With the 182nd overall pick, the Bengals select running back Trayveon Williams from Texas A&M.
Who: Trayveon Williams
What: Running Back, Texas A&M
Where: Sixth Round, 182nd overall
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Specs: 5'8", 206 pounds
Recent running back history: 2018-Mark Walton, fourth round; 2016-Joe Mixon, Oklahoma; 2014-Jeremy Hill, LSU, second round; 2013-Giovani Bernard, North Carolina, second round, Rex Burkhead, Nebraska, sixth round
Why: A spot opened up after the release of Walton in the offseason. Williams broke out in a major way as a junior, earning first-team All-SEC and second-team Associated Press All-American honors by finishing in the top five nationally with 1,524 rushing yards and scoring 15 times on 252 carries (6.1 average). He also caught 27 passes for 278 yards (10.3 average) and a touchdown.
Did You Know? - Williams is the first Aggie running back to be selected since Christine Michael was chosen in the second round of the 2013 draft by the Seattle Seahawks.
Player Quote - "My game is electric. I'm one of those guys that just needs the ball in my hands and I can make big things happen, whether it's running the ball between the tackles or catching it outside on the perimeter. Either-or man, I just love getting the ball in my hands."
What the experts are saying: "Productive runner who added weight and stepped into an every-down role and became one of the big SEC surprises in his first season in Jimbo Fisher's offense. Williams isn't overly dynamic by NFL standards, but he's a calm runner who stacks moves and eludes defenders to post his fair share of chunk runs. He's tough but undersized and might get pigeon-holed as a committee back with above-average third-down value thanks to his tenacity as a pass-blocker." - Lance Zierlein, NFL.com Analyst
With the 210th overall pick, the Bengals select LB Deshaun Davis from Auburn.
Who: Deshaun Davis
What: Linebacker, Auburn
Where: Sixth Round, 210th overall
Hometown: Prichard, Ala.
Specs: 5'11", 234 pounds
Why: Needing to fortify a defense that finished in the bottom half of the NFL in 2018, Davis offers much-needed linebacker help. As a senior at Auburn, Davis was voted first-team All-SEC as a senior, once again topping his squad with 116 tackles and 15 tackles for loss.
Did You Know? - Davis has been motivated to excel since he was 12 years old, when a teacher told him he would be in jail or dead by age 18. He was a top-20 linebacker prospect nationally despite missing his senior year with a knee injury (135 tackles, six forced fumbles as a junior, also played baseball and basketball).
Deshaun Davis on his relationship with former Bengals linebacker Takeo Spikes: "Takeo is my big brother man. We have a really, really, really good relationship and I expect a phone call as soon as he gets the news that I'm going to be a Bengal. Coming from Auburn, me and him built a strong relationship, and going to play for the Bengals like he did it's only going to get stronger. He's a guy that I lean on for wisdom – football-wise and even off the field. Because besides being a good football player he's a great man. There are a lot of things that he did in his game that I try to put in my game so I am excited to see his reaction when he realizes that I'm going to be a Bengal."
What the experts are saying: "Slightly undersized inside linebacker whose strength and toughness might be overshadowed by his athletic and speed limitations. Davis loves to swap greetings as a downhill run defender, but when the play flows wide or when he's forced to drop into space his effectiveness drops off sharply. With his limitations, his roster spot might be tied to scheme fit and special teams performance." - Lance Zierlein, NFL.com Analyst
With the 211th overall pick, the Bengals take RB Rodney Anderson from Oklahoma.
Who: Rodney Anderson
What: Running back, Oklahoma
Where: Sixth Round, 211th overall
Hometown: Katy, Texas
Specs: 6' 0", 224 pounds
Recent running back history: 2018-Mark Walton, fourth round; 2016-Joe Mixon, Oklahoma; 2014-Jeremy Hill, LSU, second round; 2013-Giovani Bernard, North Carolina, second round, Rex Burkhead, Nebraska, sixth round
Player Quote - "I've always prided myself on my versatility. I feel like I can do a lot of different things, whether that's running between the tackles or getting outside and doing some zone stuff or maybe getting in the slot. I'm willing to do whatever they need me to do."
