Here's what some of the draft analysts from around the web are saying about the Bengals draft:

Elliot Harrison, NFL.com
This is clearly a football team on the rise. The Bengals, who already had Jermaine Gresham on the roster, can now play two tight ends with a vengeance following the addition of first-round pick Tyler Eifert. Then the Bengals came back in the second round and grabbed a heckuva complement to BenJarvus Green-Ellis in Giovani Bernard, who averaged 6.7 yards per carry on 184 rushes last season at North Carolina. Fellow second-round pick Margus Hunt, meanwhile, will be worked into the rotation on the defensive line with Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins and Michael Johnson ... as well as 2012 draftees Brandon Thompson and Devon Still.

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
Welcome to the Jungle, where the Bengals have buried their bungling, and done it with offense. See Notre Dame mismatch-creating tight end Tyler Eifert and North Carolina speed back Giovani Bernard. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green got it going in '11, and Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones were good follow-ups in '12. Eifert and Bernard are great options for Dalton to further break out of his Green dependency. They also made their defensive strength stronger, as SMU's 6-8 Estonian end Margus Hunt fits right in with their pass rush. Georgia's Shawn Williams fills free safety.

Andrea Hangst, Bleacher Report
In the spirit of teams taking the best player available in Round 1, the Bengals took top tight end Tyler Eifert, adding a major weapon to allow quarterback Andy Dalton to take a big third-year leap. In the second round, need and talent were met when the Bengals got running back Giovani Bernard, the exact type of back they needed to pair with BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com
A year ago, I thought the Bengals had one of the NFL's top drafts and they started strong again this year with the interesting selection of Tyler Eifert, a terrific pass-catcher who'll complement A.J. Green and Andy Dalton's talent in the short to intermediate passing attack. The Bengals had been long rumored to like Giovani Bernard as a complement to Benjarvus Green-Ellis. They wasted no time in showing it, making the multi-purpose Tar Heel the first running back drafted in 2013. The Bengals re-stock the defensive line each year, and the 6-foot-8, 277-pound Margus Hunt has the athleticism to prove a steal -- just like Michael Johnson, Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins as non-first-round picks for the Bengals.

FOXSports.com's Alex Marvez, Peter Schrager and Laura Okmin on Cincinnati's 2013 NFL Draft class...

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The Bengals re-signed OT Andre Smith as an unrestricted free agent just prior to the beginning of the second round of the NFL Draft on Friday night.

Smith (6-4, 335; Alabama) is a fifth-year NFL player in 2013. He has played his full career with the Bengals, after being drafted by Cincinnati as the sixth overall pick in round one in 2009. He has been the team’s starting ROT since October 2010. He played and started 14 games in 2011, and last season he started every game.

“We’re excited to have gotten this important deal done this afternoon,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. “Andre is a fine player who has matured tremendously during his time with us, and completing this now enhances what we’ll be able to do to best improve our team these last two days of the draft.”

Smith’s power blocking last season helped HB BenJarvus Green-Ellis lead the NFL in third-down-and-one rushing conversions (14), with Green-Ellis failing to convert only once. Smith helped the Bengals average 168.2 rushing yards during Games 10-14, as they closed on a Wild Card playoff spot, and Green-Ellis topped 100 yards in four of those five contests.

“The last two years here have been tremendous, going to the playoffs both years, and it was time for me to make the decision to be back,” Smith said of today’s signing. “I think I’ve fully bought into what Coach Lewis wanted me to do, doing all the little things that make a great pro, and I’ve never enjoyed football more.”

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Looking back at Marvin Lewis' drafts (Rounds 1-3)...

2003
1. Carson Palmer - franchise QB lived up to can't-miss tag before a pair of serious injuries
2. Eric Steinbach - fled to Cleveland via free-agency and proceeded to make Pro Bowl
3. Kelley Washington - team let him walk; signed w/NE and then where he became role player

2004
1. Chris Perry - managed 73 carries in 3 years for 3.3 ypc...no longer in league
2. Keiwan Ratliff - cut by Bengals and Bucs, found way to Colts' roster
2. Madieu Williams - signed in the 2008 off-season by Minnesota and been injury riddled.
3. Caleb Miller - currently out of the game, never was much of a factor
3. Landon Johnson - left for Carolina via free-agency prior to 2008

2005
1. David Pollack - career-ending neck injury right when he was ready to break out
2. Odell Thurman - has been suspsended by NFL after rookie year and never was factor again
3. Chris Henry - roller-coaster career w/much trouble with the law; died in fall from truck.

2006
1. Johnathan Joseph - proved to be lock-down defender before leaving in free agency
2. Andrew Whitworth - has been versatile, but not overwhelming; capable NFL starter
3. Frostee Rucker - developed into nice role player, but left via free agency.

2007
1. Leon Hall - has emerged as an above average corner with even more upside to grow
2. Kenny Irons - injury forced released w/out him ever playing a down

2008
1. Keith Rivers - never developed fully and was dealt to Giants for 5th Round pick
2. Jereome Simpson - signed 1-year deal w/Vikings after up-and-down 2011 campaign
3. Pat Sims - looks as if he can develop into being productive role player
3. Andre Caldwell - he's a possession receiver at best; signed by Denver before 2012 season

2009
1. Andre Smith - after a couple of disappointing seasons, he started to emerge in 2012
2. Rey Maualuga - could prove to be the biggest draft day steals in Bengals' history
3. Michael Johnson - a raw talent that is beginning to be tapped into; immense upside
3. Chase Coffman - failure to learn playbook and inability to block made him disposable 

2010
1. Jermaine Gresham - the team is hoping to pencil in him at tight end for years to come
2. Carlos Dunlap - after an explosive rookie campaign, injuries have slowed his production
3. Jordan Shipley - promising rookie injury before having an ACL injury derail his career

2011
1. AJ Green - has emerged as one of the league's elite wide receivers, two-time Pro Bowler
2. Andy Dalton - has led the Bengals to back-to-back playoff appearences.
3. Dontay Moch - broke a bone in his right foot during preseason and never got on track

2012
1. Dre Kirpatrick – the corner was limited to just five games as a rookie
1. Kevin Zeitler – hopes to go from role player to difference maker up front
2. Devon Still – a non-factor during his rookie campaign; jury still out
3. Mohamed Sanu – showed great promise before suffering season-ending injury
3. Brandon Thompson – Limited to just three games as a rookie in 2012

COMPLETE BENGALS DRAFT HISTORY

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With more cap space than any other team the Cincinnati Bengals did not get involved in bidding on some of the most highly coveted free agents this offeason. However, the team is now sorting through the scrap heap in hopes of finding the types of bargain values that owner Mike Brown covets.

The team followed suit with that on Friday, agreeing to a two-year deal (terms undisclosed) with former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison.

Harrison turns 35 in May, but will no doubt bring attitude to the team’s defense and winning playoff experience, something the Bengals desperately lack. Still he’s four seasons removed from his 2008 Defensive Player of the Year award and missed three games last season and played hurt in many more.

The Bengals had a void on the outside at linebacker after Manny Lawson fled via free agency and head coach Marvin Lewis indicated that the team would sign either Harrison or fellow free agent Karlos Dansby, who five years younger, before the draft.

Let’s just hope that Harrison’s signing doesn’t turn out like the Sam Adams one the team made a few years back. Adams was also well past his prime and proved to be a non-factor.

If nothing else it will make for more interesting matchups against the Steelers, who the Bengals face twice in Prime Time this coming season.

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The 2013 NFL regular season was released on Thursday night. For hopeless losers like me that cannot wait until the kickoff of the coming season, it is a reason to talk football. Here is a quick look at what the Bengals have on tap for the upcoming season.

BENGALS SHCEDULE
Sun, Sept 8 – at Chicago – 1:00 PM
Mon, Sept 16 – PITTSBURGH – 8:40 PM
Sun, Sept 22 – GREEN BAY – 1:00 PM
Sun, Sept 29 – at Cleveland – 1:00 PM
Sun, Oct 6 – NEW ENGLAND – 1:00 PM
Sun, Oct 13 – at Buffalo – 1:00 PM
Sun, Oct 20 – at Detroit – 1:00 PM
Sun, Oct 27 – NY JETS – 4:05 PM
Thu, Oct 31 – at Miami – 8:25 PM
Sun, Nov 10 – at Baltimore – 1:00 PM
Sun, Nov 17 – CLEVELAND – 1:00 PM
Sun, Nov 24 – BYE WEEK
Sun, Dec 1 – at San Diego – 4:25 PM
Sun, Dec 8 – INDIANAPOLIS – 1:00 PM
Sun, Dec 15 – at Pittsburgh – 8:30 PM
Sun, Dec 22 – MINNESOTA – 1:00 PM
Sun, Dec 29 – BALTIMORE – 1:00 PM

My Take: Five of the Bengals eight home games come against teams that played in the postseason a year ago. The home opener against the rival Steelers on Monday Night Football will be matched by a late-season trip to Heinz Field for a Sunday night game in the team’s final road game of the season.  The road slate is not as tough and includes a Thursday Night Halloween matchup with Dolphins. The team will have to endure a stretch midseason in which they are on the road four times in five weeks. However, they will be rewarded with three of their last four games at Paul Brown Stadium. For the fourth straight season the Bengals wrap up against the Ravens. My favorite part of the schedule is the rare Week 12 bye. That is as late of a bye week the team has ever had in the Marvin Lewis era.

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We are still about two weeks away from the 2013 NFL Draft and it's crunch time for many to start looking at mock drafts. Here is what some of the websites around the web have the Bengals doing with their first-round pick, 21st overall:

WalterFootball.com - Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas

NFL.com (Gil Brandt) - Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State

CBSSports.com (Rob Rang) - D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama

USAToday.com - Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri

FOXSports.com - Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas

FootballsFuture.com - Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia

DraftSite.com - DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama

NationalFootballPost.com - DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama

DraftKings.com - Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas

DraftCountdown.com - Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia

FFToolbox.com - Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame

NFLDraftDog.com - Sam Montgomery, LB, LSU

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If I were the Bengals GM, instead of sitting back and watching things unfold, and letting the market determine things, I become aggressive, knowing that I’ve got a young offense with glaring holes, and a young, hungry defense on the cusp of greatness. Plus, with the AFC North becoming weaker with the demise of the Steelers and the Super Bowl champs losing a lot already, now is the time. It’s a make or break year for the Bengals, that can determine long-term success, or one-year wonder status for the franchise. It’s that important for this team. With that said, if I’m GM, here’s what I do (assuming I can convince Mike Brown to blow the dust off his wallet and allow it to happen):

SAFETY
Make a run at Ed Reed or Dashon Goldson. Sign one of them, with Reed to a short-term contract and Goldson to a long-term deal. This would give the Bengals the best defensive backfield in football then, and open up the blitz-schemes for Mike Zimmer’s defense.

WIDE RECEIVER
On the offensive side, the Bengals must find a WR free agent to help expand the offense, but who fits Jay Gruden’s West Coast offense, and take pressure off AJ Green. Anquan Boldin would’ve been the exact match, but the Bengals sat on their hands, and should’ve offered up a 5th rounder to trump the Niners deal. Without Boldin, the two names that fit are Julian Edelman or Danario Alexander. Either of these WRs would make nice #2 receivers and extra targets for a young, developing offense. If they swing and miss on these two, could Jerome Simpson be a fall back option? Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

LINEBACKER
The last player to grab is perhaps the most important. And that’s James Harrison. Adding a proven leader, from a division rival, with Super Bowl rings and a veteran toughness, would help the young defense, at a position of weakness. Harrison could help Burfict, Johnson, and the rest of the defense become the hard-working, tough players they need to become. Plus, stealing a key player from the hated Steelers helps further. And with that, I’d let Rey Maualuga walk. He’s too inconsistent and not athletic enough to play in this scheme. But, if they do resign him, make sure Harrison is there as an example of how to be a professional linebacker.

SHORE UP THE STRIPES
The rest of free agency should be used to lock up key Bengals who are going to hit the market like Andre Smith (pivotal), Adam Jones, and Terrence Newman. Whatever non-rookie money that remains goes to long-term negotiated deals with Geno Atkins, Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap (in that order).

Follow Jimmy Dinsmore, the Fantasy Geek, on Twitter @fantasy_geek

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A year after a record 21 NFL teams used the franchise tag, only eight franchises pulled the trigger this year. Here's a look at each on what there salary cap figure will be following the designation:

Buffalo: S Jairus Byrd ($6,916,000)

Chicago: DT Henry Melton ($8,450,000)

Cincinnati: DE Michael Johnson ($11,175,000)

Dallas: LB Anthony Spencer (*$10,560,000)

Denver: OT Ryan Clady ($9,828,000)

Indianapolis: P Pat McAfee ($2,977,000)

Kansas City: OT Branden Albert ($9,828,000)

Miami: DT Randy Starks ($8,450,000)

*No player was designated as an exclusive franchise player or as a transition player. The linebacker tag is $9,619,000, but Spencer is guaranteed a 20 percent raise over his 2012 franchise player salary, which was $8.8 million.

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There’s no question that Cincinnati Bengals right tackle Andre Smith finally started to live up to his hype as a early first-round pick during his 2012 campaign. It helped his cause big time that he easily turned in his best season as a pro during a contract year. Now Smith is seeking to get paid top left tackle money. ProFootballTalk.com reports that the free agent offensive lineman is seeking $9 million per year.

The team opted to void the final two years of Smith’s 2009 rookie contract when they didn’t give him a $4.75 million option bonus after the 2011 season.  Now it’s looking like the Bengals are going to pay for that cost-cutting decision one way or the other.

Cincinnati opted to place their franchise tag on defensive Michael Johnson on Friday, meaning if they can’t strike a new, long-term deal with Smith they will likely lose him to free agency. Despite Smith not technically allowed to begin negotiating with other teams until March 9, the website reports that talks have already begun.

Smith made news earlier this offseason when he was arrested in the Atlanta airport for attempting to go through security with a loaded a gun.

The Bengals have the most cap space -- $54 million, roughly -- heading into free agency in less than two weeks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

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We are still about two months away from the 2013 NFL Draft, but it’s never too early to start looking at mock drafts. Here is what some of the websites around the web have the Bengals doing with their first-round pick, 21st overall:

WalterFootball.com - Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame

NFL.com (Gil Brandt) - Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU

CBSSports.com (Rob Rang) - Kevin Minter, LB, LSU

USAToday.com - Alex Okafor, DE, Texas

FOXSports.com - Alex Okafor, DE, Texas

FootballsFuture.com - Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia

DraftSite.com - DJ Fluker, OT, Alabama

NationalFootballPost.com - Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech

DraftKings.com - Kenny Vaccaro, SS, Texas

DraftCountdown.com - Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia

FFToolbox.com - Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame

NFLDraftDog.com - Sam Montgomery, LB, LSU

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