NFL.com’s Eric Edholm recently posted an article on the best draft value for interior defensive linemen selected this century. If you are like me, one name instantly popped into your head, and fortunately, I was not disappointed.
Coming in second on the list was the Cincinnati Bengals’ own Geno Atkins.
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The Bengals selected Atkins in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft using the 120th overall selection to do it. The former Georgia Bulldogs standout had 11 sacks in his four-year college career, with most of them coming in his sophomore season.
In 11 NFL seasons, he posted 75.5 sacks, which is third in Bengals history behind only Eddie Edwards and Atkins’s long-time rushing-mate Carlos Dunlap.
Atkins was a constant force as an interior pass rusher the likes of which the Bengals had not seen before and unfortunately have not seen since. In addition to his sack numbers, the 6-foot-1, 293 Atkins also had 383 tackles, forced eight fumbles, and knocked down six passes.
Atkins earned the respect of fans and his peers. He was selected to eight Pro Bowls and named All-Pro five times. Unbelievably, on the other end of his first career sack was on Joe Flacco, who appears to be the front-runner to start for the Browns this season.
As a late pick, it was an uphill climb for Atkins. The Bengals had a very talented defensive interior that included Domata Peko, Jonathan Fanene, Tank Johnson, and Pat Sims.
Atkins became a starter in his second season with the Bengals and had a career high 12.5 sacks in his third season with the club. That year, he also had the most tackles (54) and tackles for a loss (17) of his career,
First on the list was Aaron Donald of the Rams, the 13th overall selection by the Rams in 2014. After Atkins, in the top five were Chiefs 2016 second-round selection Chris Jones, Steelers 2011 first-round pick Cameron Heyward, and Buffalo Bills 2006 fifth-round selection Kyle Williams.
