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The 2016 NFL draft is upon us.
Players from all sorts of backgrounds and upbringings will soon hear their names called during the draft as their NFL dreams turn into reality. While the draft is often surrounded by wild speculation, debates on which prospect is better and mock simulation after mock simulation, the real reason the draft is so special is the journey all of these players have taken to get to this point.
Making it to the NFL is one of the hardest things for any athlete to accomplish. Seeing what many of us have dreamed of become reality for some and the joy it brings to them and their families makes this one of the best events in sports.
But before all of this happens, we have to pass the time by guessing who will go where tonight. ESPN's Todd McShay just put out his final mock simulation for Round 1, and Ole Miss' LaQuon Treadwell was the 24th-overall selection.
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi
While Treadwell lacks game-breaking speed, he's highly effective on contested throws and jump balls. In Cincy, he would thrive in the short-to-intermediate area playing opposite one of the league's premier deep threats in A.J. Green.
Many regard the 6'2", 221-pound physical specimen as this draft's best receiver, so it's hard to see him falling to the 24th pick. Treadwell had an outstanding year for the Rebels in 2015, notching 82 catches, 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns.
But while Treadwell is an excellent possession receiver who had little trouble getting open in college, his straight-line speed is a concern for teams that make it possible he's on the board in the 20s.
Still, I don't expect Treadwell to be here for the Bengals to grab, but if he does fall this far and ends up being the pick, I'll be ecstatic.
Mike Mayock also put out his final mock draft and chose a new trendy player for the Bengals, Will Fuller out of Notre Dame.
Fuller has legit speed. He's a bit raw and not a natural pass catcher. He'll be a polarizing player like the Panthers' Ted Ginn. In other words, he'll have a couple drops, but then be able to spring a big play.
Yesterday, Dave Lapham, who has correctly guessed the last four Bengals picks, predicted the Bengals will draft Fuller. So, it's very possible this could happen.
Who do you hope to see the Bengals select tonight?