It won’t be long until the 2017 NFL Draft begins.
And for once, Bengals fans won’t wait long to see who their team’s first pick will be. With Cincinnati holding the No. 9 overall pick, there should be one, if not more elite prospects on the board when the Bengals on the clock.
Western Michigan’s Corey Davis is viewed as an elite receiver prospect worthy of a top-10 pick, and that’s who Cincinnati lands in SB Nation’s latest 2-round mock.
As good as Davis is, it would seem unwise for the Bengals to spend the No. 9 pick on a wide receiver with other pressing needs, not to mention one from a school like Western Michigan of all places.
But don’t mistake Davis from just some small-school receiver putting up big numbers against inferior competition. He’s easily one of, if not the best receiver prospect in this draft.
As a true freshman at Western Michigan in 2013, Davis set school freshman records with 67 grabs for 941 yards to go with six touchdowns. As a sophomore in 2014, he had 78 catches for 1,408 yards and 15 scores.
During his junior year in 2015, Davis had 90 grabs for 1,436 yards and 12 scores. This past season, Davis racked up 97 catches for 1,500 yards (15.9 avg.) and 19 more scores.
Against Toledo on Nov. 25, Davis became the all-time FBS leader in receiving yards. Even with that kind of production, No. 9 might be a little high for Davis. But if the Bengals want another game-breaking receiver, Davis may the guy for them.
For the Bengals’ second pick in this mock draft, Kansas State’s Jordan Willis is picked up at No. 41. In a draft deep with pass-rushers, Willis got very little attention leading up to the Scouting Combine, but he’s no longer under the radar after balling out in Indy.
In the 40-yard dash, Willis posted the second-best time among all defensive linemen at 4.53 seconds, while his 1.54 10-yard split was the best among linemen. In the three-cone drill, Willis recorded a 6.85, the best among all linemen.
He also tied for third in the 20-yard shuffle at 4.28 seconds. His performance was among the best of any player at the combine, and it has him vaulting up the mock drafts after being projected as Round 3 prospect.
There’s some thought his combine showing may propel him into the late Round 1 discussion, so he’d be a nice get for the Bengals early in the second round.
Overall, what do you think of this two-round mock for the Bengals?