Throughout the 2019 draft process players like Ohio State’s Dre’mont Jones and Dwayne Haskins hoped to be chosen as soon as possible. Washington chose Haskins with the 15th overall pick and Denver drafted Jones in the third round with the 71st overall pick.
While the aforementioned players waited for their name to be called on national television, others, like Ohio Dominican University receiver Cory Contini, were less concerned with when they were chosen and more focused on simply getting an opportunity.
Contini received the coveted phone call from the Cincinnati Bengals, who invited him to rookie mini-camp. The Dover native recognizes that coming from Ohio Dominican, a Division II school, is not an easy task.
“You just have to go out there and make a great impression on them. Be strong mentally and physically," Contini said.
Unlike Jones and Haskins, Contini’s spot on the roster is far from guaranteed. And while he is Ohio Domincan’s all-time leader in receiving touchdowns (38) and receiving yards (3,239), he knows to make the team, he will have to prove he belongs.
Contini said, “I realize I am going to have start with special teams and work my way up, but that is something that I am not afraid to do.”
And while being a draft pick is beneficial, all one needs is an opportunity to show what they can do on the field to be a success in the NFL.
