Bengals 2016 NFL Draft: Bengals select Cody Core, WR, Ole Miss in Round 6

With the 199th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals selected Ole Miss Rebels receiver Cody Core.

While LaQuon Treadwell was the Ole Miss receiver everyone talked of, the Rebels had another quality pass-catcher in Core. The 6'3", 205-pounder caught 78 passes for 1,202 yards and 10 scores over the past two seasons in Oxford.

Core was a converted defensive back who only began playing receiver full time in 2014. He finished with 21 tackles in his college career, 16 of which coming over his first two collegiate seasons. It's possible the Bengals think Core still has more room to grow and develop than the other receivers at this point, which is why he ended up being selected over more higher-rated receivers.

While it wasn't big-name player, Core was a solid value pick here as most had Round 5/6 grades on him. ESPN's Mel Kiper had him ranked 117th overall coming into the draft, so the Bengals picking him with pick 199 seems like a good value. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein gave him a Round 5 or 6 grade. CBS Sports gave him a Round 6 grade.

Roster Watch did a nice draft profile of Core and compared him to some notable NFL receivers, noting how he's a physical guy not afraid to go over the middle with bodies around him.

Zierlein also pointed out a number of traits that could make Core a nice target for the Bengals.

Core played mostly special teams, and even some defensive back, during his first two years in Oxford. But then the door opened for him as a receiver in 2014, and he took advantage (41-558, six touchdowns). Core's numbers didn't increase as a senior due to the return of Laquon Treadwell and quarterback Chad Kelly's ability to spread the ball around (37-644, four TD) but his big play ability (17.4 yards per catch in 2015) is obvious.

Good overall size. Pushes hard upfield to sell the deep ball and put defender in defensive posture. Good leaper who uses his size and spring to go up and get the ball. Strong enough to grind out yards after the catch with his size. Effective special teams cover man during his time at Ole Miss with 18 tackles. Able-bodied blocker.

The Bengals love their rookies, especially the late-round guys, to be major contributors on special teams. They've gone as far as to spend picks on guys like James Wright just based on their special teams impact, so this pick really is not surprising.

Core played a lot of special teams during his first two years at Mississippi and Treadwell's presence on the team held him back a bit. He has good size, he's strong and he's an able-bodied blocker, something that Boyd is not. In 2015, Core ranked fifth among SEC players and 33rd nationally with 17.4 yards per catch. He finished second on the team behind treadwell with 644 receiving yards. Throughout his four year playing career at Ole Miss, Core played 51 games, had 83 receptions, 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 25.4 yards per game. In 2014 and 2015 he averaged 42.9 and 49.5 yards per game respectively.

Though the sixth round and Day 3 of the draft in general don't carry as much fanfare as the earlier rounds, there's still plenty of talent to be found.Guys like Kam Chancellor, Geno Atkins, Richard Sherman and Tom Brady are among those who've heard their names called between Rounds 4-7.

Let's hope this latest Bengals Round 6 pick ends up being the kind of steal that's helped make this roster a consistent winner and playoff contender.

How to Watch the NFL Draft, Rounds 4-7

Date: Sat., April 30
Time: 12 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network, ESPN
Remaining Bengals picks: No. 245.