Why Corey Davis Should Be Bengals’ Top Choice With Ninth Pick
By Larry Spicer
The countdown to the draft is on as the Bengals staff are on their Pro Day tour, scouting the future of the franchise. Corey Davis should be on that list.
If you enjoy browsing through the various mock drafts that litter the internet this time of year, you will see an assortment of players being pegged as the best choice for the Bengals in the first round. This year’s class is pretty deep in talent and there are a few different directions the team can go. The defense has been pegged as the biggest area of need, and though it definitely wouldn’t hurt to go in that direction, I would argue that offense is an even bigger concern.
The defense may have struggled early on last season, however, the unit showed vast improvement as the year went on. Don’t get me wrong. The needs are there, but these needs can be met in later rounds. The offense struggled all year and really missed Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu who both left via free agency last offseason.
Brandon LaFell did an admiral job and Tyler Boyd flashed plenty of potential in their place. However, the offense lacks explosive playmakers. Add to that an offensive line that is young and unproven and you have a lot of questions surrounding Ken Zampese’s crew. Can anyone take some of the focus off of A.J. Green in coverage? Who else can Andy Dalton look to when the pressure is coming?
The Blue-Chip Bronco
I believe there is an answer to these questions and his name Corey Davis. Measuring in at 6’3″ and a little over 200 pounds, Davis was electric for the Western Michigan Broncos last season. The MAC standout is known for his excellent route running. He has blazing speed to go along with his size. Let’s not overlook his ability to gain yards after the catch. Davis is an absolute dynamic play-maker who can take the top off of a defense and would be a perfect complement to Green.
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Add to that the impact he would have on the offense in regards to playcalling. The Red Rifle is most dangerous when he can get rid of the ball quickly. Davis would open up the playbook as well as mask deficiencies in pass protection that could occur. Ultimately, the young tackles could adjust to their new roles. Adding Davis would instantly transform the offense from average to dangerous.
You can look at the Bengals historically as well to see that the pick makes perfect sense. The best teams in franchise history had two dynamic receivers. The 1981-82 Super Bowl team had Isaac Curtis and Cris Collinsworth. The 1988 Super Bowl team had Eddie Brown and Tim McGee. Of course, everyone remembers the 2005 team with Chad Johnson and T. J. Houshmandzadeh. You also can’t forget Chris Henry who made a major impact as a deep threat his rookie season. Davis can have that same kind of impact this year.
Next: Understanding The Playoff Picture
As I look at the big board for the Bengals in the upcoming draft, I can’t find a more suitable player who can provide value while filling a need at the same time. What do you think? Would you like to hear Corey Davis’ name called on draft night?