Bengals strengthen defense in way-too-early 2022 mock draft

Round 4: Pick 119 – Isaiah Likely, TE (Coastal Carolina)

C.J. Uzomah is in the last year of his contract and the Bengals could move on from him depending on how this season goes. Early in his career, Drew Sample hasn’t been very good in the passing game, so a new tight end will be needed with Uzomah’s departure.

Isaiah Likely is a tight end that specializes as a pass-catcher. Likely has been even credited as being perhaps the best route-running tight end in the draft class.

"If there are dropped catches on his tape, they aren’t in the games I’ve watched. When the ball is catchable, the Coastal Carolina tight end is coming down with it. There might not be a better route-running tight end in the class than Likely. As such, he is a dangerous threat in the passing game."

Likely is not a strong blocker since he’s a former wide receiver and slightly small for a tight end at 6’4″, 245 pounds. Sample can compensate for Likely’s weakness in blocking, which makes the pick even more ideal. Look at this absurd play by Likely and keep in mind that he is 240+ pounds doing this.

Adding a potential matchup nightmare tight end makes the Bengals’ passing game even more dangerous.