Cincinnati Bengals Need to Address Receiving Corps

Since enduring yet another early exit from the NFL Playoffs, no member of the Cincinnati Bengals has faced more criticism than quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton, 0-4 in the postseason, has a history of falling apart when the pressure is on.

While Dalton’s issues are undeniable, the Bengals cannot trick themselves into believing that there isn’t another pressing need on offense: the receiver corps.

A.J. Green is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time All-Pro, which has masked many of Cincinnati’s flaws on offense since he was drafted in 2011. When the injury bug caught Green in 2014, however, those areas of weakness were put on full display.

Aside from Green, consistency doesn’t seem to exist in the Bengals’ receiving corps.

Andy Dalton has his flaws, but he needs help. Specifically, he needs healthy receivers. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

On the surface, it’s not much of an issue. Mohamed Sanu caught 56 passes for 790 yards and five touchdowns, Jermaine Gresham had 62 receptions and five scores, Giovani Bernard is a threat out of the backfield and both Tyler Eifert and Marvin Jones will be healthy for 2015.

Unfortunately, the surface can be misleading.

Gresham is currently a free agent, which places his future in Cincinnati in doubt. Even if he does re-sign, the 26-year-old recently underwent surgery on a herniated disc in his back.

That’s a common theme here.

Eifert is either Gresham’s complement €”or replacement. He played in just one game in 2014 and underwent surgeries on both his elbow and shoulder.

While he may return to 100 percent in 2015, he only has 42 career receptions and two touchdowns in 16 total games played. What Eifert can provide at 100 percent has yet to be seen.

Marvin Jones began to break out in 2013, but missed the entire 2014 NFL season. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

At wide receiver, Jones had a very strong 2013, catching 51 passes for 712 yards and 10 touchdowns. It was a genuinely impressive season for the former California Golden Bears star, who developed the look of a true No. 2 receiver.

Unfortunately, the 25-year-old missed the entire 2014 season with foot surgery and a major ankle issue. The trend continues.

Virtually every player who was supposed to serve as one of Dalton’s top targets in 2014 has gone down with a severe injury. Green is an exception, but even he missed time three regular season games and the Bengals’ postseason clash with the Indianapolis Colts due to injury.

Something needs to be done.

Mohamed Sanu could be a game-changer, but he needs to cut down on his dropped passes. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The only player who managed to stay healthy was Sanu. The 25-year-old certainly impressed, setting career-best marks in receptions, yards and touchdowns in time as both a No. 1 and No. 2 receiver.

Sanu also dropped 20.0 percent of the passes thrown his way, which registered as the worst mark in the NFL.

As the Bengals approach the 2015 NFL Draft, name value shouldn’t trick fans into thinking wide receiver and tight end are off-limits early in the draft. Both in the first and second rounds, they’re actually high priorities.

The question is, whom might they target?

It starts at tight end.

Nick O’Leary is a strong option later in the draft, but the only feasible target in the early rounds is Minnesota Golden Gophers star Maxx Williams. He’s a 6’4″ and 249-pound playmaker who ranked as a top performer in the 40-yard-dash, vertical jump, broad jump and 20-yard shuttle at the 2015 Scouting Combine.

Williams has been compared to Carolina Panthers star Greg Olsen. For those unaware, Olsen had 84 receptions for 1,008 yards and six scores in 2014.

Williams has star potential, but taking another first-round tight end is unlikely.

At wide receiver, the Bengals have a wide array of options to properly complement Green and Dalton. Jaelen Strong of the Arizona State Sun Devils is a versatile possession receiver with outstanding hands.

Strong, a 6’2″ and 217-pound wideout who lives up to his name, could be in play at No. 21 overall. If he is, the Bengals would be hard-pressed to ignore his value to their vision.

Consistent and reliable hands would be a welcome sight in Cincinnati.

Another first-rounÂ option is reigning National Champion and Ohio State Buckeyes star Devin Smith. Smith’s not the most polished player, but he’s a big play waiting to happen.

Smith is comparable to DeSean Jackson given his elite status as a vertical threat. The advantage that Smith has is a steady 6’0″ and 196 pounds.

If nothing else, Smith would stretch the field and give Cincinnati more room to work underneath.

The player who should be No. 1 on the Bengals’ list of wide receiver targets is Tyler Lockett of the Kansas State Wildcats. He would be a reach in the first round, but he could be available come the second round when Cincinnati picks at No. 53.

Lockett has the tools to be an elite slot receiver. He’s undersized, but is a tough competitor who can run after the catch and move the chains.

Perhaps most importantly, Lockett can step in as a kick and punt returner from Week 1 on.

Regardless of which prospect the Bengals target, one of their first three draft picks should be used on a tight end or wide receiver. Sanu had the worst drop rate in the NFL, Eifert and Jones are coming off of major injuries and Gresham is no longer under contract.

Dalton has his flaws, and there’s certainly reason to believe that he isn’t the long-term answer. Regardless of who is under center for the Bengals, however, having a consistent and healthy receiving corps is key.

That could be found in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Next: Is Bud Dupree an option for the Cincinnati Bengals the 2015 NFL Draft?

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