2018 NFL Draft results: Bengals select Davontae Harris in Round 5

After starting the day by adding Miami’s Mark Walton to the running back room, the Bengals continue their momentum in Day 3 by selecting cornerback Davontae Harris from Illinois State with their first selection in the fifth round (pick 151 overall).

The Bengals came into the day needing to find another cornerback. While it’s not an immediate need, it could become one next year when Darqueze Dennard hits free agency. Josh Shaw is also slated to become a free agent, and they just cut Adam Jones this offseason.

From NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein:

Harris struggles to squeeze routes in man coverage and can be beaten down the field, but he has good size and toughness and may offer a team the versatility of playing outside cornerback or safety. Harris needs to play with better anticipation to give him a head start on his transitions out of breaks, but he has a chance to be a decent backup at either cornerback or safety.

Harris is a prototypical height/weight/speed prospect who will enter the defensive back room looking to learn from a talented group of peers in William Jackson III, Dre Kirkpatrick, Darqueze Dennard, and KeiVarae Russell.

The three-year starter tested well at the combine with a 4.43 second 40 yard dash, 22 reps on the bench press, and a 4.4 20 yard shuttle. His complaints are in his technique and hip fluidity, but he won’t be pressed to play early, so he will have the time to mature into a dependable player.

The Bengals’ remaining top draft needs are:

DT, OT, OG

Here’s a rundown of every pick the Bengals hold in the 2018 NFL Draft.

NFL Draft schedule:

Rounds 4-7: 12 p.m. ET, Saturday, April 28: (Rounds 4-6 – 5 minutes per pick, Round 7 - 4 minutes per pick)

Here’s a link to the full seven-round NFL Draft order and live draft tracker!

What do you think of the Cincinnati Bengals’ first Round 5 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft?