SPORTS

Meet the 2015 Bengals draft class

Paul Dehner Jr., Jim Owczarski, and Kareem Elgazzar

Cincinnati

Three days, nine selections, infinite expectations. The newest crop of Cincinnati Bengals have been drafted and will now enter the fold in a drive toward the open of training camp in late July.

The Bengals will host them all, plus the team's undrafted free agents for rookie minicamp May 8-10.

In the immediate wake of the the draft, here's a closer look at each member of the class through the analysis, features, photos and videos churned out by beat writers Paul Dehner Jr., Jim Owczarski and visual journalist Kareem Elgazzar over the three-day blur at Paul Brown Stadium.

ROUND 1, 21 OVERALL: OL CEDRIC OBGUEHI, TEXAS A&M

Body: 6-5, 306

Basics: Projected as a top-10 pick before tearing his ACL in the Liberty Bowl. Third straight A&M tackle selected in the first round in as many years.

ROUND 2, 53 OVERALL: OL JAKE FISHER, OREGON

Body: 6-6, 306

Basics: Was in the mix for the Bengals first-round selection, a favorite of offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. Long-term spot at tackle, but can play inside positions immediately.

ROUND 3a, 85 OVERALL: TE TYLER KROFT, RUTGERS

Body: 6-5, 246

Basics: Expected to compete for tight end role opposite Tyler Eifert. Friends with Bengals wide receiver Mohamed Sanu since the two played together at Rutgers.

Former Rutgers players now Bengals, Tyler Kroft,, left, who was drafted in the third round by the team, and wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, talk in the locker room after Kroft was introduced, Saturday, May 2, 2015, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Enquirer/Kareem Elgazzar

ROUND 3b, 99 OVERALL: LB PAUL DAWSON, TCU

Body: 6-0, 235

Basics: Instinctive, confident, productive middle linebacker who dropped to late in the third round partially due to running slow at the combine.

ROUND 4a, 120 OVERALL: DB JOSH SHAW, USC

Body: 6-0, 201

Basics: Suspended first 10 games his senior year for lying about an off-field issue that went viral nationally, but a nice fit for the Bengals as press corner who could move and play safety. Excellent special teams gunner.

ROUND 4b, 135 OVERALL: DL MARCUS HARDISON, ARIZONA STATE

Body: 6-3, 307

Basics: Will be asked to play defensive tackle in the 3-technique on the Bengals line, but has versatility to move outside if necessary. Ran one of the fastest 40s at the combine pound-for-pound, going at 4.88.

ROUND 5, 157 OVERALL: TE C.J. UZOMAH, AUBURN

Body: 6-6, 262

Basics: Raw prospect with all the physical skills to play the tight end position but will be a project in need of teaching intricacies of the position.

ROUND 6, 197 OVERALL: S DERRON SMITH, FRESNO STATE

Body: 5-10, 200

Basics: Four-year starter at Fresno who finished with 15 interceptions and one of the most productive safeties in school history. Underwent sports hernia surgery at the end of last season.

ROUND 7, 238 OVERALL: WR MARIO ALFORD, WEST VIRGINIA

Body: 5-8, 180

Basics: Speed. Speed. Speed. Alford ran a 4.2 40-yard dash at his pro day and excels as a returner. The only player in the country last year to score a touchdown on a rush, reception, punt return and kick return.