Cincinnati Enquirer beat writer Joe Reedy checks in with DA to discuss the Bengals and their outlook for the draft and the 2011 NFL season. Cincinnati owns the fourth overall pick after finishing 4-12 in 2010.

OFFENSE

Total Yards 20^th (330.6)

Rushing Yards 27^th (95.1)

Passing Yards 13^th (235.4)

Points Scored 22^nd (20.1)

DEFENSE

Total Yards 15^th (332.0)

Rushing Yards 19^th (115.2)

Passing Yards 14^th (216.8)

Points Allowed 24^th (24.7)

Interceptions T-14^th (16)

Sacks T-27^th (27)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Passing Yards Carson Palmer (3,970)

Rushing Yards Cedric Benson (1,111)

Receiving Yards Terrell Owens (983)

Sacks Carlos Dunlap (10)

Interceptions Leon Hall (4)

Tackles Dhani Jones (125)

5-YEAR DRAFT HISTORY – FIRST ROUND PICKS

2010 Jermaine Gresham, TE (2010 stats: 52 rec., 471 yds., 4 TD)

2009 Andre Smith, OT (2010 stats: Placed on IR after 7 games)

2008 Keith Rivers, LB (2010 stats: 77 tackles, 1 sack)

2007 Leon Hall, CB (2010 stats: Team-leading 4 INT)

2006 Jonathan Joseph, CB (2010 stats: 42 tackles, 3 INT)

DA: What area do you feel the Bengals need to address most in this year's draft, and are there any specific names that have been mentioned as possible fits?

JR: Wide receiver, defensive line, and possibly cornerback if Joseph leaves. There's safety and offensive line too. In terms of receiver, A.J. Green would be the best fit since the Bengals need to develop a No. 1 receiver and Chad Ochocinco is in the last year of his contract.

DA: The Bengals have had success with their recent first-round picks (Rivers, Joseph, Hall, Gresham). Would you say Marvin Lewis' philosophy is more draft-for-need, or best-talent-available?

JR: There's always the debate of whose pick or whose move it is -- Marvin or [owner] Mike Brown. I think the last two drafts have been solid and the '08 draft is starting to show some promise.

DA: Do yo expect the Bengals to be big players in free agency to help improve the team?

JR: They need to re-sign Joseph and Benson. If not they need to go out and get a veteran RB along with help on the line and safety.

DA: How crucial is fixing the pass rush?

JR: They need to figure out what they want to do with Michael Johnson and release either Antwan Odom or Robert Geathers while possibly adding one or two more [defensive lineman] in the draft.

DA: Could 2011 be Carson Palmer's last hurrah in Cincinnati? And could the Bengals already be thinking about drafting a QB, perhaps in the mid-to-late rounds, this year?

JR: [Both are] possible based on the contract.