The Cincinnati Bengals wasted little time after the 2022 NFL draft getting busy in undrafted free agency.
One of the first reported deals for the Bengals (h/t Justin Melo of The Draft Network)?
Jaivon Heiligh out of Coastal Carolina.
Heiligh checks in at 6’0″ and 200 pounds with good athleticism and length scores. In 2020 he had 998 yards and 10 touchdowns over 11 games and followed that up in 2021 with 1,128 yards and seven scores, averaging a career-best 17.1 yards per catch over 13 games.
While he might not fill that big-play artist void left by Auden Tate’s departure, Heiligh has the advantage of the Bengals completely ignoring the wideout need during the draft. If he can shine on special teams, he’ll stick, perhaps as high as WR4 on the depth chart. It doesn’t hurt that the Bengals have had great success with undrafted wideouts like Stanley Morgan recently.
As an aside, B/R actually graded him as a possible third-round pick. Media roundup:
#Bengals have themselves a treat of a UDFA WR with Jaivon Heiligh.
Think Heiligh could end up developing into a sneaky nice pass catcher in a year or two.
Give him time, he’s got the hands and route running that you love to see!pic.twitter.com/pJFo351lyb
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) May 1, 2022
Bengals got UDFA WR Jaivon Heiligh. Good size and hands. Has some decent speed as well.
— Blake Jewell (@BlakeJewellNFL) April 30, 2022
