2017 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals Final 7-Round Mock Draft
By Kenn Korb
Round 7 Compensatory Pick: William Likely III, CB – Maryland
When you get this late in the draft, you’re expectations can’t be all that high for players to make significant contributions. If you can come away with someone who can make an impact in a defined role, or who projects to at least be a decent depth, that is a noteworthy accomplishment. Likely is someone who could do that for the Bengals.
He has undeniable physical limitations (can’t do much about being 5-7). He also could be held back by durability concerns (he’s had notable ankle and shoulder issues — and that was before he tore his ACL). If he stays healthy, however, his talents could help in a couple of ways.
Everything about him skill-wise shows a player that would be clamored for if not for his diminutive stature. He is quick, moves well laterally, and stays well-balanced in coverage. He’s as competitive as they come and has supreme confidence in himself without it becoming a detriment. He also does well with the little things during a play: staying aware of more than just his particular assignment in coverage, avoiding blockers to get to the ball carrier, getting his hands involved to prevent catches and knock the ball away at the last moment; you name it, he can do it — if he can reach, of course.
The other aspect to take note of is his return abilities. He is more than effective in bringing up punts and kicks, and his attributes acclimate well to letting him use his athletic abilities to garner extended yardage the way you would desire from your return man. Here, his height becomes not only less of an exploitable problem, but even an advantage. You can’t tackle what you can’t see, and his size allows him to disappear in the scrum of blockers and defenders which inevitably happen on return attempts.
The return game may be what gets him picked, especially by a team like Cincinnati. As of now, they don’t have a clear answer in place. Brandon Tate left for Buffalo, and though Tyler Boyd could be a potential option, an elevated role in the offense may make the team hesitant to use him elsewhere if they can find another viable option. If Likely goes to them, that question is answered.
His size may never let him be a significant performer on defense, but if his return skills translate to the next level, he could have himself a role for years as the Bengals’ top returner.
Alternative Selection: Treyvon Hester, DL – Toledo
This pick would just fit so well in my eyes. The main concerns with Hester are embedded in his size. The Bengals have already managed to help turn a player with similar concerns into a star: Geno Atkins. Not saying Hester will reach that level — or that he even could — but he wouldn’t have to be another Atkins to be successful beside him.
The team needs a major influx of talent on their defensive line, and though he wouldn’t fix things on his own Hester could be a piece of the puzzle. Even with multiple earlier selections to the group, there is A LOT of room to improve; spending a large amount of resources on the unit could turn it back into a strength.
Hester wouldn’t be guaranteed to take a rotation spot (much less the starter position next to Atkins), but the team has no clear answers as it stands now for not just the starters but the backups as well.
Right now, they have Atkins at one defensive tackle spot and Dunlap at one defensive end spot. They let Domata Peko (the other long-time DT starter) leave in free agency, and backup DE Margus Hunt also went elsewhere. Still on the roster: Michael Johnson (who hasn’t had a good season since 2013 and is 30), Will Clarke (an underwhelming career backup), Wallace Gilberry (ditto), Pat Sims (past-his-prime rotational DT/NT), and a bundle of low draft picks and undrafted guys who’ve rarely (if ever) played.
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Assuming they grab Allen or Thomas early, they could be the second interior starter with Atkins. That backup spot should be up for grabs, and Hester would be as good a bet as anyone to pick up those rotation snaps if he’s added to the team.