Robert Geathers

Geathers will start at left defensive end for the Bengals, where he will look to improve Cincinnati's lackluster sack total of 25 last year, which ranked in the bottom five in the league.

Geathers is recovering from offseason microfracture surgery after a disappointing 2008 campaign. He's listed first on the depth chart at left defensive end after splitting time between the line and linebacker the last two years. The Bengals need a resurgence from Geathers to boost their woeful pass rush.

With Justin Smith having departed for San Francisco, Geathers will team with Antwan Odom as the Bengals' starting defensive ends, though the Bengals may also utilize a 3-4 scheme at times, during which they'd place Geathers at outside linebacker. He compiled 10.5 sacks two seasons ago but just 3.5 in 2007 and should be closer to his 2006 total this year.

The upside bet on Geathers hinges on whether he can play more against the run. Consider him Robert Mathis in the years before Mathis became an every down end. Geathers is 6-3, 265, so he's undersized, and everything that goes with that: He finds his success on the move using speed and dexterity to get quarterbacks and other ball carriers. If he can improve his recognition and technique, he'll start pushing Bryan Robinson to the sidelines more. He's already shown great improvement, turning in 42 total tackles in 2006 after 33 in 2005. Consider that Dwight Freeney has never totaled as many tackles as Geathers did last season, and you have to consider Geathers on draft day.

Rush defensive-end for the Bengals. May be a situational rusher as opposed to a starter this season, but has a chance to lead the team in sacks.

Starting right defensive end, should be a big part of the Bengals defense in his second year. Will be counted on to generate sacks from the rush end position.

A fourth-round pick in the 2004 draft, Geathers is raw but could be counted upon to help out in the defensive end rotation.