Bengals: 3 William Jackson replacements in 2021 NFL Draft

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) and Cincinnati Bengals cornerback William Jackson (22) reach for a pass on fourth down before a flag is thrown for defensive pass interference, extending the Steelers drive and leading to a touchdown on the next play, in the fourth quarter of the NFL 15 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Monday, Dec. 21, 2020. The Bengals beat the Steelers, 27-17, on Monday Night Football.Pittsburgh Steelers At Cincinnati Bengals /

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Bengals target Eric Stokes. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Eric Stokes, Georgia

Eric Stokes is one of the two high-ranked Georgia cornerbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft, but for many, he’s the better one. He excels when he is in press-man coverage and can be physical with the receiver. He got his hands on a lot of footballs this year and really took that next step by proving he can make plays on the ball.

He is restricted to the outside, as he is not the most fluid cornerback out there, but he can flat out fly. At the House of Athletes mock combine, he ran a 4.25-second forty-yard dash. Stokes will be a day two pick, and most likely an early day two pick.

Eric Stokes can step in to fill the outside cornerback role that was left void by the departure of Jackson. He has the length, physicality, long speed and ball skills to stick with NFL wide receivers in man coverage and contest the catch point when the ball is thrown his way. A trio of Stokes, Mike Hilton and Chidobe Awuzie is a solid group to roll into a season with, and if this comes to fruition, the Cincinnati Bengals should feel more than comfortable with their secondary.

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