2016 NFL Mock Draft: Cincinnati Bengals choose Corey Coleman

Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor

Date: January 9^th, 2016

Location: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers

Time: 8:15 P.M.

I was with a couple friends all of whom were Bengals fanatics. We had a friend who informed us that he could get us into club/box level seating for the game as long as we got into the building, so I basically tagged along for the opportunity to sit in a box for playoff game. It was a cold, wet night after we had traveled a couple hours to get to the stadium (I'm from Kentucky but born an Eagles fan) and the night was dreadful from the start.

The game began and it was atrocious. It would hammer down with rain one minute then the next a steady flurry of gusting wind with mist. The first half ends with a score of 6-0 in favor of Pittsburgh. Antonio Brown goes for 119 on 7 receptions and likely would've had bigger numbers if Roethlisberger wouldn't have went down for a little to have the biggest impact. Then we all know what happened at the end of the game when Brown comes across the middle and Burfict makes a play that my friends still try to argue isn't as bad as advertised. Game over.

The Bengals are in an apex period based on how ownership chooses to build a football team. They simply do not spend money on free agency nor try to overspend on someone they can bring back in, but by focusing on the draft. They have done a tremendous job recently however this only works for so long, once a team becomes more talented and competitive, in return they do not get the same high caliber draft positions. They let Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu walk out the door. That is a combination of 153 targets, 98 receptions, 1,210 yards...gone. They have talent on the defensive side of the ball already, AJ Green is a stud and Tyler Eifert is a top tier talent at TE. The most logical pick here is a WR because that is the most glaring need.

Introducing Corey Coleman

From a raw potential stand point, I look no further than Baylor's Corey Coleman. The guy can score from anywhere on the field. I would argue that being a product of that Baylor offense actually hurts his stock here more than helps it, because he blew minds at his pro day with better than expected route running. I know he may not have the size that is now favored in the league because of guys that can go up and get it but what he lacks in size, he makes up for in big play ability. You wouldn't find a GM in the league that wouldn't take an Odell Beckham or Antonio Brown. Measurement wise Coleman matches up nicely with both as far as measurements, along with coming into the league as a home run hitter like the aforementioned players. Even one of our own writers is quite fond of him.

The Bengals are in a rare position to where the really need a solid 2 receiver as opposed to just taking the top guy they have on their board. AJ Green and Tyler Eifert are premium targets however both are commonly lined up on the same side of the field. The Bengals would be fortunate for Coleman to fall to them and very likely could be in that position come draft day.

You could argue that they could go other directions. They could go with Fuller as a preference over Coleman, which I find unlikely. Robinson the DT out of Alabama wouldn't be surprising given the need of depth on the interior D-line. Then there is the curious case of Nkemdiche who would also supply depth. The Bengals have a history of picking high risk/high reward players and putting them in position to perform.

If the draft falls their way Corey Coleman will not only be a Bengal but will have serious offensive ROY potential. Being lined up opposite of Green with Eifert patrolling the middle of the field, look for Coleman to have his share of house calls.

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2016 BGN Mock Draft Order

1) Titans (ablesser88) - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss - [Explanation]
2) Browns (EaglesGenius) - Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State - [Explanation]
3) Chargers (StoneColeKiller58) - Jared Goff, QB, Cal - [Explanation]
4) Cowboys (kamjam) - Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State - [Explanation]
5) Jaguars (drc242) - Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State - [Explanation]
6) Ravens (rohan915) - DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon - [Explanation]
7) 49ers (LAOJoe) - Myles Jack, LB, UCLA - [Explanation]
8) Eagles (slickpablovick) - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame - [Explanation]
9) Buccaneers (OneBucFan47) - Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky - [Explanation]
10) Giants (Paulie97) - Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida - [Explanation]
11) Bears (Kiko's Delivery Service) - Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State - [Explanation]
12) Saints (kylebruneault) - Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson - [Explanation]
13) Dolphins (wildcatlh) - Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State - [Explanation]
14) Raiders (Luxury_Used_Vehicles_By_Braman) - Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State - [Explanation]
15) Rams (NowWhat?) - Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis - [Explanation]
16) Lions (bri g) - Jason Sprigs, OT, Indiana - [Explanation]
17) Falcons (thealien2696) - Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State - [Explanation]
18) Colts (ei78) - Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame - [Explanation]
19) Bills (naderg43) - Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville - [Explanation]
20) Jets (Quacking_Eagle) - Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia - [Explanation]
21) Washington (TheCoxishere) - Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama - [Explanation]
22) Texans (jeppsforst) - Josh Doctson, WR, TCU - [Explanation]
23) Vikings (WScott151) - Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss - [Explanation]
24) Bengals (burkhart_b) - Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor - [Explanation]
25) Steelers (theaction) -
26) Seahawks (tfrank9811) -
27) Packers (3Trace) -
28) Chiefs (jawmo) -
N/A) Patriots - Cheaters
29) Cardinals (big DUB) - 
30) Panthers (zatch2k) -
31) Broncos (JALupowitz) -