wants to see second-year tackle Langston Moore competing for playing time.

Lewis also has hinted that the team might be shopping for a defensive end.

A look at the top five defensive tackles available in the NFL draft

Player	Ht-Wt	College	2003 Stats	Comment
1. Tommie Harris	6-2, 295	Oklahoma	Five sacks, 10 tackles for loss	Great first step and instincts against the run
2. Vince Wilfork	6-1, 323	Miami (Fla.)	37.5 tackles for loss over three collegiate seasons	Quick for a player of his size, but has trouble controlling weight
3. Marcus Tubbs	6-4, 321	Texas	77 tackles and five sacks in '03	Not dominant until 2003 because of lack of earlier effort
4. Randy Starks	6-3, 313	Maryland	7.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss	Potential to be excellent pass rusher with speed and leaping ability
5. Darnell Dockett	6-3, 295	Florida State	16.5 tackles for loss	Questions about character abound

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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