2017 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals Final 7-Round Mock Draft

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Nov 10, 2016; Durham, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Mack Hollins (13) carries the ball to score a touchdown against the Duke Blue Devils in the first half of their game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 5 Compensatory Pick: Mack Hollins, WR – North Carolina

The Bengals need some skill player help, and this would be a great spot to find some. With my first-option selections, they’ve already added to their tight end crop, so picking up a wide receiver would be the move based on who’s around.

They are set up as good as anybody with their No. 1 option in A.J. Green, but they don’t really have all that much beyond him. Tyler Boyd should have a more significant role in his second year, but Brandon LaFell is nothing more than a stop gap on the outside.

A player like Hollins has the potential to give this offense the threat they’ve lacked with the 2016 free agency departure of Marvin Jones. He has excellent size and is a true deep threat. His abilities are currently still pretty raw, but the Bengals wouldn’t force him quickly into a role, so he can buff up those weaknesses.

After a year of continuing to refine his skills, he could be a prime candidate to take over for LaFell on the outside, giving the Bengals a nice three-man combination of Green, Hollins, and Boyd to throw out against his opponents. In the meantime, his ability to burn guys outside could give the Bengals a few quality plays and help provide space for other players inside (Tyler Eifert) and underneath (Boyd).

That may not sound like much, but the NFL is often called a game of inches. If his presence can provide a few more for his teammates to work with, the entire offense will be much more dangerous.

Oct 1, 2016; Little Rock, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Jeremy Sprinkle (83) runs after a catch defended by Alcorn State Braves linebacker Dentario McCloud (49) during the third quarter at War Memorial Stadium. Arkansas defeated Alcorn State 52-10. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Alternative Selection: Jeremy Sprinkle, TE – Arkansas

As mentioned with Jake Butt, adding a tight end somewhere in the draft should be a priority. Uzomah and Kroft are pretty limited as talents; at least one of them should be replaced. If he’s here, Sprinkle would be a strong value play.

Unlike Butt, blocking isn’t as big of a question for Sprinkle, and though Butt may project better as a receiver right now Sprinkle could provide a more well-rounded package from the start. Having a quality second option at tight end is paramount when your starter (as good as Tyler Eifert can be) seems to suffer major injuries pretty often, and Sprinkle could be just that.

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