Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals center Russell Bodine (61) takes the field against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
It's draft season, Cincinnati Bengals fans, so what does the team do in the 2017 NFL Draft? The final 7-round mock draft tries to determine.
With the 2017 NFL Draft rapidly approaching, now feels like a great time to take stock of what may happen for this team there. This Cincinnati Bengals team has tons of weaknesses and deficiencies to fill. Luckily for them, they also are chock full of draft picks.
With 11 different selections across the seven rounds of this draft — many of which come in the top 10 of those rounds — they should hopefully be able to select a handful of immediate contributors and depth pieces who can help the team recover from an underwhelming 6-9-1 season and return to the playoffs for the sixth time in the past seven seasons.
The draft is especially important for this team. Not only are they a group which perennially ignores the free agency frenzy for improvement, but this is a drastically important season for them. As of now, their head coach Marvin Lewis is unsigned beyond the 2017 season. Lewis has been in retirement rumors for multiple years now too, so even if this team does well, they could find themselves under new leadership sometime in the near future.
Any way you break it down, bringing in quality talents which can build the depth of this team and possibly help take it to a new level are direly needed for the rapidly impending future of this group. With so much riding on this particular draft, I'm taking my own look at who the Bengals could decide to bring in.
Using Fanspeak's On The Clock mock draft simulator and NFL.com's NFL Draft Tracker and individual player profiles, I'm delving deep into this collection of incoming college players and determining who this team could select at each spot in the draft, along with the reasoning behind those picks. I'll also be providing an alternate selection for each spot as well, giving further insight and ideas as to what direction the Bengals could decide to go in with their picks.
Let's begin at the top.
Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive lineman Solomon Thomas participates in a workout drill during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Round 1, Pick 9: Solomon Thomas, DL – Stanford
The defensive line used to be the crux of success for the Cincinnati defense. According to Football Outsiders numbers, from 2011-13 the group found themselves in the top half of the league every season against both the run and the pass, including a top-five showing on each side at least once in that time. 2014 saw the group take a massive step down to one of the worst units across the NFL (27th against the run, 31st against the pass), and though they've improved since that down year, they managed to just be middling at best in 2015-16 and are showing signs of an inevitable further decline.
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They do have the combination of Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins still playing well, but those two are squarely in their late 20s now; beyond them, there is a sad collection of formerly-decent contributors (Michael Johnson), replacement-level talents (Will Clarke, Pat Sims), and a slew of limited/unproven young players. Of any position group on the team, an influx of high-end talent is most needed here. Luckily, this draft looks set to supply them with exactly what they need right away.
One of the likely scenarios for this draft could see a top defensive line talent fall right to the Bengals at No. 9. It won't be Myles Garrett, but either Jonathan Allen or Solomon Thomas would be an immediate boon to the talent of the Bengals' defensive line and give them three high-quality talents.
Both have minor supposed issues regarding their size and frame, but that wouldn't scare off the Bengals at all. They've seen the size issue be overblown on guys and grabbed them anyway in the past (Geno Atkins), and would gladly do so again if their overall talent makes it a worthwhile move.
If both are available, I believe Thomas would be the right pick.
Though he's considered a "tweener," he can play beyond his frame. He'll get stronger in the NFL too, further alleviating the few issues teams may have with him right now. Put him next to Atkins, and not only would he not have to be the guy worrying about double-teams, but the pairing could quickly become one of the more devastating inside duos in the league.
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) warms up before in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Alternative Selection: Jonathan Allen, DL – Alabama
Either Allen or Thomas would be a steal for the Bengals at this spot, and the team would have to be happy about either. Of the two, though, the more likely one to be around by the Bengals' pick seems to be Allen.
Though it is conceivable that just about any of the teams above them select him, there are plenty of needs for each of those rosters, and secondary players may get prioritized ahead of line talent. Those teams also could trade down to teams hoping for a quarterback, further pushing down these prospects.
The team to watch is Carolina. If both are there for them, it appears at least for now that Thomas would be their choice. He seems slightly more able to step inside and outside on a line, and could be seen as a potential long-term fit next to Kawann Short. Star Lotulelei did have his fifth-year option picked up, but he's had a couple down years. Even if he regains his 2013-14 form, he might be too expensive to keep at that point and could be moved on from after 2017.
The Bengals would gladly take Allen as a fallback. The gap between him and Thomas is miniscule (if it exists at all), and he has slight advantages in arm length and weight over him. He also seems more malleable in terms of where the team can use him since he could work as both inside and out.
Either way they go, getting one of these two would make the first day of the draft a success for the team.
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Temple Owls offensive lineman Dion Dawkins speaks to the media during the 2017 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Round 2, Pick 9: Dion Dawkins, OT – Temple
I'm not sure if you've noticed yet, but the Bengals offensive line has become an atrocious mess. The group quickly went from an underrated unit at the forefront of Cincinnati's offensive success to a pitiful group which let up 41 sacks last year. The situation has only gotten worse since the end of the year, with the two best players from the unit (left tackle Andrew Whitworth and right guard Kevin Zeitler) leaving for big money elsewhere.
With those players gone, we are looking at a lineup currently set to start Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher at the tackles and a completely unknown entity at Zeitler's abdicated guard spot. Suffice it to say, they have a dire need for some help. Good thing there should be some available.
Though this offensive line class has routinely been talked down, there are some decent prospects to be found if you look in the right place, and a couple of them should be right around this selection.
Of those players, Dawkins appears to be the smartest play for them. Though other players may be more accomplished, Dawkins brings to the table the possibility of playing just about any spot on the line. He was a tackle in college, and though he projects to be a more suitable guard in the pros he could possibly still work at either tackle position.
With both of those outer spots being so direly in need of improvement, and that guard position still a glaring hole, having one guy who might be able to potentially handle any one of those positions for the now and the future is a way to cover multiple bases in one move.
They probably should grab another player later on, or could possibly hold out hope that either Ogbuehi or Fisher takes a major step forward, but expecting that from both and leaving that guard hole unfilled is just asking for another year of Andy Dalton getting ground into the dirt.
Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Alternative Selection: Sidney Jones, CB – Washington
The Bengals are a team that likes to let young players sit back and learn. That holds especially true at the cornerback position, where they've spent high picks in the recent past before, but stayed patient with them and slowly worked them into the rotation (Dre Kirkpatrick is a prime example).
That makes selecting a player like Jones all the more the perfect move for them.
Before you get to his injury problems (something which could possibly keep him out all year; if not, he may still be a limited player as he fully recovers), a player at his position on this team likely wouldn't be playing much right away anyway.
Basically, this would effectively be a redshirt year for him with the Bengals no matter what his health situation was, and being able to grab someone who was highly regarded and expected to be high in the cornerback pecking order for this draft at this point would be a coup for Cincinnati.
While a move to improve their offensive line would fill an immediate need, picking up a corner takes care of the long-term view. Dre Kirkpatrick may be locked in for the next five seasons, but past him there are few long-term answers for the group.
Adam Jones has been on a steady decline for a couple seasons and should continue on that path; combined with his always-present off-field issues and the fact that the team can move on from him after this year (the contract runs through 2018, but next year is a team option), and his future may not reside in Cincinnati much longer. Josh Shaw has been just average in two seasons; meanwhile, Darqueze Dennard has been just plain bad.
Jones would definitely be a risk (Achilles tears have a sizable chance to severely damage a player's explosiveness for the rest of their careers), but with a non-first round pick in a draft where the team has 11 total picks at their disposal, it is the sort of risk worth taking.
Sep 10, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt (88) makes a reception for a touchdown in the second quarter against the UCF Knights at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Round 3, Pick 9: Jake Butt, TE – Michigan
The Bengals have one of the league's most dynamic starters at tight end right now in Tyler Eifert. It can be kind of hard to rely on having him in the lineup, however, and that has led to major problems for his team during his career.
In four seasons, he's missed 27 games, never making it through a full 16-game season even once yet. Injuries just seem to be a problem he may never get past, and the backup plan to him has never really been all that inspiring.
To start his career, he was paired with Jermaine Gresham from 2013-14. Gresham has athletic talents, but has never put it all together to be more than just another guy running routes. Since then, he's been backed up by Tyler Kroft and C.J. Uzomah, each of whom is even more limited in what they can offer at the position. Picking a tight end in this draft could help immensely with those issues.
There should be a litany of good players at that spot to delve through, and useful contributors could be found in practically every round. Of them, the best value for what this team could use could be sitting right here in the third round in Jake Butt.
Butt would give Andy Dalton help on multiple fronts. When Eifert is healthy, he'll be able to let the team work in two-TE sets more comfortably, acting as a dependable middle-of-the-field option on passing downs who can attack the areas cleared out by the threat of Eifert exploding for a deep gain. When Eifert inevitably misses time, Butt may not bring his dynamism, but he can still work as a strong safety blanket to keep the chains moving.
Unfortunately, as I mentioned with Jones before, an injury will be an issue for immediate impact from him; he tore his ACL in the Orange Bowl, and the recovery from that could lead to little usage in 2017.
The draft isn't only about one season, however. These players will spend multiple seasons under contract with the team that selects them, so even if his 2017 impact isn't much, he will have plenty of time to make plenty of positive contributions over the next few years. In the meantime, the Bengals could feel fine sticking with Uzomah and Kroft to back up Eifert, who the team will probably always have to cross their fingers for on the injury front regardless of what else they do.
I wouldn't feel that great about grabbing two players who may miss their first seasons within a team's top three selections, but getting one (and again, especially considering the total number of picks available for them in this draft as a whole) feels like a worthwhile short-term sacrifice to make.
Nov 19, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers guard Josh Boutte (76) and center Ethan Pocic (77) and quarterback Danny Etling (16) in action during the game against the Florida Gators at Tiger Stadium. The Gators defeat the Tigers 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Alternative Selection: Ethan Pocic, OL – LSU
In terms of the alternate selections, if Jones were selected that would mean the Bengals still have multiple offensive line spots to address. It would be good to grab multiple in the draft — including at least one in the first couple days — so grabbing one here seems like a decent fallback option.
The gist of what I said about Dawkins with the second round pick applies to Pocic. Though Dawkins is projected moreso as an outside player and Pocic inside, each has the ability to handle multiple spots. Pocic actually takes it to another level, spending time at each lineman position during his time in college.
Even if he does end up being focused towards the interior in the NFL, it isn't like the Bengals couldn't use an upgrade there as well. Zeitler's spot is up for grabs of course, but the other two spots aren't exactly helmed by stalwarts. Clint Boling has been a passably average guard for years but better options can be found. Russell Bodine managed a decent year at center in 2016.
Picking up Pocic could either be an instant choice to take Zeitler's spot, or be a good long-term fallback should Bodine or Boling take a step back. Bodine is also set to be a free agent after this year, so he could be drafted as his upcoming replacement too.
Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end DeMarcus Walker (44) during the second half at Camping World Stadium. Florida State Seminoles defeated the Mississippi Rebels 45-34. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Round 4, Pick 9: Demarcus Walker, DE – Florida State
In both the regular and alternative first-round selections I gave, we see the Bengals grab a defensive lineman. They shouldn't feel comfortable coming away with only one player for that unit from this draft, however, and adding a second to start the final day of the draft would be an effective use of their resources.
Whether they have Soloman Thomas or Jonathan Allen, a defensive end would make the most sense as the second defensive line selection.
Getting someone best suited to stay on the edge is a necessity. Carlos Dunlap should be fine as one starter, but Michael Johnson needs to be replaced or at least relegated to playing fewer snaps. The depth of the group has also taken a hit, with Margus Hunt leaving for Indianapolis in free agency and guys like Will Clarke and Wallace Gilberry being low-end backups at this point in their careers.
Walker does have a decent shot of being gone before now due in part to his noteworthy college production (25 sacks the past two years), but concerns with his inconsistent motor may make teams want to wait until later to grab him. They may also worry about the way those sacks came to fruition as well (as NFL.com's analysis says about them, many weren't exactly of the "early win" variety).
The worries of others could become Cincinnati's gain.
Though he may not project to be a game-changer, with players like Atkins and Dunlap garnering all the attention someone like Walker could have plenty of chances to get good matchups on the edge and "clean up."
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (9) makes a catch against Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Christian Campbell (1) during the second quarter of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Alternative Selection: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR – USC
It was clearly noticeable how much of a lesser offensive group Cincinnati had at their disposal in 2016 compared to past years. We can look at the fact that Hue Jackson was no longer at the helm all we want, but the seismic changes to Andy Dalton's receiving corps made a huge difference of its own.
Now, I don't think the team should have eagerly shelled out the huge contracts given to Marvin Jones Jr. and Mohamed Sanu, but at least they should have had a better succession plan in place. Bringing in Brandon LaFell and Tyler Boyd sounds like a sound decision on paper, sure, but it came with foreseeable issues.
LaFell has proven to be a decent option in the past, but he is someone who struggled with drops and inconsistency throughout his career in both Carolina and New England. In both of those places, he was able to be a significantly lesser part of the offenses: Carolina focused heavily on run game dominance to help free up coverages for their guys out wide; he was often no higher than No. 4 in New England's pecking order for plays.
Boyd came in as a more dynamic option, but as I've mentioned multiple times already, this team insists on not giving their young players major roles. With these two guys in particular in mind, selecting someone like Smith-Schuster here would be a smart move.
The Anquan Boldin comparisons may not get everyone jumping out of their seats, but maybe it should Boldin has never been a speed demon, but his toughness and ability to consistently make big plays and pick apart defenses despite his built-in disadvantages shouldn't be callously overlooked. If Smith-Schuster can bring even a smidgen of that, it could have a strong intangible effect on the offense he joins.
Smith-Schuster may not see much immediate impact, but there is a chance he could. When it comes to most rookies, they are missing much of the attention to small details needed for teams to trust them from the break; if the Boldin comparisons go further than just play speed (which they seem to do) that shouldn't be as much of an issue for him.
Even if he doesn't get out there right away, LaFell shouldn't be around much longer. His contract is finished after 2017, and even without improvement Smith-Schuster may already be a better offensive piece than him. In any case, taking the No. 2 spot over in 2018 wouldn't be a stretch if he's on the roster.
Nov 19, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Teez Tabor (31) celebrates the win over the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium. The Gators defeat the Tigers 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Round 4 Compensatory Pick: Jalen 'Teez' Tabor, CB – Florida
The Bengals have proven themselves to be a team where character concerns can be thrown out the window. That can be a pretty ugly sight if things go wrong. We saw that back in the days of Chris Henry and Odell Thurman, when the team was in the headlines for nine different players dealing with arrests in 2006.
Since those days however, the team hasn't lost their penchant for bringing in troubled-yet-talented individuals, and has really been the sort of organization which acts as a positive influence and manages to help those players get past their previous discrepancies to showcase their talents at their highest levels.
Adam Jones got himself cut from Tennessee and Dallas due to his off-field problems. Until this past offseason, there were just about no off-field issue with him in Cincinnati while he cemented himself as a quality starting cornerback (and now, even with those problems rearing their head again, the team is sticking by him).
Vontaze Burfict couldn't even get drafted, but Lewis took a chance on him; though he does have a disturbing propensity for "dirty" play at times, Burfict has been one of the league's most impactful players at his position, and Marvin Lewis has helped him grow as a person in a way he may never have reached elsewhere.
Stuff like that makes Tabor an appealing pick at this spot.
If all we were considering was on-field ability, Tabor would easily be gone by this point. He has the size and athletic ability, which gave the expectation of him at worst landing somewhere towards the end of Day 1 in the draft. He does have problems on the speed front (an apparent fear of getting beat deep and poor tackling are chief among them), but his overall potential as a cover man outshines them.
The stuff beyond the field does matter though, and what comes in the package you get with selecting Tabor won't be everyone's cup of tea.
He was suspended at Florida last year for fighting with a teammate. He has failed (and refused to take) drug tests. He tested horribly at the combine (a 4.62-second 40-yard dash time for a cornerback is unsightly). He's supremely confident, to the point where it can be a detriment to himself and his team. He's considered high-maintenance, the sort of player that will be difficult for coaches to corral.
Add all that together and it's no wonder many teams may not even want to bother with the idea of having him on their squad. Cincinnati, though, could be one of the few teams willing to look past his problems and take the risk on his talent.
They've already proven capable of successfully managing difficult characters and getting the best out of those players. With the Bengals, he also wouldn't be thrust into a starting role immediately. Instead, he'll be forced to work for his time on the field at a level he's never truly had to as of yet. This is a team which drafts first-rounders at his position and makes them sit for years before they see significant snaps. You think they won't do the same for a late fourth rounder?
Putting him in that sort of circumstance could hopefully humble him to a degree, and force him to improve upon areas of his game he's been able to skate by without attempting to fix. He could learn to trust the defensive scheme around him better, leading to less internal worry of being beat deep. His reluctance to get physical and make tough tackles could improve, mitigating another significant advantage offenses may try to take advantage of on him.
Mainly though, this could all cause him to mature as a person, hopefully eradicating perhaps his biggest red flag as a draftee. Should he manage to do that, and become an even more dangerous threat in coverage, he could find himself in a starring role in as short as one year, replacing Jones whenever the Bengals decide it is time to move on from him.
Jan 21, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; West Team defensive end Avery Moss (90) rushes as East Team offensive tackle Dan Skipper (70) blocks during the second quarter of the East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Alternative Selection: Avery Moss, DE – Youngstown State
The bit about character concerns can essentially be revisited here with Moss. He doesn't have quite as extended list of offenses as Tabor, but it is still notably concerning to find out that this man got himself banned from a campus for exposing himself. That shows an unfortunate lack of judgment which could be a problem for teams.
That incident did happen back in 2012, however, and with no other issues since then it would appear Moss has matured in the time since that occurred. With the punishment rendered and fulfilled, hopefully for him it won't be held too heavily against him at this point.
On the field the concerns are far less, and specifically as a player he may be one of my favorite possible Day 3 selections. The main issues he has are ones which can be coached away (ex: hand placement when shedding blockers), and his positives are quite desirable.
Moss could quickly have himself a key role as the top backup pass rusher for the Bengals if they grab him, with a good shot of replacing Michael Johnson as the starter opposite Dunlap in the near future.
Nov 26, 2016; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks running back Ke'aun Kinner (22) is tackled by Kansas State Wildcats linebacker Elijah Lee (9) during a game at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. The Wildcats won the game, 34-19. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Round 5, Pick 9: Elijah Lee, LB – Kansas State
With so many picks to use in this draft, there are sure to be a handful which don't go towards immediate needs, and the further we get into it the more likely we are to see even the stacked positions have new talented additions given to them. That's where someone like Lee comes into play.
Of any position group on the Bengals, I believe the linebacker corps looks to be the strongest for this coming season.
Burfict, for all his flaws, is one of the more dominating players at his position in the league. Vincent Rey put behind a couple down years to return to being an above-average player in 2016. New addition Kevin Minter should have a bigger role with Cincinnati than he saw in Arizona, and should thrive.
The only notable issue for the group would be depth. Nick Vigil was not all that good in his first season. Marquis Flowers hasn't shown much in two. Paul Dawson hasn't seen the field in two seasons, and his poor work ethic has already gotten him cut by the team once.
With Cincinnati moving on from Rey Maualuga earlier this offseason, the group will be in a rough spot should an injury hit one of their starters at any point. The future of the position is up in the air too: Burfict probably will be here for a long time, but Minter is on a one year deal, and Rey is set for free agency a year later.
Lee isn't someone who currently plays at NFL starter level, but he has the physical ability to do so. His speed is a great baseline to begin with, and the areas where he is currently deficient (playing too upright, not playing as fast as he could) could be fixed or mitigated through coaching.
This is a position group on the team routinely filled with late-round picks and undrafted free agents, so thinking they could turn another player in that mold into a solid contributor isn't far-fetched.
Dec 27, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Jeremy McNichols (13) stiff arms Baylor Bears cornerback Grayland Arnold (4) in the first quarter during the Cactus Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Alternative Selection: Jeremy McNichols, RB – Boise State
Linebacker is one spot which seems pretty well-set for this year. Another would be their running back spot. Between the pair of Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard, the team has a two-headed attack that combines to give the Bengals just about everything you want from the position as a whole.
Or, at least they do in theory.
Both have had some solid performances in their careers to this point, but when you look through their entire slate of past games — especially the past two seasons — you see an unsightly number of blindingly pedestrian (or worse) showings from the two players.
In his past 31 games, Hill (a player whose production comes almost exclusively on the ground) has gained 50+ rushing yards only 14 times. In his past 26 games, Bernard (who combines rushing and receiving work) has garnered 75+ rushing/receiving yards combined just 11 times. Splitting time obviously cuts down on the totals each might be able to gain, but seeing these two so often fail to reach these low bars shows they may not be quite as good as they are perceived.
If that could be the case (hint: it can), some new blood should be added to challenge them, and McNichols could be a decent late-round selection for doing so.
Based on his size and style, he would be more of a threat to Bernard than Hill, but putting the pressure on either (or both) of them should be a goal with whoever the team grabs. McNichols could be a long-term option for Bernard's spot regardless of immediate impact (the team could opt out after 2017 on Bernard's contract), but in the interim could be a decent third option that fights for snaps and pushes Bernard to be better than we've seen from him recently.
This wouldn't guarantee Hill gets off scot free either, though. Should Bernard step up and McNichols earn himself some snaps, it could be Hill who loses out.
The team has liked the separate styles the Bernard/Hill pairing provides, but if he continues to be lackluster in his snaps, there's little reason to stick with him just for the sake of wanting to show more powerful run looks. Successful teams adjust to their personnel, and this team is not long removed from managing to keep playing decently well even with a significant quarterback injury.
If they can change their gameplan to better fit A.J. McCarron in Andy Dalton's stead, surely they should be able to do so to some degree with regards to an ineffective Hill, right?
Nov 10, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Mack Hollins (13) carries the ball to score a touchdown against the Duke Blue Devils in the first half of their game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Round 5 Compensatory Pick: Mack Hollins, WR – North Carolina
The Bengals need some skill player help, and this would be a great spot to find some. With my first-option selections, they've already added to their tight end crop, so picking up a wide receiver would be the move based on who's around.
They are set up as good as anybody with their No. 1 option in A.J. Green, but they don't really have all that much beyond him. Tyler Boyd should have a more significant role in his second year, but Brandon LaFell is nothing more than a stop gap on the outside.
A player like Hollins has the potential to give this offense the threat they've lacked with the 2016 free agency departure of Marvin Jones. He has excellent size and is a true deep threat. His abilities are currently still pretty raw, but the Bengals wouldn't force him quickly into a role, so he can buff up those weaknesses.
After a year of continuing to refine his skills, he could be a prime candidate to take over for LaFell on the outside, giving the Bengals a nice three-man combination of Green, Hollins, and Boyd to throw out against his opponents. In the meantime, his ability to burn guys outside could give the Bengals a few quality plays and help provide space for other players inside (Tyler Eifert) and underneath (Boyd).
That may not sound like much, but the NFL is often called a game of inches. If his presence can provide a few more for his teammates to work with, the entire offense will be much more dangerous.
Oct 1, 2016; Little Rock, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Jeremy Sprinkle (83) runs after a catch defended by Alcorn State Braves linebacker Dentario McCloud (49) during the third quarter at War Memorial Stadium. Arkansas defeated Alcorn State 52-10. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Alternative Selection: Jeremy Sprinkle, TE – Arkansas
As mentioned with Jake Butt, adding a tight end somewhere in the draft should be a priority. Uzomah and Kroft are pretty limited as talents; at least one of them should be replaced. If he's here, Sprinkle would be a strong value play.
Unlike Butt, blocking isn't as big of a question for Sprinkle, and though Butt may project better as a receiver right now Sprinkle could provide a more well-rounded package from the start. Having a quality second option at tight end is paramount when your starter (as good as Tyler Eifert can be) seems to suffer major injuries pretty often, and Sprinkle could be just that.
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Utah running back Joe Williams speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Round 6, Pick 9: Joe Williams, RB – Utah
As mentioned earlier, character concerns don't scare off the Bengals if they believe a guy has the capacity to improve as a person and can be a solid contributor for their team. That's good news for Williams, because he's got plenty of red flags.
He was suspended from Connecticut in 2013 for credit card theft, having to rekindle his value at little-known ASA College in 2014. Then last year with Utah, he ended up basically retiring for a stretch of the season before returning after injuries struck his backfield mates.
His actions have shown him to be out for himself to a startling degree, and that will rightfully have teams extremely wary of bringing him in. It makes sense: if you think a guy isn't willing to make the sacrifices necessary to help his team, then why even risk adding that sort of mentality to the locker room? But if there is a team willing to look past all that baggage, it's Cincinnati.
I won't re-list everything they've already shown a willingness to overlook with players in the past, but with a grouping as extensive as the one they've compiled over the years, if they like his talent they probably won't hesitate long to grab him at this point of the draft.
Williams isn't an every-down option, but that would be fine for Cincinnati. They don't need him to fill an immediate role, and they already work with two runners who handle sizably differing responsibilities on the field.
Jeremy Hill handles early down work and doesn't catch passes. Giovani Bernard can catch and run, but isn't really built for a full workload. If Williams is grabbed, Hill should be on notice. While both he and Bernard and have struggled the past couple years, his limited ability as a pass catcher makes him even more of a liability when he's not running well. Hill to his credit seems motivated to go out and prove he really is the guy we saw prior to 2015 — including welcoming the addition of a new challenger to the group.
Taking a late-round chance on a guy who could seamlessly fit into his role (assuming Williams matures) feels like the perfect way to both add additional motivation for Hill and give them a fallback should his 2015-2016 seasons prove to be the norm.
Dec 30, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Keith Gavin (89) is unable to make a catch as Michigan Wolverines cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) defends the play during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Alternative Selection: Jourdan Lewis, CB – Michigan
This would make sense in either scenario I've given so far. Now, there is a significant chance Lewis is long gone by now. His play style and determination are huge check marks for teams.
His size will be a major concern, however. His slender frame could lead to injuries and an inability to handle bigger players with regularity, and that would be something opposing teams can gameplan around to exploit. With that in mind, he could find himself falling towards the later rounds.
If he does, regardless of their other moves at this spot, the Bengals should pounce.
Should the team pick up Tabor a couple rounds earlier, it serves as both a safety valve should his maturity and character issues not go away. If they grab Jones early on, Lewis gets to be a more immediate option while Jones heals and is a fallback in case Jones isn't the same player once he does recover.
In the best-case scenario, he's one of a three-man group (Dre Kirkpatrick, Tabor/Jones, Lewis) that could man the main cornerback responsibilities long-term (and if Darqueze Dennard and/or Josh Shaw are able to find/keep success, a deep five-man unit). In the worst? He's a low-risk option who shouldn't be a professional concern for his club.
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Christian offensive lineman Aviante Collins speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Round 6 Compensatory Pick: Aviante Collins, OT – TCU
The Bengals must already have picked up a lineman by this point, but adding a second is just as important. No matter what spot the first guy plays, the Cincinnati offensive line really needs more talent, and a player at any position would be a fit. These later round guys tend to not be immediate contributors, but many can be developed into useable players relatively quickly, and Collins should be no different.
He played tackle in college, but may have to shift to guard. Either way there will be potential problems for him at the next level. He isn't quite big and long enough to be expected to handle edge rushers with aplomb, but he also doesn't quite have the hand skills to effectively manage power rushes from the inside, either.
At least some of that can be fixed through coaching however, and his never-quit toughness equip him with the mentality to have a shot against most players he gets lined up against.
If things don't go well with the Ogbuehi/Fisher combo at tackle early on 2017, or if their initial plans at replacing Kevin Zeitler at guard don't pan out, the coaches could feel at least somewhat comfortable turning to Collins in a time of need.
More likely, they will view him as a guy who will improve after a year as a backup and turn himself into a more quality starting threat in 2018 and beyond.
Dec 27, 2016; San Diego , CA, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers safety Damarius Travis (7) celebrates in the first quarter against the Washington State Cougars during the 2016 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Alternative Selection: Damarius Travis, S – Minnesota
The safety spot for the Bengals is decently set at the top, but the depth could use a boost. That's a good spot for Travis. He isn't a starter-level player, but he can improve upon that in time. He has all the size and strength necessary for success, but he must get better in the actual playing of the position.
His inconsistent tackling and lacking downfield coverage will be a detriment, but spending time playing, practicing, and getting coached up will smooth out the edges of those issues to the point where he can contribute.
Currently there is little beyond Shawn Williams and George Iloka on the roster, so another capable body would help the unit.
Oct 14, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Jela Duncan (25) runs the ball against Louisville Cardinals safety Josh Harvey-Clemons (25) during the second quarter at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Round 7, Pick 9: Josh Harvey-Clemons, S – Louisville
Another red flag selection, albeit for drastically different reasons than the previous ones. While someone like Joe Williams has worries over his character and maturity, there isn't a problem with drugs for him. That's the big problem with Harvey-Clemons though, and it could be a more damaging issue in the NFL.
While a player like Williams could cause worry in terms of buying in and giving his all to his team, Harvey-Clemons is a risk to miss significant time to suspensions if he hasn't put his usage of marijuana squarely in the past.
He failed multiple drug test in college, and players who test positive in college are much more likely to end up repeating those offenses in the future. A team spending their resources on him must be wary of the fact that no matter his on-field talent, his decisions away from the field may prevent him from even lining up for significant portions of his career.
Concerns with drug usage have derailed talented careers far too often in the past, and they give a clear picture of how wrong things can go if teams rely on players who've gotten themselves in this situation.
Look at Josh Gordon. He proved capable of being a top-five receiver when he puts on his uniform behind an impressive 2013 (87 catches, 1,646 yards, nine touchdowns), but his drug issues have ruined what could have been a starry career. He came in with the issues, having to go through the supplemental draft to even join the league, and it just kept getting worse. Even in his great 2013, he missed two games to a suspension; since then, he's played just five games as he's had multiple other long-term suspensions never allow him to return to the field.
Another case is Martavis Bryant. He is the sort of dominating size-speed athlete which can help an offense become elite at attacking downfield. With the Steelers, accompanied by fellow skill position players Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell, that's exactly what he did; few offenses inspired more fear than what their 2015 group was able to accomplish.
Unfortunately, his propensity for drug use seems to have sent him the way of Gordon. He missed the first month of 2015 with a drug suspension, and is still currently on a separate indefinite suspension that already took away his entire 2016 season.
If drug problems are not addressed and managed, even the most talented contributors can be relegated to nothing more than a name on the inactive list. If Harvey-Clemons hasn't put his earlier transgressions firmly in the rearview, it will result in the same unfortunate fate as Gordon and Bryant.
But just because he has issues in his past, it doesn't automatically mean he won't evolve beyond them, nor does it mean he shouldn't be given the chance to prove he's put it all behind him. Assuming he can, and then you bring his talent into the equation, he's worth a late-round pick by the Bengals.
His on-field abilities are the sort teams would hope to find much earlier in the process, and as long as he stays out of trouble he can become a dynamic force at safety the way guys like Kam Chancellor have before him.
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon State offensive lineman Sean Harlow speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Alternative Selection: Sean Harlow, OG – Oregon State
If they haven't yet grabbed two offensive linemen, they could find themselves with a good option in the final round in Harlow. Harlow was a tackle in college, but his limitations will make guard more palatable for his professional career. That should be fine for the Bengals, who could use as much line help as they can find.
Even if they've already gotten two guys earlier, they currently have three starting positions desperately needing new bodies or improved play. Their other two starters are only average as well, so they shouldn't be afraid to plan on challenging them if they can.
That line is so terrible as a whole that throwing as many resources (albeit cheap ones, since they have proven to not be inclined towards spending big money on the group) as possible at the group is the only way they'll make it better. Grabbing Harlow here gives them someone who can focus on being a guard while their earlier picks vie for the tackle spots with Ogbuehi and Fisher.
Oct 31, 2015; Iowa City, IA, USA; Maryland Terrapins defensive back William Likely (4) returns a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa won 31-15. andatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Round 7 Compensatory Pick: William Likely III, CB – Maryland
When you get this late in the draft, you're expectations can't be all that high for players to make significant contributions. If you can come away with someone who can make an impact in a defined role, or who projects to at least be a decent depth, that is a noteworthy accomplishment. Likely is someone who could do that for the Bengals.
He has undeniable physical limitations (can't do much about being 5-7). He also could be held back by durability concerns (he's had notable ankle and shoulder issues — and that was before he tore his ACL). If he stays healthy, however, his talents could help in a couple of ways.
Everything about him skill-wise shows a player that would be clamored for if not for his diminutive stature. He is quick, moves well laterally, and stays well-balanced in coverage. He's as competitive as they come and has supreme confidence in himself without it becoming a detriment. He also does well with the little things during a play: staying aware of more than just his particular assignment in coverage, avoiding blockers to get to the ball carrier, getting his hands involved to prevent catches and knock the ball away at the last moment; you name it, he can do it — if he can reach, of course.
The other aspect to take note of is his return abilities. He is more than effective in bringing up punts and kicks, and his attributes acclimate well to letting him use his athletic abilities to garner extended yardage the way you would desire from your return man. Here, his height becomes not only less of an exploitable problem, but even an advantage. You can't tackle what you can't see, and his size allows him to disappear in the scrum of blockers and defenders which inevitably happen on return attempts.
The return game may be what gets him picked, especially by a team like Cincinnati. As of now, they don't have a clear answer in place. Brandon Tate left for Buffalo, and though Tyler Boyd could be a potential option, an elevated role in the offense may make the team hesitant to use him elsewhere if they can find another viable option. If Likely goes to them, that question is answered.
His size may never let him be a significant performer on defense, but if his return skills translate to the next level, he could have himself a role for years as the Bengals' top returner.
Alternative Selection: Treyvon Hester, DL – Toledo
This pick would just fit so well in my eyes. The main concerns with Hester are embedded in his size. The Bengals have already managed to help turn a player with similar concerns into a star: Geno Atkins. Not saying Hester will reach that level — or that he even could — but he wouldn't have to be another Atkins to be successful beside him.
The team needs a major influx of talent on their defensive line, and though he wouldn't fix things on his own Hester could be a piece of the puzzle. Even with multiple earlier selections to the group, there is A LOT of room to improve; spending a large amount of resources on the unit could turn it back into a strength.
Hester wouldn't be guaranteed to take a rotation spot (much less the starter position next to Atkins), but the team has no clear answers as it stands now for not just the starters but the backups as well.
Right now, they have Atkins at one defensive tackle spot and Dunlap at one defensive end spot. They let Domata Peko (the other long-time DT starter) leave in free agency, and backup DE Margus Hunt also went elsewhere. Still on the roster: Michael Johnson (who hasn't had a good season since 2013 and is 30), Will Clarke (an underwhelming career backup), Wallace Gilberry (ditto), Pat Sims (past-his-prime rotational DT/NT), and a bundle of low draft picks and undrafted guys who've rarely (if ever) played.
Assuming they grab Allen or Thomas early, they could be the second interior starter with Atkins. That backup spot should be up for grabs, and Hester would be as good a bet as anyone to pick up those rotation snaps if he's added to the team.
