Second round pick is Kenny Irons, RB, Auburn

The Bengals drafted another Auburn running back, Kenny Irons, who rushed for 893 yards and four touchdowns in 2006. There are durability concerns for the 5-10 1/2, 203-pound tailback.

"It gives us a chance not knowing Chris's situation," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said in reference to Chris Perry. The former first-round running back is not expected to be ready for the start of training camp because of a serious ankle and fibula injury.

Asked why the Bengals didn't make a trade -- 13 trades were made through the first 48 picks; the Bengals picked Irons at No. 49 -- Lewis said, "We didn't have the firepower to do that without a third-round pick."

The Bengals didn't have a third-round pick because they used it in the supplemental draft in July on linebacker Ahmad Brooks.

Bengals running backs coach Jim Anderson said Irons reminds him of another Auburn running back, James Brooks. "In this league today, you need more than one back," Anderson said. "We think we made an excellent pick."

Anderson said Irons has some of the same qualities as Perry -- he can make people miss in the open field, catch the ball and run in traffic through arm tackles.

Said offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski, "You look at this as another weapon. He gives us a change of style at running back. We hopefully can improve our long runs, 15- and 20-yard runs."