Our run on wide receivers continues thanks to the Cincinnati Bengals and Cincy Jungle. Notably, the Bengals lost veteran wideouts Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu, and have not replaced them yet. It stands to reason that the position is arguably the team's top need heading into the draft.
2016 NFL mock draft: Laquon Treadwell finally off the board to the Cincinnati Bengals
Arguably the draft’s top wideout is finally off the board in the SB Nation NFL writers’ mock draft.
The way the SB Nation NFL writers’ mock draft has played out, the Bengals are getting the third wide receiver off the board. But perhaps the best one is available. Jason Marcum checks in with the pick:
24. Bengals: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
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Marcum: For most of this offseason, I’d have been shocked to see Laquon Treadwell fall to this point. I think he’s the most NFL-ready receiver and perfectly fits a Bengals team looking to win now, plus he would still satisfy their BPA approach in the draft.
This option has become increasingly possible with Treadwell’s woeful 4.63 40-yard dash, though everyone already knew he wasn’t a speed guy and would do poorly there. He is what he is and probably doesn’t have as high of a ceiling as some of these other receivers, but I think he has the highest floor of any pass-catcher in this draft.
There’s no doubt he’d give the Bengals exactly what they need to help offset the loss of Jones and Sanu. Like both of those guys, Treadwell is more of a possession receiver and doesn’t do a lot of damage down the field, which is fine given Andy Dalton’s good, but not great arm strength.
In saying all of this, I’d still be surprised if Tread falls this far, but do think the Bengals will go with whichever best wide receiver is still on the board here. We may very well see three straight at the position go between Houston, Minny and Cincy, which would be an interesting dynamic in terms of which one(s) end up living up to their respective draft spots.
Analysis: What are the chances the Bengals could see two wide receivers come off the board right in front of them, but the best player at the position is available? Obviously to get Treadwell with the 24th pick is a bit of a steal. He’s an upgrade over Jones and Sanu and would give Cincinnati the 1B to A.J. Green’s 1A.
Dan’s Top 5 players remaining
- 15. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
- 17. Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
- 20. Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
- 24. Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
- 25. Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
Bengals picks
- 1-24: Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
- 2-55: (coming April 20)
Our three picks for the day are in the books. Coming up tomorrow at 9 a.m. ET is the Pittsburgh Steelers and Behind the Steel Curtain. Surely they won't take a wide receiver, right?
Complete draft results:
1. Tennessee Titans - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss (Link)
2. Cleveland Browns - Jared Goff, QB, Cal (Link)
3. San Diego Chargers - Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State (Link)
4. Dallas Cowboys - Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State (Link)
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Myles Jack, LB, UCLA (Link)
6. Baltimore Ravens - Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State (Link)
7. San Francisco 49ers - DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon (Link)
8. Philadelphia Eagles - Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State (Link)
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky (Link)
10. New York Giants - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame (Link)
11. Chicago Bears - Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida (Link)
12. New Orleans Saints - A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama (Link)
13. Miami Dolphins - Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State (Link)
14. Oakland Raiders - Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State (Link)
15. Los Angeles Rams - Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (Link)
16. Detroit Lions - Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State (Link)
17. Atlanta Falcons - Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson (Link)
18. Indianapolis Colts - Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama (Link)
19. Buffalo Bills - Reggie Ragland, MLB, Alabama (Link)
20. New York Jets - Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State (Link)
21. Washington - Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor (Link)
22. Houston Texans - Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor
23. Minnesota Vikings - Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
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