Bengals Sign William Jackson III

The Bengals announced that they have formally signed first-round pick William Jackson III. With the cornerback officially under contract, the Bengals have now signed every player in their 2016 draft class. 

Jackson, a University of Houston product, turned heads with a 4.37 second 40-yard-dash time at the NFL combine. Over the last two years at UH, Jackson allowed just 40% of passes thrown his way to be completed. The cornerback was reportedly at the center of what could have been a rare trade between the Jets and Giants on draft day. The Jets are said to have offered their No. 20 overall pick and second-rounders to the Giants to get the No. 10. The Jets had their sights set on Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil while the Giants would have targeted Jackson at No. 20. However, the Giants were zeroed in on Ohio State star Eli Apple and didn’t want to pass up the chance to draft him.

Here is a full recap of the Bengals’ 2016 draft class:

• 1-24: William Jackson III, CB (Houston)
• 2-55: Tyler Boyd, WR (Pittsburgh):
• 3-87: Nick Vigil, LB (Utah State)
• 4-122: Andrew Billings, DT (Baylor)
• 5-161: Christian Westerman, OL (Arizona State)
• 6-199: Cody Core, WR (Ole Miss)
• 7-245: Clayton Fejedelem, S (Illinois)

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.