Pollack was a three-time All-American linebacker and a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year at Georgia before the Bengals picked him 17th overall in the 2005 NFL Draft. Pollack had 4.5 sacks, 6 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery as a rookie in 2005, helping the Bengals win their first division title in 15 years.

Across 50 mock drafts, 14 different players were projected to go to the Bengals with the 17th pick of the first round.