With 24th Pick, Cincinnati Bengals Select

Apr 26, 2013; New York, NY, USA; NFL former player Kevin Faulk (left) announces the fifty-second overall pick to the New England Patriots with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (right) during the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

CINCINNATI- Since Marvin Lewis took the Bengals coaching job, he has a winning career record (90-85-1), but his playoff record is another question (0-5). So what will it take for Cincinnati to get over the hump? A change at quarterback? A revamped secondary? Maybe all of the above, but a positive return on this year’s draft class is a good place to start.

The Bengals are forced to fill several holes this offseason, losing DE Michael Johnson, OT Anthony Collins, LB James Harrison and G/C Kyle Cook. But the biggest loss might be former defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who is now head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

With the 24th pick in the first round, Cincinnati won’t be locked into one position, but cornerback seems to be the favorite, especially if CB Darqueze Dennard out of Michigan State or TCU CB Jason Verrett is still on the board. But there might be some intrigue if a quarterback prospect like Teddy Bridgewater out of Louisville or Derek Carr of Fresno State is still available. Could the Bengals possibly bite?

It’s no secret Andy Dalton, who is entering a contract year, has had his share of high ups and low downs. Enough that the Bengals might invest a high pick in a quarterback if the opportunity presents itself? Maybe. But just the fact that the question needs to be asked should be evidence of the inconsistencies at quarterback.

Cincinnati Bengals’ 2014 draft picks: 24, 55, 88, 123, 164, 199, 212, 239, 252

Primary Needs: CB, DE, OL, SS, SLB

Alright here we go, with the 24th pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select…. Cornerback Jason Verret out of TCU.

The Bengals have question marks at cornerback with Leon Hall returning from injury, Adam Jones on the decline and the enigma known as Dre Kirkpatrick so there is a good chance of Cincinnati’s first pick being a corner. The Bengals have spent a considerable amount of time doing their homework on several first-round prospects at the position, especially Verrett. Cincinnati coaches put the TCU corner through his positional drills at his pro day and he also recently visited the organization. Verrett isn’t the biggest and recently had shoulder surgery, but his speed, reaction quickness and ballhawking skills translate well to the next level.