HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Anthony Rice spends a lot of time studying college football players and analyzing the needs of NFL teams.

He also spends some time corresponding with some teams, including his favorite team the Cincinnati Bengals.

Rice — a former Ironton athlete and son of retired basketball coach Phil Rice — has corresponded with Bengals owner and general manager Mike Brown in recent years about the NFL draft and the team’s needs.

There is talk, but not much more. At least not for now.

“I’ve gotten some responses. I got one just three weeks ago from Brown. It’s in his handwriting, so he is at least listening,” said Rice.

“He always thanks me for my interest. Last year he asked my for my analysis after the draft to see how the picks went. He said a lot of their options are limited by cap room and competition for a player.”

Last year, Rice said the choice of linebacker Keith Rivers was good, but he said he “scolded them” for the second day. He recommended wide receiver DeSean Jackson of California.

The Bengals picked Jerome Simpson of Coastal Carolina.

“Jackson was more of a project. Jackson was the real deal.He was a wide receiver, kick returner and punt returner. He was taken by the Eagles and was on the all-rookie team,” said Rice.

The Bengals have been one of the three worst professional franchises over the past 20 years including the worst in the NFL. They have 10 selections including the sixth pick in the first round.

“I think what they’ll do is go offensive tackle. They’ll draft a center awfully high, probably in the second round,” said Rice. “They also need a pass rusher, but they’ve already spent a lot of money on defensive linement.”

Rice said offensive linemen Jason Smith, Eugene Monroe and Michael Oher are the top players. If they don’t take a tackle in the first round, he thinks there will be good choices in the second round such as Williams Beatty, Jamon Meredith and Evan Britton.

“I really like South Carolina’s Jamon Meredith. He has played right guard, left guard, right tackle and left tackle. They would have some versatility and they can get him in the second or third round,” said Rice.

The top centers on the board are Eric Wood, Alex Mack and Max Unger.

“They may want to add depth at linebacker and corner on day two,” said Rice.

A backup quarterback for Carson Palmer is needed although the Bengals did sign free agent J.T. O’Sullivan.

“That’s not the move I would have gone with. I’m hoping in fourth or fifth round they’ll go with Curtis Painter of Purdue. He was a potential high pick when he was younger. Kyle Orton and Drew Brees are both in the NFL. With his stock dropping, he’d be a worthy pick. He’s not going to be a starter,” said Rice.

In the fourth round, Rice would like to see the Bengals go for a running back. He said the best choices would be Jeremiah Johnson and Devon Moore.

“I recommend Johnson and I like Devon Moore. No one talks about Wyoming and he has 4.4 speed,” said Rice.

“They need a punt returner. Darius Passmore is the only guy from Marshall that might be picked. He has great speed, but his hands are questionable. The other rounds are just as important as the first round.”